2012 Santa Claus update: Local visits and preparations continue

Santa Claus is continuing his work in Nodaway County, and it's crunch time.

With just one week left until the most magical night of the year, Santa is out and about, tirelessly working to make sure that he doesn't miss a single boy or girl.

That is, of course, if they're on the nice list.

Last weekend Santa made his stop in Burlington Junction at Kiss My Grits Cafe where a crowd of enthusiastic youngsters and their families waited for the jolly man to show.

Due to a lack of snow, Claus caught a ride with the Burlington Junction fire department to add some more toys to his growing list.

Before he entered the cafe, Santa stopped to greet some of the youngsters.

Asking one child how he was doing, the boy quickly replied "I've been good."

"I know you have, that's what I like to hear," Santa replied with a laugh before heading inside to shake more hands and dole hugs.

The event was put on once again by the Kiwanis, and for roughly 15 years Santa has put Burlington on his list of important stops.

Several churches and community members help out with candy, cookies and drinks, and Kiss My Grits plays a good host, said one of the organizers, Sue Thompson.

"It is really nice to have Santa come to the cafe," Thompson said. "The kids really enjoy it, and it is very nice of them (Kiss My Grits Cafe) to let us have it there."

After saying hello to everyone, Santa took a seat next to the cafe's tree.

With a twinkle in his eye, he continued his yearly task of finding out exactly what each child would really like to find under the tree next Tuesday morning.

And although time is running out for a face-to-face visit with Santa, he and his elves still have quite a few man-hours left to get toys ready for delivery next week.

That's right, boys and girls, he's still watching, and the final check of the naughty/nice list won't happen until the last minute.

As the song goes, be good for goodness' sake.