Nov 29, 2019 3 min read

The answer is always, “yes.”

My wife, Jill, much to her dismay, can attest to the fact that her husband is one of the biggest Grinch-like, bah humbug, anti “warm-and-fuzzy Christmas feelings” guys around.

I cringe when I hear Christmas songs in stores. “All I want for Christmas is You” – I’m not buying what you’re selling in this case, Mariah.

“The Christmas Story” marathon? I think I’d rather stick my tongue to a frozen pole or eat a dinner ruined by the Bumpus’ hounds.

Christmas cookies, well, maybe I won’t turn my nose up at any holiday-related treats.

Despite my devotion to getting through the holiday season as quickly as possible, when questions inevitably arise about my iconic last name, I can’t help but smile.

Yes, I love my last name. Having a surname associated with the North Pole’s most famous resident has been fun as long as I can remember.

It was always exciting to know The Landscape Center by Evanovich, when the business was located on South Park Road across from South Park Shops in Bethel Park, would put “Mrs. Santa bought her tree here” on their marquee after my mom, brother and I stopped in for our yearly holiday patronage.

Seeing kids I meet around this time of year, or ones that my wife teaches – she’s now a reading specialist at Bower Hill Elementary School in Peters Township – get excited by my last name is always a treat as well.

I’m always asked in those instances if Santa is real and if I know him. Let me put those answers in print, yes, and for those believers out there, I’ll be sure to get you on the nice list.

Having my last name can also be frustrating.

Try ordering a pizza around this time of year with the name of Santa. Several times a year around the holidays, members of my family get left with an empty stomach from hang-ups or pizzas that never get delivered.

To the restaurants of the Southwestern Pennsylvania, it’s not a prank. There are genuinely Santas living among you, and it’s time for you to take a lesson from the many children who enjoy my last name this time of year much more than I do – just believe.

And if this issue of Mon Valley Magazine is any indication, there are plenty of residents around the area who believe in spreading Christmas cheer much more than I do.

Maybe none more than Heidi Hoffman.

A story by Karen Mansfield introduces readers to Hoffman’s Monongahela ice cream shop, Sweets by Mrs. C, which is Christmas themed and celebrates the holiday year-round. Maybe my wife and I will have to take our one-year-old son, Jack, for a visit to see if the merriest ice cream shop of them all can melt this grinch’s heart.

This edition of Mon Valley Magazine also includes a feature by Rick Shrum on Mon Valley Country Club and its 100th anniversary. The story highlights the important role the organization has played in the lives of many Mon Valley residents.

As always, Trista and I welcome your story ideas, suggestions and feedback year-round. We can be easily reached at 724-222-2200 or by email at jsanta@observer-reporter.com or tthurston@observer-reporter.com.

Thank you for reading and happy holidays.