Tag: 221222

The big red suit

Prepping the beard & putting on bells for the season

Santa Mark (Marc Nozell in the off season) gives us a look at what it’s like to wear the big red suit.

How did you first get into being Santa?

I used to be Santa for our six kids back around the turn of the century with a suit my wife picked up at a yard sale. But I didn’t get back into it until about five years ago. My sons in their 20s were doing a No Shave November and had pretty sad beards, so I wanted to show them how it was done. Turns out it came in thick and all white. My wife and I were at the Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll and I wore a Santa cap. We noticed little kids pointing and asking their parents about if I was Santa. We ran into a local booker of Santas who pointed me to the New England Santa Society and their Santa Camp. From then on, I was hooked.

How do you get into character?

Pretty straightforward: I make sure all the tools of the trade are in my bag — copies of the classic books ‘Twas the Night before Christmas and the newer Are You Grumpy, Santa? by Gregg Spiridellis; mini candy canes; Santa wooden nickels; a special Santa Spray for the beard that some people may mistake for diluted peppermint essential oil; an extra pair of white gloves; and jingle bells for making a grand entrance. Then, suit up — pants, jacket, faux-fur lined boots and the wide leather belt complete with three magical keys and yet more bells. After brushing out the beard to make it fuller, I then apply some beard cream to curl up the mustache to look a bit like a smile. I’ve been blessed with naturally full and chubby cheeks and only need a pinch or two to make them a little bit more rosy.

Is there a Mrs. Claus? Does she ever join you?

There is the person I’m married to, but portraying Mrs. Claus isn’t her cup of tea. There is a performer in my town who sometimes comes along as Mrs. Ginger Claus. The New England Santa Society is encouraging including a Mrs. C. when people are looking for a Santa.

Is the beard real?

Yup! You can’t be a member of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas if you don’t. I’m not kidding; when you join you need to provide a headshot showing a beard. I keep a beard year-round, and Dec. 25 I traditionally trim back down only to grow it out again in August.

What is the funniest thing a kid has ever said to you?

This year, there was a request for a real unicorn, but I had to explain that Santa can’t deliver live animals anymore because the elves don’t want to deal with the poop that gets in the sleigh. Another little one wanted just handcuffs. His parents were quick to explain he already had the rest of the cops-and-robbers toys.

What is the most asked-for Christmas present?

Legos are always popular, and there are lots of requests for L.O.L. dolls.

How do your virtual visits work?

In 2020, I started to do virtual visits with children. Through my website, parents sign up for a 15-minute visit with Santa and provide some background information including if they have an Elf on the Shelf and any particular family traditions. After having remote learning for school, the kids were pretty comfortable meeting virtually over the computer. We talk about the usual stuff you do in person. Sometimes Santa, with some assistance from the parents, will hide an early little gift somewhere in their house.

What do you love most about being Santa?

There are some children who know in their heart they are talking to the real Santa. They look in my eyes and are very sincere as we talk. I call them the true believers, and they make me love to keep this season as magical as possible for them for as long as possible.

Five favorites
Favorite Christmas song: Either “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” or John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
Favorite cookie: Whatever cookies are left out for me, but you can never go wrong with sugar cookies.
Favorite Christmas movie: I’m tempted to say Die Hard, but my favorite is the 1991 animated Father Christmas by the makers of “The Snowman,” written by Raymond Briggs.
Favorite winter activity: Spreading joy and happiness. Starting right after Thanksgiving, my weekends are packed with parades, family and company holiday parties, photo shoots, visiting daycares and country clubs — no rest until after Christmas Eve.
Favorite holiday aroma: Cinnamon — in cookies, pies and mulled cider.

Featured photo: Santa Mark. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/12/22

No TikTok

Gov. Chris Sununu signed an executive order on Thursday, Dec. 15, adding New Hampshire to the growing list of states that have banned the use of the Chinese-owned video-sharing mobile app TikTok and other foreign technologies on state networks and state-issued devices. The order states that there is reasonable belief that such technologies may enable the manufacturer to collect sensitive data about citizens and businesses; commit cyber-espionage against government entities; conduct surveillance and tracking of individual users; and modify algorithms to spread disinformation; among other concerns. “This move will help preserve the safety, security, and privacy of the citizens of New Hampshire,” Sununu said in a press release.

