Send letters now to the 'best person on top of the world'

Have you been a good kid this year? If so, it's time to get that letter to Santa in the mail this week.

"The (U.S.) Post Office has been receiving letters for Santa for more than 100 years," postal spokesman Tim Ratliff told me this week. 'They come from all different states, and from across the world."

So far this year, the Huntley post office has received hundreds of letters addressed to "Santa Claus," and they're expecting many more as Christmas gets nearer.

In this area, Ratliff explained, Santa letters are directed to the Carol Stream Processing Center, where they are sorted apart from the regular mail and set aside for special attention by postal workers.

Letters can be sent to Santa Claus (or Santa Claws), Kris Kringle, or Old St. Nick.

"We know who he is, and we'll see that he gets it," Ratliff said.

What is Santa's mailing address?

"We see a lot of different ones: North Pole, Antarctica, Christmas Town, Candy Cane Lane," he said.

"Letters come addressed to Rudolph Way, Jingle Bell Lane, Snowball Road, or North Pole, Planet Earth. One just said 'Best Person On Top Of The World,' and we got it there."

Warning: the next two paragraphs are for parents only.

The postal service has a special Santa Claus postmark program set up with the North Pole through Alaska, Ratliff added. To obtain a North Pole postmark on a letter from Santa addressed to your child, you should send that letter in a self-addressed envelope to: North Pole Christmas Cancellation, c/o Postmaster, 5400 Mail Trail, Fairbanks, AK 99709-9998.

Letters should be received there by Dec. 15 to ensure a response by Christmas Eve.

Many Santa letters are forwarded to service organizations, corporations, and community agencies that help the needy during the holidays.

"Some letters are really funny, but some can be heartbreaking," Ratliff said. "We try to respond to as many of those as possible."

Here in Huntley, good boys and girls also can post letters to Santa at the Huntley Park District office on Mill Street.

"There's a Santa mail box in our foyer, and we'll be taking letters through Dec. 14," said Nancy Sprouse. "Santa will collect them when he arrives for our party (on Dec. 15), and every child will get a personal response."

No stamp is needed if you mail your letter at the park district, but there should be a legible return address so Santa can respond.

"He's very good about writing back to the children," Sprouse said.

A special party: The Huntley Park District will hold its Remembrance Tree Ceremony and Santa Party Dec. 15, at the Cosman Center on Mill Street. The memorial service starts at 11 a.m. with the reading of names of departed loved ones, and the dedication of special ornaments on the Remembrance Tree.

Santa will arrive at 11:30 a.m., escorted by Huntley firefighters on a big, red fire truck. The event is free, light refreshments will be served, and each child will receive a small treat. Call (847) 669-3180 for details.

The man in red: Santa will be the guest of honor at next Friday's Holiday Open House at the Huntley Area Public Library. The party runs from 6-8 p.m. with holiday stories, music by Dave Gutshall and balloon animals by Lollypop the Clown. All ages are invited, refreshments will be served, and there is no charge to attend. For details, call (847) 669-5386 or visit www.huntleylibrary.org.

Tickets are on sale for the holiday basket raffle sponsored by the Friends of the Huntley Area Library. Over 20 gift baskets are on display throughout the library Winners will be drawn in time for holiday giving. To purchase tickets, visit the reference desk.

Holiday voices: The Prairie Singers' holiday concert, "Everywhere Christmas Tonight," is set for 1 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday in the Huntley High School auditorium. The show includes performances by the Rock of Ages Ringers of Plato Center, the Prairie Voices, the Northwest Community Youth Choir, and students from the Larkin Dance Academy. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 2-12, and are on sale now at Castle Bank, Citizens Bank, or Harris Bank in Huntley. For information, call Shirley Howland at (224) 569-6491.

• The Fox Valley Men of Harmony will perform "Prelude To Christmas," at 3 p.m. Sunday at Elgin's First United Methodist Church. The popular chorus includes several Huntley-area members. This year's show features secular and sacred songs, variety acts, an audience sing-a-long, and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, available at the door. The church is at the corner of Center Street and Highland in downtown Elgin, across from the public parking garage.

Organ recitals: The first of three Advent organ recitals will be held today at 12:10 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church in downtown Huntley. Today's artist is organist Michael Surratt, director of music ministries at the Union Church of Hinsdale and a former dean of the Fox Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall following his performance. The public is invited and a free-will collection will be taken. The church is located at the corner of East Main and Church streets, across from the town square.

Two more recitals are planned this month. Featured Dec. 14 is Vernon Studt, First Congregational's own organist, who has performed throughout the U.S. and served as organist at several Illinois churches and synagogues.

On Dec. 21, the guest organist will be Phyllis Connelly, an organ and piano instructor at McHenry County College and Elgin Community College, who is also a well-known performer and chairwoman of the Dundee Area Lenten Recital Series. Both recitals also start at 12:10 p.m. and are open to the public.

Outdoor fun for kids: The McHenry County Conservation District invites children of all ages to its Winter Festival, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road in Crystal Lake. Dress for the weather because a winter hike is planned, along with crafts, games, and other activities. The fee is $2.50 per person and registration is required. Call (815) 479-5779 today or visit www.mccdistrict.org.

Middle school "Mulan": Sixty-five student singers, actors, and dancers are featured in Heinemann Middle School's production of the Disney-inspired musical "Mulan," set for Dec. 14-15 at the Huntley High School Performing Arts Center on Harmony Road. The family-friendly show starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets are $5, available at the door.

Artistic impressions: "Natural Expressions," an art exhibit inspired by the wonders of nature, opened this week at the McHenry County Conservation District Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road in Crystal Lake. The free multimedia show includes paintings, photography, etchings and woodcarvings created by MCCD staff members. The show is open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, until Dec. 30. For information, call (815) 479-5779.

While in Crystal Lake, art lovers will enjoy "Through the Eyes of Our Future," a competitive exhibit of high school art at the historic Dole Mansion. McHenry County teens were invited to create works based on how they view the future of our nation, said Cristin Kruse of the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, which operates the mansion. The exhibit opens tonight at a reception in the Sage Gallery from 6:30-9 p.m., when scholarships will be awarded to the three top winners. Admission is $3 and the public is invited to attend.

The exhibit will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Jan. 2. There is no admission fee, but a small donation is requested. Participating Huntley-area artists are Brittany Hull of Lake in the Hills, Eryn Cisneros of rural Harmony Hill Road, and Richard Cartwright, Chris Vargas, and Elizabeth Coffey of Marengo.