Newscoma

I posted on Twitter about the annual battle of the Santas for front page coverage. Small-town newspapers like ours, which does not have the Associated Press and where we generate all of the comment from the town, always has a holiday dilemma.

Now let me say that every philanthropic organization in Hoots has Santa stopping by this month. Santa is in parades, passing out toys, sitting in little Santa houses listening to children’s Christmas wishes. You know, the whole Santa thing. And, of course, they want the newspaper to take Santa’s picture. So each week (we are a bi-weekly) I have to make the decision of which Santa goes front page because I usually have four or five different Santas to choose from.

It’s Santa central around here.

For the past four years, the battle of the Santas has been like a WWE competition fighting for front-page domination. So when I pick the best photo to use, other Santas feel a bit left out and, each year, they let me know about it. There is usually a throw down, where I am, of course, emotionally abused by the perception that I have “dissed” their interpretation of Santa.

It’s already started again but this year there is a new spin. This year the Santas who haven’t even been Santa yet are letting me know that THEY want scheduled Santa front page time. This is also, usually, the time of year I go into hibernation and cry in my Coma cave.

Would the real Santa stop the faux Santas for me please so I can have a break?

So, as is a holiday tradition here at Newscoma, I present to you Santa is a jerk.