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I got an email on WDW, from Under Cover Tourist and wanted to share it with you all who might find it interesting. Under cover tourist Here is a brief look but click the link above if you want more info. The Holidays Will Return to Walt Disney World Resort Nov. 6! From Nov. 6 to Dec. 30, Walt Disney World Resort will be decking its halls for the holiday season! All around the resort, guests will be able to enjoy special holiday-themed projections on Cinderella Castle, Christmas-y character cavalcades, yuletide food, beverage and merchandise offerings and so much more!

Each month, our Featured Member section profiles a ClausNet member. Members are chosen totally at random by me and the staff. Once selected as Featured Member of the Month, we interview the candidate and post the interview here. This is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow ClausNet members! We are happy to announce our ClausNet Featured Member for September 2020 is Warrenton Santa! Warrenton Santa Featured ClausNet Member – September 2020 Profile: Warrenton Santa Real Name: James Location: Warrenton, Virginia USA ClausNet member since: December 29, 2016 Website: warrentonsanta.com Facebook: @warrentonsanta Community Reputation (as of today): 213 – Outstanding! Membership Level: Member Our September 2020 Featured Member of the Month joined the ClausNet Community in 2016. Santa James aka Warrenton Santa, first donned the red suit in 2013 and has been a regular contributor to the site ever since. We caught up with Jamesa few weeks ago and here is what he had to say... ClausNet: How long have you been portraying Santa Claus and how did you get started? Warrenton Santa: "I started playing Santa for our church Christmas party in 2013 and it grew from there. For a number of years, I was the Santa for the local community “Gumdrop Square.” Every year Santa arrives in the parade and sits at the town building waiting to hear each child’s request. I enjoyed both so much that I just never stopped." ClausNet: What or who are your influences on your portrayal of Santa Claus? Warrenton Santa: "God is the bedrock of my Santa character. I do everything for Him. I am always intrigued by how Charles Howard and Phillip Wenz conduct their Santa personas." ClausNet: Being able to say Merry Christmas and share the true “Reason for the Season.” Being Santa Claus has taught me the real spirit of Christmas, and it’s not what you think it might be. Kids are always super excited about toys, but it's more than that. There is so much love at my home visits. Families and friends come together, and everyone is excited. Children sense that, and it's a big part of their excitement during this time of the year. I witness so much enthusiasm and joy. I get to be a part of people’s memories, and that's not something I take lightly." ClausNet: What do you enjoy the LEAST about being Santa Claus? Warrenton Santa: "The commercialism of Santa Claus both by the public and the Santa Community." ClausNet: What is your most memorable visit? Warrenton Santa: "My first Christmas Eve visit when a child asked me if I believed in baby Jesus. And I told her yes and that Jesus lives in my heart." ClausNet: Do you have a favorite gig? Warrenton Santa: "Every year, I am always invited to Hank’s Christmas Tree Farm in Markham, Virginia. The joy of being the first Santa most children see after Thanksgiving is wonderful. I enjoy spending time at the tree farm and being able to walk and talk with the children as they pick out that special tree. Some children have asked if I will pick their tree out for them. I always tell them, make it a surprise for me on Christmas Eve. They like that and they giggle. Secondly, working with my photographer, Teresa Arthur, of Teresa Arthur Photography in Warrenton, Virginia. Teresa has done some amazing work with her studio and creating a unique two-and half-hour photography story session tailored to each client. During the sessions, we talk about the story of Christmas from Luke 2. It is amazing how the children will sit and listen to Santa talk about the birth of Christ while eating special cookies from the North Pole." ClausNet: What is your dream gig? Warrenton Santa: "I don’t really have one. I like what I do. Visiting with families and getting to know my clients. If I had to choose, maybe a parade someday." ClausNet: What keeps you busy when you are not being Santa? Warrenton Santa: "I am a