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Dear Santa,
I know I’m late getting this to you.
But hopefully you can squeeze in a little more reading time for my letter, as well as the many others we print in today’s issue of The SNAP. (They begin on page 1B of the printed edition, just in case you’re wondering.)
Before telling you about my few wishes, let me ask you for a little help.
Santa, our readers showed up in their donations for our toy drive. Elf Debbie reports that there were many happy people who accepted the toys in Burnsville.
But, Santa, the need remains great there.
You may have seen that the Aquadale Fire Department donated a truck to Pond Mountain Fire & Rescue. I’m told that farmers in that area really need hay, livestock feed and fencing materials, if you can help with that.
I’m sure there are many other items the western part of the state could use as well.
Hopefully you’ve also heard of the new program Stanly County EMS is doing with the teddy bears. We definitely need to remember our seniors.
Santa, one thing I used to do was have seniors write letters talking about their Christmas memories. We didn’t get around to that this year.
As I was looking at past letters from them, I found a column I wrote for the Dec. 21, 2003, issue of The SNAP. If you remember, Santa, I closed it with a look back at a letter I wrote as a fourth grader.
“Dear Santa,
I want two Nintendo tapes that [are] Burgertime and Tag Team Wrestling and a stereo with some music tapes. And a new gym for our school and a gold or silver chain. And some records to play.”
Stanfield School did get the new gym, thanks to Hurricane Hugo damaging our old one.
I did receive the stereo, which ended up being the best one I ever had, and I wish I still had that Nintendo and those games.
I still buy too many records, but I still haven’t gotten that gold or silver chain.
It probably would turn my skin green anyway.
Back to now, Santa, here at the SNAP, bring Charles another state championship team to write about. Bring Susan and Shelby some more wonderful advertisers. Bring Debbie more delightful customers.
As for me, Santa, I’ve tried to be nice this year.
There are only a few things on my list. I’ve been asking for these for many years. It must be taking you a long time to find the right bow for it. I know it is a remote possibility, but maybe this will be the year you’ve figured it out.
Like the song says, “I don’t need a lot this Christmas.”
P.S. Santa, I’ll leave you some Ozempic.
With all the milk and cookies you are inhaling, you’re going to need it.

B.J. Drye is general manager and editor of The Stanly News & Press.