A CHRISTMAS 'CAROL'

Having a birthday on Christmas Day can be a treat, but when Santa Claus makes an exclusive stop to deliver the birthday presents, that's even more special.

That's what happened to Anita Wise, who turned 102 years old on Christmas, when Santa showed up at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Long Term Care to personally hand deliver her gifts. Wise, known to most as "Carol," was a bit surprised when Santa - aka Chuck Nichter of Thomson Falls - sat down next to her and gave her presents.

Five of Wise's relatives participated in her birthday and Christmas celebration: daughter Peggy McArthur and grandson Travis McArthur, both of Trout Creek, granddaughter Candy Clay and her husband Les, of Plains, and Milly Green, Wise's "adopted daughter," also of Trout Creek.

With World War I still going on in 1917, Wise's parents, Carl and Oreta McCaughin, celebrated Christmas with their newborn in Winifred, Montana, a small community nearly 150 miles east of Great Falls. She married James Wise in 1936, the year she graduated from Lodge Grass High School. James served as a police officer in Lodge Grass before a career with the railroad. He passed away in 1973. Carol lived in Billings until moving to Thompson Falls in 2007 and then into long term care in 2016.

They had three children: Peggy, Gary and Wendall, a dozen grandchildren, nearly two dozen great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. McArthur helped Santa with her mother's gifts. She said her mother asked if Santa was her late husband, who used to play Santa when Peggy and her brothers were growing up. McArthur said her mother fades in and out with recognizing people, but she had some very good moments on Christmas while they were there.

"She talked to us and smiled a lot. I think she had a good time. It was so nice," said McArthur. "One of her big things is that she shares her birthday with Jesus," she said. McArthur said her mother has some difficulty hearing and seeing, but is very healthy and takes no medication. When in her 90s, her goal was to reach 100, said McArthur.

"She doesn't walk, but she's all over with her wheelchair and she uses her feet instead of her arms," said McArthur, who added that she loves to get outside. Last summer, she went on a fishing trip with other residents and although she didn't fish, she wanted to be outdoors. Recently, she snuck out of long term care and was partially down the sidewalk before the staff caught up to her. "She was so pleased about her great escape because she pulled one over on them," said McArthur.

"There are times that she's spunkier than spunky," said Becky Nichter, the long term care manager and Santa's wife. "For 102, she's amazing," she said.

McArthur said her mother has always been a character, is quick whitted and has a great sense of humor. Once while her then boyfriend, James Wise, was involved in a race among his high school friends and Carol had his clothes, she tied the arms and legs of his shirt and pants together. And once she hit him in the face with a snowball. She also noted that her mother is a faithful Christian and loves listening to gospel music. Wise's party went on for about two hours, but then told her guests she was done and wanted to take a nap.

Wise is the oldest of 26 residents at Clark Fork Valley Hospital Long Term Care, which range from a man in his 40s and includes a handful of members in their 90s, said Becky Nichter. It was the first time for her husband to play Santa, but he said he had fun doing it, except that his front pillow kept sliding down. He also handed out Christmas presents from under the tree to the other residents.

However, Nichter wasn't the only visitor from the North Pole on Christmas. John DeCremer of Plains dressed in the familiar red suit and showed up with Mrs. Claus, his real wife, Maggie, and visited with residents. Mr. and Mrs. Claus also visited people in Trout Creek, Thompson Falls, Paradise and Hot Springs throughout the day. Becky said the residents received presents from relatives, local churches and the hospital staff.

About half of the residents had visitors from relatives and friends throughout Christmas Day. "They were really excited to see Santa, especially Eldon (Johnson), who went around showing off his new record albums.