Many years ago, 61, to be exact, a typo on a Sears ad had children calling a wrong number instead of Santa Claus.
Tha wrong number happened to belong to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Yup … NORAD. THE NORAD.
The quick thinking crew commander answered the phone what was then the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center.
Now NORAD Tracks Santas website, www.noradsanta.org, which launched Dec 1, features Santas North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, activities, and more.
According to a recent press release there are also Official NORAD Tracks Santa apps are also available in the Windows, Apple and Google Play stores, so parents and children can count down the days until Santas launch on their smart phones and tablets!
Social media is also offering tracking opportunities. Santa followers just need to type @noradsanta into each search engine to get started.
The release shares the schedule, too. Starting at 2:01 a.m. EST on Dec. 24, website visitors can watch Santa make preparations for his flight. NORADs Santa Cams will stream videos on the website as Santa makes his way over various locations. Then, at 6 a.m. EST, trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to inquire as to Santas whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. Any time on Dec. 24, Windows Phone users can ask Cortana for Santas location, and OnStar subscribers can press the OnStar button in their vehicles to locate Santa.
So, if you have night owls for kids or if you want to remember the wonder of Santa Claus, visit the website and track Santas journey. It could be a new tradition to share with your kids or grandchildren.
The way I see it, with all of this technology, I wonder if the kiddos will ever get to sleep so Santa can deliver their presents!
SUE BROWN is the editor of the Pleasanton Express. Contact her at sbrown@pleasantonexpress.com or write at P.O. Drawer 880, Pleasanton, TX 78064.
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