Welcome Broncos Fans!

A recent article in The Denver Post (circulation 801,000 copies) highlights Santa Claus, Indiana, as the hometown of new Broncos quarterback Jay Culter.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_4113574

We hope the article peaks the interest of those in the mile high city, inspiring them to come see what Santa Claus Indiana is all about. Santa Claus is afterall home to the only post office in the world with the Santa Claus name, as well as the world's first theme park, Holiday World & Splashin' Safair. Not to mention the Santa Claus Museum, Santa's Candy Castle and countless Santa statues.

Reporter Mike Klis studied up on Santa during a recent visit here and does an excellent job explaining the history of our uniuqe town.

No one knows if Jay Cutler will be the next John Elway, but we're counting on an infulx of Broncos Fans either way.

Merry Christmas in July!

Christmas came early at the Santa Claus Museum!

Charles Hirsch of Newburgh generously donated more than 250 Santa figures to the museum.

The jolly new additions were unveiled to the public during a Christmas in July event Tuesday, July 25.

The museum includes artifacts and photographs from founder Pat Koch's private collection, the Holiday World archives, plus loaned and donated treasures from collectors with personal ties to the town of Santa Claus.

The museum includes exhibits on:

The early beginnings of Santa Claus, Ind.;

The history of the famous Santa Claus Post Office;

The beginning of tourism in Santa Claus with the Candy Castle and Barrett Park;

The history of Santa Claus Land and its evolution to Holiday World; and

Letters to Santa and the local tradition of responding to the millions of children who send them.

The Santa Claus Museum is located two doors south of the Santa Claus Post Office in the Kringle Place shopping center. For more information, call 1-812-937-2687, or visit the museum's website at http://www.santaclausmuseum.org.

Room at the Inn????

There's no denying that Spencer County is a summer hot spot! But if you're looking for a place to stay while visiting here, don't worry.......we've got a room just for you!

Lodging is still available at several Spencer County hotels listed below. You'll find more choices at more affordable rates if you plan your trip to Spencer County during the week, rather than on the weekend. Discount Holiday World tickets are also available through our local hotels.

Santa's Lodge, the closest hotel to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Lincoln State Park and Lincoln Boyhood Memorial, has rooms available by calling 812-937-1902 or visiting www.santaslodge.com

Motel 6, located on I-64 at exit 57 in Dale, as rooms available by calling 1-812-937-2294 or visiting www.greenrivermotel.com

Baymont Inn, also located on I-64 at exit 57 in Dale, has rooms available by calling 812-937-7000 or visiting www.baymontinns.com

One Sweet Spot!

Santa's Candy Castle is Spencer County's sweetest spot!

Handmade chocolates fill glass cases in a red and white striped room that makes you feel like you're inside one of the Castle's gourmet candy canes, which are available in a wide array of flavors from buttered popcorn to juicy pear.

Peek around the corner and you'll find the Jolly Ole Elf himself, eagerly listening to wide-eyed children getting a head start on their Christmas wish list.

But don't think Santa's Candy Castle is just for kids, grownups will love looking through the castle's rotunda which houses a gallery of nostalgia chronicling the 70-year history of the recently restored building.

Santa's Candy Castle is located on Highway 245 in Santa Claus. For more information on the Castle, people may visit www.santascandycastle.com or call 812-544-3900.

A Lesson on Lincoln

The tree-lined two-lane roads of Spencer County are worlds away from the congested sidewalks of New York City.

Writer Martin Edlund, on assignment with the Wall Street Journal, made the journey to Spencer County on June 29-30. He set out to learn more about the journey Abraham Lincoln's family made to Indiana in 1816 as well as what their pioneer life was like here.

Edlund toured Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Lincoln State Park, the Holiday World O.V. Brown Lincoln Collection, Lincoln Pioneer Village, Rockport's Ohio River Bluff area, and Buffalo Run Farm during his trip here.

He also met with members of the Spencer County Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee who passed along their excitement about plans for upcoming special events.

Edlund's story will focus on the area's efforts to promote its Lincoln heritage as the 200th birthday of our nation's 16th president approaches on February 12, 2009.

A publication date has not yet been determined for the article about Edlund's Lincoln Experiences here in Spencer County.

The Wall Street Journal, with a circulation of over 2 million copies daily, is thought of as the most widely-read publication among the nation's business and investment community.