Reporter's Notebook (Gettysburg Times: 08/04/07) - "Ho, ho, ho"

Three weeks ago, while enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Gettysburg Bike Week 2k7 at a Steinwehr Avenue eatery, I witnessed the unfathomable.
Concealed deep within the festive crowd was a husky fellow, dressed in a red outfit.
“Is that who I think it is?” asked an astonished friend of mine.
Yes, indeed: Jolly old Saint Nick, himself.
I waved Santa over to our table.
"Ho, ho, ho!” bellowed the lovable giver of gifts. “Happy Bike Week!”
I grabbed my cellular phone and asked a restaurant patron if she would snap a photo (yes - they are capable of doing such things) of my gang with Santa.
"Make it quick boys,” Santa said. “I’ve gotta’ get back to my sleigh.”
Are the reindeer carting a bag of goodies?
“No,” replied Father Christmas, “but I do have a case of light hops.”
I surely hope he wasn’t sleighing-under-the-influence.
— Scot Andrew Pitzer