Wednesday, December 18, 2024
www.thepapersonline.com
Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . . . . 2➤ Pierceton Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Merry Christmas from Etna Green . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Vol. 54, No. 26
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
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An interview with Santa CHATTING WITH SANTA — While visiting North Webster for its annual Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 23, Santa chatted with these children about what they wanted for Christmas. Santa has such a good time visiting with the children in North Webster, he’s coming back for Breakfast with Santa, which was held Saturday, Dec. 14.
Text and Photos By LAUREN ZEUGNER Editor Editor’s Note: Steve Foster, one of Santa’s dedicated helpers, assisted in this article. As most children in Kosciusko County know, Santa has been making his rounds double checking his naughty and nice list. ‘the PAPER’ recently caught up with Santa, as he was taking a break between appearances, for an interview. Q: How old are you Santa? A: Ageless, but I try to maintain that 70-80-yearold look. Q: How many elves do you have working for you? A: There are thousands of elves who do all that needs to be done. Q: How do you maintain your sleigh? A: The elves keep the sleigh in tip-top shape. The elves do everything. Q: Do the elves make toys all year long? Do they get vacation time? A: Everybody is very happy doing what they do, and they make toys all year long. The elves do everything, and I oversee everything. The elves harness the reindeer; they do it all. Q: How hard is it to land in a blinding snow storm? A: That’s probably the best time to land, is in a snow storm ... The Christmas snow is nice and soft. It cuts down on the noise, so I can move nice and quietly. Q: Are there kids really on the naughty list? A: No Q: What is the most unusual gift request you have received from a child. A: A pair of shoestrings. He (a little boy) asked for a pair of shoestrings for his friend because when they played outside, his shoes would fall off. Q: What is the most com-
mon gift children ask for? A: Dolls for girls, some type of truck or sports equipment for boys. Q: How is it possible for you to travel around the world in one night delivering toys to all the children? A: I don’t not work under conventional time. I use some Santa magic to make the trip in 24 hours. Q: Has the trip gotten easier or harder with airplanes flying while you’re traveling in your sleigh? A: I don’t notice the planes; remember, I’m not subject to conventional time. Q: What is your favorite cookie? A: Chocolate chip. Q: Do the reindeer enjoy the carrots some children leave out for them? A: They do like the carrots, very much. Q: If there is no chimney at a child’s home. How do you get in to deliver the gifts? A: I create my own entrance to deliver the toys. Q: What does Mrs. Claus do at the North Pole? Does she have a specific job? A: She spends her time encouraging me to do what I do.
ABOVE: A LONG WAIT — Shown is the line to see Santa during North Webster’s annual tree lighting last month. The line went out the door and didn’t really get shorter until just before the Christmas tree lighting. Children and their parents waited patiently to see Santa and tell them what they would like for Christmas.
RIGHT: ASKING FOR A TRAIN — Jordy Al-Khateeb, right, was a tad shy about chatting with Santa, so her father, Yezan, went with her. She asked for a train “with all the bells and whistles,” which impressed Santa. Al-Khateeb saw Santa when he came to North Webster for its annual tree lighting Nov. 23.
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