For our December issue this year, we collected the Christmas wishes of residents, familiar to most of us, representing every decade of life, lists which ultimately represent one of the many benefits of small town life. We include, as an introduction, words from the past which might have constituted the Christmas list of Edwin and Nellie Teale:

“Coming home through the stillness of this silvered night, with another year so near its end, we see our white cottage rising against the stars, flanked by the bare hickory trees, set amid the snow-clad fields. Our conviction is certain. This is what we have always longed for – just such a house, in just such a setting, seen in the midst of just such a life as we live at Trail Wood.”

Dear Santa,

It is our Christmas wish that such contentment fills everyone’s lives, and that everyone feels blessed, through the beauty of our town and the friendship of our neighbors, with the good fortune of discovering Hampton.

The Gazette

Dear Santa, 

I want a Smokey the Firetruck, a crane and an ambulance. I want slippers for our cat Chloe and cat toys for Lucas. I want to play with my cousins. I want to give hugs and kisses to my Grandma, Grandpa, Papa and Mema.

Henry Fontaine, 2007

 Dear Santa, Anna, Elves, and Reindeer,

I hope that your Christmas isn't too busy this year. Did you get a lot of snow at the North Pole? I am going to leave some more reindeer food out for the reindeer. I hope that they like it! I am also going to leave a surprise for you too! Does Anna ride in the sleigh with you on Christmas Eve or not? If she does, the surprise is for both of you. How long does it take you to deliver all of the presents to the boys and girls? Do you really put coal in the stockings when children aren't good?

I just have a few things on my wish list this year. They are: a Snoopy Snow Cone Maker, any books that you find interesting (I would really like "Amber on the Mountain"), any dollhouse things, earrings with goats on them, and anything fun!

I hope you have a very fun 2012 and the rest of this year. Merry Christmas!!

Rachael Trowbridge, 2002

 Dear Santa,

If I could have anything for Christmas, I would have NASA reopen the Space Shuttle program. I’d also like Rubix 2x2 Cube, Jurassic Park (the video game), and Mystery Science Theater’s Gamera movie.

Ian Lake, 1997

Dear Santa,

This year is my senior year of high school, and all I want for Christmas is a car! I would like a black Volkswagen Jetta, and if it doesn’t fit under the tree, feel free to park it in my garage. If for some reason you have any difficulty of getting me that car, I would also like the IPhone 4S. Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Shaelyn Drake, 1994

Dear Santa,

First of all, thank you for all the wonderful gifts and smiles in Christmas' past. How is Mrs. Claus?

This year for Christmas one side of me would really like a full-year's worth of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" and "Prairie Home Companion" on CD, or cassette tape, whichever is easier for you. I would also like the last Harry Potter movie. I didn't get a chance to see it in theaters.

The other side of me, the not-so-interested-in-stuff side, would like something that, I realize, would be impossible to bring in a sleigh. It's not that big, but it has eluded me so many times, Santa, I just can't seem to pin it down (it's not Maria from "The Sound of Music"). Sometimes in the middle of the day, I have a chance to stop, to look around, and an overwhelming sensation hits me right in the heart. My mind will not stop thinking! Perhaps it's impossible, Santa, but I would like some rest this Christmas. Not rest from holiday woes or exam fears, but rest from my own buzzing thoughts. Rest from the talking I do with myself. A pause from words that develop themselves in my mind. Rest from deep analysis and looking at too much. Rest, so that I can finally hear, and feel, the silence. 

I suppose this is an impossible request, and I thank you for trying. I look forward to a year of Garrison Keillor and laughs.

My best to the cold lands of the North!

