Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!!

Some time the middle of December when houses are beautifully decorated and lit our neighborhood begins looking for a yearly visitor. He always makes his showing driven by our local Fire Department in a decorated, well lit, vintage fire truck. Jolly Old St. Nicholas! You can hear the sirens blocks away and Santa's happy "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!! booming over the loudspeakers. This year the driver stopped for a few minutes so I could get my picture.

The fire truck is preceded by a police car with lights flashing and volunteers on foot handing out candy canes. Bringing up the rear is another police cruiser with lights flashing and more volunteers on foot.

Doesn't matter how young or old you are, Santa is always a welcome sight!! We look forward to it every year. This event inspired the poem that follows.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!!


Vintage Fire Truck Christmas
By Carol Glitschka 12/05

In the middle of December
Kids wait for him to appear
Decorations are up, lights are hung
They strain their ears to hear..

And then one night the sirens wail
Piercing the stillness of night
Not to worry, please stay calm
It will soon come into sight.

You see the flashing blue lights
Approaching down the street
Excitement, not fear abounds
It’s an annual Christmas treat.

“Ho, Ho, Ho and Merry Christmas”
Drift across the winter air
While happy Holiday songs
On the loudspeaker blare

The bright red, vintage fire truck
Bears a sight meant to tickle us
It slowly climbs the neighborhood hill
With Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.

The windshield, hood and ladder rails
Are strewn with multi-colored light
And Santa dressed in white and red
Smiles and waves dispelling fright.

Adults have smiles across their face
Children wave and jump up and down
Volunteers on foot give candy canes
And nowhere can you find a frown.

It’s a happy Christmas tradition
Looked forward to each year
Designed to lighten the spirit
And distribute Holiday Cheer.