My name is Nicholas. Today I am known as Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. I was born in the year 270 A.D. in a small town called Patera, which is a now modern day Turkey.
My parents were business people and were very, very wealthy. Unfortunately, they both passed away from an illness going around town when I was a youth. I was left with all of their wealth. Being taught by my parents to always be generous, I decided to take what I had and help others. It all started with a family I knew down the street. It was a father and mother who had three daughters. Their mother had died from the same illness my parents did that swept the whole town. The father was left with three daughters and did not have enough income to support the family. Worse, yet, back in those days, the father would have to provide a dowry, which was an amount of money that went with the daughter when she was married off. He was preparing to sell his daughters into slavery when I came up with an idea. One night I took nine gold coins and put them in three sacks. I went by his house and tossed the sacks into the window. When he awoke, the father realized he had enough money to provide a dowry for all three daughters. I was so happy and excited at the feeling I had of giving, that I decided to make it my career.
I later became the Bishop of the town of Myra, which was not too far from where I grew up. In the year 325 A.D. I was asked by the Emperor Constantine to attend an event with about 300 bishops. It was the council of Nicaea. It was there that we actually created the ‘Apostles Creed’ which is recited in Catholic masses as well as other Religions to this day.
I had moved out of the town when I retired as a Bishop and decided I wanted to live someplace quiet and peaceful. I chose the North Pole. It was a few years later I met my wife, Jessica. I am now 1,753 years old and Mrs. Claus is about 1,200 years old, but I truly believe she lies about her age. Ho Ho Ho!
I continued my practice of giving to others by providing toys to Children throughout the world on Christmas Eve. The strange thing is, I found that the more I gave, the more I had to give! I love my job and wouldn’t trade it for anything! Merry Christmas!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I married Mrs. Claus many, many years ago. We don’t have any children of our own; but we do have nine reindeer, which are certainly a part of our family. We also consider all of the children in the world as a part of Santa and Mrs. Claus’ family.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My current job as senior elf is to ensure the efficiency of the factories at the North Pole. We have many, many toys to build and we work six days a week. We always make sure to take off on Sundays as we set that day aside for the Lord. My past career was not really a career at all. I was a teenage when I lost my parents due to illness. They were very wealthy people and I was left with a lot of money. I guess you could say my career was making sure that the money went to families that needed it most. As far as my future goes, I hope to always continue to do what I’m doing now. We are always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of our factories and come up with new and interesting toys for all the boys and girls in the world.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I really don’t have a favorite; however, I do like bakeries. Ho Ho Ho! I also like any place that serves ice cold milk.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have never actually lived in Harford County Maryland. I grew up in the city of Patera, which was located in now modern day Turkey. I guess it was about 1,700 years ago that I built a castle at the North Pole, and have been living there since. We do travel a lot during the year for different events and to keep in touch with the local toy stores. When we’re in Harford County, I have a good friend who lives in Jarrettsville, and I will stay with him and his wife, and also supervise the work he does in the workshop.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Hands-down my favorite TV show has to be Rudolph’s Shiny New Year. The TV show, Frosty the Snowman, always made me feel very warm inside. I also like any TV show where I am portrayed. Miracle on 34th Street was a really good one. I also got a kick out of the movie Elf. A lot of the story is made up; but a lot of it is also true. Ho Ho Ho! The Santa Clause was also a very funny movie. Ho Ho Ho!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
The best advice I could give people is to always try and spread the Christmas cheer all year long. Even though it is not Christmas day or the Christmas season, you can have a great effect on how people feel both about themselves and others. Nobody is perfect. Actually, we are all perfectly imperfect. I think everyone should focus on the positive aspects of others, rather than dwell on their short comings.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Wow! That’s a tough one. Any business that focuses on the importance of Christmas. I love to see the Christmas displays at the front of the stores when I walk in. Kefauver Lumber Company in Forest Hill has a very nice Christmasy feel when you walk in during the season. It’s not necessarily the scenery, but also the way you feel when you interact with the owners and employees.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Oh boy! This one could get me in trouble. Ho Ho Ho! I would have to say our former president, Donald J. Trump. I have actually met with him several times, and he is truly genuine. He says what’s on his mind and does what he says he will do. He certainly helped improve our country in its time of need. He also has an exceptional Christmas spirit. I would meet with him for lunch at some place he likes. I’m certain it would be any McDonald’s restaurant. Ho Ho Ho! If I were to choose for us, I would have to say Geneva Farms. They are very friendly and have a warm feel when you walk in.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Most definitely I am proud of the Harford County community because of the Christmas spirit they display during the season. So many homes are decorated and lit up. It really makes me feel warm whenever I’m flying over this part of town. I have also noticed that most of the people in the community, actually the vast majority, say “Merry Christmas” during the season and not “Happy Holidays”.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I think I will simply be 5 to 10 years older. Ho Ho Ho! Hopefully, and God willing, I will be doing what I’m currently doing. I take my job very seriously and I never take for granted the gifts and talents that God has given me. I also look very forward to meeting the new children over the next decade.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Ho Ho Ho! I’m not sure I want to answer that one. I suppose something they don’t know about me is that during the Christmas season, I drink whole milk and the rest of the time I drink 2%. I don’t always eat cookies and candy, I also enjoy vegetables, especially spinach. But I must admit my favorite course of every meal is dessert. Ho Ho Ho!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Most definitely and hands down, Mrs. Claus! God help me if that wasn’t my immediate answer! Ho Ho Ho!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My very best friend and inspiration is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I always try to think what He would do in situations when I question my own judgment.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
The very first and most important word is “Love”! The other two words would be “Family” and “Security”.
