Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive |
Santa prepares for annual tripBY JOHN MILLERPublished Wednesday, December 22, 2004 in the Nevada County Picayune Santa's elves are putting the finishing touches on the toys for St. Nick's annual visit. The sleigh has been waxed and detailed out and the reindeer have been checked over by Santa's personal veterinarian and have been certified to fly on Christmas Eve. The jolly old elf, himself, has been checking his records to see who's been naughty and nice this year as he prepares to make his trip around the world to deliver presents. Santa took time off from his busy schedule to talk about the boys and girls in Nevada County. "They've been especially good this year," he said. "I'm looking forward to coming to visit them. I'm also looking forward to the cookies and milk they've promised to leave out. Some of the best cooks in the world are in Nevada County and they bake the best cookies..." Santa will be leaving the North Pole shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve. When asked how he managed to get all over the world by midnight, he laughed, with his belly shaking like a bowl filled with jelly. "I can't tell all of my secrets," he said, "but I will say this. When I first started out, I had some trouble getting everywhere, which is why the legends about me differ somewhat. But, I found a way to suspend time just long enough for me to get all my toys delivered and be back at the North Pole at midnight on Christmas Eve. "You might say my sleigh and reindeer are a kind of like a time machine, only I can't go forward or backward in time, just stop it for a while." However, Santa won't be working alone on Christmas Eve. He'll have the help of the Prescott Police Department and the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Though he can stop time, some people don't realize this and keep doing things. And, people moving around can be hazardous for Santa. This is where the PPD and NCSO come in. "We'll make sure Santa has a safe trip when he comes through Prescott," said Prescott Police Chief Sam Reeder. "We're not going to let anything happen to him here." One of the major problems the police have when Santa visits, is people wanting to pet the reindeer, examine the sleigh and talk to Santa about different things, such as how he got the job and how cold it really gets at the North Pole. Steve Otwell, Nevada County Sheriff, said the jolly old elf will be protected as he travels through the county. "We don't want any deer hunters mistaking Rudolph, or the other reindeer for deer like we have around here and shooting one of them. "I'll have deputies stationed at different places around the county watching for Santa to make sure he stays safe and no one interferes with him while he's working." During the interview Santa was asked what it is that makes the reindeer fly. "It's the magic of belief," he said. "Children all over the world believe in me and my reindeer. Their belief is the most powerful magic there is or ever has been. It's simple and trusting. Children believe without doubt and this makes all things possible." When asked how he keeps up with who's been naughty or nice, Santa grinned, chuckled and lit his pipe. As a smoke ring encircled his head, giving him a kind of halo, he said, "Oh, I just know. "No, it's a little more complicated than that. Actually, I do utilize satellite surveillance in some places, but mostly I rely on my network of spies all of the creatures in the world. "Remember the squirrel looking into your room the other night. It was checking to make sure you were doing what you were supposed to do. I also talk to children's pets to find out what the kids have been up to and how they've been acting. These are a few of the ways I keep track of how the children are behaving. After all, Dr. Doolittle isn't the only one who can talk to the animals." A frown crossed Santa's face as he started talking about some of the Christmas wishes he's received. "You know," he said, "the one wish I would love to fulfill, but can't, is the one so many children want the soldiers back from Iraq. Were it within my powers, I would bring every American soldier there back home. I couldn't think of a better Christmas present than that, but it's one of the few things I can't do. I will fly over Iraq, in invisibility mode, and sprinkle some magic dust over the soldiers to try and help brighten their holiday and let them know the people back home haven't forgotten them." However, Santa brightened and smiled saying he's looking forward to making the trip this year. "I've checked the weather patterns and they look good everywhere. No major problems, but, then again, we haven't found anything Rudolph's nose can't shine through yet, so I'm not worried. "The children have been good and deserve the best we can do for them. Oh, yes," Santa said as the interview came to a close, "don't forget to tell the children they have to be asleep when I come and visit. They need a good night's rest so they can really enjoy their presents on Christmas Day." With that, Santa winked and vanished with a "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." Search | Nevada County Picayune by date | Gurdon Times by date |
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