Santa hung on as long as he could. He sang along with Christmas carols in Lewiston’s Courthouse Plaza. He “ho-ho-hoed” and stood in the biting cold. He sat patiently as a long line of children approached and rattled off their gift lists for the holiday.

It’s his job, after all.

As soon as the tree-lighting celebrations were over, though, Santa made a beeline for Victor News around the corner.

With red and white cap dangling and gloves keeping his hands warm, Santa bought a stack of lottery tickets and began to look them over.

Maybe he needs to buy extra carrots for his reindeer. Maybe he has problems paying his property taxes in the North Pole. Either way, jolly old elves can use a quick buck, too.

There was no word on whether he struck it rich at Victor News. After the last lottery ticket was scratched, he mumbled something and disappeared into the night.

To give Santa the benefit of the doubt, we’ll assume it was: “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

– Mark LaFlamme
Red Sox ring it on

For Red Sox fans who already have the commemorative World Championship hats, T-shirts, pennants, DVDs, bobbleheads and official Santa hat, there’s one more item to buy.

A ring.

The team has begun selling a version of its championship ring, beginning at the low, low price of $499.

That’s for the sterling silver ring. For $500 more, you can get it in gold. And for $2,999, the team will sell one made of 14-karat gold with a half-carat of diamonds.

All of them have a giant “B” on their face and an image of the World Series trophy on the sides. The primo version will be hand-finished and custom-engraved with the wearer’s name.

Of course, these rings will likely bear little resemblance to the ones the players earned.

According to Major League Baseball, the first authentic World Series rings were presented to the New York Giants in 1922.

Each ring’s cost: $100.

– Daniel Hartill