Santa visits Butler, checks list
NORTH POLE — One thing that's always true about Santa Claus ... An encounter with that jolly ol' soul can make your eyes sparkle brighter than lights on a Christmas tree.
"He really is a nice guy," explained Nicole Thornton, 5.
"And he really does say, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" added his brother, Joe Thornton, 8.
Sister Julianna Thornton, 3, chipped in, "And he has toys."
The Thorntons, children of Sue and Joe Thornton of Butler, are near experts, having recently met up with Santa at one of his favorite places to hang out: The Clearview Mall.
But 6-year-old Hannah Kiffer said in addition to the mall, the annual Spirit of Christmas Parade in Butler and the North Pole, there are plenty of places Santa can be spotted this time of the year.
Hannah and her 8-year-old sister, Abby Kiffer, who are the daughters of Matt and Sue Kiffer of Freeport, last year got a chance to eat breakfast with the big guy at Zion United Methodist Church.
"He asks a lot of questions," Abby said of the sensational encounter. "He's nice."
Children preparing for a first sit on Santa's lap, according to Colin Gallagher, should be prepared to answer questions like, "Did you behave for your parents?" and "What would you like for Christmas?"
Colin said Santa really already knows the answers to some of the questions. But he asks them again because he makes a list and checks it twice.Colin, the son of Cheri and Greg Gallagher of Butler, said Santa, "Told me I had been good this year. He already knew."Jessica Renner, 8, said in preparing for her recent visit with Santa, she wrote a Christmas wish list.Jessica, daughter of William and Joann Renner of Butler, said Santa brings presents."I hope he comes to my house," she said. "I tried to be really good."If you are on the lookout for your own before-Christmas Santa meeting, Levi Stockdill, 6, advised it would be important to know Santa really does wear a red suit and have a white beard.Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves live in the North Pole. But still, Levi said, Santa gets down this way fairly often thanks to a sleigh that is powered by real reindeer, "and led by Rudolph" the red-nosed reindeer.Levi is the son of Donnie and Laurie Stockdill of Butler.Santa, who also is known as St. Nicholas, is as jolly as you have heard. And, according to our experts, even if you don't get a chance to chat with him in advance, he will find you on Christmas.Asia Luchkiw, 8, leaves chocolate chip cookies and coffee by the tree for Santa on Christmas Eve."He always comes when we're sleeping," said Asia, daughter of Dawn Carbon and Raymond Luchkiw of Butler. "We never seem to catch him."