young Santa with a family at home and still working a full-time job. I fill my days spending time with my loved ones and gardening. This Santa likes to grow fresh carrots for his reindeer." ClausNet: What are your hobbies / interests? Warrenton Santa: "My big activities outside of work include spending time with my family whether playing board games or watching movies. I really enjoy spending time with my wife and son. Right now, my interests are finishing a book." ClausNet: What is your favorite color? Warrenton Santa: "Red and Purple." ClausNet: What are your favorite foods? Warrenton Santa: " Santa loves his pizza and Italian dishes !" ClausNet: Coke or Pepsi? Warrenton Santa: "Coke, but I do love Dr. Pepper." ClausNet: What is your favorite cookie? Warrenton Santa: "The round ones. I prefer Chocolate Chip but I will eat any of the cookies that the children leave for Santa, including gluten free ones." ClausNet: What is your favorite movie? Warrenton Santa: "A Few Good Men. The head elf in my Santa shop would vote for Star Wars." ClausNet: Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? Warrenton Santa: "Santa Clause with Tim Allen and Miracle on 34th Street. The head elf in my Santa shop would vote for Home Alone.’" ClausNet: What is your favorite Christmas song? Warrenton Santa: "I enjoy all Christmas music. I play it year-round." ClausNet: What was the last book that you read? Warrenton Santa: "I mostly read historical books and have for decades. But in my question to improve my Santa Claus persona, I've read a number of Santa related books." ClausNet: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Warrenton Santa: "I spent 20 years in the military and had the opportunity to experience several different career paths. I have led an interesting life. I would love to fly a plane." ClausNet: What profession would you not like to attempt? Warrenton Santa: "A police officer in the civilian sector." ClausNet: What were some of your favorite toys as a child? Warrenton Santa: "Lincoln Logs and the metal Tonka trucks until I received a bicycle for my birthday!" ClausNet: What is your most memorable experience of Santa while growing up? Warrenton Santa: "Waiting for Christmas morning to see what Santa left for me." ClausNet: What is the hardest question you have gotten as Santa Claus and what was your response? Warrenton Santa: "”Can you bring my mom back to life?” Santa can do many things. God is always in control. You can never stay mad at Him. He is kind and loving father, he knows what the future holds. Just remember your mom wants you to be kind to all." ClausNet: What is the most unique request you have gotten as Santa Claus? Warrenton Santa: "”Can you ask my dad to have Jesus come live in his heart?”" ClausNet: How did you find ClausNet? Warrenton Santa: "I was looking for an organization for “association for traditional bearded Santas” and Google provided this great place." ClausNet: And what do you like most about ClausNet? Warrenton Santa: "ClausNet provides an open forum to ask questions and read about other’s experiences. It’s not a platform that showcase items for sale. People are real and they value others opinions." ClausNet: Is there a Santa or Mrs. Claus over the years that you admire or has inspired you? Can you tell us a little bit about him/her? Warrenton Santa: "I would have to say, there is not one Santa in particular. I have learned a lot about the Santa Community from Phillip Wenz. ClausNet has provided a great resource of information. I have found that Santas on ClausNet are willing to share their information and explain why they do it a certain way. I am always looking to learn more." ClausNet: What advice can you give to a first time Santa or Mrs. Claus? Warrenton Santa: "Start with the basics – First of all, understanding why you are Santa. Be selflessness in the giving of yourself – just like Christ. It’s not about the props or the money, but the “Reason for the Season.” Don’t go out and spend money on items you will never use. Use what you have. Stay within a budget." ClausNet: Anything else you would like to add? Warrenton Santa: " Be yourself. Don’t let other Santas influence your character or your moral compass. Kids are savvy and intelligent but still remain impressionable and innocent so as Santa you need to be a good role model." Thank you James! Everyone, please join me in congratulating Warrenton Santa, our ClausNet Featured Member of the Month for September 2020!

