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An interview with Santa: Santa loves his annual visit to the kids — in Port Perry It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in and around downtown Port Perry. Twinkling lights, frosted windows and holly hanging from storefronts make the ywntown almost picture perfect. And don’t forget the images of our recent Santa Claus Parade still fresh in our minds. Yes, Port Perry is all decked-out and ready for the Christmas season, so Focus on Scugog recently caught up with everyone’s favourite jolly old elf... Santa Claus. Although extremely busy these days, the bright-eyed man in the red suit agreed to take some time to sit down and talk, and invited us to his home at the North Pole. wan’ greeted us with a warm welcome, us in to sit across from him be- side the large, roaring fire. He was seated “Port Perry is one of my favourite towns” ... Santa comfortably in a big, soft sofa, sipping on a steaming cup of tea and let out a big Ho! Ho! Ho! as we joined him for the interview. We thanked Santa for taking time to see us, since he’s such a busy man this time of the year, and asked if he looked forward to the Christmas season. “T sure do,” he exclaimed. “I love Christmas, the snow, the reindeer and the glowing faces of the children. It’s such a happy and jubilant time of the year. People are so generous and thought- ful,” he said. Following is the interview: Focus - You must get thou- sands of letters every Christmas Santa, do you read them all or do you have help? Santa - “Ho! Ho! It’s a big job alright, and I do need a lot of help from Mrs. Claus and the focus@observerpub.ca elves. I read a lot of them, but with so many letters arriving in such a short time, I do need a lot a help.” - Santa, you aa part ina lot of parades during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Do you enjoy taking part in the parade in Port Perry? Santa - “Port Perry is one of my favourite towns and the parade is the best. I love com- ing to Port Perry because I can get so much closer to the children and parents along the parade route than in a lot of places. I also like the night parade. It’s so beets and so much better than the day tim Focus - In past years you’ ve greeted peo- ple on Queen St. during the Christmas sea- son. Do you plan to do that again this year? Santa - “Ho! Ho! You bet I will. I love talk- ing to the people on the street, especially the hids. And I meet so many nice people.” Focus - Do you find that children are getting too greedy with their wish lists? Santa - “Some children ask for a little too much, but that’s made up for by the kids who ask Santa to make sure their parents have good health. That’s truly the spirit of Christmas.” Focus - Did Mrs. Claus make you that beau- tiful red suit? Santa - “Yes she did, and | I ips love it... don’t yoi Pos: Of course we do Santa. Do you wear it all year around, or just at Christmas time? Santa - “Oh goodness no, I only wear it at Christmas. Most of the time I wear aprons while I'm working with the elves in the workshop making toys. Focus - Christmas and Santa Claus go hand in hand, but Christmas also has a spir- itual connection. Do you think about that at this time of the year? Santa - Yes indeed I do! I know Santa is important to the kids, but we must remember that it started 2000 years ago with the birth of a child. We should think about that at this time of the year. ‘T love peanut butter cookies and milk”... Santa Focus - Santa, what is your favourite Christmas snack? Santa - “Oh, let me think. I love peanut butter cookies and milk. And don’t forget the reindeer like carrots.” Focus - You can’t possibly eat all the snacks you get, so do you take them back to the North Pole with you? Santa - “Yes, I take what I can’t eat back home and share them with my elves and Mrs. Claus. They love peanut butter too!” Focus - Thank you Santa for taking time to speak with us. Merry Christmas! Santa - “Thank you, we will. A very Merry Christmas to everyone in Port Perry. I'll be along soon, so be good, Ho! Ho! Ho!” Interview by J. Peter Hvidsten FOCUS - DECEMBER 2006 9