Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

By Ginny Raue
WEST MILFORD — Mary and Bob Kochka are the real deal. While Santa and Mrs. Claus are their alter-egos at this time of year, the Kochkas have the giving spirit year-round and their visit to the West Milford Museum on Dec. 7 was no exception.

The Kochkas are no strangers to volunteerism. They were the recipients of the West Milford Lifetime Volunteer Award in 2009 after many years of service to the township in many capacities. Volunteering together on the Heritage Committee was just one of their vocations and the couple went on to fill an essential role at the West Milford Museum.

Bob Kochka’s family tree has deep roots in the soil of West Milford, dating back to 1765 when his ancestors emigrated from Germany to work at the Charlottsburg forge, located in what was later to be named West Milford. In 1845, his family built a home on Saw Mill Road in the Echo Lake area of the town. Today, their son Bob lives in that ancestral home and the Kochkas live next door.

Mary Kochka, nee Crum, needs only to walk across the road to visit her ancestors in the historic section of St. Joseph Church Cemetery where Crum tombstones date back to the 1700s. The Kochkas have a long and close association with St. Joseph Church and know the old cemetery like the back of their hands, Bob having worked as a grave digger for the church for over 30 years.

Bob, 86, and Mary, 84, recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, a celebratory milestone for any couple. But Santa and Mrs. Claus have been together much longer.

While Santa has been around for many years, the existence of a Mrs. Claus only came to light in 1849 in a book called “A Christmas Legend.” She was mentioned again in an 1862 article in Harper’s Magazine. While she prefers to be called just “Mrs. Claus,” she has been known over the years as Annalina, Layla, Martha, Gretchen and, of all things, Mary.

Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoy their yearly visit with the children and they like the fact that for some guests it’s their first time in the museum, a perfect opportunity to tour the building, see the historic displays and learn more about West Milford in years past. The children receive little gifts from Santa and all the visitors are treated to holiday refreshments.

The Kochkas have been playing the part for the last 12 years and when they go home they carefully stow away the Santa suit and the long red dress with the happy intention of being back next year.

“It’s so enjoyable. I feel so close to the children," said Santa. "They are so sweet, and sometimes they are so serious. It’s nice to talk to them and see them smile. They are all very good.”

So it seems that all the little visitors were on the “nice” list. Santa and Mrs. Claus certainly could make the cut for that list as well.