On this Christmas Day we once again post the message we offered last year, a take on the famed Yes Virginia editorial of more than 100 years ago
See it below:
Many know the famed New York Sun editorial from 1897 that answers a little girl's question: Is there a Santa Claus?
We offer our view from Maplewood for one little girl we know who might wonder some day.
Yes Ruby, there is a Santa Claus.
If
you live in Maplewood, you see the signs of Santa Claus and holiday
warmth everyday. Not just at Christmas, but year round. You see it in
the kindness most in our town have for the poor, the sick, the troubled
and those who are different.
Our
little 24,000-population community is among the most welcoming to
people of all races, classes and colors. Gay rights, equality, sharing,
caring and unifying for causes abound.
Is that Santa Claus? Perhaps.
See
how the Township offers support for residents with health care
guidance, toy and food collections, free shows in the park, PTA's that
raise and spend money on great events, and giving from the Rent Party
fundraisers to Oysterfest and beyond.
Walk
around town these past holiday weeks or at Halloween, July 4th
(fireworks and concert), Thanksgiving, Memorial Day (duck races) and any
block party weekend and the vitality of community gives Santa's message
every day.
That
message is not just for those who celebrate Christmas, but for all
religions, or those with no religion. The feeling of giving, kindness,
acceptance and joy.
Ruby,
you see it in your school, your playgroups, your family, all of whom
give an understanding and support that many towns lack.
Even
when our community is at odds over things like a new post office
development, school issues or which new stores should open, it's usually
done with a real commitment to make the Maplewood they know better. No
whiff of scandal or greed usually enters into any of it.
Being in
New Jersey, a hotbed of political corruption at many levels, and near
Newark and Irvington -- which have each had their share of jailed
politicians -- Maplewood is the ultimate exception.
Mayor Vic
Deluca has been a great mayor for many years, and will again in 2017.
Even those who disagree with him know he is committed to our township.
He knows his facts, politics and government details better than anyone
at town hall.
And down
the line through the township officials to the police on the street and
DPW workers who plow our roads, little or no disruption has been found.
You
see, Ruby, and Alexis, Liza, Julia, Emma, Emily, Danielle, Cloey,
Katy, Ariel, Addie, Elle, Jo Jo and Cybele and any other girls out there who might wonder about Santa
Claus, you live in a very special town. I think most of us know how
unique Maplewood is, not just at Christmas, but all through the year.
Your
parents, like us, might complain about taxes, loud neighbors, and the
occasional government mistake. But few of us would be able to find a
better place to live and find the openness, hospitality, and
non-judgement that 07040 offers.
And
if that is a form of Santa, I believe in him. And if you do not
celebrate Christmas, there is a similar spirit of community for those
who are Jewish, Muslim, or even atheist. It is the basic fairness and
kinship of our town.
We
saw it when Morrow Church opened its doors to a Syrian
refugee family, or earlier this year with the Tibetan Monks took over
the Woodland for a real spiritual awakening.
You
see it in times of trouble such as post Hurricane Sandy when Highland
Place and other downtown powered buildings welcomed residents at no
charge who plugged in and went online for a week while power was out.
So
if anyone tells you there is no Santa Claus, Ruby, you can tell them
there is. And he lives right here in Maplewood. Maybe not in person, but
in a spirit that is much stronger.
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