Santa on the Brain

It's been almost 200 years since "A Visit from St. Nicholas" - better known today as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" - was published in the Troy Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823. Columnist Joyce Bassett shares the curious, local history of the now-famous poem.   Are meal and grocery delivery drivers clocking more miles than Santa? Table Hopping's Steve Barnes spoke to locals who are providing this essential service during the pandemic.   Editorial writer and editor Akum Norder shares adorable local letters to Santa that appeared in the Dec. 24, 1900 issue of the Times-Union (hyphenated then). Plus, columnist Paul Grondahl takes a look at what's in Santa's mailbox this year.   Also in this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler goes through the week's top headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices