Did you know that Santa, the jolly old man in the red suit that we know and love, has had his roots traced back to 280 A. D.? Well! According to the History Channel at www.history.com, there was a monk named Nicholas (later called St. Nicholas) who gave away all of his inherited wealth, and spent the rest of his life travelling around in what is now known as Turkey, helping the poor, especially, the children. The legend of St. Nicholas is the basis of whom we know as Santa Claus, here in America. Stay tuned for more details…

Friday, Nov. 21, was a busy day for the mailman. There were 13 more applications, which added 30 more children, making the “Good Boys and Girls” list 104. Donations were plentiful as well. A great big thank you goes out to the following: $200 from Dillwyn and Catherine Paisete, $100 from Alan and Carol Sockloff, $100 from Rebecca Cuthbert, $100 from Karen and Thomas Elliot Jr., $100 from Philip Dionne, $ 50 from Jane Welch in memory of Jim Welch, $50 from Celeste and James Pope, $50 from Pamela Cox, $50 from Susan and John Fitzgerald, $50 from Jytte Monke, and $25 from Mary St. Pierre. There was also a very large bag of toys, games, books, plus hats and mittens dropped off at the Elks Club from the Mid- Coast Retired Educators and bag of 60 knitted caps knitted by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Including the United Bikers Toy Run, our donation level has now exceeded $7,400! What a great month this has been!

Lest anyone forget, our service area is Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Litchfield, Harpswell ( Great Island and Cundy’s Harbor included), Orrs Island, Bailey Island, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg, Sebasco, Woolwich, Arrowsic and Georgetown. The custodial parent or legal guardian is the only person who may apply, and they and the children must be residents in one of these towns. No exceptions!

Mail applications and donations to:

The Santa Claus Fund
P.O. Box 278
Brunswick, ME 04011

Donations of new toys and games, knitted items, gift cards, or cash, may be brought to the Elks Club at 179 Park Row in Brunswick, or on Lombard Street in Bath. Just ring the doorbell and someone will assist you. All donations will be published in the Times Record in the manner you wish: By name, in memory of a loved one, or anonymously. It will be our pleasure.

Applicants, each letter must include:

1) The name and the physical address, as well as a daytime telephone number of the adult applying. A Post Office box address will be rejected. If we have any questions, we will call for clarification.

2) The first and last name of each child, gender, age, and date of birth must be included. No exceptions! We ask for gender because not every name is only used for a boy or girl.

3) Call us a few days after mailing your letter for your box number and pickup location. We will also try to reach you, but will not leave a message with a child.

So until next time — Ho! Ho! Ho!