Toddler refrains from blowing Deputy Santa's cover
JERRY AULDS

Fueled by 24-hour news cycles, hard-charging presidential campaigns and just the fast-paced hurly-burly of everyday life, 2008 is off and running. Nevertheless, living, breathing examples of Christmas spirit still linger, and some come calling.

Calvin Pfeil, Wharton County Deputy Sheriff and one of El Campo's offi- cial stand-in Santa Clauses busted into my office at KULP earlier this week, bearing a news item from the sheriff's department and a Santa story to tell.

Before recounting Deputy Pfeil's saga, permit me this digression. In addition to standing in for Santa for many years, Calvin and his wife Doris embody family values. Proof of that came when the Texas Knights of Columbus honored the Pfeils as "Family of the Year" in 2005.

Another digression. El Campo, in fact, is a hotbed for family values. The Pfeils in 2005 made it back-to-back for an El Campo family. The previous year, the Roy and Janice Smaistrla family received the statewide KC award. Last year, the KCs bestowed the honor on yet another of El Campo's Santas, the family of John and Betty Corbett. Through the years, John and Calvin have provided open arms, ample laps and listening ears for the whispered Christmas dreams of trusting children.

Calvin's story proves their trust has not been misplaced.

During this past Christmas, Calvin donned his Santa Claus outfit and persona for children having their picture taken with Santa at the El Campo Museum. Calvin's 3-year-old grandson Lucas was among those waiting in line with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

As Lucas waited in line, his mom Julie pointed at Santa and asked Lucas, "Who is that?"

"Popo," Lucas answered, using the grandchildren's pet name for Calvin.

Yet despite the recognition, Lucas climbed up in Santa's lap, presented his list and had his picture taken.

"I was so proud of him. He went through the whole thing so the experience wasn't ruined for the other kids," Calvin told me with a proud grin.

The following day, Calvin answered Lucas' "Why?" question. Calvin explained Santa could not be everywhere.

"I help him out so everybody gets to talk to Santa and tell him what they want."

Lucas' response?

"He said 'OK' and off he went," said Calvin.

Calvin told the truth and Lucas knows the truth when he hears it from his Popo.

Lucas still believes in Santa Claus. And he should!

Final postscript. Give the success the KC's El Campo Families of the Year have had helping out Santa, Roy Smaistrla might consider working on his "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and get ready to suit up come Christmas 2008.