Editor's Note: This column was first published in this newspaper on Dec. 19, 1979



Yes, Santa Clause, there is a Virginia! You remember her. She came into our lives as the third of three daughters.

A whisp of a thing at birth, six pounds even, almost bald and a bit skinny.

It was a long process of selecting her name. You know, with two big sisters who assumed the mother role.

The name process began many months before birth and one compromise led to another until all agreed that the newborn should be named for the State of Virginia, the birthplace of one of the sisters and her grandmother and the state where her mother spent a delightful childhood.

And of course the middle name had to be a family one, Patterson.

And upon the baby’s arrival the boy’s name had to be discarded and another name hassle began.

Daddy wanted her to be called “Patty”, but “Ginny” won out.

But still; Santa, Daddy often calls her Virginia, although Ginny sometimes wrinkles up her nose at the sound.

You remember that first Thanksgiving-Christmas season of Virginia’s life, don’t you Santa.

The family packed up and went to Baltimore to visit relatives.

Only nine months old, Virginia probably became a bit tired of the long drive, especially with the many pit stops.

And when she arrived she looked mysteriously first at her mother and her aunt, figuring at first that she had a pair of mothers.

The close resemblance between mother and aunt was befuddling.

And you remember, Santa, the first Asheboro Christmas Parade in Virginia’s life when she sat on your lap and Dad took her picture, in color, with the big sisters at your side, to grace a Christmas card. You remember her now, don’t you.

And Santa, the Christmases came along pretty fast for Mom and Dad. But for Virginia it seemed an eternity between them.

Especially that period between Thanksgiving, when the radio and television stations start the Christmas jingles and sing about Santa and his red-nosed reindeer.

And Christmas Eve night became the longest night of the year, even when it ended at three ayem.

And Santa, you remember over the years how the letters to you have changed.

There were dolls and doll outfits, coloring books and picture books, a doll house and cooking sets.

Roller skates and record players began appearing on the lists a few years ago.

And then, would you believe, a stereo! Somehow over the last couple of years you’ve found room in your pack for a pretty good size wardrobe for a not so little girl.

But Santa, just because you didn’t get a letter from Virginia this year doesn’t mean that there is no Virginia.

You see Santa, Virginia has been rather busy this season.

You know with a half dozen or more Christmas parades she marched in. Maybe you didn’t see her. You always bring up the rear of the parades.

She was the little whisp of a girl way up front in the red tights and carrying that banner proclaiming “Candy Brooks Dance Studio”.

And then there have been the school plays at Christmas time.

And only this morning Santa, Virginia was singing in the chorus which was presented at her school.

And she’s been busy making some of her Christmas gifts and decorations.

It’s been a busy season, Santa. And each year will get a bit busier.

You see, Santa, Virginia will be celebrating her 12th birthday in less than two months.

You may never get another letter from her.

But yes, Santa, there definitely is a Virginia!

That concludes the column which this Daddy wrote many years ago.

But let me bring you up to date. Virginia Patterson Mills is now Virginia Mills Dunn, the wife of Matt Dunn.

This happily married couple lives in Randolph County and are teachers in the county.

Virginia – Ginny as we call her – is a reading recovery teacher in the county schools and Matt is a Spanish teacher in the county schools.

The Dunns have their own two children who are getting wild about the Christmas season and the visit from Santa.

Margaret (Maggie) Elizabeth Dunn, age 7, is a student at Agape School and Susie, who is four, in preschool.

And we all are getting excited about the visit from ole Saint Nick!



Barron Mills is a former editor and publisher of The Randolph Guide. He lives in Asheboro.