Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and warm, non-denominational  
salutations to everyone on the list. For all of the Pagans  
and Wiccans on the list who are celebrating the solstice  
today, Seasons Greetings!  

In the spirit of the holiday I have a heart-warming story  
for you from Lubbock, Texas. Santa's Latino cousin from the  
South Pole made his annual visit to a number of Texas com-  
munities to ensure his naughty-and-nice list was up-to-date.  

Pancho Clos has been dropping in on youngsters in the  
Lubbock area since the early 1970s. He has become such an  
integral part of the season that many of the children he  
visited with years - even decades - ago now bring their  
children to see Pancho.  

Pancho doesn't act much different than his better-known  
cousin from the north. He is a kind, jolly man who spreads  
Christmas cheer. But to tell the two apart, Pancho Clos  
wears a red sombrero with elaborate gold designs and a  
colorful poncho over his traditional red suit.  

His mode of transit is different, too. Pancho travels by  
cart and burros on the ground, not the sleigh being pulled  
by reindeer in the air.  

No word on whether he stuffs your stockings with roasted  
chili peppers and tamales.  

"What Santa Claus can't get to, Pancho Clos helps," said  
Edward Quirino, who has portrayed Pancho in the past.  

Bizarrely,  

Lewis
 

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