Santa Claus

Nov. 20, 1984 Thousands of spectators lined Main Street Saturday night to watch Winchester's largest Christmas parade in recent years. The parade drew 22 floats and a total of 54 units, including Scout groups, antique cars, emergency vehicles, beauty queens and Santa Claus.

(Sun photos by Emily Salmon)Students from Central Elementary School, right photo, sing a song while being conducted by Santa Claus (Branden Barber) during the school Christmas play, "A Place in the Christmas Choir. " Mrs. Claus (Katelyn Campbell), photo above, joined the elves, birds, reindeer and other animals to sing in the chorus.

Dear Editor, The Spirit of Christmas was overflowing at the Junction City Community Center on Wednesday evening. The joyful gathering was attended by approximately 400 people and was totally free. Included were refreshments for all, pictures with Santa Claus and gifts for all the children under the age of eight, which was about 190. Personally, we would like to thank those who put this event together. The financial support came from residents and businesses within Junction City.

Dear Editor, Rue the day when department stores started advising their employees to stop saying "Merry Christmas" to customers. Saying "Happy Holidays" is fine, but mentioning any greeting with Christ in it is a no-no. Why should Christians patronize any stores with this attitude when doing their Christmas shopping? Christmas is about Jesus Christ, and Santa Claus has nothing to do with it. Myths and fables like Santa Claus, the North Pole, reindeer and elves are taking the place of our celebration on Dec. 25 when households exchange gifts, as did the three wise men who gave gifts to the Christ child born in a stable, at Bethlehem, Israel.

(Sun photo by James Mann) Four-year-old Julia Milton pondered the question about what she wants for Christmas while visiting with Santa Claus Saturday at the Clark County Public Library. Julia was visiting the library with her mother, Dena Milton. (Sun photo by Randall Patrick) Santa Claus posed for pictures with children at Bailey's Cafe Saturday morning. Here he's shown with sisters Kaylee and Marlee, who are the children of Robin and Brandon McFadden and Todd Rogers.

Cathy Coslow of Danville didn't think Louisville would beat Kentucky, but she did expect the game to be low scoring. Because of her tiebreaker score on the UK-Louisville game, Coslow beat eight other contestants who also had eight games right to win last week's Popeyes Beat the Experts Basketball Contest. She wins a 12-piece chicken dinner from Popeyes and is eligible for the season-ending grand prize contest. Guest expert Santa Claus led The Advocate-Messenger panel of experts with seven correct choices.

Santa Claus was a guest of Providence Elementary School for the game show “Santa Claus, This is your Life.” Santa, played by Caleb Walker, watches his travel agent and her employees perform a song and dance after guessing who she was during the game, top photo. Santa later guesses the voice of his wife, Mrs. Claus, played by Emma McQuade, and joins her and the host of the show, Beth Ledwards, played by Courtney Miles, center, for a song, bottom photo. The play was performed by the fifth-grade class and the fourth-graders were in the chorus.

Santa Claus quietly goes about his business of delivering Christmas presents amid a dazzling array of lights and a snowman on Estes Drive, top photo. A flowing stream of lights lead to a lighted manger scene that can be seen by travelers along Old Boonesboro Road across from Stoney Brook Drive, right photo. James Mann/jmann@winchestersun.com

100 YEARS AGO - 1906 Letters to Santa Claus from students in the local public school that were printed in The Advocate include: My Dear Santa Claus, This Christmas I want you to bring me some books, and a top and a writing desk, some candy, nuts and oranges, and some raisins and a little wagon, and some games and a whistle, and a drum, and some puzzles, and that's all. Your friend, Robert Wingate. My Dear Santa Claus, I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know what I wanted for a Christmas present.

Santa coming to Crab Orchard Santa Claus will be at Crab Orchard City Hall 6-8 p.m. Dec. 21. Meetings Boyle and Mercer County Joint Jail Committee - 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Boyle County Detention Center. Junction City Council - 7:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall for regular meeting. Agenda includes approval of final zone change on the Wilson property, discussion for cemetery shelter funding, update on repairs to post office, and an executive session on litigation.