Santa brings joy to Plains

Santa Claus said he brought the Arctic cold with him this year during his stop in Plains Saturday.

Santa, aka Dave Williams, and Mrs. Claus, aka Callie Timmer, set up their temporary workshop at the old one-room log schoolhouse on the corner of Railroad Street and Clayton Street and for four hours collected requests from kids.

Visitors also had the chance to meet the Grinch, who stayed outside most of the time greeting people and occasionally handing out a candy cane or posing for a photo with them. Studs Building and Home donated the loan of a generator to help heat the schoolhouse, but the temperature didn't get much higher than the 15 degrees outside. "I hate snow and I hate kids, so I can be a real good Grinch," he said, preferring not to reveal his real identity.

This is the third year for the Plains Woman's Club to let Santa and Mrs. Claus use the 135-year-old schoolhouse to visit with the kids. Fifty-two kids, 67 adults and one dog took time out Saturday to stop and see the North Pole couple and their elf helper, 10-year-old Chloe Monselet of Plains. "We received four letters and they will be placed in the care of some elves that work closely with the post office Santa Branch Program," said Santa, who had kids from a few months old to those in their teens and from Thompson Falls, Plains, Paradise, and Hot Springs. He told the kids that he was 1,500 years old, but that Mrs. Claus was only 1,000 years old.

"I just like to help out, but I would say that when you hand someone a toy, no matter their age, the glint in their eye and the smile on their face is the same, you're four or five again and a world of adventure is before you and all you have to do is believe," said Santa. The kids had their pick from a stuffed bear or doll, made by members of the Plains Woman's Club, or a wooden truck or tractor made by Ed Foste and Richard Cotte. Williams is the president and founder of the Joint Operation Mariposa, the nonprofit organization that sponsored Santa's visit.

"It went well, I believe. and it's fun to see kids that were babies a few years ago come running in now with smiles on their faces," said Santa. "We have already started making plans for making some new toys," Kringle added. JOM is also doing a "Santa Socks" project by delivering Christmas stockings to senior veterans from Plains to Hot Springs to St. Regis. The socks will be delivered by two Mrs. Clauses - Callie Timmer and Angela Muse - on Saturday. Heather Allen and Ed Foste will help with the deliveries.