Happy Easter!

By Michael Rielly

Well it's April and Easter is only a few days away. Easter is my favorite holiday. This probably sounds strange coming from a Santa Claus, but think about it. There be no Christmas if there had not been Easter.

Easter reminds me of my mother. She loved to decorate Easter Eggs. She would spend hours with markers and paints creating some of the most beautiful Easter Eggs! She would poke a small hole in one end of the eggs to allow the hard boiled contents to dry out. Everyone looked forward to receiving an Easter Egg from Mom each year.

Easter also reminds me of The Ten Commandments. When I was growing up, The Ten Commandments was on always on television on Easter night. My mother would make us watch it every year. The opening themes still gives me goose bumps. These days I have it on DVD! I'm sure my mother is in the room when we watch it every Easter.

This Month on ClausNet.com

This month, you will find lots of pictures and video from the Northeast Santas Cape Cod Weekend and the Midwest Santas Get Together in Santa Claus Indiana.

And for the latest news and information regarding the ClausFest Convention, be sure to check out the new ClausFest discussion forum on ClausNet.com.

As always, please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions. If you have a product, event, or a story you would like to include in an upcoming issue, please let us know!

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In The News

Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade Movie in the Works

hollywoodreporter.com -- Macy?s Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Movie?

Producers Scott Glassgold and Raymond Brothers of IAM Entertainment have closed a deal for rights to develop a film centering on the department store?s annual parade in New York.

?We?re aiming to make a four-quadrant, family-friendly film somewhere in that Night At The Museum, Elf sweet spot,? Glassgold says.

The duo have begun meeting with writers and are exploring various concepts, even one where the floats spring to life.

To convince the department store to bless the project, Glassgold and Brothers commissioned artist Joel Venti, who storyboarded Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and Thor, to help with the presentation, which won over Macy?s execs.

?We are always searching for the next Miracle on 34th Street,? says Macy?s senior vp Robin Hall.

The store has appeared in many movies since the 1947 classic and will be integrated into Ben Stiller?s upcoming comedy Tower Heist. Macy?s, which would like to position itself as an entertainment brand and even helped produce a recent CBS animated special, was approached to be part of Elf, but the powers-that-be at the time declined.
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?Lapland? con pair are jailed

thesun.co.uk -- Two brothers who conned thousands with a fake "Christmas wonderland" were each jailed for 13 months yesterday. Victor Mears, 68, and his brother Henry, 60, charged up to £30 for tickets to their "Lapland New Forest".

Their ads showed log cabins, huskies, an ice rink and a Christmas market "where dreams really do come true". But their "attraction" was a muddy field and a "magical tunnel of light" was fairy lights strung from trees. The ice rink was broken and "delicious seasonal food" was baguettes and sausages.

Judge Mark Horton said at Bristol Crown Court that it was no better than a "summer car boot sale" that was "both a con and a rip-off".
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Canada Day Parade clears insurance hurdles

DrumhellerMail.com -- Concerns over insurance for the Canada Day Parade have been alleviated, says Chamber of Commerce manager Kathy Little.

Last year?s Santa Claus Parade in Drumheller was cancelled. Then Chamber manager Heather Bitz told The Mail this was due to changes in the Chamber?s insurance policy and some requirements in regards to liability insurance.

Little says these concerns have been ironed out.

?The agent that we purchase insurance from to spoke to the company that underwrites the insurance and explained to them it is small parade and we have been doing it for quite a long time,? said Little.

?These are huge insurance companies and they are not always abreast of small communities and small communities always hold small parades. Even the Santa Claus Parade will also go ahead.?

She says other events such as the Calgary Stampede Parade requires that participants in the parade carry insurance. This will not be the case in Drumheller.
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Hugh Martin, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Songwriter, Dies at 96

TVGuide.com -- "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" songwriter Hugh Martin has died.

He was 96. Martin is best known for composing the score to the 1944 musical Meet Me In St. Louis, in which Judy Garland famously performs the song that became a seasonal classic.

Martin and songwriting partner Ralph Blane received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for writing the film's "The Trolley Song." The duo also were nominated in 1947 for "Pass the Peace Pipe" from Good News.
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Featured Member - April 2010

Each month, our Featured Member section profiles one ClausNet member.

Members are chosen totally at random by myself and the staff. Once selected as the ClausNet Featured Member of the Month, we interview the candidate and post the interview on ClausNet.com. This is a great way to get to know your fellow ClausNet members!

This month our featured ClausNet Member is Santa Mike P!

I am happy to announce that our April 2011 ClausNET Featured Member of the Month is Santa Mike P!

