The Chronicles Of Grant County

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

reindeer caribou orna wachman pixabay august 28 2019 25Though we cannot confirm with absolute certainty, it appears that Comet (pictured above grazing in a territory far north of Silver City) will be one of the nine reindeer that will likely be visiting Grant County this week. (The photograph was produced by Orna Wachman and provided through Pixabay, August 28, 2019.)

The Chronicles Of Grant County has learned exclusively that a special visitor with 9 employees will be arriving today in Grant County. They will be staying here until late December 23 or around Midnight on Christmas Eve.

Local officials will not confirm on the record, but it appears that Santa Claus will be using the Grant County Airport as the headquarters for his Christmas tour of the world.

In an exclusive interview, Santa Claus indicated great knowledge of Grant County. He indicated that the location was an excellent place from which to reach all four corners of the world within a twenty-four-hour time period.

"I am quite familiar with Silver City and the nearby communities," stated Santa Claus. "The airport facilities are quite adequate for the needs of anyone looking to travel north, south, east, or west. A number of key suppliers are in the region."

Santa Claus was reluctant to verify specifics, but all indications appear that he will be spending a couple of days here.

Without confirming specifics, the Grant County Airport is preparing for a major event this week.

"We got an advance call from the North Pole to be ready for a special visitor," stated Rebekah Wenger, Grant County Airport Manager. "We set aside hanger space for this special guest."

"Prior to my annual trip, I try to make sure my trusted associates are all well-fed and in good shape," Santa Claus explained. "Grant County and southern New Mexico have all of the key elements needed to assure quality services. The Gila has substantial resources of fresh water."

Though Santa Claus did not mention the names of his associates, The Chronicles Of Grant County has been able to confirm that two businesses are delivering supplies for 9 customers arriving today at the Grant County Airport: Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer, Rudolph, and Vixen. In addition, another company is delivering supplies addressed to a "SC" set to arrive at the Airport today.

Good little boys and good little girls (not to mention adults who recall bedtime stories told to them as children) will recognize these names as those of the 9 reindeer who help drive Santa Claus around the world. "SC" is believed to be code for "Santa Claus."

Another indication that Grant County will be the center of global activity this week comes from an official with Visit Silver City.

"I just heard that the Grant County Airport approved a peculiar flight plan for a flight coming from the North this week," said David Chapman at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center in Silver City. "The airport staff told me that we should prepare for a very special visitor. I immediately put together maps of all our towns and neighborhoods to send to some airline called 'ReindeerAir, Inc.'"

"We love visitors who come for Christmas," Mr. Chapman continued. "We hope whoever this special visitor is that they meet all of our wonderful residents."

Interestingly, whomever this special person is, Ms. Wegner confirmed that "He is not required to file a flight plan with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). We don't anticipate any problems with our guest leaving on time for his travels."

Who is able to fly in and out of the United States of America without filing a flight pattern? In checking with Federal sources, only Santa Claus and his nine reindeer are given permission to come and go as needed. One unnamed Federal official commented that "No passport, No REAL ID, no paperwork is needed for Santa Claus. We appreciate the fine work of Santa Claus and the nine reindeer." The official also gave a shout-out to the elves who work behind-the-scenes to make the 24-hour trip a success each year.

Santa Claus did confirm that he's been making a list, checking it twice of all the children in Grant County. "Our tech elves have digitized all of my records," Santa Claus said. "It makes it much easier to keep track year-to-year of the progress made by children – and those young in spirit – as I believe everyone has a good heart."

He asked we get out his message of love:

"Merry Christmas!"

grant county airport signage rebekah wenger 2020 50Grant County Airport has a special guest this week. (Photograph was provided courtesy of Rebekah Wenger, 2020.)

Do you have questions about communities in Grant County?

A street name? A building?

Your questions may be used in a future news column.

Contact Richard McDonough at chroniclesofgrantcounty@mail.com.

If your email does not go through, please contact editor@grantcountybeat.com.

© 2021 Richard McDonough

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.