2020 was the year of politics and pandemics. Even professional Santas weren t immune.
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Shelby, 4, (l-r), Delaney, 2, Lacey, 7, and Steven Dolgener have their photo taken with Santa before doing their last minute shopping at Memorial City Mall Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Houston.Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
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Santa relaxes after a long night of bringing toys to all the good girls and boys. This is the eighth year that Clem Webb has brought Santa to Beaumont for Santa By Appointment. Photo made on December 22, 2020. Fran Ruchalski/The EnterpriseFran Ruchalski, The Enterprise / The EnterpriseShow MoreShow Less
David Baugh became Santa in the same way Lana Turner became an actress: He was discovered. He had been out shopping at a Kroger one day four years ago when a man walked up to him and said, “You’d make a
The Inseide Dope
On Sunday I came across an article on Jean Robert-Houdin. How appropriate for Christmas, I thought. Though I doubt you ever heard of him, his last name resembles one you know, and for good reason: Houdini (birth name Erik Weisz) took his stage name as an homage to Robert-Houdin. So who was he? Robert-Houdin is considered the father of modern conjuring. A 19th century French magician, he radicalized how magicians performed, as well as how they were perceived. Before him, magicians were street and festival performers, and were viewed as tricksters at best, mountebanks at worst, and low lifes any which way.
Santas in Alabama need a little extra magic this year (and maybe a plexiglass shield)
Updated Dec 23, 2020;
To be Santa or not to be Santa?
In 2020, that’s the question for jolly old elves across the country, as they weigh the pros and cons of portraying Kriss Kringle during the coronavirus pandemic.
There are risks attached to the role, even for the heartiest of men, and some of the traditional Santa tasks such as shaking hands, hugging admirers, posing for photos and paying close attention to kids whispering in their ears can seem downright dangerous as the virus continues to spread.
ALBION â Not only did lifelong Albion resident Charles Howard play Santa Claus at the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City for 18 years, he taught others how to portray Saint Nick. Partly for this reason, state Route 31 between Transit and Wood roads was dedicated to his memory Monday.
Before the ceremony got underway, Joe Gehl, co-director of the Albion Betterment Committee, said the effort to rename the highway began with the committee. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, and state Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, sponsored a bill based on what the committee presented.
âThe governor signed the bill, I believe it was in September,â Gehl said. âSteve Hawley said heâd like to have a ceremony unveiling the sign before Christmas. Thatâs why weâre here today.â
Albion s famous Santa gets a road named in his honor
Charles W. Howard started a Santa school and was the Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa for 18 years
Special tribute for Albion s famous Santa Claus
and last updated 2020-12-21 19:48:30-05
ALBION, N.Y. (WKBW-TV) â A portion of NYS Route 31 between Transit Road and Wood Road in Albion has now been dedicated as the Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.
Since it is a state road, the change was approved by the New York State Legislature and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
NYS Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and NYS Senator Robert Ortt (R-Lockport) co-sponsored the legislation and attended the dedication.