The Chronicles Of Grant County

Santa Claus May Be In Town
2023
Part One

Dancer (left) and Prancer enjoyed some relaxation during the off-season while on an earlier visit to Ny-Alesund on Spitsbergen Island in Svalbard, Norway. The reindeer enjoy this section of the Arctic. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the U S Department of State.)

The Chronicles Of Grant County – continuing our tradition of exclusive reporting on events in southwest New Mexico – has found evidence that Santa Claus appears to be staying in Pinos Altos. It is likely that this world-famous leader is again planning to begin his annual global travels from Grant County.

While governmental and business leaders have been tight-lipped this past week, it appears that Santa Claus has been in town for several days.

"Last week, we received a request for information from someone who said they were calling on behalf of their boss from up north," stated Kelly Johnson, Assistant Coordinator of the Murray Ryan Visitors Center. "The person mentioned that they were very familiar with Silver City and the nearby communities, but wanted to get some updates on our activities here."

"We aren't quite sure who the visitor will be, but their aide noted that he would be coming with a group," Ms. Johnson continued. "The aide indicated that their boss travels the world with nine employees, but only does so once a year. We confirmed that Silver City and southwest New Mexico welcome people from throughout the United States and beyond to come visit us."

In an interview conducted last Friday via satellite telephone – for security reasons, of course – Santa Claus provided some details on his travel plans this Christmas season.

We agreed to keep our interview under wraps until today.

"I have found my previous trips to Silver City and the entire region to be quite wonderful," commented Santa Claus. "During each of our previous visits, we received all of our supplies in the correct quantities and, very importantly, in a timely fashion. The supply-chain logistics have been excellent."

Santa Claus declined to provide a definitive "yes" or "no" when directly asked if he was again planning to use Grant County as the starting point for his worldwide travels. Instead, he politely changed the subject and spoke highly of the local folks he has met on previous trips to the Gila.

The Chronicles Of Grant County – not wanting to put the fine gentleman on the spot during the interview – discussed how the reindeer enjoyed playing with each other and catching up with friends when they visited the Gila last year.

Of course, our interview did not end the investigative efforts of The Chronicles Of Grant County as we attempted to determine if the itinerary of Santa Claus and his nine reindeer was going to begin again in Grant County.

What we have found leads us to conclude that, yes, Santa Claus is here and has been staying at the Bear Creek Cabins in Pinos Altos.

"We cannot confirm the identity of our special guest, but he is known far-and-wide for his generosity of spirit," said Dawn Donnel, Co-Owner of Bear Creek Motel and Cabins. "He's visiting with us for a few days prior to a big trip. Due to his workload, nine of his work associates have joined him here."

"Confidentiality is important to all of our guests, but I can state that our staff is full of exhilaration at hosting our special guest," Mrs. Donnel continued. "I must note that the amount of food that has arrived – especially for the nine work associates – is much more than we typically see here at Bear Creek Cabins. Our staff has worked diligently to make sure the food is delivered in an orderly fashion to our special guest and his co-workers."

A local restaurant in Silver City provided similar information to The Chronicles Of Grant County.

"We got several unusual calls last week," stated Chris Thompson, the general manager of the restaurant that asked to be anonymous for this news column. "Initially, the individual asked about some of our meal entrées and salads, but in subsequent calls, they asked about specific ingredients in several of the entrées and salads."

"Then last Wednesday, we got an order for food to be delivered in portions over a six-day period to the Bear Creek Cabins," Mr. Thompson continued. "We had never received an order so large before. Mushrooms. Assorted greens. Specialty desserts. It was astonishing."

(Please note that the general manager of the restaurant also requested anonymity to provide on-the-record statements. The Chronicles Of Grant County graciously granted that request and used "Chris Thompson" as a pseudonym for this person.)

Mr. Thompson detailed that shortly after the food order was placed, the restaurant was contacted by their bank.

"We got an urgent call from the president of the bank we work with," noted Mr. Thompson. "She remarked that an unusual sum of money had been transferred by wire into our bank account; she said that the routing number was for an international enterprise known to be located in the Arctic."

"I was able to confirm to the bank president that the amount she listed for the funds deposit was the same amount as for the food order," continued Mr. Thompson. "The bank president told me that the note attached to the wire transfer indicated that it was payment for products for an 'SC' and Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer, Rudolph, and Vixen."

Residents from Cliff to Virden and from Santa Clara to Columbus will likely recognize those names as those of the nine reindeer that work with Santa Claus ("SC" - ?). Reindeers enjoy a variety of foods, with mushrooms as one of their most special treats.

Santa Claus, during his satellite call with The Chronicles Of Grant County, praised his past travels from the Grant County Airport. We decided to see if anything had yet been arranged with the local airport.

"The Grant County Airport was contacted again this year to see if we could accommodate a special visitor and his employees this Christmas season," stated Rebekah Wenger, Manager of the Grant County Airport. "We were told they had really appreciated our support and service last year and how Grant County is a great location to assure this team can reach everyone on time."

"We were excited to accept and with our new facility, we'll be able to provide amazing accommodations," continued Ms. Wenger. "We'll be able to store lots of hay, special feed, and the overflow of parcels that come with this special visitor."

Before we finished our telephone interview with Santa Claus, he confirmed that he makes a list, checks it twice, of all of the children – as well as all of the children-at-heart – in Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna Counties. He recommended that the local folks from Lordsburg to Reserve and from Silver City to Deming should always strive to be good.

Santa Claus concluded the interview by asking that we share his message of love with local residents throughout southwest New Mexico:

"Merry Christmas!"

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.

© 2023 Richard McDonough