2010 Christmas Preview

| CHRISTMAS PREVIEW | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010

CHRISTMAS PREVIEW | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010 | PAGE 3

By Debbie Glover

St. Tammany News

Reporter’s Note: As Christmas

nears, I was able to catch up with

Santa Claus as he made a personal,

early appearance in St. Tammany

last week.

Debbie Glover: Well, Santa, I

see you are as beloved as always,

with children nearly mobbing

you!Santa Claus: Yes, well, it’s the

time of year you know- heaux,

heaux.DG: So, do you enjoy visiting

our area?SC: Yes. Despite the climate

change, our heating bills are really

getting high at the pole. In fact, I

may move part of my operations to

a more temperate climate.

DG: Really? Have you consid-

ered St. Tammany Parish?

SC: Yes, I have. Good schools,

good tax structure, Lots of land. Of

course, even if we did, the locale

would be top secret. The high

water table in south Louisiana

does prevent us from going under-

ground, like we are up North. But,

my E.L.P.H. s are looking into it.

DG: What are the E. L. P. H. s?

SC: Extra Location Production

Hunters. Much like corporate real

estate hunters, they specialize in

scouting for additional locations

for factories, co-operative endeav-

ors with technology companies

and so forth. We may partner with

such a company here. I could not

move everything here—but I love

to visit.DG: What has changed the

most in the hundreds of years of

your bringing of good cheer?

SC: Sadly, a great deal. Kids

want more, parents want more.

Many don’t believe in the spirit of

the season or the miracles that can

occur—all they want is material

things.DG: Is there a cure for this?

SC: Sure. Downsize that list and

instead, give more to those with-

out. Even in prosperous areas,

there are those who need the

basics. Put the money toward bet-

ter use—food banks, faith-based

organizations, community feeding

efforts. This year it’s needed more

than ever.DG: On a lighter note, do you

still use the reindeer delivery sys-

tem?SC: Yes, there are still with me,

training every day. If they missed a

year, they would be devastated.

Their children are trained, in case

of an emergency, and they get

upset every year because they

haven’t been able to fly their

hooves, if you know what I mean.

One year I tried a rocket system,

but using other means besides

Christmas magic was not the

same. Even Rudolph’s nose did

not glow that year. We still have

our back-ups in case we need

them, but the magic always seems

to do the job. The Reindeerkins,

the kids, may be of some help in

the future of we decide to expand

to satellite locales.DG: How old are the reindeer

now?SC: Just a little younger than

the spirit itself and a little older

than me. They were there when I

arrived and helped me develop

the system. Our first deliveries

were local, then we spread and the

rest is history.DG: Is it true that you are just

one of a line of Santas, like the

Dread Pirate Robert in Princess

Bride? That you are only one of a

series of Santas and when you get

too old, another will take your

place, using the name, the suit,

etc.?SC: Nonsense, they don’t call

me the Spirit of Christmas for

nothing. No way, no how. I always

was and will always be, Santa. And

Mrs. Claus will always be my little

Anya, also. We just keep going and

going.DG: Are you having any trouble

with air flight control, or

Homeland Security?SC: Well, I have made special

arrangements with heads of state

to avoid confusion. But most of the

time, we’re flying faster than even

the latest radar equipment can

track us. Having a set schedule

and a particular night helps as

well. The officials know my

schedule, which is always a good

idea when flying. In case of a mal-

function or an accident, they

would know where to look.

DG: Do you have children?

There are a number of people late-

ly that claim to be your children.

SC: Of course. All the children

of the world are my children. We

have adopted the elves, of course,

legally in several countries, not

permitted to in others, but basical-

ly, we have no flesh and blood chil-

dren, but many adopted children.

And we feel all the children of the

world are ours as well.DG: If you could change one

thing, what would it be?

SC: That people could accept

and believe what they can’t see

with their eyes as true. They need

to be able to see with their hearts,

and believe in each other. That’s

the true meaning of the holidays.

