5000
Christmas Time is Near
The Christmas season is quickly approaching and it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I can imagine that your children are getting excited to see Santa and give him their Christmas list. I assume at the top of most children's list is the latest technology gadget or gaming system. I remember when the Game Boy Color was at the top of my Christmas list in 1998. It was the newest hand held gaming system at the time - I'm dating myself here, but it just goes to show the changes in technology. At the top of my list this year is a few feet of snow because I am ready to dust off my skis and hit the slopes.
It took a bit of work but I was finally able to track down Santa and his elves. They were kind enough to give me the low down on where Santa will be making his appearances in Tupper Lake this Holiday Season.
Before I share my insiders' guide to Santa sightings this year, I would like to take a minute to recognize Tupper Lake’s very own Santa Claus. I know you are all thinking it… I bet it’s just another guy in a Santa suit wearing a fake beard. It reminds me of a movie where a child pulls Santa’s fake beard and becomes traumatized when they realize that it is a substitute Santa. Well, you are mistaken the beard is real!
The Man Behind the Beard
For the last 36 years children have been sharing their Christmas lists with Tupper Lake's very own Santa Claus. I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Russell about his contribution to the town. When asked what made him decide to become Tupper’s very own Santa, he indicated that he wanted to give back to our local community. Mike states, “A child's smile is worth a million dollars.” When Mike, aka Santa, is not visiting our children during the holiday season you can find him volunteering at several of our local venues. Mike is a volunteer firefighter and is also a member of the football boosters, Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and Kiwanis club.
Santa Tracker 5000
As a kick off this holiday season the Spruce and Hemlock Country Store is beginning a new tradition. From November 28th through December 18th the Spruce and Hemlock Country Store invites children to drop off their letters to Santa at the store during business hours. From 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday children can place their letters in the magic mailbox that Santa dropped off. If children include a self-addressed envelope with a stamp, Santa will send a response from the North Pole. Every child who participates will be entered into prize drawings that will take place on December 18th. Prizes to be announced soon!
If you haven't already spotted Santa making his rounds in the region, there's still time for you to catch up with him and ensure your spot on the Good List. Keep an eye on the events calendar to find out when Santa will be making the following appearances in Tupper Lake:
Every year the Tupper Lake Kiwanis Club's Castle of Toys program accepts donations for local children. Donations of toys, clothing, and winter great can be dropped off at the Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union in Tupper Lake. Monetary donations can be mailed to Tupper Lake Kiwanis Club at P.O. Box 1023 Tupper Lake NY, 12986.
