Helicopter Santa a Bloomingdale Tradition, Resident Says

The following was submitted as a Letter to the Editor. If you'd like to submit a Letter to the Editor, send it to ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com 

Dear Editor,

I am a 75-year-old proud grandfather who, on Dec. 18, will have lived 40 years in Bloomingdale.

When I opened my email from Tri-Boro Patch just a few minutes ago, my immediate attention was drawn to the article “Helicopter Santa to Fly Into Bloomingdale.”

My first thought was will my 8-year-old grandson Alex going to be excited at his age in seeing Santa in a helicopter again; and second, will his father take him to this event since it is his father’s visitation weekend. I then read the nice article written and I reminisced about the fun that I had with Alex when we waited and saw Santa come by helicopter to Bloomingdale and Kinnelon in the past.

I remember, as a young boy, my sitting by the window on Christmas Eve. watching the sky, waiting for Santa Claus or listening to the radio for the news reports as to where Santa was located and how close he was to Philadelphia, where I lived. I still have vivid memories of seeing Santa in a boat, canoe, sled, truck, fire engine, army truck, floats, parades, even climbing a ladder five stories tall to get into a department store at the end of a parade. What memories!

Then I read the comments made in Patch. I am actually sitting here crying (tears and all) thinking as to what happened to people to make them so critical in their lives. So what is the big deal about spending $300 or whatever to bring happiness to the people, both young and old, in our town. I, too, don’t like the taxes I pay($26,000 for my house and my daughter’s house); but I find it priceless to be able to share happiness here in Bloomingdale.

Yes, take a look at the faces of the young and the old when that helicopter lands and Santa comes forward.

Merry Christmas to all.

Joseph Kulick
Bloomingdale, NJ