Mike has been a key contributor to ClausNET since joining way back in October 2008! I had the pleasure of meeting up with Mike and his lovely Mrs. Claus at Starbucks as they drove through my little state of Rhode Island! I remember telling Mike over the phone not to blink or he would miss the exit!

Mike is a wonderful Santa and we are happy to have him part of our community! We caught up with Mike a few weeks ago. Here's what he had to say...
Read the entire interview »

Missed an interview? Visit our Featured Members of the Month section to read past interviews!

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Why Am I Supporting ClausFest?

The Life and Times of Santa Claus WV

Posted by Santa Claus WV

As most of the Santas here know, I am a fellow who is in favor of getting along. I am for peace in our community and for anything that will promote peace. I love anything that makes 1. children believe and 2. makes Santa a positive as opposed to a negative.

Truthfully, I had my doubts about a national or even a regional convention when the original thread was posted. I even voiced my opinions not only here but also in private chat with a few other Santas. I remember well the turmoil of 2010 after Celebrate Santa. I remember well what some unnamed Christmas folk did. And I realize that CindyLu and Tim were there too.

But the more I read about what Tim and CindyLu wanted to do, and read the posts showing the "boy scout" reasons for doing it I was intrigued. Peace and unity are major factors for this event, not only with each other as Santas but with a community who has been cheated also. I felt after reading what they were saying that they were honest and sincere in their approach. I honestly felt and still feel that there is nothing hidden in their motives.

When CindyLu asked me to be their ambassador to WV, I said to my wife that it would not be hard to share information to the Santas of my state. But what would I tell them? Well, I told them what I knew and about the purposes for having this event. All I met was positive. Watching the progress of this event and seeing first hand what is being put into it just makes me want to try even more to do what I can for making it's vision a reality.

Then there came a few negatives, some doubted that they would come and be a part of it. Well, that is going to happen. After speaking publicly and privately with CindyLu about those negatives I strongly feel that there will be a big positive to come out of all of it.

So, what began for me with suspicion from what had happened in the past, I have decided to make a positive for the future. Hopefully not just for me. I believe in the principles of ClausFest, and the only way that the cause of unity and fellowship will occur is through my personal work to make it happen.

The same with you, the only way that positive will be regained is by you stepping out with me and helping. It doesn't have to be ClausFest. It can be through FORBS and the Jamboree. It can be through posts here. It can be through any number of actions that support the brotherhood.

When we try to find the positive there truly is no stopping us from building a great future together. I just hope that that is what ClausFest stands as in the future. I am happy to be able to help.
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Santa-America News

April 2010

Posted by Santa Bob Elkin

Santa-America is looking for a few good Elves!

Santa America is a national volunteer service organization with a very special mission. Over one-hundred Santas across America visit children and families in crisis.

Santa Claus visits when a child or family needs him?twelve months a year?bringing love, hope and joy to special needs children in a loving visit of about an hour at home, hospital, or hospice.

If you are interested in joining Santa-Ameria or would like to learn more, please contact Santa-America.

Santa-America, Inc.
www.Santa-America.org
Santa Jack Arthur (santajack@santa-america.org)
Santa Bob Elkin (santabob@santa-america.org)

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The Soldiers Night Before Christmas

By Major Bruce W. Lovely

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kind A sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, so dark and dreary, I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping silent alone, Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder, Not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan, I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon `round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn´t help wonder how many lay alone On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don´t cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don´t ask for more, my life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep, I couldn´t control it, I continued to weep. I watched him for hours, so silent and still, I noticed he shivered from the cold night´s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head. And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black, With an eagle and the flag embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, And for a shining moment, I was United States Soldier deep inside. I didn´t want to leave him on that cold dark night, This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure." One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!
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Santa Claus Hall of Fame

Each month we feature an inductee of the Santa Claus Hall of Fame. This month we profile Edmund Gwenn.

Born Edmund Kellaway in Wandsworth, London on September 26, 1877, Edmund Gwenn began his acting career in theatre in 1895. He took time off from acting to serve in the British Army during World War I.

But he is best known for his role as Kris Kringle in the 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. When accepting his Oscar, he replied, 'Now I know there is a Santa Claus!'

Edmund Gwenn died in Woodland Hills, California on September 6, 1959 from pneumonia after suffering a stroke.

"Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind"

Edmund Gwenn
September 26, 1877 - September 6, 1959

Want to learn more? Check out the following:

• Santa Claus Hall of Fame
• IMDb: Edmund Gwenn IMDb
• IMDb: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

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