Searching for Covid

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services announces the implementation of a wastewater surveillance program for the purpose of monitoring Covid-19 levels in New Hampshire communities. According to a press release, the virus can be shed in wastewater, and viral fragments in community-wide samples collected from wastewater treatment facilities can be used to track trends in changing levels of the virus over time. The program will collect data at State Public Health Laboratories and potentially enable the Department to issue earlier warnings about rising levels of the virus in communities. “This is another tool we can use to help monitor Covid-19 spread in our state,” DPHS Director Patricia Tilley said in the release. “Wastewater surveillance does not depend on individuals testing for Covid-19, so this new program has the potential to provide additional and earlier insight about Covid-19 in our communities.”

Vigil

Catholic Medical Center’s Health Care for the Homeless, Families in Transition NH, Hope for NH Recovery, The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester and the NH Coalition to End Homelessness were scheduled to lead the sixth annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Vigil on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Manchester. Luminaries will be lit for individuals affected by homelessness who have died in 2022. Participants are encouraged to bring battery-operated candles if they have them.

Shibinette steps down

New Hampshire Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette officially stepped down from the position on Friday, Dec. 16, after announcing her resignation in July. Appointed to the position by Gov. Chris Sununu in January 2020, Shibinette has led the Department of Health and Human Services’ response to Covid-19 and regularly accompanied Gov. Sununu at televised press conferences to provide updates on the pandemic. Gov. Sununu said in a statement he “cannot thank her enough” for her service to New Hampshire over the course of the pandemic. “Throughout her tenure, Lori has played a key role in my administration as New Hampshire’s top health official,” he said. “From the early days of the pandemic to her leadership at New Hampshire Hospital, Lori has earned the respect and trust of New Hampshire’s citizens. I consider her a great friend and wish her all the best in whatever she decides to do next.”

Recovery Friendly Workplace

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections announces its participation in Recovery Friendly Workplace, a program in which workplaces commit to recognize recovery from substance use disorder as a strength and promote a willingness to work with team members in recovery. “As Corrections professionals, we chose this line of work because of our desire to help others,” Commissioner Helen Hanks said in a press release. “The Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative provides our department with an important tool to further our goal of providing a healthy, safe, and stigma-free environment, where employees feel comfortable reaching out for help when they need it.” Gov. Chris Sununu’s Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health, David Mara, joined by Shannon Swett and Samantha Lewandowski from Recovery Friendly Workplace, presented the Department with a designation from the governor recognizing its participation in the program on Friday, Dec. 16.

Encampments removed

City and state officials removed three homeless encampments on state- and city-owned properties in Concord, NHPR reported, requiring the residents, of whom there were about 15 to 20 per encampment, to evacuate the areas by Dec. 15. Complaints from community members and organizations and health and safety concerns regarding sanitation, drug use and property damage prompted officials to take action. The City Council appropriated $35,000 to clean up the areas. State law prohibits unapproved housing structures on state property that are not defined as campgrounds, according to the article.

Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit that provides essential items to children in struggling families, now has a donation bin at the Xfinity store at 1500 S. Willow St. in Manchester, according to a press release. The most needed items are clothing, winter coats and jackets and shoes, but other items are also accepted, including new socks and underwear, new pajamas, children’s books, arts and crafts supplies, school supplies, unopened diapers and training pants and new hygiene items. Visit cradlestocrayons.org.

A sinkhole roughly 12 feet long and 6 feet wide formed near Commercial Alley in Portsmouth on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 17, the Portsmouth Herald reported, resulting in the closure of Market Street. The closure was still in effect as of Monday afternoon as city public works crews worked to fill in and pave over the hole. According to the article, city officials said the two active pipes running beneath Market Street remained intact and did not cause the collapse.

The Upper Room, a family resource center at 36 Tsienneto Road in Derry, is looking for teens who want to make an impact in their community. According to a press release, teens are invited to inquire about the center’s Community Service Learning Program, where they can participate in service at local nursing homes, thrift shops and food pantries and projects like an anti-tobacco campaign, Drug Take Back Day and more. The group meets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Teens may attend one or both days and must commit to staying for the full three hours. Call 427-8477, ext. 114.

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