Sincerely,

Mary Johnson, 1989

Dear Santa,

This is 2011, so this msg is via txt! As a rep of Gen Y, i had 2 send u my latest scheme asap: Santa, have you thought about opening a workshop in Connecticut? The human pop. officially passed 7 billion this year; that’s alotta teddy bears. There4, to meet demand I think you ought to set up shop right here in C-T. U'll feel right at ho-ho-home. On top of helping u 2 reach your Toy Goals, the elves will feel comfortable as we now have snow year ‘round, too. O! Ur reindeer will be in good company due to our own antlered friends. The most compelling reason to expand to Connecticut, tho, is a town in the Northeast with the most lovely landing-strip of a main street. @ one end of the hill sits a gray farmhouse and barn with a perfectly sized ‘hanger,’ if you will, 4 ur sleigh. I’m pretty sure they won’t care. I speak w high authority to say that they are very welcoming and r great big fans of yours! lol. ne-way, txt back soon.

Listening 4 sleigh bells in the snow,

Elizabeth  Johnson, 1985

Dear Santa,

If I could ask for a Christmas wish, it would be for my friends and family to have a healthy and happy holiday. And maybe a bucket truck for the town crew.

Toby Vertefueille, 1973

 Dear Santa,

Christmas wishes are generally simple and full of hope, and mine are always basically the same. I wish for my friends and family the blessings of health and happiness, and for those loved ones facing challenges I wish them strength, healing, and perseverance. I wish for our children to enjoy being children, to dream and anticipate the future with pure excitement for its possibilities, uninterrupted by worries and fears regarding the condition of the world they’ll inherit. I wish for us all, from parents to political leaders, the perspective, foresight, and courage to live and act in a way that will afford unfettered dreaming to many generations to come. Simple, hopeful.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season,

Angela Hutchins, 1972

Dear Santa,

Could you bring me a potion that I could spread about town that would have people smiling and waving a little more often? And if you bump into your buddy Jack Frost in your travels, tell him we need a long sugaring season with lots of cold nights and warm days this spring.

Your Best Behaved Fire Chief,

Rich Schenk, 1967

Ps. Give Mrs. Claus a smooch for me.

Dear Santa,

Last week I watched a program on Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity regarding Space Time continuum, roughly defined as a three dimensional grid representing space and an additional fourth dimension representing time which combine to form a single continuum. This single continuum would allow for lots of possibilities with our traditionally rigid concept of time, that relentless ever ticking and frequently enslaving thing which there never seems to be enough of, particularly during the holidays. What if it we were able to bend those rules or alter them entirely as proposed in “The Time Machine” or “A Wrinkle in Time”? Oh, ho, ho, ho! The possibilities!

So, there it is, my wish. Time, or rather Space Time. The Incas called it ‘pacha’ so we know it isn’t a new idea. I picture our little town suspended on a flexible grid something like a trampoline, or a parachute spread wide with the beneficent powers that be, surrounding and supporting us, creating small waves or wrinkles ensuring that we all have ample time to accomplish the truly important things during the Christmas season that are often sadly the very things that end up shelved with optimism for some other year yet to come. It is difficult, with work or school, decking the halls, shopping, wrapping, special feasts to be prepared! A wrinkle for those people! Perhaps some have the opposite problem and hang in limbo with so much time on their hands they are struck with inertia or sadness and could use a boost. A wave for them to ride!

I hope we are all able to find the ‘pacha’ in this wonderful town of ours to foster and appreciate the sense of belonging, comfort, and caring this community has somehow always managed to provide. I feel blessed to have lived here so much of my life. I hope we all miraculously find plenty of time to do the things that make our holidays special, whether that be baking cookies, visiting with friends and family, enjoying a concert or community play, caroling, Church, or simply giving thanks. However, should the magic seem to be in short supply, or the ‘pacha’ isn’t functioning properly, I have it on good authority from a very dear friend that lists are often helpful, but if you really want a thing to happen -- schedule it!

