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BY KEELY GRASSER Staff Writer There are lines of cars waiting for parking spots. Theie are lines of people waiting to pay for their purchases at §tores. But there’s no longer line at Markville Shopping Centre than that of excited children waiting their turn to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa Claus. The jolly old elf took his yearly post in the mall in November. Since then, he’s heard the wish lists of thousands of children. “I’ve had lots,” he said. “I lost count of twins. I stopped at 23. 1 should have been counting newborns! Whoa! Ho ho ho!" Old St. Nick is busier than ever as Christmas draws near, but we were able to take a few minutes of his time to have him answer some questions about Christmas this year. Q: What are the children of York Region asking you for this year? STOUFFVILLE UNITED CHURCH CORRECTION NOTICE SUNDAY DECEMBER let, 2008 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24th, 2008 107.“ mn Wnruhin Rnrvivr - “Thn I ioht nfl nw‘" Electronics big again this yea}; Santa says Cailey Freeze, 2, and Chloe Freeze, 6, of Stouflvifle tell Santa what they would like for Christmas during a visit to Markville Shopping Centre Tuesday. Santa said the reindeer are fed and ready, and Rudolph has been practising his take-offs and landings. Everyone Welcome Children’s Worship Child Care Provided 9:00 am Breakfast for Youth, Children and Family 10:30 am Worship Service - “The Light of Love" A: We’re into the digital age. DS. Cameras. Wli. PSP. Playstation 3. X Box and of course, some Barbies, some boats, some cars. Now, when you ask for a DS, your name goes in a drum. 1 have more names than I do DSes. They are very hard to assemble. And we roll the drum. If your name is picked out, you get it. It’s like a loitery. When Gameboy came out we had one drum, now we have about 30. It all came about because one boy came to me and said, ‘Santa, I wished first! How come I didn't get it? You need a better idea!" So up came the drum, and it works. Q: How are things coming along at the North Pole? A: Who runs the North Pole? A lot of people think Santa. The books say Santa. Wrong! I come down here from Nov. 15 to Dec. 24. Someâ€" body's running the North Pole. Who is it? Mrs. Claus. CEO of the North Pole. Gentlemen, sorry. but it's run by a woman! She does an excellent job. That’s why it's organized It's 10 minutes with buzzing. Everything is on time. It's humming up there. Everything is working well. It's run by a woman. Q: When will you start packing your sleigh? A: Tuesday at 10 am. That means wishes are over on the 22nd. Hugs and squeezes only for Santa. It’s an until-it'sâ€"done job. The elves already had their weekend off. A week ago Saturday. Q: What do the elves do on their days off! A: Indoor hockey. On roller- blades. Best thing we've ever come Your weekly meeting with Stouflifllleis newsmakers SANTA CLAUS Building Spirits! Building Lives! 7:00 pm Family Candlelight Worship Children‘s Pageant "The Light Shines for all the World“ 10:00 pm Evening Worship and Holy Communion up with. I’m a goalie when I’m home. 1 just lay down. And snow shovelling. That's a necessity up there, ho ho ho! Q: Are the reindeer ready to go? A: The elves look after the reinâ€" deer. They are all fed and ready to go. Now the one in charge, Rudolph, has been practicing his take-offs and landings and he is bang on. It’s been about two or three weeks now... l have little bit of advice for kids. The reindeer only listen to me. That’s why they don’t go to the wrong place. If you listen to mom and dad, you won't be steered the wrong way. Q: Do you and the reindeer get tired after delivering all the pres- ents? A: I do. They don’t. Ho ho ho! When you drive home. all you hear is ring, ring, ring. And I need my hat (motioning to the white pom pom on the end of it). It hits me in the face and keeps me awake. So mom Stoufl‘ville Sun-Tribune I Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 STAFF PHOTO/KS ELY GRASSER and dad, if you ever drive tired, buy a hat like mine and roll down the window. It’ll keep you awake. Everyone calls it a night cap. But it’s functional equipment. mas? A: Have a turkey dinner. Sit back on my rocker and look at the won- derful picture wall of all the won~ derful drawings children have gave me this yeaI. It changes every year. When I come down here, the wall comes down. When I go home, the new wall is up. Q: What about adults’ Christ- mas wishes? A: I could write a book of wishes of big people that have happened. Little people make wishes for their gifts. Big people make wishes for their lives. You get one wish for your birthday. At Christmas you can make as many as you like. And hang tight and see what comes true. But â€"â€" there's always a but â€"~ it has to be good. honest and true. Q: What will you do after Christâ€"