By Cory Davenport
The Grinch left Whoville to make a quick stop at Redbird Deli in Jerseyville over the weekend.
Instead of his annual tradition of stealing Christmas, however, the Grinch brought it in full (his heart must have been three sizes larger). Carla Murphy, the owner of the deli, said around 50 kids and nearly as many adults came to see the Grinch last Saturday afternoon posing for photos, dancing, racing young boys on foot, and waving to cars passing by on State Street. He also held a few babies, sang a few songs, and belted quotes from the beloved Dr. Seuss tale from which he originated.
Murphy, who not only owns the deli, but works in it full-time, said the Grinch was really her friend Brian Pastaros, who she said loves kids and even works with them at West Elementary School.
“The promotion really happened because my grandson, Bryson, and his mother were having a difficult time trying to see [the Grinch], and get a photo with him this year,” Murphy said in a text.
Murphy said the deli is trying to make a visit from the Grinch an annual event, adding her friend Pastaros was “a WONDERFUL GRINCH!”