Was going though some old videos and I came across this. ClausNet Television - CNTV was something @Legendary Santa Claus and I did TEN years ago. These are only the opening credits. At one time, CNTV was a regular feature on ClausNet. We featured past and present Santas and Mrs. Clauses, Christmas history, and a whole host of other content I can't even remember at this point. haha! We were doing live Internet broadcasts before there was a Facebook Live.

A channel dedicated to Christmas movies is about to launch by ABIGAIL MALBON SEP 12, 2020 Cosmopolitan online If you're not quite over summer yet, you might want to look away, as a 24/7 Christmas movie channel is about to launch in the UK. Yep, with a whole 104 days to go until Christmas Day, it seems some people are already starting to get into the festive spirit. Or, at least, the TV advertising bosses are banking on it. And whether you like it or not, Christmas is coming. Fancy advent calendars are beginning to be released, Netflix has released its list of 2020 Christmas specials, and the dark nights are drawing in. Which I guess means it might be time to snuggle up in front of Sony Movies Christmas? Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a33999181/sony-movies-christmas-launch-date-uk/?fbclid=IwAR3lsx9Ru8pUetnY2gryXpRh5d8v2pd4TxVEhs_JK4jMk97EBKfm0WZ4Tz8

Just canceled Netflix because of its latest controversy. They kept pushing the limits, they finally reached mine.

It's hard for me to figure out where I stand on this. For decades I was a letter carrier and watched as the volume of Christmas cards declined from a time when it was not unusual to have 10 to 12 trays of cards and letters to now the carrier who delivers my mail has maybe 2 or 3. As a former carrier it was also my responsibility to collect mail from the blue boxes on corners, at first all you would find in them was outgoing mail, but as the years went by I began to find trash, half eaten food, milk shakes were pretty bad on the letters in the collection boxes (very hard to clean off ). In the boxes near the lake it was not uncommon to find dead worms, minnows, small fish people had caught and didn't want even dead birds. I often found, especially after the fourth of July, mail burned from having fire works thrown in the boxes. Towards the end of my time as a letter carrier it was not unusual to find used baby diapers or even women's used sanitary products in the collection boxes. With little or no out going mail in the boxes. The forum we are using here has replaced the need to write letters. I wish that people still wrote letters, they were some thing tangible, you could hold in your hand and almost feel the time, the emotion that the writer put into it, but we now have phones and email to replace letters. So the blue boxes on the corner are obsolete, they see little or no use. They should be retired just like me. This is one place that the Post Office can reduce it's overhead, by not having to care for and maintain those things. But I will miss seeing them with the potential of having a full load of Christmas cards, love letters, bills being paid and just plain correspondence between people.

I know what you mean. There is nothing wrong with getting old. We've all earned every gray hair and wrinkle. The people that matter love us no matter what.

SC couple married 40 years died of COVID-19 on same day, leaving 14-year-old daughter The Charlotte Observer By Joe Marusak September 10, 2020 01:20 PM EXCERPT A South Carolina couple who loved to play Santa and Mrs. Claus at events in their town died Sept. 5 of complications from COVID-19, leaving behind a 14-year-old daughter. David and Lora McManus of Pageland were married 40 years. Their deaths were announced on Tuesday by government officials in Union County, N.C., where Lora McManus, 59, worked in the Public Works customer service office for more than 20 years. David McManus, 64, was a pulp wood logger and trucker, according to his obituary. The couple loved trips to the mountains and visiting two North Carolina traditions: the Christmas lights display in McAdenville, “Christmas Town USA,” and the Old Threshers’ Reunion in Denton, according to Ashley Terrell, who manages the Union County office where Lora McManus worked. David McManus also liked cooking and watching cooking shows, while his wife enjoyed mystery movies and the Hallmark Channel, according to his obituary. But Lora and David McManus most loved their daughter, Sara, Terrell wrote on the Union County government website. “Nothing brought Lora as much joy as her daughter,” Terrell said. “Lora waited a long time to become a mother and she relished in every second of motherhood. She loved to talk about Sara and brag on how well Sara can sing.” Lora McManus “was a believer in Jesus Christ and she lived her faith,” Terrell said. “Lora never had a negative word to say about anyone or anything. She found the positive in every situation.” Terrell said Lora McManus was “selfless and giving” and had “an infectious laugh and sense of humor” that caught her co-workers off guard. She also was “a historian of all things Public Works,” Terrell wrote. “Customers frequently asked for Lora. She just left an impression. She was dedicated, loyal, and will be sorely missed.” SOURCE: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article245594800.html

