Phew! The letters to Santa have been streaming in, and Santa loves to read every single one of them. He is very busy right now, but not so busy that he is unable to read each one, and respond (if return addresses are provided). On our Santa Letters page, all letters to the North Pole that have been placed in the Santa Mail Drop Box at 210 Union St., in Rockport (across from Graffam Brothers Seafood Market), are reprinted. The originals have been delivered to the North Pole by carriers trained specially for the annual task. Letters to Santa will be accepted right up to 11:59 p.m., Christmas Eve. So, get writing!

To read the letters that have arrived to date, click here

Letters to Santa can be dropped into the mailbox at any time and elves will retrieve them and get them to Santa right away. Santa also has a tablet this year, so emails are also welcomed: SantaLobster2012@gmail.com. All letters are posted on a special Santa Claus Letter Page at PenBayPilot.com, unless otherwise specified.

Santa's reindeer are also gearing up for the trip down from the North Pole. They are bulking up on a special raw diet and personal trainers are stopping by the barn every day to check on them. The reindeer had a perfect summer, enjoying lots of time grazing under the sun on green clover. The elves also had a great summer, and are now working furiously to get all the toys ready for Christmas Eve flight through the stars.

Remember. Santa is busy on Christmas Eve moving from home to home around the world. It is important to go to bed on time and not try to wait up for him. Santa has so many stops to make he cannot stay and chat with anyone, and that includes parents in their long winter's hats. Santa hopes that families are not awake when he slips down through the chimney or through the door so that he can do his work uninterrupted.

He does, however, appreciate cookies. And sometimes a really good glass of cheer, but not so much to hinder progress.

So, get those letter written and to the mailbox. Don't delay! And....

Merry Christmas!