Maplewoodians must have been very, very good this year.

'Cause Santa is coming to town not once, but twice today (and again next week). Santa will first be at the South Mountain YMCA at 13 Jefferson Street at 9 a.m. for breakfast. The buffet meal comes with a personalized gift and a family photo with Santa by Ken Kohut Photography, Inc. 

Santa finishes up breakfast around noon, then has about an hour to trek over to the Maplewood Fire Department to climb aboard Tower Ladder 31 for a ride with Maplewood's Bravest to Ricalton Square at 1 p.m. There, Santa will launch the Dickens Village festivities for 2010.

At Ricalton Square, Santa will pose for photographs with children (and adults if so desired) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in his new house—courtesy of Art Christensen and Tom Nevius. A formal program will begin at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. with the lighting of the town tree and a traditional story read by Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca. Music will be performed by the High School Jazz Ensemble and the a cappella group Half-Step Up.

On Monday night at 6:15 p.m., also in Ricalton Square, the Township will light the Village Menorah to celebrate Hanukah.

Sadly, we must inform many good little girls and boys that Breakfast with Santa at St. James's Gate Publick House on Saturday, December 11 at 9:30 a.m. is sold out (we know this because we perhaps have been a bit naughty and have spent too much time at The Gate—where the sold-out notice is posted).

All the more reason to make it into town this morning and afternoon to catch the jolly old elf while you can!

And you can enjoy Dickens Village and a variety of Holiday special events every Saturday in December until Christmas as well as on Sunday, December 19. Visit www.maplewooddickensvillage.com for a detailed schedule of events.