The Chronicles Of Grant County

Santa Claus and his nine reindeer are seen in the skies over Chihuahua, Mexico (in the red circle) late last night as they headed towards the South Pacific Ocean.

In our quest to break breaking news, The Chronicles Of Grant County is now able to report – exclusively – that Santa Claus and his nine reindeer began their Christmas travels from Grant County late (local time) last night.

The team took off from the Grant County Airport at approximately 9:47 PM on December 23. It was explained to us that elves at the North Pole determined that this departure time would allow Santa Claus sufficient time to deliver gifts throughout the world prior to the start of Christmas Day.

"Santa Claus and his nine reindeer were able to take off from our airport right on schedule," said Rebekah Wenger, Manager of the Grant County Airport. "Everything went according to the plans set by the elves. We were pleased to help Santa Claus again this year."

As in the past couple years, the elves built extra time into the schedule in case there were any detours because of local conditions.

The Chronicles Of Grant County has been able to confirm that leaders in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus; in Venezuela and Guyana; in Israel and Palestine; and in other areas of conflict have each agreed that Santa Claus and his reindeer will be able to travel freely throughout their lands.

"Santa Claus has 24 hours to deliver presents to good little boys and good little girls in more than 200 countries worldwide," stated Denis, one of the elves in the North Pole Scheduling Department. (Please note that elves only have one name.)

"I am able to confirm that Santa Claus will also be delivering gifts to a number of boys and girls that may not have been as good as they could have been during 2023," continued Denis. "Additionally, Santa Claus will continue his efforts to provide gifts to a number of adults – children-at-heart – this year."

The Chronicles Of Grant County had agreed to not disclose certain information while Santa Claus and his reindeer were visiting southwest New Mexico. We are now able to provide important details about his visit and how he and his reindeer prepared for their worldwide travels.

We can now confirm that Santa Claus and his team stayed at Bear Creek Cabins in Pinos Altos.

"We were elated to be able to host Santa Claus and his reindeer," said Dawn Donnel, Co-Owner of Bear Creek Motel & Cabins. "It was wonderful to see the reindeer enjoy our accommodations. Watching Prancer and Dancer as they roamed around the woods was a treat for our staff."

"I must say we were amazed at how much food the reindeer ate," Mrs. Donnel continued. "The elves at the North Pole Commissary did an excellent job of getting the food to our location. They were able to source all of the food locally here in southern New Mexico. We were able to deliver the food to the reindeer each day in the portions requested by Santa Claus. Vixen noted that the reindeer truly enjoyed the taste of the mushrooms. Cupid told me that the willow tree leaves were delightful."

The Federal government confirmed much of what Mrs. Donnel and the staff at Bear Creek Cabins saw first-hand. According to a statement issued in February of 2023 by the United States Food and Drug Administration, "an average adult reindeer eats 9 to 18 pounds of vegetation a day."

"The food for Santa Claus was, obviously, a little more varied than mushrooms and willow tree leaves," Mrs. Donnel commented. "It is true that Santa Claus does love milk and cookies. He also seemed to enjoy salads filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables."

She added that "we do love Christmas here at Bear Creek Cabins. We went all out decorating Bear Creek for Santa Claus. We'd love people to drive by and see the Santa Wonderland."

The Chronicles Of Grant County was able to meet with Santa Claus while he was visiting the area. Our interview – an exclusive interview – focused on a wide range of subjects.

"Our stay at Bear Creek Cabins was just what I and my team of reindeers needed," stated Santa Claus. "Donner told me that he especially enjoyed being able to get in his exercise routine prior to our trip."

"I enjoyed taking in some of the sights while here," Santa Claus continued. "The City of Rocks Park was amazing. We don't have anything like that at the North Pole. I found walking along the Continental Divide Trail to be quite relaxing."

Area tourism officials were joyful as they learned of the comments of Santa Claus.

"We're pleased that Santa Claus and the reindeer had a wonderful time in Grant County," said Kelly Johnson, Assistant Coordinator of the Murray Ryan Visitors Center. "He told me personally how much he appreciated the friendly welcome from the residents in Silver City and the surrounding communities."

Santa Claus also indicated that he was quite pleased with the services provided by the Grant County Airport.

"I've had occasion to stop at a number of airports and airfields in many places," Santa Claus noted. "The facilities and staff at the Grant County Airport are top-flight."

He detailed that his flight plan will have his sleigh enter the airspace over Chihuahua, Mexico, as he and his reindeer fly towards the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. Initial stops will be in such locales as Samoa, the Marshall Islands, and other South Pacific nations.

From the smaller islands, Santa Claus explained that they'll then visit Australia and New Zealand.

"Our travels will then take us to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and North America," said Santa Claus. "I should be back in southwest New Mexico to deliver gifts locally in the late hours of Christmas Eve."

As he concluded our interview, Santa Claus told us that he hopes all children – and children-at-heart – will get to sleep tonight so that he and his team can deliver gifts to homes throughout Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna Counties as well as other areas of New Mexico.

"Tomorrow morning, children living all around the world will wake up to love," Santa Claus stated. "I realize that not everyone will be able to get everything that they may want, but I am an optimist at heart. Through the eyes of children grows the love that provides the joy for this season and year-round."

"Merry Christmas!"

Santa Claus and his nine reindeer made final plans for their global trip as they visited with airport personnel at the Grant County Airport Terminal last night. (The photograph was provided courtesy of Rebekah Wenger.)

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