We all know Santa Claus is real.
But he has his challenges B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址� with the willing co-operation of the individual in question B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址 by email B次元官网网址� evidently from the North Pole B次元官网网址� adding that B次元官网网址榯heyB次元官网网址� have done all the major malls in the area.
B次元官网网址淏ut I prefer a more relaxed setting, such as the B次元官网网址楤reakfast With SantaB次元官网网址� event at Softball City, which IB次元官网网址檝e attended for over 20 years,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淵ou just never know where or when Santa might turn up,B次元官网网址� he added.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e done major grocery chains, kidsB次元官网网址� parties, Canadian Union of Public EmployeesB次元官网网址� parties, private house parties and numerous other corporate Christmas parties B次元官网网址� I even did work (through Bennett) for an agency for three or four years.B次元官网网址�
Ironically, Santa said, for all the help he has been with seasonal duties in recent decades, Christmas was B次元官网网址渘ever a big dealB次元官网网址� for Bennett when he was growing up.
B次元官网网址�(He) was born in Vancouver in the middle of the Second World War,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗ad a paper route and then worked for a neighborhood meat market as a teenager.B次元官网网址�
For many years Bennett worked at the Vancouver Sun, and later for all of Pacific Press, Santa added.
B次元官网网址�(He) delivered advertising proofs all over downtown Vancouver while waiting to begin an apprenticeship as a plate maker B次元官网网址� even worked in the fledgling computer room, (which was) operating on punch cards in the 1960s, and sold classified ads.B次元官网网址�
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 (B次元官网网址渢he pride of my life,B次元官网网址� Bennett has told him) and four grandchildren B次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淪orryB次元官网网址anta is apolitical,B次元官网网址� he replied.
Nor could he be drawn on what he feels about many conspiracy theories that hold that he doesnB次元官网网址檛 exist.
B次元官网网址淵ou are entitled to to your own opinion,B次元官网网址� was all he would say on that.
But both he and Bennett agree that their favourite part of Christmas is B次元官网网址渨hen itB次元官网网址檚 all over and packed up and we can return to peace in the valley.B次元官网网址�
While people seldom ask Santa what he wants for Christmas, he said his greatest wish is for B次元官网网址渟ome more peace and tolerance in this tired old world.B次元官网网址�
His basic message for us for the season doesnB次元官网网址檛 vary: B次元官网网址淎 very merry Christmas and a happy and, hopefully, prosperous New Year.B次元官网网址�
But he is more forthcoming when questioned about the most unusual Christmas gift he was ever asked for.
B次元官网网址淚 was at a private house party and a woman came up to me and said B次元官网网址業 hope you will be cool with my kids B次元官网网址� I just lost my husbandB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭he first two children didnB次元官网网址檛 ask for much,B次元官网网址� he recalled.
B次元官网网址淭hen the third one got on my knee and I asked what she would like for Christmas.
B次元官网网址淪he said B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 want anything for Christmas, but on your way past Heaven would you please tell my daddy that I love him?B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 hugged her so hard I thought her eyes would pop, and I said B次元官网网址淥f course, sweetie B次元官网网址� that will be my first stop.B次元官网网址�
