You're receiving this newsletter because you are a registered member of ClausNet.com.
Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser.
ClausNet Gazette: News from the Santa Claus Network

JUNE 2014

Volume 6, Issue 6

Happy Father's Day!

By Michael Rielly

June on ClausNet



Welcome to our June 2014 newsletter!

This Sunday will be my first Father’s Day without my Dad. He passed away a few months ago. I recently came across this picture of my Dad, Grandfather (Papa), and my brother and I.

The picture is from July 4, 1967. We are riding in a jeep in my town’s annual Fourth of July Parade. Before he was our town’s official Town Crier, Papa would appear in the parade as Charlie Weaver, a character created by the late Cliff Arquette. I am the one dressed as a leprechaun. My younger brother is the one in the poncho and sombrero.

Driving the jeep is my Dad. He’s the only one not in costume. What Charlie Weaver, a leprechaun and a pint-sized Toreador in a jeep have to do with the Fourth of July, I have no idea.

My brother told me he doesn't remember anything from this day, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. I remember it was really hot that day and I remember thousands of people lining the parade route (the Fourth of July is a big deal in my town). I remember Papa telling me to wave and my Dad telling me and brother to, "sit down and don’t act stupid".

What I remember most though, was that Dad allowed us to be part of this thing that normally he and his Dad did together. So thank you Dad! And Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and Granddads out there!

We're Hiring!We are still looking for a few good Elves to help out around the site. If you like to write, have a nose for news, or have good organizing skills, please contact me!

As always, please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions.

back to top

In The News

Breaking News on ClausNet

Louisiana Lawmakers Unanimous in Support of Christmas Bill

DefendChristmas.com -- Louisiana law makers love Christmas. Not a single lawmaker in Louisiana cast a “no” vote on that’s state’s version of the Merry Christmas Bill.

Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed legislation that would allow for holiday symbols to be displayed in public schools as long as items representing multiple religions or secular belief systems are represented.

No part of the display could promote adherence to a particular religion. Educators would also be authorized to teach children about the “traditional celebrations in winter” and offer greetings such as “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Kwanzaa”..
Write a comment »

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Action Figure hits Previews

ToyNews -- Previews is offering fans the chance to recreate their favourite scenes from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie, with its exclusive Amazing Spider-Man 2 Miracle Action Figure.

The deluxe set recreates Andrew Garfield in his role as Peter Parker and includes a roster of interchangeable parts such as a masked Spider-Man or an unmasked Peter Parker.

The six inch figure also comes with a host of additional accessories such as a bull-horn, cell phone, webs, manhole cover, backpack and more. The set also features a magnetized wall to pose Spider-Man on.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Action Figure Deluxe Set will be released exclusively in comic book speciality shops next year.
Write a comment »

back to top

Featured Member - June 2014

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 Nancy Hopkins!

June's member of the month joined us only last year, but I feel like I’ve known her for years! Nancy lives near me and we often see each other at our Northeast Santa get togethers. She is always smiling and the term "perky" doesn't begin to describe her personality.

ClausNet Featured Member of the Month

Nancy is also our first member of the month who is also a former beauty queen! She is a wonderful Mrs. Claus and I hope to get to work with her someday! I only hope I can keep up with her! We caught up with Nancy a days ago and here is what she had to say...
Read the entire interview »

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

back to top

Goody Santa Claus On A Sleigh-Ride

By Katherine Lee Bates

Santa, must I tease in vain, Deer? Let me go and hold the reindeer, While you clamber down the chimneys. Don't look savage as a Turk! Why should you have all the glory of the joyous Christmas story, And poor little Goody Santa Claus have nothing but the work?

It would be so very cozy, you and I, all round and rosy, Looking like two loving snowballs in our fuzzy Arctic furs, Tucked in warm and snug together, whisking through the winter weather Where the tinkle of the sleigh-bells is the only sound that stirs.

You just sit here and grow chubby off the goodies in my cubby From December to December, till your white beard sweeps your knees; For you must allow, my Goodman, that you're but a lazy woodman And rely on me to foster all our fruitful Christmas trees.

While your Saintship waxes holy, year by year, and roly-poly, Blessed by all the lads and lassies in the limits of the land, While your toes at home you're toasting, then poor Goody must go posting out to plant and prune and garner, where our fir-tree forests stand.

