Four-year-old Lily McLean happily places her letter to Santa Claus in the special Christmas mailbox at St. Ignace City Hall Monday, December 11. Children were welcome to write to Santa and send the letter to City Hall. Each child then received a response from Santa. Lily is the daughter of Amy and Randy McLean of St. Ignace. (Photograph courtesy of Amy McLean) With Christmas just around the corner, Santa Claus and his tiny helpers have been very busy, but he is taking time to write a note to children in St. Ignace who have written letters to him and posted them in the special mailbox at City Hall.

City employees have been helping, and each child will have received a reply.

The deadline for writing to Santa was Wednesday, December 20, although Mr. Claus assured City Manager Eric Dodson that those good children who were not able to send a letter will be well taken care of at Christmas.

Mr. Dodson, who is assisting Santa with the mail, said last week that five young visitors had visited the mail drop so far.

“Santa told me that, so far, the requests have been pretty good,” said Mr. Dodson. “There have been requests for a Baby Alive doll and Dora the Explorer toys, among other things. So far, no one has asked for a pony, or a new brother or sister.”

Santa also told Mr. Dodson that he and his reindeer will stop by, even without snow, and he’ll pack an umbrella, just in case.