Everything We Know About 'The Christmas Chronicles 2' CIARA SHEPPARD in ENTERTAINMENT Published 16:49, Friday 18 September 2020 BST The plot of the sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2, will revisit Kate, who is now a disillusioned teenager, and her brother Teddy. According to Netflix: "It's been two years since siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce saved Christmas, and a lot has changed. Kate, now a cynical teenager, is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom's new boyfriend and his son Jack (Jahzir Bruno). Unwilling to accept this new version of her family, Kate decides to run away. "But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas for good, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus." There's also been hints Mrs Claus, played by Goldie Hawn, will play more of a starring role in the sequel - which is exactly what we like to see. Source: https://www.tyla.com/entertaining/tv-and-film-the-christmas-chronicles-2-cast-crew-release-date-everything-we-know-20200918?fbclid=IwAR2xrEV0eJgLalMhAnqqCp2wFDEuc2egXwVXHXgqiL1eAUZeLjfh5DuWo9k

new trailer . . .

The August 2020 issue of the ClausNet Gazette is now online! SUBSCRIBE

It's about time!

So very sad. Stay safe out there Santas!

Thanks for your service Santa, and also for this great testimony.

Congratulations, Santa James, on a well deserved honor!

Very cool! Any chance you'll bring it back?

just came across this update . . .

“without being bombarded by politically correct commercials and the LGBTQ agenda.” The "agenda?" The agenda. And what agenda is that? Wanting to be accepted? Wanting to not be murdered because of who they love? Wanting to be normalized and not have to hide and live in fear? I'm here for it.

Christmas is a holiday for everyone, not only for heterosexual couples. If Hallmark wants to make movies that are representative of our nation and world, then having a storyline about LGBQT couple is realistic. Hallmark needs to stand up for itself and make movies that represent the world we live in, IMHO. Santa doesn't check sexual preferences or lifestyle choices of parents (or children/young adults) before spreading Christmas cheer. Neither should Hallmark. HCSM

It is only available in the U.K.

Local news here in Orlando is reporting most Christmas events at WDW will not happen this year. The open hours have been cut back as well. Still charging nearly $200 per person per day for admission

First, let me say that I usually make every attempt to be positive, but I have just about had enough of Hollywood's affinity to looking young forever. Goldie Hawn looks like a mannequin with all the work she has had done to her face. It, quite frankly, is Halloweenish. Freaky.

Rise Of The Guardians Director Wants To Make A Sequel Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey says he would love the chance to make a sequel to the underappreciated 2012 DreamWorks film Rise of the Guardians. BY TIFFANY WANG SCREENRANT 09-14-2020 Rise of the Guardians' Peter Ramsey wants to direct a sequel. The DreamWorks Animation film based on William Joyce's book came to life in 2012 with Ramsey at the helm. While the movie didn't do as well as anticipated at the box office, it soon took on a life of its own as a cult favorite. Rise of the Guardians focuses on childhood myths such as Jack Frost, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny. In the movie, Jack Frost finds out he is a Guardian, or a spirit who is tasked with protecting childhood. The motley crew joins forces in order to thwart an evil boogeyman and discover the importance of companionship, bravery, and belief along the way. It was deemed a heartwarming story by reviewers, although its poor showing at theaters meant that the fan-favorite film never received a sequel. Source: https://screenrant.com/rise-guardians-dreamworks-director-wants-sequel/?fbclid=IwAR38Fih9q6QA5UlH2jZuUxjw05xI2lh0GVyxalSjqHSzp6XUiWZhLZ9sZ_w

Thank you, its a honor to be recognized by this group of wonderful Santas and Christmas helpers. I do this for the love of the children and God. Its truly a pilgrimage.

Welcome to the MOtM club!

Great interview!!! Santa can be a very effective witness for Christ! Thank you!

Conrats!

Welcome to the club!

Congratulations!

thanks for sharing your great story - I really appreciate being able to share the Christmas story in you photo sessions !

Dolly is a goddess and the queen of all things wonderful.

Hallmark needs to remain true to their main audience, I really feel that those who follow an alternate life stile need to respect those who chose not to partake of that life style. Christmas is not about who you live with but how you act as a person.