“Goodbye, Santa……goodbye…..thank you for coming….have a safe trip back to the North Pole”…..the Irishman bellowed in the vestibule of 210 East 83rd Street. That man was my grandfather and the vestibule he was in was the apartment building that I grew up in along with my aunt, cousins, my Uncle John and my parents and sister. Now this Christmas day ritual went on for years. My Mom would tell me that if we hurried down the four flights of stairs, we could actually meet Santa. We never made it in time….but it was ok….my grandfather actually knew Santa! The one time I asked my mother how did Nagh know Santa, she told me that they “grew up” together in Ireland. What a lucky kid I was…..I had a grandfather who knew Santa AND Santa was Irish! Wow, I couldn’t have been more proud. Eventually, there did come a Christmas where I became more concerned about our neighbors thinking that Mr. McLoughlin must be crazy….but, today, this Christmas morning, what I wouldn’t give to hear a booming Irish voice shouting”Goodbye, Santa….thanks for bringing my family presents…see you next year!”
GOODBYE Santa……….Thank You!
Published by Ed Kowalski
Ed Kowalski is a Pleasant Valley resident, media voice, and policy-focused professional whose work sits at the intersection of law, public policy, and community life. Ed has spent his career working in senior leadership roles across human resources, compliance, and operations, helping organizations navigate complex legal and regulatory environments. His work has focused on accountability, risk management, workforce issues, and translating policy and law into practical outcomes that affect people’s jobs, livelihoods, and communities. Ed is also a familiar voice in the Hudson Valley media landscape. He most recently served as the morning host of Hudson Valley This Morning on WKIP and is currently a frequent contributor to Hudson Valley Focus with Tom Sipos on Pamal Broadcasting. In addition, Ed is the creator of The Valley Viewpoint, a commentary and narrative platform focused on law, justice, government accountability, and the real-world impact of public policy. Across broadcast and written media, Ed’s work emphasizes transparency, access to justice, institutional integrity, and public trust. Ed is a graduate of Xavier High School, Fordham University, and Georgetown University, holding a Certificate in Business Leadership from Georgetown. His Jesuit education shaped his belief that ideas carry obligations—and that leadership requires both discipline and moral clarity. He lives in Pleasant Valley. View more posts
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