Oh! but when the toil is sorest how I love our fir-tree forest, Heart of light and heart of beauty in the Northland cold and dim, All with gifts and candles laden to delight a boy or maiden, And its dark-green branches ever murmuring the Christmas hymn!

Yet ask young Jack Frost, our neighbor, who but Goody has the labor, Feeding roots with milk and honey that the bonbons may be sweet! Who but Goody knows the reason why the playthings bloom in season And the ripened toys and trinkets rattle gaily to her feet!

From the time the dollies budded, wiry-boned and saw-dust blooded, With their waxen eyelids winking when the wind the tree-tops plied, Have I rested for a minute, until now your pack has in it All the bright, abundant harvest of the merry Christmastide?

Santa, wouldn't it be pleasant to surprise me with a present? And this ride behind the reindeer is the boon your Goody begs; Think how hard my extra work is, tending the Thanksgiving turkeys And our flocks of rainbow chickens — those that lay the Easter eggs.

Home to womankind is suited? Nonsense, Goodman! Let our fruited Orchards answer for the value of a woman out-of-doors. Why then bid me chase the thunder, while the roof you're safely under, All to fashion fire-crackers with the lighting in their cores?

See! I've fetched my snow-flake bonnet, with the sunrise ribbons on it; I've not worn it since we fled from Fairyland our wedding day; How we sped through iceberg porches with the Northern Lights for torches! You were young and slender, Santa, and we had this very sleigh.

Jump in quick then? That's my bonny. Hey down derry! Nonny nonny! While I tie your fur cap closer, I will kiss your ruddy chin. I'm so pleased I fall to singing, just as sleigh-bells take to ringing! Are the cloud-spun lap-robes ready? Tirra-lirra! Tuck me in.

Off across the starlight Norland, where no plant adorns the moorland Save the ruby-berried holly and the frolic mistletoe! Oh, but this is Christmas revel! Off across the frosted level Where the reindeers' hoofs strike sparkles from the crispy, crackling snow!

There's the Man i' the Moon before us, bound to lead the Christmas chorus With the music of the sky-waves rippling round his silver shell — Glimmering boat that leans and tarries with the weight of dreams she carries To the cots of happy children. Gentle sailor, steer her well!

Now we pass through dusky portals to the drowsy land of mortals; Snow-enfolded, silent cities stretch about us dim and far. Oh! how sound the world is sleeping, midnight watch no shepherd keeping, Though an angel-face shines gladly down from every golden star.

Here's a roof. I'll hold the reindeer. I suppose this weather-vane, Dear, Some one set here just on purpose for our teams to fasten to. There's its gilded cock, — the gaby! — wants to crow and tell the baby We are come. Be careful, Santa! Don't get smothered in the flue.

Back so soon? No chimney-swallow dives but where his mate can follow. Bend your cold ear, Sweetheart Santa, down to catch my whisper faint: Would it be so very shocking if your Goody filled a stocking Just for once? Oh, dear! Forgive me. Frowns do not become a Saint.

I will peep in at the skylights, where the moon sheds tender twilights Equally down silken chambers and down attics bare and bleak. Let me show with hailstone candies these two dreaming boys — the dandies In their frilled and fluted nighties, rosy cheek to rosy cheek!

What! No gift for this poor garret? Take a sunset sash and wear it O'er the rags, my pale-faced lassie, till thy father smiles again. He's a poet, but — oh, cruel! he has neither light nor fuel. Here's a fallen star to write by, and a music-box of rain.

So our sprightly reindeer clamber, with their fairy sleigh of amber, On from roof to roof , the woven shades of night about us drawn. On from roof to roof we twinkle, all the silver bells a-tinkle, Till blooms in yonder blessèd East the rose of Christmas dawn.

Now the pack is fairly rifled, and poor Santa's well-nigh stifled; Yet you would not let your Goody fill a single baby-sock; Yes, I know the task takes brain, Dear. I can only hold the reindeer, And so see me climb down chimney — it would give your nerves a shock.

Wait! There's yet a tiny fellow, smiling lips and curls so yellow You would think a truant sunbeam played in them all night. He spins Giant tops, a flies kites higher than the gold cathedral spire In his creams — the orphan bairnie, trustful little Tatterkins.

