Write to Santa Claus, Ind.

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Nov 16, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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A press notice arrived last week from Spencer County, Indiana, with two faces on its letterhead — Abraham Lincoln and Santa Claus. The somewhat unusual pairing is perfectly reasonable to Spender residents. A flatboat trip in celebration of Lincoln’s bicentennial recently landed in Baton Rouge. The event spotlighted Spencer County, where Lincoln lived from age 7 to 21.

Santa also has special meaning for Spencer residents. The southern Indiana town of Santa Claus is home to the only post office in the world with the Santa Claus name. Situated off I-64 between Evansville, Ind., and Louisville, Ky., Santa Claus and the nearby town of Rockport on the Ohio River host two festive Christmas celebrations. Rockport’s Christmas Festival is Saturday, Dec. 6. Festivities include an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Craft booths around the Spencer County Courthouse, a home tour and traditional Christmas program in the evening.

In Santa Claus, the annual “Christmas in Santa Claus” celebration takes place Dec. 13-14. Enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Santa Claus United Methodist Church Campground and open houses at the Santa Claus Town Hall and the Santa Claus Museum.

Enjoy a family holiday movie at the United Methodist Church, view the Festival of Lights at Christmas Lake Village, and browse for crafts at the Community Center. Top it off with holiday concerts at Santa’s Lodge.

Spencer County has a number of motels and campgrounds. For more information, contact the Spencer County Visitors Bureau Web site, http://www.LegendaryPlaces.org or (888) 444-9252.

Letters to Santa
The Santa Claus, Ind., Post Office processes thousands of letters during the holiday season. Melissa Miller of the Spencer County Visitor’s Bureau said, “We have a group of volunteers called Santa’s Elves assist ‘Santa’ in writing letters back to children. Last year they wrote more than 10,000 letters.”

To get a return letter from Santa, send your child’s letter to Santa’s Elves, P.O. Box 1, Santa Claus, Ind., 47579. Make sure your return address is on your child’s letter so Santa’s answer will get back to the youngster.

Also, people can place their addressed and stamped Christmas cards in a sturdy box and mail them to Postmaster, Santa Claus Station, Santa Claus, IN, 47479-9998. Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 24, the post office will stamp the cards with a picture postmark and send them on to your addressees. Tip. Don’t enclose large items — snowflakes, glitter, stickers — in your cards.

Gulf Coast Exploreum
When visiting Mobile, Ala., purchase a ticket to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and receive a free same-day admission to the Museum of Mobile. The special promotion will continue through Jan. 11, 2009.

The Museum of Mobile, which interprets the area’s culture and history, has an exhibit about the history of horse racing in Mobile. A new show about Gulf Coast pirates will open in January. In addition to special exhibitions, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center offers hands-on science adventures in five permanent galleries and an Imax theater. Contact http://www.exploreum.com.

Thanksgiving treat
Unlike typical hotel rooms, the new Westin Imagine Orlando features stylish accommodations with a kitchenette or kitchen, dining area and balcony. Thanksgiving guests can enjoy an in-room Thanksgiving feast created by chef Richard Mendoza. It will include roast turkey carved in your suite served with all the trimmings, green bean casserole, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, maple syrup glazed yams, whole pumpkin pie and whole pecan pie. The in-room charge for the feast is $40, adults; and $14.95, children age 12 and younger. Post dinner options include park hopping at Universal Orlando and Sea World. There’s always 24-hour workouts in the Westin fitness center.

For info and reservations, contact (407) 233-2200 or http://www.westnimagineorlando.com.

Wed in Outer Banks
North Carolina’s Outer Banks has gained a reputation as a popular wedding destination. Rather than traveling to far-flung locations such as Mexico or Hawaii, couples are discovering the area’s stunning natural beauty. Couples can plan a wedding ceremony on the beach at sunset and stay in luxurious beachfront vacation homes.