There have been a few. This is probably my favorite.

In my hometown of Garibaldi, Oregon, Santa visits the Saturday night after Thanksgiving; he always comes on a fire truck, helps the Mayor light the community Christmas tree, and is serenaded with Christmas carols before settin' the li'l kids on his lap and takin' wishes. This is a tradition going back to the 1940s when the town was founded.

A couple of years ago, the organizers tapped our Friday Night Group to do the music for the carols, so we did. And somebody--I know not whom--requested "I'm Giving Mom a Dead Dog for Christmas." The scary part was everybody in the audience seemed to know the words. I had no idea.

One of those memories that just sticks with you.

Joe