Thursday, November 29, 2007
Santa speaks: We talked to the jolly old man
Santa Claus (Tom Williams) entertains children at the History Museum of Western Virginia's Fantasyland.
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Each year Santa gives joy and laughter to millions of children around the world. This holiday season, we had the chance to talk to the Santa who appears at Roanoke’s Fantasyland and Santa Arrives by Rail and ask him some of the things you’re eager to know.
He’s had some very interesting questions asked of him over the years, such as: “Do you sleep with your beard in the covers or out of the covers?” He didn’t know the answer to that one — he’s asleep, of course — but here are a few questions Santa could answer.
The Roanoke Times: How do you make the magic that gets you down the chimney and makes the reindeer fly?
Santa: I use love. When people combine their love, that’s what creates the Christmas spirit so I can do what I do. I couldn’t do it without everybody working together.
TRT: How are you in so many places at once? Why Roanoke?
Santa: My helpers go out and sit in malls so all I have to do is go out and visit with kids in different places, particularly in the history museum in Roanoke because that’s where [“The Christmas Chair,” a book I wrote], takes place.
TRT: Who’s your favorite reindeer?
Santa: Holly, Rudolph’s sister. Most people don’t know about Holly, of course, but she has a green nose and her job is to come … into the house where there’s a newborn baby, first Christmas. She lights up her green nose, it’s not so bright, and then I give a blessing for the first Christmas.
TRT: Did you make your own sleigh?
Santa: Yes. The sleigh is over 200 years old and it’s at the history museum. I have one I use now, but the original is at the history museum. You can actually come and have your picture in the sleigh with Santa.
TRT: What is your favorite kind of cookie?
Santa: My favorite is a homemade cookie, doesn’t really matter what it’s made of because it is homemade and someone put a lot of love in.
