slideshow

FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

When I was a kid, my parents would make the annual trek to take me to Marting’s to visit the “real Santa.” It was most likely my highlight of the Christmas season. Marting’s stocked all the popular toys for the season, and the atmosphere was electrifying. It was packed with people from all over the area. The streets were lined with shoppers walking shoulder to shoulder. A choir would be performing in front of the post office (now the esplanade), and everyone greeted each other with a hearty “Merry Christmas.”

Children need to experience seeing and talking to Santa Claus. There is a relief that a child goes through when they have had Santa’s ear for a few minutes and have been able to tell him everything they want for Christmas.

Folks in this area have one more weekend to bring their children to the Paul E. Johnson Emporium across from the Masonic Temple building on Chillicothe Street in Portsmouth. It never fails, when people pull out photos of their children growing up, more often than not the most prized photo is the one depicting that child with Santa. This weekend is your chance to make more memories you will cherish forever, by coming down to the Portsmouth Daily Times/Main Street Portsmouth’s Santa: An Old Fashioned Christmas.

There are vendors, some entertainment, and the most beautiful decor in Portsmouth, all as a backdrop for what we believe is the Christmas event of the season.

Maybe you sat on the Marting’s Santa’s lap when you were a child. Well, now you have the opportunity to share that experience with your child.

We have been so excited about the event, and we want your child to be a part of what we believe is going to be the premier kickoff to the Christmas season for years to come. We also want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make it a success — Jennifer Foster at Main Street Portsmouth; the various choirs and performers who gave so graciously of their time; the vendors with the foresight to know they would be on the ground-floor of a great event; Wayne Allen for taking superb photos; and Randy Stout, the incomparable Marting’s Santa Claus, and his wife, Mrs. Claus.

Memories are not just remembered from the past — they are made every year. Make some of your own this weekend.

So you don’t miss Santa, write down these hours: today from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and finally Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.