THE MOUNTAIN TIMES
December 23, 1999    Page 27

Internet Santa Claus Rides Again

By Scott Nicholson

Seigler West of Boone has always loved Santa, even as a kid. He's played Santa, collected material and lore on Santa, and now is a "worldwide" Santa. West operates a Santa website at http://santa.snow.org, where he answers children's letters to Santa, shares his Santa stories, and provides links to other Christmas websites.

This year, West received hundreds of email letters, many from those who want to get in a good word with the Man in Red. On West's site, the viewer fills out a form, listing whether or not the person has been good or bad, as well as their age and location. West has received letters from such places as Malaysia, Italy, Scotland, Croatia, Ireland, and Indonesia. Some of his letters are in foreign languages.

Some of the samples that west answered this year include one from an eight-year-old Canadian girl who said she's been good "most of the time." "How are you and Mrs. Claus?" the letter begins. "For Christmas I would like to get a real bird just like my Mummu has. I love birds. I would also like a new teddy bear. I will leave some cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve."

The girl adds, "I have tried to be good, but sometimes it is a bit hard."

Christmas is also the time to think of others. A six-year-old girl from Mississippi requested "an Amazing Alley, stroller, don't wake daddy game. Please bring Ginger a play hamburger to chew on so she will leave the laundry alone. Bring Mandi a porcelain doll and a muzzle for her mouth."

Two siblings from Scotland decided to save Santa some time. They sent itemized, numerical wish lists, one with 22 items, the other with 24. Even older kids sometimes get a little bit overeager during the holiday season.

An 18-year-old Florida woman who is "very good all of the time" wrote: "All I want for Christmas is a man who can treat me right. I also want everyone to be happy. I also need lots and lots of money for all the bills I have to pay."

West says one child wrote asking what were the qualifications for being an elf. "I told him all it takes is to be able to give from the heart," West says. "That's what Santa does, and he's the Chief Elf."

West has a link to the famous newspaper editorial printed in 1897 in the New York Sun that said "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," West says the movie based on the letter never fails to bring a tear to his eye. "That letter just says it all," West says.

One of West's own Christmas wishes came true this year: his mother bought him a Santa suit for Christmas. Now he goes around looking for opportunities to play the jolliest man on the North Pole. And in between, he has a whole world of people to answer letters from.

History of the Town of
Santa Claus, Indiana
The naming of the town of Santa Claus, Indiana.