‘Making A List And Checking It Twice' For 50 Years

‘Making A List

And Checking It Twice’ For 50 Years

Pre-Holiday Home Visits Part Of BV Native’s Long Santa Career

Mike Clements was first asked to be Santa 50 years ago, during the Christmas holidays of 1974. He was a senior at Parry McCluer High School and worked part-time at Family Dollar, then in downtown Buena Vista.

The store Santa was being paid $5 an hour, an amount the store manager deemed excessive so he asked the teenaged Clements if he’d be willing to take on the job of jolly old elf for his minimum wage pay of $1.60 an hour. Clements agreed, figuring that being Santa would be more fun than stocking shelves.

The store even provided him with a suit, though at just $20, it didn’t quite fit the bill as authentic attire for a Santa that could convince kids he was the real deal. He later invested in a more realistic costume, spending $300 of his own money, but his natural affinity for being Santa was discovered in 1974.

He’s donned a red and white costume every December since then. “Santa has magic,” commented Clements. “For a couple of minutes you can forget your troubles.”

Clements graduated from PMHS in 1975 and went to work at the Bluebird bus factory in Buena Vista.

Dear Santa

I am 5 years old and I have behaved very good. I would like to receive these gifts: toys, candy, PS5. Myles Kindergarten, Kling Thank you for the elf. We named her Raspberry Snowflake. Please, can you get me a math book? I’m excited for Christmas. Nora Second grade, Fairfield I am 6 years old. This year I have been very nice. A few things I did that were nice are I helped mom. For Christmas I would really like a real fish, cars, T shirt. Lincoln Kling I have been really good in school and getting good grades too. For Christmas I want a drone, please. I have been nice to my brother, Henry. I buy him toys and candy at the store but I am also naughty because when I wrestle my brother and my dad tells me to stop I just keep doing it. Penelope Third grade, Fairfield I am 7 years old and this year I have behaved very well. I would like to receive these gifts: a Grinch laptop case, a new desk, a vanity, a Grinch sweatshirt.Natalia First grade, Kling I am 5 years old and this year I have behaved good. I would like to receive these gifts: Barbie house, Barbie, phone. Kendall Kindergarten, Kling Thank you for the toys I have and the other fellow children following directions. You make every Christmas morning. And I want a new bed for Christmas. You might ask why. It’s because I’ve been grateful for the friends I have, my sisters, the pets I have, every day who are now my friends. Eliza Third grade, Fairfield A big unicorn, bouncy ball.

Katana Kindergarten, Kling For Christmas I want a stuffed animal. Santa, I have been good this year. I help my friends and I do chores for my mom. Don’t forget I want a Grinch Stanley for Christmas. Thank you, Santa. Londeyn Second grade, Fairfield I want a makeup set and a new stuffed animal. And lots of snacks. Earbuds. A puppy. I also want a food truck.

P.S. I hope that you will be bringing all of this on this list.Kiyah Second grade, Fairfield Dear Santa, For Christmas I want to visit you for Christmas because I love you so much and I really want to be on the nice list. And I only want one gift. And that gift is a remote control dragon.

Skylar Second grade, Fairfield Can I please have a phone, a XMAX RC car, a Playstation, a TV, a controller, Flat to Fast racer, a trampoline with LED lights on it. Can you please make it snow? Thank you. Dylan Second grade, Fairfield Can you please let it snow? I would also like a dentist set. Would you write a letter to me about what cookies you like the best? And thank you for all of the presents! And thank you!!! Charlie Second grade, Fairfield Can I please have a Nintendo game card? Thank you for bringing joy to everybody. I want to visit you. Can I please have a book? Dear Santa, can I pet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Dear Santa, can I have a toy dragon? Tiage Second grade, Fairfield I have been good this year. I would like Nintendo Switch game cards. I most of all want to see you. I also want a new drone because I lost my charger for my first one. I have this at the top of my Christmas list is a Buzz Lightyear. I want a ninja costume and please make it really cool. I really, really, really want to pet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Dalton Second grade, Fairfield Can I have a new scooter please? You are very nice to give us presents! Do you know Buttercup, my elf? Can I have everyone to have a good Christmas. Amelia Second grade, Fairfield You are nice and kind. I miss you. Can I have candy in my stocking, a skate board. Do you know the Grinch? I want construction paper and supplies and a boomerang. Kiarkfrunk Second grade, Fairfield Can I please have a globe for Christmas? I always wanted one so much for Christmas. Thank you! Azalea Second grade, Fairfield I want more Wolverine claws, the Iron Man Infinity Gauntlet in red. I have been good in school and I like my teacher. I have been a little naughty. I do like a little bit of bad stuff. Anthony Third grade, Fairfield I want video games, Ipod, robot, Ninja Turtle, shoes. Isaac First grade, Kling I’ve been good this year but maybe my sister has been a bit bad. But now you can get me whatever, but there’s on thing I want. I want you to try and make my parents feel better. They went on a big trip and they are really tired. So could you try to fix that? Grayson Third grade, Fairfield This year I think and hop I’ve been good. And I really, really want a drone for Christmas! Oh and whoever touches the elf on the shelves to get bad presents maybe even COAL! John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son for who so ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Patton Third grade, Fairfield For Christmas I need baby chicks even though I’m getting them in the spring. Maybe a baby bunny too but that’s beside the point. Baby chicks are adorable and I have the room for them so please Santa pretty please with a cherry on top, can I have baby chicks? I’ve been good because I’m nice to my sister and my friend but I’m bad because I annoy my sister. Fiona Third grade, Fairfield I want a Lego set. I have been good sometimes but not all the time. I have been nice to my family and friends. I have been bad because sometimes I do not listen. Ian Third grade, Fairfield I’m being good this year. I am listening to my mom and dad and my brother is being mean to me. I want a toy school bus so I can play with it. I want one because my mom drives a school bus. Tyler Third grade, Fairfield I want an ATM machine for Christmas that is small. I also want a remote control car. Alsi I want an Indoyaptor Lego Set that I waited for years. I think I deserve all these things because I have been very good. Trystan Third grade, Fairfield I cannot think of any toys. What you can get me is a fan that sprays water. Lauren Third grade, Fairfield I think everyone deserves a gift if they need it or not. Like the homeless really needs gifts because they don’t have much. What you could give them is a good place to live, a good place to sleep and toys. You could give that want to play soccer a soccer ball, shoes and gloves for the goalie. For kids that want to play sports Santa can bless them with gear for that sport. Santa, kids all over like you so keep making them happy! See you Christmas! Rylen Third grade, Fairfield I want a bearded dragon and a nice Christmas. I also want new books, new drawing supplies, and snow for everyone. I also want a robot dog and can you make my little sister a bit nicer? Alexis Third grade, Fairfield I would like to have electric skateboard. Bu, there is a problem, because it won’t fit in my stocking. I have been pretty good this year so can you find another way to give it to me? Jack Third grade, Fairfield