Most people are aware that Huntsville has some celebrity residents: well-known actors, musicians and other personalities who make their homes among us.

But it may come as a surprise that someone known by everyone, young and old, has been living here for several years virtually undetected.

Did you know that the Grinch — whose story was made famous many years ago by Dr. Seuss — retired to Huntsville in 2003?

It’s true. He lives high on a secluded hill just outside of town. The Grinch says the natural surroundings remind him of Mount Crumpit, where he lived for most of his life, and he enjoys taking long walks and snowshoeing with his loyal dog, Max the Fifth.

However, the Grinch’s main pastime for the past four years has been watching the comings and goings of happy townspeople through his powerful binoculars.

“I’ve been wanting to get to know the people of Huntsville,” he sighs. “They look very friendly, much like the inhabitants of my beloved Whoville. But unfortunately, my fame makes it difficult.”

When asked why he has been so reluctant to make his presence known, the Grinch answers in one word: “Paparazzi.”

He didn’t want to leave Whoville, he says, but he was unable to live a normal life because of the photographers hounding him.

“Every week there were stories in the tabloids. I just couldn’t take it any more,” the Grinch says. “Even if I wore a disguise I couldn’t do my business in town without being recognized. It’s not easy being green.”

Finally he chose to move away from Whoville, only returning a few times a year to visit dear friends like Cindy-Lou Who and her children.

Not wanting to cause a stir in Huntsville or to give up his privacy, the Grinch has chosen to enrich his adopted community from behind the scenes.

He has made many anonymous donations to good causes, and nothing gives him greater joy than performing random acts of kindness throughout the town.

“The best part is seeing a person’s face light up when they realize someone cares about them,” he says.  

Have you ever returned to your parked car on Main Street and found that someone had put more money in the meter? Or come home to find your garden weeded and your grass cut? Or found a bouquet of balloons on your desk at your workplace? You may have witnessed the Grinch at work.

Ever since his heart grew three sizes in one day about 50 years ago, the Grinch has wanted nothing more than to make other people happy — and year-round, not just at Christmas.

In wintry weather, he has been known to use his superhuman strength to lift cars out of the ditch and back onto the road, always swearing the occupants to secrecy afterward.

So why did he finally decide to out himself in this newspaper?

“I feel like a part of this wonderful community, and I decided it was worth the risk,” he explains. “I’ve actually moved openly around the town twice,  during the last two Santa Claus parades. But it’s time everyone knows I wasn’t just pretending to be the Grinch for the parades, I really am the Grinch.”

The Grinch wants to wish everyone a happy holiday and to remind them to be patient with each other even when travel and other stresses might make them feel. . . well, grinchy.

Asked how he feels about the term grinch being used to denote a cruel, antisocial or Christmas-hating individual, he says sometimes it’s difficult, adding, “I’ve changed, and it’s too bad people only remember me for the way I once was.”

On the other hand, he says, he hopes his story will provide inspiration to others.

“It’s not always easy to embrace the people around you,” he says. “If I could start where I did and end up recognizing the importance of love, peace and sharing, anyone can.”

Happy holidays. If there’s a real person you’d like to see profiled in this space, please call Paula at 789-5541 or e-mail  pboon@metrolandnorthmedia.com.