SUNDAY

11.27.16

NS J

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AS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON approaches, towns across the Old North State have surprises and traditions for each and every one. In the Town of Tarboro, a shiny red mailbox magically appears to deliver letters to Santa Claus. Read on and hear how the children drop their letters in the post box and receive a return letter from the famous man in the red hat himself.

’Twas the Night the Mailbox Appeared

TWAS THE NIGHT after Thanksgiving, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even the old farm mouse;

The days are being counted down with care,Knowing St. Nicholas soon would be there;

In the Old North State, children were snug as a bug in a rugDrifting to sleep while visions of toys, dolls and barbeque in their

thoughts did tug.I in my bunny slippers and daddy in his baseball cap,

The fluffy cat curled up in my lap,There is a story they say that is told at the corner diner

Of how children are mailing letters — to that jolly ole’ timer.In a quiet little town, just East of here,

A shiny red mailbox in the night does appear.Where did it come from? Do you know? For the tale they say takes quite the wit.

The Town of Tarboro is where the mailbox does sit.Listen, wonder and figure it out.

There’s a surprise in here somewhere, no doubt.Why the elves have been so lively and quick,

To help the children in town send a letter to St. Nick.His helpers have hammered, bolted and painted each mailbox as they came

While St. Nick himself, laughed, whistled and called them by name,“Well done Rudy and Rita, Betsy and Boone!

Let’s finish soon and deliver them under the light of the moon.”The red paint does shine, and now the seal must be put in place

The North Pole Express — it does say — as it takes up the center space.“To the sleigh we must go! Down South we must travel!

Tie the bow tightly so it shouldn’t unravel!”Through the leaves and cold air do they fly,

Straight through the twinkling stars and night sky;Up to the top of the Main Street Post Office they flew

With the mailbox to bring, and St. Nicholas too —And then, in a scamper, they trickled down from the roof

Leaving the reindeer prancing and pawing with each little hoof.Quickly they worked, and as they were turning around,

Down the flag pole St. Nicholas came with a bound.With a wiggle in his step and twinkle in his eye,

He watched as Rufus came strolling by.He giggled and winked and tossed a treat to the dog,

Knowing he was the one who saw how the mailbox came to town during the midnight fog.It is a secret that has long been kept,

Of just how those letters are written and returned in step.The children will compose, draw, glue and sprinkle with love

A list and wish and a cheer for above.The children come after the rise of the morning sun

And drop their Letters to St. Nicholas in the box by the ton.Each child’s letter must have a return address

Or sending a reply can be quite the mess.You heard correctly I say, jolly old St. Nicholas writes back

To ensure a letter will arrive before he must pack his gift sack.For the surprise to the children is bewildering and merry

Leaving their faces to shine bright like a cherry.Now that the mailbox has arrived, St. Nick with his red cheeks and round belly

Must spring to his sleigh and dash off in search of a biscuit with grape jelly.He exclaimed as he began to leave,

“I’ll be back on Christmas Eve!”

Laura Ashley Lamm | North State Journal

December 1-3Poplar Grove Candlelight ToursWilmington

Each of the eight rooms with be heavily decorated with flora greenery inspired by the Foy family’s Colonial times through Victorian history. Guided tours begin in the Manor House on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Advance tickets are required for this event.poplargrove.org

December 1-4Flat Rock Playhouse presents Music on the Rock: A Celtic ChristmasFlat Rock

From the western shores of Ireland to the Great Glen Highlands of Scotland, the people of the British Isles have been infusing Christmas carols with their unique Celtic sound for more than a millennium. The Playhouse Downtown will be transformed with mist and candlelight for three singer/storytellers and a group of unique musicians who will ignite the Christmas spirit within you. Traditional carols like “Silent Night,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “O Holy Night,” and many more are given the Celtic treatment in this one-of-a-kind Christmas spectacular. This is a show to share with the entire family.flatrockplaghouse.org

December 1-18Fayetteville

Fayetteville’s Gilbert Theater brings the story of George Bailey, the everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty. His guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to show him what the world would have been like had he never been born — that his life has been, after all, “a wonderful life.”gilberttheater.com

December 1-23The 19th Annual Festival of TreesGreenville

More than 100 trees are transformed into a different theme or meaning for Christmas. Enjoy the many beautiful decorations as the center becomes a holiday wonderland. Proceeds benefit the Family Support Network.fsnenc.org

CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the good lifeIN A NORTH STATE OF MIND