January 9, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 things you don’t know about me… Santa Claus

This week the Record asked Santa Claus 10 questions about himself and he took time out of his very busy schedule to answer!

Santa will be visiting the St. Joseph Stanton Fire House this Saturday! Santa arrives at 10:30 a.m. and before that there is a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will also be cookie decorating, coloring and other activities.

What is your favorite type of cookie?
My favorite cookies are big round and square ones but I don’t know if I ever saw a bad cookie, even the low cal ones Mrs. Claus makes for me.

What is your favorite part of delivering presents?
My favorite part of delivering presents is catching parents playing with the children’s toys and knowing in the morning there will be some smiling faces on the children.

What do the reindeer do during the offseason?
In the offseason the reindeer spend most of their time eating and running because they have to stay in shape for the next Christmas. They give the elves special sleigh rides so they all have fun.

What is the best part of the Christmas season?
The best part of the Christmas season is watching families go to church to worship the “Reason for the Season” the birth of the Christ Child that would save the souls of many by His sacrifice on the Cross. Next would be seeing the generosity of the people to help those with needs that they can’t meet themselves. Next would be to see all the joy that abounds with people of all ages during this time when opening gifts from loved ones and Santa. Next would be all of the delicious foods – the cookies, the candies, and the big family meals.

What do you enjoy most about visiting with children?
I love to see the sparkle of hope in their eyes. Wishing and hoping for that special thing. Even the ones that don’t know what they would like to have still have that hope for “surprises” on Christmas morning. They believe.

What is the best part about traveling the world on Christmas Eve night?
The best part about making it around the world on Christmas Eve is that we can actually get it done in one night. The only problem is that I don’t get to really spend enough time with the boys and girls. I guess that is the parent’s job to have fun with the kids. Parents remember it is not about the presents but about your presence.

What is your favorite present to give?
Giving a gift that will produce learning and/or fun and last a long time is what I like to give. Dolls and toy trucks come to mind. Children today want electronic games. Santa’s rule is an hour on electronic games (no more the two hours a day) equals one hour outside playing active games even when it’s cold and snowing.

What is your favorite Christmas song?
My favorites would have to be “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Joy to the World”.

What do you do during your offseason?
There is no offseason with Santa since we have to be getting ready for the next Christmas BUT I do like to take a break now and then and get away to visit places like Kenya, Brazil, Iceland to go hiking, camping, kayaking, even sitting on a warm beach and other outdoor sports we can’t do at the North Pole. All work and no play makes Santa a dull Ole’ Boy.

Why is Christmas important?
The World was becoming a very dark and sad place on that first Christmas when the Christ Child was born to bring a New Light into the World. Because of Christmas, many good and wonderful things happen to and for people of all ages. As the dark days of Winter come it is good to have some days with a little glitter and light that Christmas brings.

Merry Christmas to All!

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Spartan Spotlight… Kendall Ayers

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

Kendall Ayers has plans to travel after graduating from high school. The St. Joseph-Ogden senior plans to take a vacation...

10 things you don’t know about me… Toni Barnes

December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019

We recently asked St. Joseph-Ogden Assistant Volleyball coach Toni Barnes to reflect on the season and tell us 10 things...

10 Things You Don’t Know About Me… Laura Mabry

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019

Each week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week we asked Laura Mabry...

Doctor’s love of medicine started at early age

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

St. Joseph resident Dr. Jeanelle Murphy fell in love with medicine in the oncology wing at the Children’s Hospital of...

Rides available to fish fry

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

The mayor and some local residents are hoping more seniors can attend the St. Joseph Community Festival held Thursday, Friday...

SJO to name football field in Duval’s honor

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

Like most people who have ever known Dick Duval, Brian Brooks can remember their first-ever meeting. It happened 17 years...

Wagner shines positive light on St. Joseph Grade School

May 7, 2019

May 7, 2019

Michelle Wagner is an optimist by nature. That optimism now permeates St. Joseph Grade School, where Wagner is completing her...

Kids say…

July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019

Second graders from PVO South tell us what they would have on their farm. This post is sponsored by Longview...

10 things you don’t know about me… John Mills

July 10, 2019

July 10, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is John...

‘I have absolutely loved portraying her’

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Sophia McDade loves everything about the Addams Family production. The senior, who is acting in her second show with the...

‘I love feeling a part of the community’

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

Almost a year ago exactly, The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the naming and grand opening of...

‘I am proud of all of us’ by Kristen Costa

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

To the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Class of 2020, when I began writing this speech, I didn’t even know where...

Former rivals give back with youth girls’ basketball program

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Growing up, Andrea Flenniken was a Spartan. Flenniken graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1996 and played girls’ basketball...

10 things you don’t know about me… Taylor Baldner

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

This week we asked Taylor Baldner of Taylor-Made Photography to tell us 10 things about herself. Baldner has recently joined...

Running for a good cause

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

John Lubinski has a sizable commute each day to get from his home in St. Joseph to his place of...

Comments
Leave a Reply