By Joanne Degnan, Staff Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — Three-year-old Katherine Blando fixed the red polka-dot bow in her short blond hair, climbed onto Santa’s lap, and got right to the point.
”Please bring me a Rapunzel dress and a Rapunzel wig so that I can have hair down to my booty,” the preschooler said earnestly.
As Santa made a valiant effort to muffle an amused chuckle beneath his white beard, mom Katina Blando quickly explained that her daughter was obsessed with the new Disney movie “Tangled” about the long-haired Princess Rapunzel.
”She’s been telling this same thing to Santa every time she sees him,” Mrs. Blando said. “She’s been, uh, remarkably consistent.”
Katherine and her siblings, all dressed in their Christmas best, were among the 50 or so local children whose parents brought them to the Robbinsville fire station on Sunday to visit with Santa Claus. The three-hour open house, which was sponsored by the volunteers, also included tours of the station and firetrucks.
This year, the firefighters were forced to abandon their longstanding tradition of driving Santa around town on the fire engine at Christmastime because the town had simply grown too large to cover all neighborhoods. Bob Thomson, the president of the volunteer branch of the Fire Department, said the open house was intended to give all children in town a chance to see Santa.
”This way, they were also able to spend time with Santa instead of just waving to him on the truck as it went by,” Mr. Thomson said.
Although the firemen may have hoped for a larger turnout Sunday, it was a given that the big Eagles-Giants football game going on at the same time was tough competition. Even Santa’s biggest fan couldn’t make the trip.
”Mrs. Claus is home rooting for the Giants,” Santa said sheepishly during one of the lulls. “But there’s no place I’d rather be than here with the children.”
The absence of long lines and crowds gave the children a chance for long leisurely chats with Santa Claus, who had lots of time to patiently help the indecisive with their Christmas wish lists.
Maddy Benowitz, a third-grader at Sharon School, told Santa she really couldn’t think of anything she needed for Christmas.
”Well then, let’s see if we can figure this out,” Santa said helpfully. “Do you play sports?”
”No,” Maddy told him.
”Do you like to play computer games?” Santa asked.
”No, not really,” Maddy said.
”Hmmm, do you like to travel?” Santa asked, clearly reaching.
”Well, yes, I’d like to see France,” Maddy replied, explaining she was a big fan of the classic “Madeline” book series about a spunky little girl who lives in an old house in Paris all covered in vines.
Uh oh.
As Santa pondered how he might fit France into his sleigh, Maddy’s mom quickly came to the rescue, pointing out that Maddy had already received her Christmas gifts early because she was going to Disney World with her father.
”Yes, but I haven’t received Santa’s present yet,” Maddy pointed out.
Does Santa make stops at Disney World?
”Oh, yes,” Maddy replied. “Santa is omnipresent. Just like Jesus.”