Santa has Christmas tales to tell

Every year Santa Claus finds his way to Morgan County and makes appearances at local events for churches and organizations.

Santa came to the tree lighting ceremony at Berkeley Springs State
Park and gave out candy to children.

He was also at the American Legion Christmas party and had other area engagements.

The Morgan Messenger caught up with Santa by telephone. Jolly Old St.
Nick enjoys visiting the area and helping to spread the Christmas spirit wherever he goes.

His reindeer are always glad to take a break from the trips back and forth from the North Pole while they’re here. They nap in the barn in piles of straw while Santa is busy making toys in his local workshop.

Santa’s elves cover up the reindeer with thick blankets that Mrs. Claus
made so they’re nice and warm.

They also deck them out in red collars and harnesses with jingle bells
so they look Christmasy as they carry Santa and his sleigh around the county.

Santa said he enjoys doing his local appearances for kids of all ages. Many sit on his lap and let him know all the things they want for Christmas. Santa also likes visiting with seniors and
veterans.

One year he was told of an elderly county woman who said that Santa
Claus didn’t come to see her anymore because she didn’t have kids. When Santa heard about that, he picked her out a special gift and went to her home to visit her.

She wasn’t there, but he and Mrs. Claus called around and went from one house to another until they finally found her at a family Christmas gathering. Needless to say, Santa’s visit was a memorable surprise.

Santa Claus remembered at one local appearance there was a kid who pointed his finger at him and said that he didn’t believe in Santa Claus. Santa assured the disbelieving child, “Well, I believe in you.”

Mrs. Claus said that before the night was over that child was sitting on Santa’s lap telling him everything that he wanted for Christmas.

Santa said his outfit was handmade by Mrs. Claus. His traditional red suit
is comfortable, nice and cool for indoor engagements and roomy enough for
long johns if needed for outdoor appearances.

For extended outside gigs, he just may have a blanket handy in his sleigh. They always keep the home place warm and toasty with a cozy fire at their local cabin and when they’re back at the North Pole.

Santa said he is always surprised at the number of kids that want to
pull on his beard to see if it’s real.

(It is.) He loves children and Christmas and all the special things that go with the season.

Santa has had requests for everything under the sun, from guitars to ponies. He always does his best to come through. Since he’s only here for
a short time each year, kids and grown-ups better be finishing their Christmas lists in time for Santa’s Express.

How about if we all toss in a special request for Peace on Earth? You never know. If we all wish really hard, maybe with Santa’s special magic we could make it happen.