Rooted in Nicholas

From an article from Youngstown, Ohio. It is the last line in the excerpt that caught my attention :

The fifth annual event held Saturday included a shortened version of a regular service, a skit in which Bill Dick of Youngstown portrayed St. Nicholas, and a party for kids.

In keeping with Dutch tradition, the children in attendance left shoes or boots filled with carrots by the fireplace, in hopes that St. Nicholas would fill them with treats during the service. The carrots are for his horse.

They have wooden shoes they set out for St. Nicholas each year, said Sarah Durham, Canfield. She celebrated the day as a child and continues the tradition with her 6-year-old twins, Beth and Kate.

Beth said she got chocolate and a licorice pipe last year. Both girls were excited to see St. Nicholas at the event.

“It’s a great time,” the Rev. Mr. Marshall said. “It’s a very nice early advent alternative to what can become the craziness of this season and absolute rootlessness in relation to what is this Santa Claus figure. It’s nice to have roots.”