by Weston, age 8 from Bangor, Maine, asks Santa about The Polar Express, the city’s lumber history, and Maine’s snowy winters.
Dear Santa, my name is Weston, and I am eight years old. I live in Bangor, Maine, where my dad says logs used to float right down our river to sawmills a long, long time ago.
Dear Weston, a river once busy with floating logs makes for one of the most interesting histories on my entire route, your dad picked a truly hardworking hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is Santa in The Polar Express? My mom says we ride an actual train to a movie theater every year to watch it.
I certainly am, Weston, that story follows a magical train ride straight to my workshop on Christmas Eve. Your family’s train tradition sounds like a wonderfully fitting way to celebrate that particular film.
My dad says Bangor was once one of the biggest lumber shipping ports in the whole country. Is that true?
It is true, Weston, Bangor earned a reputation as a major lumber port, logs floated down the Penobscot River to be shipped worldwide. I always enjoy that hardworking, historic waterfront on my way to your rooftop.
My dad says Maine has some of the snowiest, coldest winters in the whole country. Is that true?
It is true, Weston, Maine’s winters bring plenty of snow and cold, conditions I feel right at home in. That kind of hardy, wintery spirit makes for one of my favorite stops each year.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Weston Doyle
Bangor, Maine
P.S. Will you wave at the train if you see it running this year?
Every single year, Weston, a good train deserves a proper hello.
