~Exclusive Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
While the New York Times may be busy covering national news or the latest celebrity, we at the Update know a real story when we see it. It was our pleasure to interview Santa Claus and his lovely wife Mrs. Claus, and get the latest news from the North Pole… an exclusive for the Shore Update.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus have a unique “in” with local residents Joe and Elaine Owen of Denton. For the past 19 years, Joe and Elaine have helped Santa and Mrs. Claus by making appearances for them at local functions at schools, parades, restaurants, holiday parties and daycares. They will travel anywhere where Santa might be needed to bring joy to kids of all ages. They also are happy to make an appearance at private parties. Thanks to Joe and Elaine, who act as Santa’s “booking agents,” we learned some inside secrets only Santa could possibly know.
Where are the reindeer? All-knowing as he is, Santa knows that on the Eastern Shore the only event more popular than Christmas Day is Opening Day… of hunting season that is. Having a very important job to do, the reindeer stay at the North Pole so that no one can make the mistake of thinking they are part of the local deer population.
How do the reindeer get here? Each state supplies Santa with a vehicle. Here in Maryland it’s a white F350 Ford Truck. Always the law abiding citizen, Santa must purchase tags for his vehicle and is provided a special tag reading “Mr. and Mrs. Claus” so everyone knows who they are. The twinkling lights help as well.
Two senior elves travel with the Clauses, and these happen to be the elves who report to the Elf on a Shelf as to who has been naughty or nice. If your elf has a tag on it, the tag is there to help Santa identify the elf and the family who adopted him when the call came in to the North Pole.
What resonated during this interview was that Mr. and Mrs. Claus have an absolute love and devotion to children… and adults as well. “There’s no greater feeling than having a child run across the room, put their arms around you and say I love you,” says Mrs. Claus. “It’s priceless,” adds Santa.
Santa and Mrs. Claus love spending time with kids and take time to talk to every child and make them feel special. While their days can stretch to 16 or 18 hours, it’s the “magic of Christmas” that enables them to do what they do and to love every minute. Always having candy and goodies to hand out, Mrs. Claus reveals a few secrets of her own, namely how Santa is able to be at so many places at once.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus love their special friends Joe and Elaine so much, they often visit throughout the year. It’s not uncommon to see them at events even in the “off season.” During warmer weather, Santa sheds his fur suit for some cooler, shorts and shirt.
Listen carefully; if your heart is set on that special gift this year, here are Santa’s Rules:
1. Do your homework
2. Clean up your toys
3. No fighting with siblings or parents
4. Be obedient… the FIRST time
5. No back talking to parents or teachers
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be appearing at several Kent Island holiday festivities.
• Sunday, December 14, 4pm at Fisherman’s Crab House
• Saturday, December 15, 12N at Big Bats
• Tuesday, December 17, 5:30pm at Cracker Barrel
Most importantly, don’t forget about Christmas by the Bay. You and your kids can greet and have your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Wednesday, December 11 from 5:30-8:30pm at Annie’s Paramount Steak and Seafood House. There will be free treat bags for all the kids.
Come ready to shop that evening and then relax and enjoy a special dinner at Annie’s. You will find over 25 area vendors offering unique gifts and one stop holiday shopping. Annie’s will be offering a complimentary dessert station and two dinner specials. You can choose from a 1.5 pound lobster dinner for $19.95 or a fried chicken dinner for $12.95.
Remember!!! You can purchase discounted gift cards from 40 area merchants for those difficult-to-buy-for people on your shopping list. Visit wordpress-547-1846-2922.cloudwaysapps.com or call 410-827-9312 through November 30.
Anyone wishing to find out Santa’s full schedule or to see if you can book him for your special event, call their booking agents, Joe and Elaine at 410-253-6560 or 301-642-0242. You also can also visit their website at www.southernsanta.weebly.com.