Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
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Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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Santa gives Ericka Barnett a hug while he talks with her brother 9 month old Justin at Liberty Fair Mall before Christmas. |
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Never underestimate the importance of reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, and play with the gifts you receive.
Those are two messages straight from the jolly old elf himself, who visited Liberty Fair Mall days before his pilgrimage through the winter sky on Christmas Eve, delivering toys to children around the world.
Since this is his busiest time of the year, Santa’s elves are frantically stocking his sleigh with most-requested gifts. Most of “the girls are asking for Baby Alive and boys want video games,” he said.
During the off season, Santa, also known as Preston Page, moonlights as a licensed clinical social worker in a Starling Avenue shop called Insights: Practical Therapy & Common Sense.
But many of the children lining up to whisper their Christmas wishes in his ear know the truth: The shop is only a front for an imaginary toyland chock full of surprises and Christmas magic.
“Momma, I did it!” Gavin Hale gleefully shrieked as he climbed off Santa’s lap and bounded to his waiting parents.
Todd and Eden Hale of Martinsville brought 5-year-old Gavin and 2-year-old Paxton to share their Christmas wishes.
Paxton, who had been running and romping as he waited for his turn with Santa, “is too excited,” Eden Hale said. But after climbing on Santa’s lap, Paxton sat quietly on one knee, while Gavin sat on the other.
Gavin finished his list by asking for a track for remote control trains, while Paxton continued to sit quietly. Apparently, Santa will have to guess the items on his list.
Eden Hale said she visited the mall a few nights before with only Gavin in tow, “and he had a fit” to see Santa Claus. “But I told him he couldn’t come without” Paxton.
With his mission successful, Gavin clutched the toy Santa gave him, more excited than ever.
Melissa Rorrer and her two girls, Karleigh, 3, and Chasity, 8, traveled to the mall from Woolwine to make their requests.
Although it was not Karleigh’s first time seeing Santa, “it will be the first time she remembers” seeing him, Melissa Rorrer said, as the girls waited their turn to talk to the Santa.
Chasity, who saw Santa when he visited her school, asked for a Fur Real Friends Chimp Cuddle. Karleigh wants a horse and a few other things, including a Baby Alive doll.
“It eats and talks and poopies in its diaper and you have to change it,” Karleigh said of the doll.
Megan Goldsberry, 12, waited with her grandmother, Naomi Major, while her younger sister talked to Santa.
Because she would “feel embarrassed” to sit on Santa’s lap, Megan opted to stand nearby and hope he would hear her thoughts.
“I want a guitar,” she said. “Any kind. I just want to get a guitar so I can play it.”
Megan said some of her friends have “really cool ideas” about music and “I want to have some other” ideas.
Six-year-old McKenzie Goldsberry had no reservations about whispering her Christmas wishes to Santa.
“I want toys ... Walkie-talkies and clothes. Any kind of clothes,” McKenzie said.
Both Megan and McKenzie are the daughters of David and Tammy Major of Martinsville.
Not every youngster would visit Santa.
Miranda Mason, 4, wants a “special baby doll” and a castle, but she did not want to tell him.
“She won’t go up to him,” said Donna Mason of Martinsville, but “we’re ready. Santa is ready.”
With a wink of his eyes and a bright holiday smile, Santa agreed.
Just “remind everyone to read ’Twas The Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve, he said, and “if you don’t get everything you want” for Christmas, “play with what you get.”
Oh, and one more thing, he added — “Merry Christmas.” |
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