By Melissa Wagoner
What if you could ask Santa Claus one question – what would it be? And what do you think he’d say? An Our Town reporter recently got that chance, sitting down with the man from up north to ask – who really is the man behind the myth?
OT: What is your favorite cookie?
SC: “Chocolate chip just out of the oven.”
OT: Which is your favorite reindeer?
SC: “Donner.” Little known fact. According to Santa, “All of the reindeer – other than Rudolf – are girls because girl deer don’t lose their antlers in the winter.”
OT: Do the reindeer eat the carrots?
SC: “Absolutely!” But Santa requests children leave out full-sized carrots, especially those with the greens because, “tiny carrots are how you get your fingers bit!”
OT: How old are you?
SC: “Old enough. I’ve stopped thinking about it.”
OT: What happens when you die?
SC: “I don’t know. I haven’t died. But there will always be a Santa. Maybe one of the elves aspires to be Santa and would take over. Maybe one of the girl elves.”
OT: Do you have any special Christmas wishes?
SC: “That everyone would find something sweet and lovely to give someone else.”
OT: What do you do on Christmas day?
SC: “I rest and read.”
OT: What is one thing no one knows about you?
SC: “That I have real magic…”
OT: If you were not Santa, what would you want to be?
SC: “A teacher. I think teachers have magic too.”
OT: What is your life motto?
SC: “Strive to be adequate.”
OT: What is your favorite song?
SC: “‘I Wish You a Merry Christmas’ – I can’t even listen to it without crying.”
OT: What is your favorite movie?
SC: The Santa Clause 2.
OT: What would bring you happiness?
SC: “If parents would stop telling their kids they might be on the naughty list. Kids are horrified by that. There is no naughty list. You’re not naughty… all kids are good.”
OT: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?
SC: “Say, yes.”
OT: Are you real?
SC: “Absolutely.”
OT: Can people visit the North Pole?
SC: “You wouldn’t be able to find it unless you’re an elf or a reindeer.”
OT: How many Santas are there?
SC: “One Santa… You might think it’s weird to be in more than one place at a time, but Santa can be wherever Santa needs to be.”
OT: Do you ever shave?
SC: “No. I only trim it down a bit.”
OT: Did you have to go to Santa School?
SC: “No. Absolutely not.”
OT: Do you ever get sad?
SC: “Oh, sure. Sometimes I get sad right after Christmas. I miss having hundreds of conversations.”
OT: Does your sleigh have seatbelts?
SC: “No. It’s magic.”
OT: How fast does your sleigh go?
SC: “That’s really a question about time. It’s just… poof! One moment I’m here… and one moment I’m there.”
OT: What is the North Pole like?
SC: “It’s cold and it smells like peppermint everywhere.”
OT: Do you ever go on vacation?
SC: “For me, Christmas is vacation. I love it. It’s magical.”
To view a list of Santa’s scheduled appearances – or make a request of your own – visit www.Silverton.Christmas
