A brief Iron Range Christmas story from MinnesotaBrown

One Iron Range Christmas Eve just after LTV Steel’s taconite mine and plant shut down in 2002, my dad’s family gathered in full force — as we always do — at grandma and grandpa’s house just outside Eveleth. The house pulsed with children, raw heat and wine vapors as what represents normal in our world. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Someone opens the door and IT’S SANTA!

Bear in mind I’m a grown-up in this story, as are most of the people in attendance. There are a few young children in attendance, though, and they start freaking out. Santa “ho, ho, ho’s” his way up the stairs, tells the kids he’ll be by with their presents later tonight before sidling his way into the dining room where the adults are anchoring chairs and conversing. Santa leans over the table and asks directions to a nearby road where he’s late for a pay gig. Grandpa sets him straight and Santa does the “ho, ho, ho” bit all the way back through the living room.

As Santa leaves, Grandma calls out, “Hey, Santa, those look like some well worn boots.” Everyone looks down at Santa’s dirty work boots. “LTV issue!” calls out Santa Claus, apparently enjoying his new career.

None of us were every really sure who this man was so I am left to assume it really was Santa Claus. This kind of story is why I love living on the Iron Range, good economy or bad.

For all the readers, commentors and supporters of this blog, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Posting will be sporadic over the next few days but will resume regularly next week.

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