Vicki Doudera - Realtor, Author, Mainer

   December first was a definite highlight of my Christmas Season and here’s why…  I was Santa’s chauffeur for a good part of the day!  That’s right, I met Santa at an Inn in downtown Camden and drove he and his Elf Ellen to Rockport harbor, where they appeared before throngs of children gathered by Rockport Marine.  After Santa listened to the little tykes’ Christmas wishes, and Ellen handed out about a hundred candy canes, I bundled them back into my car and took the jolly couple to lunch at a local hamburger stand.  (Santa, it turns out, likes large fries and Dr. Pepper!)  We then piled back into my Toyota (lucky thing it is a Christmas-y shade of red!) and buzzed over to Wayfarer Marine, where he and his Elf boarded a festively decorated lobster boat for their trek across the harbor to the Public Landing and more throngs of excited kids.  

What everyone wants to know is, what’s Santa really like?  I discovered that behind those twinkly eyes and snow white beard is the consummate Christmas professional. Even with a To Do list as long as your arm, Santa stays calm, focused, and pleasant. No matter where we were, he waved to all and gave good wishes. Not once did he snap at his Elf or brush a whining kid aside.  Despite temperatures in the 20’s and a wind whipping off the Atlantic, Old St. Nick radiated nothing but warmth.

As you can see from the photo, I’m pretty pleased with the way my December started off. In years to come, it will be hard to top that frosty Saturday when I got to transport the biggest Christmas celeb since Jesus. My name’s in for next year, but in the meantime, maybe the Easter bunny needs a driver?