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ClausNet Gazette: News from the Santa Claus Network

July 2009

Volume 1, Issue 3

Christmas in July !

By Michael Rielly

Summertime SantaWell July is here already! For those of us above the equator that means summertime fun. When we think of July we usually think of outdoor activities -- beaches, vacations, cookouts, picnics, and pool parties! But for many of us it also means we start thinking about the Christmas season. July is the half way point through the year with only 6 month until Christmas! By now many of you have already started booking events. And for many of us, July is when we start thinking about upgrades to our presentations.

This may be one reason why the summer months are some of the busiest months during the year on ClausNet. In fact, last month we hit a few milestones on ClausNet. On June 20, we had 124 registered members concurrently online and I am happy to announce that we now have 603 registered members! Since last month's newsletter, we had 18 new members join us! Welcome everyone!

I hope you enjoy this month's edition as much as I enjoyed putting it together! As always, if you have a story you would like to share with your fellow members or a product that you would like to feature, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Cheers!

M

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In The News

In The News

Muppets 'Letters to Santa' coming soon to DVD

A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa will be released on DVD on September 29, 2009. The 2008 Christmas special production features the Muppet gang on a quest to get three misplaced letters to Santa Claus before Christmas Eve.

The musical special features appearances by Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Griffiths, Jane Krakowski, Petra Nemcova, Uma Thurman, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, Michael Bloomberg, Madison Pettis and Paul Williams.

The hour-long television special will be bundled with never-before-seen exclusive content including a documentary-style featurette titled “Searching for Santa Claus” as well as a variety of deleted scenes.
Read More »

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Santas gather to bid farewell to mentor

Fort Calgary was decked with boughs of holly yesterday as Santas from all over Alberta gathered to remember the life of one special jolly old elf.

While his reindeer waited outside, dozens of friends dressed in Santa Claus suits came together in a room decorated with a twinkling tree, stockings, photographs, and even his "naughty or nice" list, to pay tribute to Santa Victor, who died March 1 of pancreatic cancer.

Friend Jennifer Andrews, who will take over his Santa school, said Victor had a "one of a kind character," and anyone with him relived the magical feeling they had as a child at Christmas.
Read More »

Introducing the Santa Claus Oath Coat of Arms

Last month Phil Wenz and I introduced the Santa Claus Oath Coat of Arms.

Santa Claus Coat of Arms

The Santa Claus Oath Coat of Arms is historically accurate and represents the eight principles that make up the Santa Claus Oath.
Read More »

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Featured Member - July 2009

CindyluThis month I am happy to announce that our ClausNET Featured Member of the Month for July 2009 is our very own Cindylu!

Many of you may have met her at this year's Celebrate Santa in Gatlinburg back in March. Cindylu is well known throughout the Santa Claus community as the 'go-to' person on beard care and we are very happy to have her here to lend her expertise!

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Cindylu in person but we talk in email often. I had hoped to meet at Celebrate Santa this year, but circumstances didn't allow for it. Hopefully this year, I'll be able to sit in on one of her presentations.

ClausNET Featured Member of the Month

I caught up with Cindylu a few weeks ago.
Read the entire interview »

Visit our Featured Members of the Month section for past members!

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Dad Remembered- Fathers Day Past

Posted in Santa TJS' Blog by Santa TJS

Santa TJSWell fathers day has past, a quiet day of remembrance for me as Dad is gone now almost 11 years. I was recounting to some folks I was talking about some of the things that I remember.

Dad was a morning person up with the sun. How I remember all through my school years him waking me up in the morning. I did not inherit his love for the morning,today if it were not for my wife pushing me to get going I would still be in bed at 10 am.

My dad however was a different story. He was up shaved eating breakfast all before we opened our eyes. He sang every morning I can still see him in the kitchen shining his shoes at the start of each day. I still have that wooden shoe shine box today. I remember the morning smells, coffee, shoe polish and the Vitalis hair tonic my father used his whole life. Funny how while he was here with me those things never came to mind,another memory was Saturday mornings, I always with him off to the hardware store.

My father loved hardware stores as I do to this day. There was always some project my Dad had planned and we would be off to Atlas hardware. The owner was a friend of my Dad's and they spent more time talking then buying paint or nails. I used to love using the scoop and putting nails on the scale. Back in the day before Home Depot you bought your nails by the pound in brown paper bags. Then it was off to Beacon Dry cleaners for my Dad's shirts. He wore a white shirt and tie his whole life. We would get the laundry and it was off to Sam's variety where we would pick up this or that.
Read More »

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I'm Santa Claus

A poem by Santa John Johnson

Every year I bring the toys for all the good little girls of boys, I make my list and check it twice so remember to be nice; On Christmas Eve I fly away with all my reindeer and magic sleigh, I fill the childish heart with glee with a gift beneath the Christmas tree. I'm Santa Claus, and that's what I do.

I slip down chimneys smooth as silk and enjoy the cookies and the milk, I fill the stockings by the fire and all the decorations I admire; And to your bed sometimes I creep to make sure you're fast asleep, Though I know not of what you dream I guess it right somehow it'd seem. I'm Santa Claus, and I just know.

I live up North with Mrs. Claus and by the fire each night we pause, And read the letters that never end that you are so kind just to send; And to the elves I give the order to make the wishes from every border, And with the happy little elves I help to fill up all of the shelves. I'm Santa Claus, and I do stay busy.

You might ask why I drop from above and under the tree a present shove, And why I spend my every year making toys for Christmas cheer; I remember well that special day when a Savior came unto our way, Because of the Babe that lay in the hay I bring my gifts for you to play. I'm Santa Claus, and I love you too.

So this year when on Christmas Eve be sure a cookie and milk to leave, For if you've been really good a visit to you is surely understood; And before morning I'll bring to you something special with a big bow too, So, Ho Ho Ho and I'm on my way wishing you a Merry Christmas day! From Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus too.

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ClausNet Wallpaper Design Contest

And the winners is...

I am happy to announce the winners of our ClausNet Wallpaper Design Contest. As you can see, we have some very talented members on ClausNet! All the entries were great! Here are the First, Second, and Third Place winners.

In First Place with 54 votes, is 'A Proud Heritage' submitted by SCSmall.

First Place: A Proud Heritage by SCSmall

In Second Place is 'Santa's Moon' with 41 votes submitted by Santa Johnny Boy.

Second Place: Santa's Moon by Santa Johnny Boy

In Third Place we have 'How dreary would the world be...' with 39 votes submitted by Jinglebelle.

Third Place: How dreary would the world be... by Jinglebelle

We also had two Honorable Mentions. With 38 votes is 'Christmas Eve' submitted by Legendary Santa Claus and 'Ornament' submitted by Santa Sean with 30 votes.

Honorable Mention: Christmas Eve by Legendary Santa ClausHonorable Mention: Ornament by Santa Sean

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated! Be sure to check out all the entries!

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Santa Voices of the Past

Each month we feature a quote from a famous Santa Claus of the past. This month's quote comes to us from Don Goers.

"To see the magic on a little ones face is all the reward I need."

Don Goers
Born in 1924, Santa Don Goers was the Santa Claus at Santa's Village in Dundee, Illinois from 1966 to 1979. Mr. Goers is 85 years old and is currently living in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Want to learn more Santa Claus history? Check out the following:

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