During this most hectic holiday season, stop for just the twinkling of a moment to consider all the things Santa Claus does.

Granted, computers now help keep up with the naughty and nice lists, and a high-tech GPS drastically cuts down on the wrong turns on Christmas Eve. Still, you have to give credit to a man who not only keeps up with all the deeds, good and bad, of an entire world’s worth of children, but also circumnavigates that big, wide world delivering millions of toys in the space of a few hours.

Of course, when you get right down to it, it really isn’t the toys or the reindeer run that is the essence of old Kris Kringle. The essence of Santa Claus – the real gifts that magical man brings to each of us – are the dreams spawned, the awe inspired, and the hearts made lighter.

For all that he does, you would think that merry man would want something in return. Yet, all he asks for is one thing.

“Believe,” Santa says simply. “The biggest thing is to believe.”

Now, you may be asking yourself, how would I know what Santa says? Easy answer to that one. I talked to him just today.

You see, Santa Claus lives right here in Oconee County. And, if for a minute you doubt that, then spend a few minutes with Don Burkes. Listen to his gentle voice. Watch his eyes as he recounts how he coaxed a shy child at last to come close enough to accept a striped candy cane and reveal secret Christmas wishes. Observe as he puts on his plush red coat and fastens the massive buckle on his big, black belt.

Spend just the scantest amount of time with this kind man, look me straight in the eyes, and tell me he is not the real Santa. I dare you.

I knew Don Burkes was Santa last year, the first time I talked with him. So, as you may guess, I was a bit apprehensive about dropping by to see him again. I quickly scanned the last 12 months of my life, and I am sorry to say the naughty far outweighed the nice. Plus, I was afraid he wouldn’t even recognize me. I’m not sure what color my hair was this time last year, but I was fairly certain it wasn’t platinum blond.

I need not have worried. Santa scanned my heart as quickly as I had scanned the events of the last year. He saw the bad, of that I am sure, but like he does with many a child, he chose to dwell on the good. And, of course he recognized me. It would take more than a bottle of hair color to fool Saint Nick.

And, for the record, Santa said he kinda liked my hair blond. You see, even though it escaped my memory, Santa remembered my hair was flaming red this time last year.

Just as I looked a little different this year, I have to say Santa looked a bit different this year, too. The man was absolutely beaming this afternoon.

Last year, Don Burkes was not quite so chipper. 2008 was a bad health year for Burkes. After donning his Santa suit for over 20 years, he just wasn’t up doing it last Christmas.

It’s hard to fathom, but Burkes did not even grow out his beard last Christmas.

This year, Burkes is feeling better. Not 100 percent, but better.

“I’m slow, but moving,” is how he puts it.

Because his health had improved, Burke’s wife, June, suggested her husband grow out his beard this year.

“Even if you can’t be Santa, it will make you feel better,” she told her husband in the fall.

Today, Burkes’ beard literally glows in its full, white glory. And, the Oconee resident is feeling well enough to don his Santa suit for a smattering of Christmas events. He won’t be turning any handstands, but he will sit patiently and listen to youngsters reveal that one, special toy they want to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Tonight, he will play Santa to his wife’s class reunion from Athens High. They have no idea he will be in his Santa suit again, and he can’t wait to see their eyes when he walks in dressed from head to toe in his St. Nick finery.

He will delight in those classmates’ smiles when they spy Santa, but it is the sight of brightened young eyes that he anticipates the most. Children, you see, are at the heart of what this Santa does.

“I love them kids,” he says. “They just make Christmas.”

Kids love him, too. And, by kids, I mean kids of every age. Burkes was once traveling down the highway when a car full of college kids started waving to him. College kids possess a grown-up façade that is hard to penetrate, but this group was all smiles as they waved to who they were sure just had to be the real Santa.

Older people come to the same conclusion.

“I remember so many times I would be at a nursing home, and a patient would open their eyes,” he says. “They would look at me and say, ‘Oh. It’s Santa Claus.’”

Over the years, Burkes has played Santa for family get-togethers, schools, lodges, parties and nursing homes. He cannot even begin to estimate how many times his picture has been taken, but his wife said many of those photos end up displayed in homes around the area.

“I think Don’s picture is probably on every refrigerator in Oconee County,” is how June sums it up.

After a lifetime of playing Santa, it was devastating last year to not be able to fulfill his role. He is a different man this holiday season, even though he feels up to being Santa at only a handful of events. A handful, however, is enough for right now.

“This time of year is supposed to be joyful, and it is joyful for me this year,” he says, smiling.

Just because he is moving a little slower these days, he does not want a single child to fear that Santa is not up to the job on Christmas Eve. When I asked if he had a message for the kids, he said he certainly did. Like Santa, the elves aren’t getting any younger.

They supplement their workshop wares with a good many toys purchased from around the world.

“You tell the kids that Santa is on the way to the toy store,” he said, smiling again.

I will add one message to the children, especially those who are at that tender age when fiction starts to give way to fact, when your heart is telling you Santa exists, but your friends are telling you something altogether different.

My message to you is simple, and it is that same, singular request that came straight from Santa’s lips.

Believe. The biggest thing is to believe.

Mary Anne Carroll is a reporter for The Oconee Leader. She can be reached at 706-310-1104 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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