The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

“Kids believe in Santa; adults believe in childhood.”

Author Cate Kennedy hits the mark with that line from her short story collection, “Dark Roots.”

Last week, while Scott, Elizabeth and I fulfilled Santa’s elf duty, stuffing toys, candy and fruit into brown paper sacks, visions from Christmases past reminded me of the good ol’ days and what days leading up to the holiday were like during the age of flower power and groovy, man.

In Clay Center, Santa Claus made an appearance on Saturdays in December. Not a one-time visit. Oh, no. He arrived by horse-drawn sleigh most Saturdays...