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Santa and Mrs. Claus share secrets of the holiday season
If you go ...
What: Milk and Cookies with Santa
When: Dec. 1 and 8 from 10 to 11 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.; and Dec. 9, from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: Senior-Teen Center in the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road.
How: The cost is $9 for residents and $12 for non-residents. Register on line at www.twp.cranberry.pa.us
And
What: At Brunch with Santa, participants can enjoy scrambled eggs, carved ham, sausage, home fries, toast, Danishes, juice, coffee and tea.
Where: Cranberry Highlands Golf Course, 5601 Freshcorn Road.
When: Dec. 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.
How: The cost is $13.95 for adults, per person, tax included; and $7.50 for children, age 5 and older. There is no charge for children four and younger. To register, call 724-776-7372 or visit cranberryhighlands.com.
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By Dona S. Dreeland
Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 8:51 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, November 29, 2012
Two weeks ago, Cranberry Township officials welcomed Santa and Mrs. Claus to the municipal center for an evening of holiday songs, snacks, crafts for children and the lighting of the township's Christmas tree.
“It was fantastic, as usual,” Santa said after the event.
“Cranberry Township is the benchmark for other communities. It goes all out and takes good care of Santa.”
Before Santa and his wife returned to the North Pole, they allowed some time in their busy schedules for an interview.
Here is what the Christmas Couple had to say.
How did you and Santa meet?
Mrs. C: We met at the North Pole Library. He was checking out books on toy making, and I was checking out books on gingerbread house making. We struck up a conversation, and the rest is history.
What attracted you to Mrs. Claus?
Santa: Her kind heart. It's her best quality.
What's the secret to your marriage?
Mrs. C: Humor, lots of laughs and a laid-back, generous spirit.
Do you really eat all of those cookies and drink all that milk?
Santa: Yes. That's why Santa is so big and big and big and fat.
What is Santa's favorite meal, and do you cook for all of the elves?
Mrs. C: Santa's favorite meal is steak and potatoes. He likes to grill out even in the middle of winter. I cook for the elves on special occasions, their birthdays and Christmas, of course. On Christmas Day, we have the traditional turkey and ham and all the side dishes. Then, there's the Christmas cake, the Buche de Noel, a chocolate Yule log.
Which reindeer is your favorite?
Mrs. C: I'm partial to Prancer. I like his spirit. He has a generous, outgoing nature.
Do you worry about Santa when he's on his overnight trip?
Mrs. C: I worry that he'll get cold or that something might go wrong with the sleigh, but he has his elf helpers, and the reindeer take care of him. He's been doing this for a long time, and nothing has happened, so I worry for naught.
Do the elves belong to a union?
Santa: Yes, I've done negotiations with them for years, and the elves seem to be very happy. Maybe, I should have negotiated the contract with Hostess. Then, we'd all be back to work and eating Twinkies.
Do you have a favorite Christmas song you could sing all year long?
Santa: I like “Santa Claus is coming to Town.” My favorite movies are “The Polar Express” and “The Santa Clause” with Tim Allen, although “Elf” is pretty good, too.
How do you get into houses with no fireplaces?
Santa: Santa has magic dust. I just sprinkle some above my head, and I can go down chimneys and through windows. But I'll never visit a house until all the kids are asleep. My elves tell me when the children are in bed.
On Christmas Day, what do you and Santa do?
Mrs. C: We relax. It's the beginning of our relaxation season.
It's low key. We read by the fire and hang out with the elves. And we're in bed early because we're very tired.
What do you say to children who don't get everything they want?
Santa: If everybody got what they wanted, there'd be no desire in being good.
What's the best Christmas gift Santa ever gave you?
Mrs. C: One year, he surprised me and took me to Hawaii. He had his Hawaiian hat on and shorts, but the big guy with a white beard sticks out no matter where you are. I guess it's one of the trials of being married to the big guy.
When grandma got run over by the reindeer, did you stop to help?
Santa: I was the one who called the family and told them where she was, so they could take her to the hospital. Unfortunately, she didn't make it.
What do you love most about Christmas?
Mrs. C: I love the spirit of giving, the generosity and kindness. We could use more throughout the year.
What's the best gift everyone could get for Christmas?
Santa: The best gift is happiness, wrapped in a hug. And the best thing about Christmas is spending time with family.
Dona S. Dreeland is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-772-6353 or ddreeland@tribweb.com.
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