Santa slows down due to COVID – but he’s still comin’ to town

By Rich Rosentreter

The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down local schools and in-person classes and even slowed Santa and the number of local appearances he makes, but he’s still in town and planning to bring joy and smiles to children in the area.

The Free Press recently met with the jolly ol’ fellow to discuss how the coronavirus has impacted his visits with local kids and how he plans to maintain the spirit of Christmas. This is his 42nd year of bringing joy as Santa Claus to Tupper Lake and the surrounding communities and during that time span he has traveled to spread joy locally throughout the Tri-Lakes area.

According to Santa, by this time of the season he normally has made appearances at about a dozen events, but due to COVID restrictions he has only done three in the community with two of them being for family members.

“It’s really had an effect. This year I can hardly go anywhere,” he said.

Restrictions

When Santa does make an appearance, he must follow safety guidelines to keep everyone protected from the coronavirus, the main precautions being wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, which means he is not permitted to allow children to sit in his lap to tell him what they want for Christmas. So for now children should get their “What I Want for Christmas” lists mailed out to the North Pole as soon as possible.

“With all this COVID people have to wear a mask at all times,” Santa said, adding that mask-wearing is something he firmly believes in because he has had out-of-town family members who have passed away due to the virus.

“Santa takes it seriously, unlike some people. There are many, many people who are not taking it seriously,” he said, “It’s awkward, it’s inconvenient, it doesn’t look good, but with all the different types of masks they have and gadgets, you can really do it and it helps prevent the spread of the virus.”

Another restriction is when there is an event, no more than ten people are allowed at that gathering.

“Anyone there must be wearing a mask,” he said. “A few events that I am going to do people have promised not to be in ill health or have more than six people in the house.” He said he is currently scheduled to do six visits so far later this month.

“I’ve been offered to attend events with plexiglass in front of me, but it’s not the same,” Santa said, explaining that having a barrier is not part of his plans. “How can you tell the really young children they cannot run up to Santa? How are you going to tell a kid not to hit the plexiglass? That’s not my forte. I like to really communicate with the kids and how can you communicate with a piece of plastic in the way?

Santa said he is not ruling out attending such an event if one was scheduled, but the situation has to be right. He is prepared for any event that is scheduled, however, as he carries his own hand sanitizer right around his neck, regularly cleans his hands and has several pairs of gloves.

“I also have about 25 different masks,” he said, adding that many have been donated to him by caring local residents. “The whole community has been really behind me.”

Santa said this holiday season has been frustrating so far, as he is easily recognized but cannot always be his jolly self and give out hugs.

“Even when I am not in my Santa suit, children come up to me and they want to hug me,” he said, adding that when he does not give a hug, it’s hard to watch the children’s reaction. “The child will say ‘Mommy, Santa doesn’t want to hug me.’ Then their mom will tell them, ‘Yes he does, but he is just trying to obey the safety rules.’”

But Santa said he always is prepared for any such moments.

“I carry a pocket full of candy canes to hand out! I handed it to him and the child said ‘Oh Santa, you do love me!’”

“It really kills me not to be able to interact with the kids and talk to them. Over the years, I’ve seen so many heartwarming stories – good and bad,” Santa said. “The kids are a precious commodity that we have. In this whole situation, kids are learning but they’re not learning the true meaning of giving. Christmas is supposed to be a beautiful event. It’s a religious holiday and people have to learn that COVID is just a dreadful thing we have and we have to cope with it the best they can. I’m going to cope with it the best I can. It’s really horrendous.”

It’s not just the youngsters who Santa has an impact on – he will miss senior citizens as well.

“What really hurts me is not being able to go to Mercy this year. I used to go there two or three times during the season and deliver gifts,” he said. “For some of these people the only bright light they have is during the holiday season. That’s what I really will miss.”

Santa said he always remembers even those who are “shut in” and live alone at home and his visit is special even if it is only for 15 seconds.

“They tell me ‘You didn’t forget me Santa, everyone’s forgotten me.’” he said.

Plans for joy

Despite a schedule that has been cut, Santa said the annual ride organized by the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department is still scheduled to take place – but with some changes compared to ones held in previous years.

“We will have a special sleigh. We may do some virtual events or park some place and have kids stop by, they won’t be able to gather,” he said, adding the TLFD Santa ride is slated for December 16 and 17 and he will ride on the sleigh escorted by fire trucks. Some of the changes are that normally the entourage would stop on certain streets, but not this year. The trucks and sleigh used to stop at Stewart’s and Larkin’s for about 30 to 45 minutes but cannot do that this year.

“We will slow down but not stop. We’ll be handing out stuff,” he added.“We will still will be able to provide some joy. Santa has a lot of restrictions too, but I am going to do my best.”

The exact times of the Santa ride will be announced on the fire department’s social media page, Santa said, and although people may not see him as much as in years past, he is still making plans for this holiday season.

Santa’s message

Santa did have some messages for the community.

For the older seniors: “My message to them is to keep the faith you’ve always had and what you’ve always taught the younger generation, it’s not a total disaster but you can always do better and you can always think about the future because there is always a future. Don’t worry about yesterday, worry about tomorrow because there’s always a light in the end.”

For the children, he reminded them that even with the virus, Santa will not forget them and he promises to bring them smiles and cheers – and he knows if they’ve been naughty or nice!

For everyone: “Stop and think, be safe, be kind. Think of other people that are deprived this year. Many people are out of work.”

“I’m not depressed, I am saddened, but it could be a joyous sad knowing that we are doing our best to make it as joyous as possible,” Santa said. “The biggest thing is to look up. You will see the sleigh go by, even if you can’t see it, you can close your eyes and imagine it. Imagine the joy that it is going to bring to the young and old. It will still be a bright holiday season. And Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!”