MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. – It's a unique community just off Highway 98. Founded in the 1800s, Magnolia Springs is a place of lovely homes, some just off the Magnolia River.

In fact, the town's website says that the, “Magnolia River remains the only river route mail delivery in the continental United States.”

And the town has old churches and one other treasure it shares with everyone – the Magnolia Springs Community Hall. Built in 1894, the comfortable old hall boasts space for a couple hundred people, a full kitchen, bathrooms and more. If you have read Fannie Flagg's “A Redbird Christmas,” you have heard of the hall and Magnolia Springs.

According to Magnolia Springs Community Association members Elizabeth Ramsay and Janet Paarlberg, the hall is used for exercise classes, bridge playing, a monthly pot-luck dinner, a wide variety of meetings, and yes, Santa, Mrs. Claus and one of the elves is scheduled to arrive for pancakes and chat Dec. 4, 8 to 11 a.m.

According to Ramsay, the menu consist of all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.

Children of all ages throughout the area are invited to come. It's $5 per person, and digital photos of children (old and young) with Santa will be available to download from a photo sharing site.

The cost of having a photo taken is included in the admission price, making this an affordable event for young families.

“I think the adults have as much fun as the kids,” said Ramsay.

Paarlberg noted that if a family does not have a computer with Internet access at home, they can use a computer at a local library. It's a relatively inexpensive way to get those holiday photos that the family wants.

Paarlberg added that if a child is afraid of Santa, they can step out of line, get used to the big man in the red suit, see other people walking up to him and then get back into line. That's something there is just not a lot of time for in a shopping center.

Last year's event drew about 100 people, but this year, “We are hoping for more,” said Ramsay.

“We really want this to be open to everyone,” said Paarlberg.

The breakfast is prepared and served by locals decked out in aprons designed and sewn by Paarlberg. The hall will be extensively decorated by Jan Jones.

“We try to keep the cost low, said Ramsay. We want this to be fun for everybody.”

While it's fun, there is a serious purpose for the party. The Community Hall is in need of repair.

“We need to restore the building,” said Paarlberg. According to her, the windows are leaky and “falling out.” The chimney is starting to pull away from the building. There are problems with the piers supporting the structure as well – the building was taken off its foundation during a hurricane and placed back on new piers, which seem to have trouble now. The paneling is not original, and the women would like to see that restored.

While the building is sound enough for use now, the MSCA wants to start restoration as soon as they have gathered enough money and information.

“Last May the Magnolia Springs Garden Club had a jazz event and half the proceeds went to begin our fund,” Paarlberg said.

Both women stressed that their organization has not had someone in to give them estimates on the work yet. They would prefer to build up their funds so the work does not have to start and stop, depriving the community of their central meeting place.

Organizations that want to rent the hall for a meeting or activity in a unique atmosphere, should call Paarlberg at 965-7025 or Ginny Stone at 965-5516.