December 13, 2006

Hi Everyone!

I am sorry I have not written in a while, but November was quite a busy month for me. Believe it or not, the busiest part of November was just getting ready to get myself ready for the month of December.

Let me start at the beginning. Last month, I began my annual visits throughout Cleveland. I visited with many children and friends that I have in the area. But all through November I had to keep making quick trips back to the North Pole to check on the elves and their progress in making the toys for all the good boys and girls. Plus, I had to help Mrs. Claus assist Santa in getting ready for Christmas Eve and his big trip to delivery all those toys. It was pretty hectic.

Back in Cleveland, I had the pleasure of riding on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. I sure had fun! I made a lot of new friends and got to see plenty of old friends too. And there was the joy of seeing the changing of the leaves on the trees. That does not happen up at the North Pole. It is so beautiful you are very lucky to live in this area.

Jo Jo, the snow gopher, was so jealous when I told him of the pretty sights he complained so much to me that I brought him back with me for a visit. But poor Jo Jo, he has such bad luck that it snowed the first day we got back into Cleveland. Jo Jo looked and looked for the beautiful scenes I had described to him, but all he got was snow which of course he sees all the time at the North Pole. But with a little patience the snow melted and he got to see some very beautiful sights.

Maybe there is a lesson here that both children and adults from Cleveland know only too well. When the cold days of winter arrive and the snow starts to fly, Cleveland can and does look and feel like the North Pole. But with patience, Mother Nature creates a wonderful show of colors and magic throughout the seasons. Sometimes it happens all in one day.

Well, I had to ask the Wish Sisters to come down and guide Jo Jo back to the North Pole as I found myself buried with requests to visit my friends throughout Northeast Ohio. I even made a trip to Conneaut. I hope to see all of you real soon.

Your Friend,
Mr. Jingeling
Keeper of the Keys


December 28, 2006

Holiday Greetings Boys & Girls!

Well what a wonderful Christmas season we had this year! I certainly kept myself very busy going back and forth from Cleveland and the North Pole. But it was well worth it because I was able to see so many of you great boys and girls (and Mom's and Dad's too!). I had lots of fun riding on the Scenic Railway in the Cuyahoga Valley and visiting with all the children at South Park Mall. And I was in two parades this year, one at the Wooly Bear Festival and one at the Christmas tree lighting on Public Square! Oh my, that was an exciting holiday season now, wasn't it?

The rest of the elves and I, along with Santa and all of the reindeer, are taking it easy after the crazy rush we had last week. We're happy to report that we got everything done just in the nick of time and all the presents were delivered to their proper homes by the time the sun came up on Christmas morning! But now we're exhausted so we're just relaxing. Mrs. Claus is keeping us comfortable with lots of yummy gingerbread cookies and hot cocoa with those tasty little marshmallows floating on top. But soon enough we'll start working again to decide what we'll be making in our workshops for next Christmas. And even though we're very tired now, we're actually quite excited about getting started on making toys for Christmas 2007. I'll be sure to send along some dispatches in the coming months to let you know how things are going at the North Pole to keep you posted on my plans to visit you all again down there in Cleveland. How I LOVE that city of yours!

Santa just strolled by on his way to bed and asked me what I was writing. When I told him, he asked me to pass along his personal wishes for you and your family to have a very safe and happy New Year!

See you all again soon!
Mr. Jingeling,
Keeper of the Keys