Mr. and Mrs. Claus bid Adieu to Kids of Valley County

After about 15 years of bringing Christmas cheer to kids and adults alike at public events, Mr. and Mrs. Claus (AKA, Arthur "Art" and Becky Johnson) will ride back to the North Pole one last time, never to return.

"Glasgow is the best" Becky told The Courier. "It has been so amazing how the kids have always been so grateful and say thank and you please. They are so polite. We just love this town and we are grateful they have allowed us to do this."

Now, it will be up to a new Mr. and Mrs. Claus to step forward and take their place.

The duo began performing as the honorable couple form the land of elves as a hobby, they said, dressing up and sitting outside of their house to greet passersby admiring their Christmas decorations.

After a few years, they began attending public events as the famous pair. And, at some point, they purchased expensive costumes to don for the delight of the local girls and boys.

The costumes will be donated to the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to be used by the next generation who steps into Santa and the Missus' shoes.

The couple decided to hang up their candy canes after this season because they are getting older.

"Physically, it is hard to lift the kids up on your lap," Becky said. "They are either terrified or they jump in your arms."

The two said the decision was certainly bittersweet, like dark chocolate.

"It is because of the kids," Art said. "It is just so wonderful to see them."

While as important as jelly is to peanut butter, Mrs. Claus said Santa is "the rock star."

Each year, the couple make appearances at the annual Polar Plunge and rode the city of Glasgow Fire Engine during the annual Christmas parade. This year was the last time they will wave to the excited kids lining the snow covered sidewalks.

The couple also frequents area shops to meet local youngsters. They have noticed how the requests for the types of toys have shifted over the years, they said.

"It sure has changed a lot," Art said. "It used to be that America Dolls were really popular. Now, it is Xbox, telephones, Kindles, tablets. There are no wooden horses. One wanted a snow mobile. I was thinking, 'my gosh, when my kids were that age I would have gone broke."

"We did have a dump truck request," Becky added. "Another wanted a boat."

Not all of the kids were thinking of themselves when they asked for presents.

"One wanted a coat for his little sister," Becky said with a big, approving smile.

Over the years, the couple has received many questions from curious youngsters about their lives at the North Pole.

"Where are your sleigh and reindeer?" is a popular question, they said.

"We always tell them we cannot use our sleigh because we can only fly it on Christmas Eve," Becky said.

"But, the reindeer do come along to play with the white tail deer and the elk out in the wilderness," Art added.

For the many other questions, "we have come up with some very good responses,"Becky said.

Surprisingly, they said, nobody has asked how Santa can fit down chimneys.

The kids also like to bring cookies and milk, but Art let slip Santa actually prefers Budweiser beer and brownies.

The kids, always skeptical, also test to see if Art's snowy white beard is real. If it isn't, that would be a sure sign he ain't the real McCoy.

The kids "pull on it," Becky said. "They know the difference."

"Its real," Art added confidently, the memory of many tuggings on his mind.

Over the years, the couple has also attended fundraisers for the local veterinary clinic, and once frequented area nursing homes. They can no longer do the latter due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, they have fond memories of when they could visit the old folks.

"There was one lady. The nursing staff said, 'she won't respond to you. She has got dementia.' We walked in and she said 'Santa!' Her daughter started crying."

"Wow. That was really cool," Art remembered.

When asked what they will miss the most, they said, in tandem, "the kids."

"The sparkle in their eyes," Becky said.

"The joy in their eyes is unbeatable," Art added. "It is a chance to see the kids happy. They need that once a year, and they need that."

The two are hopeful the Christmas Spirit they have kept alive for so long will soon pass to another couple worthy of the title "Mr. and Mrs. Claus."