Autumn is here!

By Michael Rielly

Well, it's starting to look a lot like fall. It's back-to-school, back-to-work, and Starbucks started selling Pumpkin Spice Lattes again! Wahoo! As for Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Elves, it's time to start getting ready for the 2009 Christmas season! Many of us have already started booking events and a few folks have already made several appearances. Don't forget to post pictures in the Gallery!

There is always a lot happening on ClausNet -- and this month is no exception! As of this writing, there are now 665 registered members on ClausNet. That means we have had 31 new members join us since the August issue.

Into Twitter? ClausNet is now tweeting on Twitter. Follow our daily tweets for the latest news and events!

If you missed it, last month we kicked off our two annual events - the Second Annual ClausNet Christmas Ornament Exchange and the Second Annual ClausNet Christmas Card Exchange. Last year's events were great fun! For more information, check out the ClausNet Events section.

I hope you enjoy this month's edition of the ClausNet Gazette! As always, don't hesitate to contact us if you have a product, event, or story you would like to share with your fellow members!

Merry Christmas!

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In The News

Santa's Village is a hit!

Examiner -- For a great day of fun for the kids, head up to Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH. There are so many reasons why this is a wonderful park for the family; here are the highlights:

Feed real reindeer hay and reindeer cookies—they will even welcome a pat on the nose! Rudolph wasn't’t available when we were there, but all of the others were. And certainly, visit Santa in his home! Unfortunately, this is the favorite spot for kids, so expect a line. Pictures are available for purchase, and everyone gets a candy cane.

To make sure you see all of the park, play the “Elfabet” game. Pick up your blank card upon entering the park; there are 26 elf stamping machines, each with a letter of the alphabet. Once the card is completed, the child gets a prize as they leave through the gift shop.

For shopping, there are Santa’s Post Office (sign up to have your child receive a letter from Santa in December), The North Pole Workshop, where kids can create shirts, candles, ornaments, hats and other fun things, Fezziwig’s Personalization Shoppe, where kids receive a free ornament, and The Stocking Stuffer Shoppe, where you can purchase tiny treasures perfect for stuffing stockings.
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Sears, K-Mart Pitch Christmas Club Card

Brandweek -- Sears and Kmart are encouraging consumers that there is "no time like the present" to start saving for the holidays with a combined push, launching today (Monday), that touts the retailers' new Christmas Club card.

The program lets consumers store funds on the retailers' designated holiday card, to be used for Christmas spending. A minimum of five dollars is required to activate the card, and consumers may add additional money either online or in-store. Consumers have till Oct. 31 to activate the card, and Sears and Kmart will offer an additional three percent—to be applied towards the final card value—at the end of the promotion on Nov. 14.

Sears and Kmart have already begun pitching the card to associates, and members of MySears.com and MyKmart.com—the retailer's social networking sites. The reviews so far have been positive. Aiello said Sears Holding Corp. has sold 13,000 Christmas Club cards already.
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Marine Moms Help Make Christmas for US Marine

Lincoln Tribune -- On Thursday evening of last week, Wanda Patton, who is the NC Project Coordinator of Operation Santa USMC for the Marine Corps Family Foundation, spoke to American Legion Post 30 members about Operation Santa USMC.

The Marine Corps Family Foundation (MCFF) was established in 2004 when two Marine moms from Oregon began Operation Santa USMC.

Originally their mission was to send “Christmas in a box” to a platoon of 30 Marines. In two months and with the help of volunteers from across our nation, more that 6,000 Marines received packages.
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Safer toys coming, but not with Santa Claus

Canadian Medical Association Journal -- Proposed Canadian legislation to help stop dangerous toys from landing on store shelves, and in the hands of young children, may not be in effect before the Christmas rush.

Bill C-6, The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) was introduced in parliament on Jan. 29 but has yet to become law. While the bill has reached the senate, a potential fall election could delay it from receiving Royal Assent for many more months.

The impetus for the new Act dates back to 2007, when a number of dangerous and sometimes toxic toys were pulled from stores across the country. Rick Smith, co-author of "Slow Death by Rubber Duck" and executive director of Environmental Defense, a group that's fighting to make toys toxin-free, says these recalls were a wake-up call for consumers and the Canadian government.
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Featured Member - September 2009

Each month, our Featured Member section profiles one ClausNET member. Members are chosen totally at random by myself and the staff. Once selected as Featured Member of the Month, we interview the candidate and post the interview here.This is a great way to get to know your fellow ClausNET members!

I am happy to announce that this month’s ClausNET Featured Member of the Month for September 2009 is FrSanta!

FrSanta has been a member of ClausNET since the early days and is a key contributor to our community! He is a great source of strength and inspiration for me personally. I know I speak for many of us when I say that I am very happy to have him here with us!

I spoke with Father a few days ago. Here's what he had to say...
Read the entire interview »

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

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Final Update on "Just Chatter"

Posted in Another Day In Paradise by Cindylu

God smiled when Jack was born. He truly is "THE" Wizard of Pools.

He decided with all the rain coming and the threat to the surface work he has done the only way to combat the ground water was to install a pump under the liner of the pool and keep pumping the water out while putting the liner in place everywhere else. He placed the pump in the area where the bottom drain is located and in went the liner and out went the ground water while he was doing all his work. When he was completely through with the other areas, corners, steps, etc.... he pulled the sump pump out and quickly put the drain cover on and began putting water in the pool.

We had 3 water hoses going so it wasn't any time at all before the weight of the water started keeping the ground water IN the ground and OUT of the pool. What little did get in can easily be filtered out.

He then placed the vacuum hose on the side of the liner and it ran all night long while we filled the pool. It took all night, but by 7 a.m. the next morning it was up to the outlets that had yet to be cut out. Jack arrived right on time, removed the vacuum, cut out the outlet holes and the skimmer and tied up a few more loose ends and the job with the liner was done.

He then spent the next couple hours installing the "Salt" system of purification and we were all set and ready to get on with the summer. His son, Nick is his helper this summer while out of college. He attends the University of Alabama and is a very nice Young man and hard worker, just like his Dad.
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A Soldier's Thoughts

A poem by Santa James Branum

Here I am in a land of turmoil A soldier once again fighting on foreign soil Under the cover of a solid black night Waiting for an enemy full of fight

A young boy just out of school Just months ago my only worry was to obey the golden rule The older guys are getting tense so the enemy must be near Deep inside now, I'm full of fear

The sky lights up quickly, what could it be? I pray that Jesus would watch over me Explosions and bullets all around I fight back my fear and get up off of the ground

While moving forward I think of family If I should die a soldier's death, would they be proud of me? Into the fight I go The Lord Jesus beside me this I know

If I should fall during this fight Jesus will stay with me all through the night Knowing this fact helps make me brave Because I'm no longer Satan's slave

As long as I'm needed, here I will be To help the people live a life that is free To see to it that they can worship Jesus' name This is a soldier's only claim to fame

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Mystery Santa

Who is this Celebrity Santa?

In last month's ClausNet Gazette, we posted a picture of this famous Santa. Our mystery Santa was was born in England. He began his career in Hollywood in silent pictures but is best know for his work in the early 1930s. His work spans radio, theater, movies, and television.

During his career, he appeared in over 160 films! Did you guess who he is yet?

For the answer, you need to be a registered member of ClausNet.

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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 William Strother, "Miller & Rhoads Legendary Santa" from Richmond, Virginia.

"The role of a department store Santa is to entertain the children, but here at Miller & Rhoads we strive to create an experience that will last a lifetime."

William Strother
1896-1957

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

• Miller & Rhoads' Consumer Community
• Santa Claus Oath Memorial

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