The Meskwaki Youth Leadership Council arranged The Grinch’s visit to the community on Tuesday. Pictured are (snowmen) Hepan Azure-Mitchell and Pippen Keahna, (elves) Paisley Lasley, Kailyn Wolf, Tayevia Dupris, Mila Walker, and Lalaya Shuckahosee. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush.

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, The Grinch paid a special visit to the Meskwaki Convention Center at the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel to spread his rotten spirit to children.

“You see, I enjoy scaring these little kids, making them cry. I love that stuff right there. That’s why I came here,” said The Grinch.

The Meskwaki Youth Leadership Council helped prepare The Grinch’s Cave for fabulous photos with the green meanie. While the cave was cozy and toasty, The Grinch didn’t feel the season’s warmth.

“I’m terrible right now. It’s Christmas time,” he said.

While not in attendance, The Grinch assured kids Max was doing well, “He’s doing good, keeping an eye on Cindy Lou for me. I’m hoping for him to be the Rudolf of my reindeer.”

The Grinch packed up the presents, ribbons, wrappings, the snoof and fuzzles, the tringlers and trappings, and made off with the tree before anyone was the wiser at The Grinch’s Cave event at the Meskwaki Convention Center in Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush.

Director Tashina Azure-Mitchell of the Meskwaki Youth Program Development helps the Youth Leadership Council every year with community events such as this one.

“We have a group of kids called the Meskwaki Youth Leadership Council (5th to 8th grade). Their job is to do community service. [This event] was one of their outreach projects,” she said. “We normally do cookies, hot cocoa, and a picture with Santa, but this year The Grinch decided that he wanted to show up.”

The event was co-sponsored by the Meskwaki Media department with contributions from Stacy Youngbear, the Meskwaki Youth Athletic Coordinator, and Kylie Hunger, a Youth Program staff member. All those who attended received a Grinch sweater.

The Grinch was dressed in his Santa duds, and while ’tis the season for ugly Christmas sweaters, he disagreed.

“I don’t like any of these Christmas sweaters, but the ones with me on them are pretty FABULOUS!” he declared.

The Grinch’s Cave event was held at the Meskwaki Convention Center in Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel on Tuesday. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush

When the Meskwaki Youth Leadership Council began to sing Jingle Bells, The Grinch loathed the tune, “I hate that song! It’s not Jingle Bells. I don’t like any Christmas songs.”

The Grinch may not like this time of year, but he wanted to give everyone some holiday spirit, “Have a bad Christmas! I hope you make it home in many pieces and be meaner to each other. Hahahahaha!”