Cue the Christmas carols.

Santa is living in Weatherly.Carbon County Senior Games participant Emil Laputka could easily be mistaken for Jolly Ol’ St. Nick when you see him and his long, white beard competing during the billiards events.And that’s OK, because the 68-year-old is in fact one of Mr. Claus’ doppelgängers who helps out during the Christmas season.“I’ve been Santa at the Laurel Mall in Hazleton for about five years,” he said on Thursday, adding that this past Christmas season, he purchased his own Santa suit and delivered presents to children in the Weatherly area whose parents contacted him for his Santa services.When asked why he chose to take on the role of Santa Claus, Laputka smiled and with a chuckle said, “Look at me.“I’ve had this beard for 43 years,” he said, noting that sometimes he would trim it short, while other times he let it grow long. “When I let it grow, my wife (Bernadette) said, ‘You look like Santa.’ ”He used that inspiration to apply for a job at the mall and the rest is history.On Thursday, Laputka could be found doing something else that he loves — almost as much as portraying Santa — billiards.“I was born in New Jersey but my parents moved to Weatherly and bought a barroom, so I grew up in Weatherly,” he said “I grew up with the dart board and pool table. I love this stuff.”Unfortunately, time, joint replacements and arthritis have taken their toll and Laputka can only shoot pool anymore, and his skills shone through as he took home a bronze medal in his age group during the Carbon County Senior Games.The second-year participant said that he feels more people should come out to the games because it’s a great thing to help older people get out and get active.“You have a good time, meet new people and get out of the house,” he said. “It’s just too bad more counties don’t do it.”