We all know Santa Claus is real.
But he has his challenges 害羞草研究所� for security reasons, for instance, he has to go by all kinds of pseudonyms, particularly when fulfilling all his responsibilities during the Christmas season.
On the Semiahmoo Peninsula one of the identities he has assumed 害羞草研究所� with the willing co-operation of the individual in question 害羞草研究所� is that of a South Surrey resident, retired pressman Don Bennett, 87.
Bennett has been helping him out in the community for 25-plus years, Santa told the Peace Arch News by email 害羞草研究所� evidently from the North Pole 害羞草研究所� adding that 害羞草研究所榯hey害羞草研究所� have done all the major malls in the area.
害羞草研究所淏ut I prefer a more relaxed setting, such as the 害羞草研究所楤reakfast With Santa害羞草研究所� event at Softball City, which I害羞草研究所檝e attended for over 20 years,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淵ou just never know where or when Santa might turn up,害羞草研究所� he added.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e done major grocery chains, kids害羞草研究所� parties, Canadian Union of Public Employees害羞草研究所� parties, private house parties and numerous other corporate Christmas parties 害羞草研究所� I even did work (through Bennett) for an agency for three or four years.害羞草研究所�
Ironically, Santa said, for all the help he has been with seasonal duties in recent decades, Christmas was 害羞草研究所渘ever a big deal害羞草研究所� for Bennett when he was growing up.
害羞草研究所�(He) was born in Vancouver in the middle of the Second World War,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淗ad a paper route and then worked for a neighborhood meat market as a teenager.害羞草研究所�
For many years Bennett worked at the Vancouver Sun, and later for all of Pacific Press, Santa added.
害羞草研究所�(He) delivered advertising proofs all over downtown Vancouver while waiting to begin an apprenticeship as a plate maker 害羞草研究所� even worked in the fledgling computer room, (which was) operating on punch cards in the 1960s, and sold classified ads.害羞草研究所�
Eventually, Bennett got his apprenticeship in the press room where he stayed until he was forced to retire after a triple arterial bypass operation, Santa said.
Bennett was married for 63 years until he lost his wife just two years ago, he noted, but they have two adopted daughters (害羞草研究所渢he pride of my life,害羞草研究所� Bennett has told him) and four grandchildren 害羞草研究所� and now one great granddaughter.
Presumably because most of the facts about his life are well-known, Santa was reluctant to talk about himself, however.
Although he most assuredly has a list and checks it twice, he was not about to relieve our curiosity about who made the naughty and nice categories this year, particularly when it came to local politicians.
害羞草研究所淪orry害羞草研究所anta is apolitical,害羞草研究所� he replied.
Nor could he be drawn on what he feels about many conspiracy theories that hold that he doesn害羞草研究所檛 exist.
害羞草研究所淵ou are entitled to to your own opinion,害羞草研究所� was all he would say on that.
But both he and Bennett agree that their favourite part of Christmas is 害羞草研究所渨hen it害羞草研究所檚 all over and packed up and we can return to peace in the valley.害羞草研究所�
While people seldom ask Santa what he wants for Christmas, he said his greatest wish is for 害羞草研究所渟ome more peace and tolerance in this tired old world.害羞草研究所�
His basic message for us for the season doesn害羞草研究所檛 vary: 害羞草研究所淎 very merry Christmas and a happy and, hopefully, prosperous New Year.害羞草研究所�
But he is more forthcoming when questioned about the most unusual Christmas gift he was ever asked for.
害羞草研究所淚 was at a private house party and a woman came up to me and said 害羞草研究所業 hope you will be cool with my kids 害羞草研究所� I just lost my husband害羞草研究所�,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭he first two children didn害羞草研究所檛 ask for much,害羞草研究所� he recalled.
害羞草研究所淭hen the third one got on my knee and I asked what she would like for Christmas.
害羞草研究所淪he said 害羞草研究所業 don害羞草研究所檛 want anything for Christmas, but on your way past Heaven would you please tell my daddy that I love him?害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚 hugged her so hard I thought her eyes would pop, and I said 害羞草研究所淥f course, sweetie 害羞草研究所� that will be my first stop.害羞草研究所�
