June 7, 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

Sign ‘em up: Wagners to change locations in downtown St. Joseph

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jim and Jen Wagner want to invest in St. Joseph because the community has invested in them. “Community support is...

Kelso add commercial space for rent

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Josh Kelso wants to help expand commercial space in St. Joseph. The owner of Kelso Heating and Cooling knows how...

Kids say… what does a farmer do?

December 22, 2019

December 22, 2019

This week we asked students at St. Joseph Grade School to tell us what they think a farmer does. What...

Talk of the Town with SJO Superintendent Brian Brooks

May 9, 2019

May 9, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, school superintendent or board member three questions. This week we talked to St....

Senior Spotlight… Ally Monk

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

What are your plans after you graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden? After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Missouri...

Ingram to fly high as a Redbird

June 14, 2019

June 14, 2019

Kalli Ingram had a simple audition for the Illinois State University Dance Team. Ingram was in Washington D.C for the...

Acklin goes the distance, earns induction into SJO Hall of Fame

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Jim Acklin has dedicated his life to coaching and teaching. For that he is being inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden...

‘Once a spartan, always a spartan’ by Katelyn Berry

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined...

Spartan Spotlight… Lindsey Aden

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Lindsey Aden has big plans for her future. Aden, who lives outside of Royal, will be attending...

10 things you don’t know about me… Dina Fox

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

My husband, Kerry, and I met when I was 18 years old in the middle of a snow storm.  We’ve...

10 things you don’t know about me….. Pam Leiter

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

Every week we ask a community member to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is Pam...

10 things you don’t know about me… Angela O’Brien Page

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we asked Angela O’Brien Page....

10 things you don’t know about me… Carrie Mattsey

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to...

U of I names December 2020 graduates

May 14, 2021

May 14, 2021

The University of Illinois has released their list of 2020 December graduates.These area students graduated in December. ST. JOSEPHLauren GhernaKohlten...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Comments
Leave a Reply