The word from the North Pole is that Santa Claus will be in South Alabama this week checking with his elves to see which boys and girls have been especially good this year. Then, he’ll go back to the North Pole, check his list twice before handing it over to the elves who work in Santa’s Workshop.

If the weather is good so that Santa’s reindeer can make the flight from the North Pole, he will be in the Christmas parades in Troy on Monday night, Brundidge Tuesday night and Goshen on Friday night.

And, after resting on Wednesday, Santa Claus will be at the Troy Public Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday to visit with the boys and girls and hear their Christmas wishes.

In a telephone conversation on Saturday, Santa said he is getting ready for his long trip to Pike County and is anxious to see all the boys and girls.

“I hope that the boys and girls have been good this year,” he said. “The reports that I’ve gotten from my elves so far is that most of them have been good and some of them especially good.”

Santa said there are a few boys and girls that need to really be on their best behavior between now and Christmas so that their stockings will be filled on Christmas morning.

Teresa Colvin, children’s librarian, said she expects a large number of children to visit with Santa on Thursday night.

“Santa is excited to be coming and he always takes time to listen to all the children’s Christmas wishes,” she said. “He lets them sit on his lap and whisper their wishes to him so that nobody knows except them and Santa Claus.”

Santa will have candy treats for the boys and girls, and moms and dads are encouraged to bring their cameras so they can capture the moment.

“We’ll have someone to take photographs but, if parents want to take their own photos, that’s fine, too,” Colvin said.

The Troy Public Library has many books for the Christmas season and Colvin said now is a great time for parents and children to enjoy reading together.

“We invite all the children to join us Thursday night for a visit with Santa Claus,” she said.

“Santa is looking forward to being here. He said that our children are well behaved and the Troy Public Library is one of his favorite places to visit.”