Santa, don't pass by the urchin! Shake the pack, and deeply search in All your pockets. There is always one toy more. I told you so. Up again? Why, what's the trouble? On your eyelash winks the bubble Mortals call a tear, I fancy. Holes in stocking, heel and toe?

Goodman, though your speech is crusty now and then there's nothing rusty In your heart. A child's least sorrow makes your wet eyes glisten, too; But I'll mend that sock so nearly it shall hold your gifts completely. Take the reins and let me show you what a woman's wit can do.

Puff! I'm up again, my Deary, flushed a bit and somewhat weary, With my wedding snow-flake bonnet worse for many a sooty knock; But be glad you let me wheedle, since, an icicle for needle, Threaded with the last pale moonbeam, I have darned the laddie's sock.

Then I tucked a paint-box in it ('twas no easy task to win it From the Artist of the Autumn Leaves) and frost-fruits white and sweet, With the toys your pocket misses — oh! and kisses upon kisses To cherish safe from evil paths the motherless small feet.

Chirrup! chirrup! There's a patter of soft footsteps and a clatter Of child voices. Speed it, reindeer, up the sparkling Arctic Hill! Merry Christmas, little people! Joy-bells ring in every steeple, And Goody's gladdest of the glad. I've had my own sweet will.

back to top

Santa's Wisdom

Commentary: The Santa Business

By Santa Lou Knezevich

I like to write about useful Santa tips and helpful information. This month I offer some tips however; I have been disturbed to see the many Santa Classes proclaiming to make Santa more money by increasing ways to find profit in the Santa Business.

Of course this appeals to all of us; thinking we can make commercials, land the biggest parade or appear at the largest gathering in town.

Now, a few Santas are going to land those “plum” jobs however, the majority of Santas will not. I don’t want to discourage you and I’m in no way opposed to Santas making money however; the underlying fact is Santa Claus is here for the children.

What disturbs me the most of these classes is the lack of training to bring Santa to life. Yes, there is money to be made, but you should evaluate these programs for the help received to make you a recommended Santa. The next time you see an offering to expand your Santa business and get rich, stop and think if this is really the path you wish to walk.

The more you learn about Santa and how to portray him; the more you will be sought-after and have a rewarding career. If you don’t learn how to be a professional Santa your success will be limited. Only you may decide what is important to being a Santa. Remember: It’s not about you. It’s about the children. Below are some ideas which I hope you may use portraying Santa.

Ten Essentials to being a better Santa
  1. Treat every child with respect
  2. Never make fun of a child
  3. Look into the child’s eyes when you speak to them
  4. Speak softly. Children are sharing confidences with you
  5. Acknowledge a child’s requests even if you don’t understand them
  6. Never promise a toy request to avoid a child’s disappointment
  7. Never promise a pet. Santas a toy maker and only animals produce pets
  8. If the child can’t remember their wish list, assure them you know what they want
  9. Never leave a child wondering if Santa heard their Christmas wishes
  10. Every child worries about being on Santa's Nice or Naughty List. Tell each child “You’re on the Nice List.” It will bring happiness to everyone.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Santa Lou Knezevich
Creator Legendary Santas Mentoring Program
LegendarySantasMentoringProg@gmail.com

back to top

Santa Claus Hall of Fame

Each month we feature an inductee of the Santa Claus Hall of Fame. This month we profile Lucky Squire

Lucky SquireLucky Squire was born in 1898 in Budapest, Hungary and came to the United States as a young man during World War I. In his early days, he worked as a laborer and took any odd jobs to help his family settle into New York City.

In the 1940s Squire became a minister. When his mustache started to turn white he let his beard grow out and it began to attract attention as he began to look like Santa Claus.

In the 1950s through the late 1970s, Squire was one of the most sought after Santas in America. He worked for over a decade as the Gimbles Department Store Santa in New York, appeared with the world famous Radio City Rockettes, and was featured in many print advertisements for many major companies from around the country. He is most known for his modeling work with Ideals Magazine and for RCA and Capital Records.

His last modeling job was in 1979 for Sports Illustrated. Squire also did promotional appearances for major toy manufactures like Ideal and Mattel.

Lucky Squire
1898 – 1982

Want to learn more?
Visit the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame website.

back to top