by A beachcombing girl in Portland asks when Santa comes, what a lighthouse is for, and how a fishing community lives
A Letter to Santa from Portland, Maine
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Lily and I am 7 years old. I live in Portland, Maine, a cozy coastal town with lighthouses, lobster boats, and chilly sea air. I love beachcombing and drawing boats. My question is: when does Santa Claus come to town? My geography question is: what is a lighthouse for? And my social studies question is: how does a fishing community make its living? Thank you, Santa!
Love, Lily (age 7)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Lily! A beachcomber in lighthouse country is dear to my heart. You asked when I come to town, and the answer is Christmas Eve, the night of the twenty-fourth of December, once all the children are fast asleep. I travel the whole world in that single magical night, gliding over rooftops and slipping down chimneys to leave gifts before sunrise. I must say, the lighthouses along your Maine coast make lovely guides for my sleigh as I sweep through the dark. So leave a snack and drift off early.
Your geography question: what is a lighthouse for
A lighthouse is a tall tower with a bright, sweeping light at the top, built along the coast to guide ships safely at night and warn them away from dangerous rocks. Your own Maine is famous for its lighthouses. For centuries, their faithful beams have helped sailors find their way home through darkness and fog. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: a fishing community
A fishing community makes its living by catching seafood and selling it. In your own Maine, many families are famous for catching lobster, heading out in sturdy boats to check their traps. The whole town often depends on the sea, with workers who fish, others who sell the catch, and shops that serve the visitors who come to enjoy it. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Find a pretty shell for me, Lily. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
