Santa Comes Early to Rural Alaska Villages
694074
There's not a reindeer in sight, but out here in Interior Alaska, six dogs hitched to a sled will do when the jolly round man in a red suit comes to call Santa descended from the C-130 transport plane and away they mushed, down a winding trail to the Venetie village school, where children and their parents sat on bleachers, whispering and watching the gymnasium door.
388216
Each year at Christmastime, residents of this tiny mountain town run a yarn drive, gathering extra bits and pieces and donating them to the inmates of the Alderson Federal Prison Camp.
147484
Picture Alaska and most people in the Lower 48 think abundant forests, picturesque bears, frosted tundra and perhaps the odd salmon.
328928
Shopkeepers in Europe's biggest economy have a grin on their faces _ and not only because Santa is coming to town.Comment
612787
A Lots of families will be heading off to Lapland this winter to deliver their letters to Father Christmas.
80704
But to Christmas tree farmers like the owners of Butler Tree Farm in Dowagiac and Pinecrest Farms in Galien, it&#39;s much, much more.
318441
Los Angeles Times - HOOPER BAY, Alaska &#8212; This Eskimo village sits on the edge of the continent, part shantytown, part suburb, part Wild West. One can't go farther west without stepping into the Bering Sea &#8212; and just beyond, onto the frosty eastern tip of Siberia.
9344
Seeking a novel remedy to revive its rickety economy, the tiny ex-Soviet state of Kyrgyzstan has declared itself the new home of Santa Claus.
104513
By Craig Medred, Anchorage Daily News, Alaska  Dec. 17--On the busy days at Turnagain Pass, the Chugach Mountains rumble with the roar of snowmachines.
1770
Santa Claus may be coming to town, but lots of people will be leaving or otherwise hard to reach in Iowa and New Hampshire. That makes for plenty of nervous pollsters preparing to take late soundings on the presidential race during the frenzied holiday period.
24008
An Alaska National Guard helicopter reached a frozen Arctic village on Tuesday with technicians who hoped to repair its electrical generator, which failed Sunday during a blizzard that sent the temperature to 20 below zero.
66803
The health-care products specialist has more than one Christmas gift under the tree.
593426
Bob Lemos of Lemos Farm on Highway 92 near Half Moon Bay is optimistic about the Christmas tree season. He started selling trees last weekend, he said.
510320
CAROLLERS in a village near Nuneaton will be gathering round a Christmas tree on Friday to sing and listen to festive readings.
507760
Santa isn't the only one busy around this season - mail carriers are putting in extra effort with two weeks left for holiday shopping.
493962
Danville -- Liesel and Jeff Ray, of Avon, followed tradition Friday morning when they left the house. No, they did not head to the nearest mall, hoping to be the first in line for Christmas bargains.
655628
GIRDWOOD, Alaska -- The snow is knee-high along the banks of Crow Creek, where men are crouching up to their chests in near-freezing water, and the air is several degrees colder.