WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 10, 2020 21
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
Celebrating a Dutch tradition, Onderdonk
House in Ridgewood held its 40th St. Nicholas
Day on Sunday, Dec. 6.
In years past, the event included live music,
crafts, and games, and visitors, free to walk into
the historical house to meet St. Nicholas, the patron
saint of children and sailors. This year, due
to COVID-19 restrictions, the Onderdonk House
was forced to to reimagine its events, including
St. Nicholas Day.
Visitors had to purchase timed tickets via
Eventbrite, which helped to limit the number of
people who could meet and take a photo with St.
Nicholas, who waited for them inside the house
surrounded by Christmas decorations. Outside,
guests joined in the singing Christmas carols
and listened to a reading of “The Night Before
Christmas” while enjoying cups of hot apple cider
and cookies.
Linda Monte, a member of the Onderdonk
House team, was excited that they could bring the
event to the community despite the pandemic.
“We feel it’s important to celebrate life and the
season,” Monte said.
Steve Monte, president of Onderdonk House,
explained how they came up with the timed
ticket concept.
“We looked at what other museums were doing
and thought it was the best thing,” he said. “We
may continue with this even after the pandemic.”
HOLIDAY
Andreana Psarros, her husband Costas, and
their daughter Maria were looking for outdoor
festivities to enjoy as a family. Sunday marked
the first time that they visited the Onderdonk
House for the holiday event.
“Since there are limited things to do with COVID,
this looked like a nice thing,” Psarros said.
Onderdonk House, which recently won the
title of the best museum in Queens, is hosting
“Onderdonk After Dark” every second Saturday
of the month through March 2021. Tickets for
this event can be purchased via Eventbrite for
$5.
Photos by Gabriele Holtermann
Onderdonk House hosts COVID-friendly St. Nicholas Day celebration
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