Santa ready for the season

Christmas Preview 2010Stories by

Debbie Glover • Suzanne Le BretonErik Sanzenbach

Cover design bySheila Allemand

By Suzanne Le BretonSt. Tammany News

Remember Tickle MeElmo? How about CabbagePatch Kids or Easy BakeOvens? What about theEtch-a-Sketch?

Every year there arethose toys, the must haves,the items that only Santacan find (because all of thereal stores are sold out).

This year to help outthose Santa’s helpers outthere that have not a cluewhat to get for Johnny orLittle Suzie, the toy storegiant, Toys R Us has put outthe “15 Best of the Best Toys

of the Season” list.The local Toys R Us store

in Slidell would not com-ment on how sales on thesetoys have been locally, butinstead referred all ques-tions to the national listprepared by its corporateoffice.

The following toys areincluded on that list:

• Calico Critters LuxuryToy House

• Cuponk Game• Disney Princess and

Me dolls• Fisher-Price Imaginext

Tri-County Landfill - ToyStory 3

• Fast Lane Wildfire

Remote Control MonsterTruck

• Imaginext Bigfoot theMonster

• Leapster Explorer• Loopz• Minotarus•Monster High Cleo

DeNile and Deuce Gorgondoll set

• Nerf N-StrikeStampede ECS Blaster

• Pillow Pets• Mattel Sing-A-Ma-Jigs• Squinkies Deluxe

Playset - Cupcake SurprizeBake Shop

• Tomica Mega StationHypercity Set

Playville, which has loca-

tions in Mandeville andCovington, focuses less onthe trendy toys and more onthe traditional ones.

Stephanie Dupuy, man-ager and owner, said the hotitem for the younger crowdis the Step 2 Up and DownRollercoaster. For olderboys, Playville is selling alot of Rock tumblers andpogo sticks, and for theolder girls, people are buy-ing room decorating stufflike moon chairs, sleepingbags and spa robes.

Also really popular thisyear are the Dinosaur Traintoys, bottle cap necklacesand rip sticks.

PAGE 4 | CHRISTMAS PREVIEW | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010

Check out these hot toys for the holidays

By Debbie GloverSt. Tammany News

Along with Rudolph,Donder or Donner, Blitzen,Vixen, Cupid and the rest,Santa has a stable full ofpowerful and playful rein-deer that exercise regularly,eat right and are hopingthat this may be the yearthey can show Santa theirhooves—flight-wise.

Although there havebeen many stories writtenand many songs sung, thereare a few facts about rein-deer many people ponderthis time of year.

The reindeer, rangifertarandus, also known ascaribou, comes from thearctic and subarctic. Whileoverall widespread andnumerous, some subspeciesare rare and one is extinct.

With reindeer, both gen-der have antlers, male andfemale.

While the females insome species don’t havethem, usually they do.They are hunted and herd-ed and even domesticated.

Herds across the world arein decline, believed to becaused by the global cli-mate change. They mainlylive in tundra areas and eatlichens or other vegetation.

In some cultures, theyare used for food, hides,antlers, milk and trans-portation.

Although at Christmas,they are portrayed pulling asleigh, Lapland reindeerwould actually pull a pulk.These are the subspecies ofreindeer most associatedwith Santa Claus.

Male reindeer usuallyloose their antlers in thewinter, so Santa’s reindeerare probably old men orfemales or a combination ofboth.

Legend says they are fitfor flying because of theantlers, which create abird-like wing-like effect.There is also suspicion ofmagic or magic dustinvolved. Much like somebreeds of dogs, layers of furprotect them from the cold,but are also probably quitelightweight.

While Santa’s reindeerare well taken care of, hehas provided the utmost ofcare to their offspring aswell. Many reindeer inzoos, particularly pettingzoos, are rumored to have afamous pedigree.

In addition to their diet,Santa has taken care oftheir exercise. The famousreindeer games are helddaily to improve speed,coordination and all-around good muscle reflex.While humans may miss aday or two of exercise,Santa’s famous four-leggedfriends are definitelyworld-class, globe-trotting,or flying, athletes.

