Here comes Santa Claus
By Suzanne Werre
Editor
The transformation is complete.
Ed Gullett’s normally dark hair and beard are now suitable snowy white enough for even the pickiest of Santa’s helpers. It’s probably even white enough for the real Santa.
Even before the transformation was completely finished, he was catching youngsters’ eyes when he was out and about in Bismarck, suspicious that he was the jolly old elf himself.
One particular child even got a subtle little “shhh” with his finger up to his lips, letting her know she shouldn’t tell anyone that Santa was close by. She made a big “oh” with her mouth, and her eyes got big. She knew she had really seen Santa.
It’s impossible to know who was more excited about the interaction – the child or Santa.
Yes, indeed, Ed, who lives in Mercer when he isn’t at the North Pole, is Santa Claus. In fact, he’s one of the many Santas folks will see this time of year. After all, Santa does need help to spread the word and visit with as many children as he can before Christmas Eve when he takes off on his magical flight to deliver presents to all the children all over the world.
