Merry Christmas to all! The other day I made a phone call to Santa Claus. I’ve had his phone number since 1993. That was my son Joey's first Christmas. It came to me in the mail, and as a first time father I just figured it came with being a Dad. My Mother always seemed to have his number when I was a kid. She would say, "You better be good or I will call Santa. I’ll tell him not to come by this year." It worked on me and my two sisters. And it always worked for me as a father to all of my kids, Joey, Sarah, Jake, and Mahaila.

When I called Santa, he was working at the North Pole. He was nice enough as always when I called, to stop what he was doing and take the time to talk to me. So this is how it went.

Joe: Merry Christmas Santa. Thank you for taking my call.

Santa: {Laughing} I always have time for you Joe. Merry Christmas!

Joe: I am writing a story on you for the Gazette. Is that okay with you?

Santa: Okay. I need a break right now. I will be glad to talk with you.

Joe: Thank you so much. Well let’s get started. How long have you been bringing gifts to kids?

Santa: All my life that I can remember. I was lucky enough in the year 295 A.D. to have the money to give toys to all the kids in my area. Before you knew it I was doing it for everybody. I never had kids of my own, but I have always loved seeing the kids’ faces when they get a toy or gift from me. It makes me happy.

Joe: Where are you from, the North Pole?

Santa: No. I was born in Smyrna. It’s in Turkey, in the year 280 A.D. That is where I met Mrs. Claus. I was a toy maker. We both love toys and kids. One day in around the year of 350 A.D. we were asked by a Elf named Pa Pa if we wanted to move to the North Pole. He said he had a great work shop of toys, but needed my help to get them to the children around the world. The Mrs. and I talked about it, and we both thought it would be the right thing to do.

Joe: So what is Mrs. Claus's name, may I ask?

Santa: Sure you can. Her name is Annua. But I call her Mama.

Joe: You have called many things, what’s your name?

Santa: Well my name is Nicholas Kris Kringle Claus. Some time ago they made me a Saint of toys. So they called me Santa Claus. I have been known as Saint Nicholas. In Hungary and in Slovenia they call me Mikuals. In the Netherlands and Belgium they call me Sinterklaas. Charles Dickens called me Father Christmas. Some call me Saint Nick or Kris Kringle. All I ask is that you don't call me late for dinner! {Deep Laughter}

Joe: {Laughing} Yeah, I know. I love to eat too! So how many Elfves live at the North Pole, and do they work all year?

Santa: We have 1,278 Elve's here at the work shop. They love this place. It has been their home longer than mine. The way me and the Mrs. feel we are still their guest. We all work together for our big day. But we take a break every year after Christmas is over.

Joe: Santa, does everybody leave you milk and cookies?

Santa: I do love milk and cookies. The fine people in the U.S. and Canada leave me them. In Great Britain and Australia they leave me a little Sherry and Mince Pie. In Sweden and Norway it‘s Rice Porridge. In Ireland it’s Milk or Guinness and Christmas Pudding. Now you know why the call me plump! {Booming Laughter!}

Joe: What is your favorite story or movie about you?

Santa: I like most of all of them. Some are so silly. The people make up their stories, some are so far fetched I have to just laugh. But I guess I still love T’was the Night Before Christmas, the best. But let me tell everybody out there, I am not the reason for Christmas!

Joe: What do you mean about that?

Santa: So many people forget what Christmas is all about.

Joe: What is Christmas to you Santa?

Santa: That’s easy! Christmas is a time to always remember the birth of the Son Of God, Jesus. That is what it is all about. A time we all can come together with our family and friends, in peace and love in our hearts and souls. This is what I was taught since I was a little boy. It is not about what I got or what I did not get for Christmas, it is about the birth of Jesus Christ. They don’t call it Santamas. It is Christmas!

Joe: Wow. Some people do forget the real meaning don't they?

Santa: They sure do. But I know. And so should everybody else.

Joe: I agree with you. But you do make people happy and smile.

Santa: Thank you Joe. If I can do that, then that is my small part of the holidays.

Joe: The first Christmas I remember was in 1966, my whole family was at the house. That was a great one for me.

Santa: You were five years old. Your Mom made sure that all of your family was there that year. Joe, that was the year your Father was killed in that car crash in March. Your Mom needed everybody near her that year. The whole family came to Fillmore! What was missing with your Father gone was made up for all the love from the family in the house that day.

Joe: And you brought me a.....

Santa: A bike! Your first "Big Boy" bike. It was green.

Joe: It sure was.

Santa: I think you needed to know that at that time, you were a "Big Boy".

Joe: Thank you Santa. I will never forget that Christmas.

Santa: No Joe. Thank you. I love to make kids happy. It is so great to be able to give.

Joe: One last question if I could please. What makes the Reindeer fly and how do you do it all in one night?

Santa: Well we have special Reindeer hay we give them on Christmas Eve. They fly as fast as the speed of light. We start in Asia and work our way with a lot of help from my Elves around the world with time. Last stop is the Hawaiian Islands, then home.

Joe: And your Reindeer's name?

Santa: Well you know! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. And of course Rudolph with his nose so bright. I love them all so much. {Deep Ho Ho Ho's}

Joe: Well with that, I know I have taken too much of your time. Merry Christmas Santa. And thank you so much for everything over the years.

Santa: {Laughing} Joe it is always nice to talk with you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
So in closing this story out, my Mom would say, " Yes, Denise, Donneta, Joe, Shane, Jeremy, Alyssa, Robbie, Joey, J.D., Sarah, Jake, Mahaila, Haley, Landon, Little Sarah, and Glen...and you too Virginia, whereever you may be. Yes, there is a Santa Claus!