Times accepting letters to Santa

With the holiday season fast-approaching, district children soon will be getting started on their Christmas wish lists.
And once again, the Fort Frances Times wants to help ensure those letters to Santa Claus get up to the North Pole on time.
Drop off your letter at the Times’ office (116 First S. E.) or mail it to Box 339, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M7.
The deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 13.
And with Santa now being cyber-savvy, you also can e-mail him directly at santa@fortfrances.com or via a link at the Fort Frances Times’ website (www.fortfrances.com)
“I love reading the many letters I get from children all around the world,” Santa Claus said this week from the North Pole. “With so many letters coming in, Mrs. Claus and the elves help out, too.”
“The children send us their lists of what they want for Christmas, but they also tell us about themselves and their families, and we always love reading about that,” he added.
And jolly St. Nick indeed knows who’s been naughty or nice.
“Luckily, there have been more nice children than naughty ones this year,” he remarked. “Children have been good this year, for the most part, so I expect to carry a big bag of toys on the sleigh.
“I’ve been working out in anticipation of slinging that sack.”
Santa said the elves in his workshop are ready to get to work, but added they can’t be exactly sure what toys they need to make until he gets those letters.
Mr. Claus also offered a few words of advice when asked about what he likes left out for him when he delivers presents to homes in Rainy River District.
“I love cookies of all kinds, especially shortbread. But Mrs. Claus has been reminding me to eat more healthy snacks, so if you put out some veggies like carrots and celery, that would be nice, too.
“And I can share them with the reindeer!” he added. “Ho ho ho!”
All the letters also will be published in the “Christmas Greetings” section of the Fort Frances Times on Wednesday, Dec. 20.