Anne Curry, 1962

Dear Santa,

Progress is finally mooooooving along here at Woodhill Farm. As you may have heard, a few too many snowflakes brought our home to a tumble, leaving my mother and the rest of the cows without a roof all winter and the mourning of close friends who perished in the accident. This coming holiday, I know the other calves and I are hoping for better weather for not only Al’s sake, but also the rest of Hampton. I couldn’t imagine if another tragedy happened to this small town again, so without hesitation, feel free to hog the snow in the North Pole this year. Losing our home and friends during the holidays was definitely a wake up call, and put in perspective the things that are important in life: friends, family, community, and a place to call home. It’s the people who sit around the Christmas tree that matter most, not the boxes that lie beneath it. As mama cow always sings to me during the holidays,

“Ho ho hopefully

This holiday will make us believe

We're exactly where we're supposed to be

And we're ho ho hoping that we all come back.

And as a matter of fact

I know we're exactly where we're supposed to be

Together by this Christmas tree.”

I hope it is possible that in your bag you’ll pack: love, a sense of community, respect, forgiveness, and lastly selflessness, and slide it down the chimney of Hampton.

Sincerely,

Betsy Moo-Calf on behalf of Al Cahill, 1956

 Dear Santa,

It has been a while since my last letter to you. Lucky for you since my “wish” list has changed innumerable times over the years. Once the half century mark had been met I figured I had what I needed. And you know, I really do. I have many friends, two and four legged, a great family, and good health. Regrets? We all have those!

But I do have some wishes. Basic stuff really. I would love to have us respect all species sharing this planet and Earth itself. That’s it. Simply, if you could help us do that, I’d be super grateful.

Hope you and the elves are well and that the reindeer are happy. Take care and thanks -- oh, the milk and cookies will be still left for you,

Jo Freeman, 1952

 Dear Santa,

For Christmas I would like a housekeeper. I have a very busy life and I love everything I do but I don't have time to wash the windows! There is a whole list of things I'd like to do, like spend more time with my children and grandchildren, take a pottery class, work in the Library but that won't leave me time to vacuum the house.  I know I could give up some of the fun and interesting things I do, but I'm not inclined to.  I really do try very hard to keep up but the gardens and yard work are time sensitive and need to come first. I need to help split and stack wood so dusting doesn't get done often. What?  You say it doesn't matter? Well, maybe so, but only up to a point -- then it does matter!  So while I try out cooking new recipes or while I'm at my job, do you think you could find someone to help keep my house in order -- and maybe wash the kitchen floor?

Thanks Santa. Now I'm off to make Brownies for tonight's committee meeting.

Susan Hochstetter, 1947

 Dear Santa,

What I want for Christmas is a bicycle, just like the one I had that my mother gave away (to one of Fred and Sylvia Curry’s boys) when I entered the army.

Randy Thompson, 1947

Dear Santa,

I would like to see the town of Hampton finally heal. Whether you agree or disagree with your neighbor, you should realize that you are fortunate to enjoy the individual and the debate. What I have learned in this life is that the people you know who are blessed with a healthy mind – appreciate that. Circumstances have made me realize, if you want to have an argument, have an argument! That’s stimulating!

I know the town can’t be what it was; we all know that. But maybe if even a little bit of it comes back. That’s what I would like.

Merry Christmas to everyone who has been so kind to me,

Jim Rodriguez, 1935

 Dear Santa,

When we are young we need many things, and as we age we find ourselves trying to rid ourselves of "stuff".  Our wants are for intangible things.  So what I wish for most is that Hamptonites find a way to get along with each other, listen to their neighbor's point of view, and have compassion for one another.  If one small town could do this, maybe there is hope for the world.

Oh yeah, I did think of one wish -- to have all the prepped canvases I need at my fingertips.

Pat Donahue, 1933

Dear Santa,

I wish all of the members of my family a better year than they had last year. I wish that I will stay well myself so I won’t be a problem for anyone. That’s what we wish for as we get older, health, and for the happiness of our families.

Peggy Fox, 1928

 Dear Santa,

What would I like most of all for Christmas? A conversation with my father to shed light on many unanswered questions.

John Yanouzas, 1928

 Dear Santa,

I would like a nice day with all the members of my family.

Pearl Scarpino, 1920

 Dear Santa,

Do you know how many years it’s been since I asked for something for Christmas? Surprise me!

Vinnie Scarpino, 1914