Santa Claus

Santa was spotted at Present Tense today for their holiday open house.

Sitting among the books, unique gifts and toys, he was going over his naughty and nice list.

Esme Coleman sitting on Santa's lap.

Emily Caldewell telling Santa what she wants for Christmas.

Visit the Present Tense website for more information on specials this month.

Today was Santa's annual visit to Oliver's Candies in Batavia. Store Manager Jeremy Liles said that the event is held to kick off the Christmas season every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The line of kids waiting to see Santa stretched across the store to the door.

Some of the kids, happy to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.

Outside was a petting zoo for the kids.

The Batavia Area Jaycees were on hand with refreshments.

Just in case you weren't prepared for Santa's Christmas visit, the Girl Scouts had plenty of cookies. Just add milk.

As a follow-up to The Batavian’s Dec. 13 article on Santa’s weekend in Batavia, the Man in the Red Suit has agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions.

Q: Santa, it seems like you’re all over the place during the holiday season. How do you do it?

A: Well you know, it’s not always me. I have a lot of helpers who carry my "persona" to different places and spread my Christmas cheer.

Q: What does Santa like to eat?

A: I love pizza. Mrs. Claus makes great pizza with homemade sauce.

Q: What does Santa like to do when he has free time?

A: Well I’ll tell you, Santa likes to rest for a couple weeks after Christmas! For fun, I enjoy spending time with Mrs. Claus and watching movies.

Q: What are some of your favorite movies?

A: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman."

Q: It must be pretty tough flying all around the world. How do you keep your reindeer fit?

A: Wel, we give them hay, obviously; in the North Pole we have a greenhouse where we grow hay, oats and other kinds of reindeer food. Plus, there’s the food that kids leave for them on Christmas Eve. They get their fill on Christmas Eve, let me tell you.

Q: Obviously, things are pretty busy now at the North Pole. With Christmas coming up quickly, I’m sure the elves are working hard. When you’re away on trips like this, how do you keep in touch with the folks back home to make sure everything is going okay?

A: Cell phones. This modern generation makes it much easier for me to travel and still stay in touch with my elves. I call them on the cell phone, and then they call me back if anything comes up.

The Batavian thanks Santa for sharing these details about his professional and public life, and wishes him, Mrs. Claus, and all the folks at the North Pole a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Where's Santa Claus?

Here he is!

(You can't tell, but he is smiling underneath the beard.)

Wait a minute...here he is again!

Bella March (upper left) and siblings Violet (lower left) and Norman, sitting with Santa. Photo courtesy of Kelly March.

You'll always catch fleeting glimpses of the Man in the Red Suit at Christmastime. Our own Howard Owens spotted him on Main Street last week. You're likely to catch him at the mall at least once, and you might even see him on the front lawns of festively decorated houses (although for some reason he never seems to feel like talking in those instances).

If you live in Batavia, you could have found him this weekend where his two favorite things were present: families and food.

Santa's weekend in Batavia kicked off with the "Supper with Santa" at St. Joseph's School, an annual event sponsored and funded by St. Joe's home school association, SOS (Supporters of St. Joseph's) and catered by Paulie's Pizzeria. On Saturday morning he was at John Kennedy Elementary School's "Pancake Breakfast with Santa," which was put on by the John Kennedy Parent Group (JKPG).

Good Saint Nick had no shortage of admirers at either event. Children waited in long lines to tell him their Christmas wishes. Most people would probably become overwhelmed trying to keep track of each child's Christmas list, but it was no problem for Santa. His ability to remember non-written Christmas lists comes from his talent for seeing and appreciating each child's unique personality.

"All it takes," Santa said, "is to see their faces and hear their voices."

Santa at St. Joe's with, left to right, Nicky Ventola and Moira and Clara Werner. Photo courtesy of Nora O'Neill.

The kids got an up-close look at Santa's personality, too.

"He's very fun," St. Joe's first-grader Amanda Bergman said. "Fun to be with."

Knowing such an important visitor was coming, parents and staff of both schools spent a lot of time in preparation.

"We always plan a year in advance," said Nora O'Neill, marketing director for St. Joe's. "Soon after the event is over, we start planning for the next year."

...Kind of like Santa himself, who prepares for Christmas Eve a year ahead!

JKPG President Shari Ange credits parent Sherri Wahr with coming up with the idea for the Pancake Breakfast at the group's last meeting three months ago.

"We used to have a breakfast at Applebee's for Easter," Ange said. "Sherri thought it would be great to have a breakfast with Santa. Hopefully we can make this an annual thing."

St. Joe's set the mood for Santa's visit with Christmas carols performed by Batavia resident Richard Conroy, while JK had Christmas music playing over the intercom. Activities in celebration of the honored guest included floor dancing (St. Joe's) and games such as Elf Hockey and Santa Bowling (JK).

Amanda Bergman (left) on the dance floor with Violet March. Photo courtesy of Kelly March.

BHS senior Cody Mulcahy oversees a JK first-grader's performance in Santa Bowl.

Another way everyone honored Santa was by imitating his generosity. As is the case with most private schools, financial issues are always a concern for St. Joe's staff - still, they committed their resources to making Supper with Santa a fun social event for the kids. At both St. Joe's and JK, parents and students volunteered their time to serve food, help with activities, etc.

JK student helpers Kennedy Kolb (front), Katie Ange, Tanner Kolb and Jenna Whitmore (back, left to right).

JK students showed Santa their Christmas spirit by making cards in the school's gymnasium.

Madeline Taggart (left) with her sister, Bridget, making cards for Santa.

Because Santa was busy listening to Christmas wishes, their cards will be sent to Macy's first, and for every card received Macy's will donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Skylar Rossi (left), Lydia Wahr (center) and Maggie Andersen, making cards for troops in Iraq.

"Santa represents the spirit of giving," Sherri Wahr said. "And he's all about bringing families together."

For the St. Joe's community, Santa also has some religious significance.

"Our message to the kids is to remind them that he is a saint," O'Neill said. "So our traditions [the Christian tradition and Santa Claus lore] can coexist."

The welcome sign at the front entrance of St. Joe's included a picture of Santa Claus holding the Baby Jesus in his arms. O'Neill said this helps remind the kids what Christmas is really all about. Santa appears to agree with her.

"Christmas is about the Baby Jesus," Santa said. "He plays it first and then I come in behind Him."

For those interested in what Santa had to tell The Batavian about himself, stay tuned for Q&A with Santa, coming up shortly.

Santa is coming to Oliver's Candies at 211 West Main Street Batavia on November 21st. (this Saturday) from 10am till 2pm.   There will be a petting zoo, Santa (every kid gets an Oliver's Candy Cane) and the Jaycees selling hot dogs, popcorn and hot cocoa.

Bring your kids and camera's!

Ribbon Candy is ready!  Hand made candy canes, Christmas gifts and so much more . . .!

(photo's from 2008)