The naming of the ninehas often been a mysteryand a debate has ensuedabout the Donner-Dondercontroversary. Actually, theoriginal names are Dutch-Dunder and Blixem, thun-der and lightning. It wasthe famous poem byClement C. Moore wherethe names Donder andBlitzen. Then, in 1949, inthe story of Rudolph, the

much-maligned reindeerwas called Donner. Whenasked, Santa said he(Donder-Donner) doesn’tcare, “As long as you callhim to dinner.”

Vixen, despite her name,is hitched, both literally andfiguratively, to Cupid.

Dasher is, of course a fastrunner and Dancer, well,

she could have a dance stu-dio and performs every-thing from hiphop to ballet.Prancer is a frustratedmodel and uses the ice as amirror to constantly preen.Comet is the fastest and canmotivate the others wellwhen running behind.

And everyone knows thestory of Rudolph, although

Santa insists the bullyingtactics cited in the story aredefinitely not allowed.

So this year, whenpreparing for Santa’s visit,don’t forget the reindeer.Instead of sweets, andbecause lichen is so, well,messy, just leave them somekibble or carrots. And enjoythe season.

Reindeer can fly...can’t they?



From mistletoe to a pickle on the fir tree,Christmas customs are as many and variedas there are nationalities in the world. Somecustoms, however, are purely southLouisiana.

One Christmas tradition and custom stillfollowed by many is attending midnightmass or church services at or near mid-night. In the earlier days of French NewOrleans, residents would attend midnightMass and then go home to a breakfast feast,called a reveillon. Although most peoplenow simply retire for the evening after mid-night mass or church services, some will dolast-minute preparations for family feastsand Christmas Day festivities as well asopen a present or two.

Instead of a reveillon after midnightMass, most families settle for a middayfeast comprised of tradition family recipes.These could include various types of dress-ing, like cornbread or oyster, a turkey orham or both, side dishes like green beancasserole, sweet potato pie or casserole andcranberry sauce. Many families pass theirtradition feast recipes from one generationto the next and even children will complainif part of the traditional meal is not includ-ed for some reason.

Mistletoe comes from the Celts, whoused the herb to heal. It was also said topromote fertility. Some superstitionsinvolve luck for kissing under the greeneryand bad luck if you don’t; young ladies plac-ing a sprig under their pillow allows themto dream of their future husband; and tak-ing mistletoe down before the nextChristmas is bad luck.

In Germany, a pickle was placed on thetree Christmas Eve after the children wentto bed. The one to find it the next morninggot a special present.

Doors was thrown open at midnightChristmas Eve to let the trapped evil spiritsout. Also, sweeping the threshold wasthought to clear out trouble for the nextyear. These are often done on New Year’s aswell, or instead.

In New Orleans, Twelfth Night, or Jan. 6,the Epiphany, or Little Christmas, officiallyopens the Mardi Gras social season, whichlasts until midnight of Mardi Gras Day.Some people save a gift or give a special gifton this day.

The tradition of the Christmas treevaries by each culture. The symbolism of

greenery, however, is universally acceptedas meaning life’s triumph over death in thecold winter.

Trees became popular in the UnitedStates in the early 1900s and have gonethrough a variation of decorating and treestyles, including the now-sought-after alu-minum tree of the 1950s; colored trees(even pink) in the 1950s; and artificial treesof today in every color, pre-lit or unlit.

Many people in St. Tammany enjoy a dayof visiting a tree farm to select and cut afresh tree. Although limited in tree species,this custom has proven to be a contagiousone as the tree lasts longer, is fresh and islocal.

In Louisiana, another well-known tradi-tion is the building of and lighting of bon-fires on Christmas Eve along theMississippi River to light Papa Noel’s waythrough the foggy night. Since it rarelysnows here, fog is much more likely to hin-der progress Christmas night of anyonebearing gifts, especially if they are flyinglow. The bonfires let Papa Noel find his wayand separate the land from the river.

South Louisianans are also quite fond ofdecorating their trees with local ornamentart. Everything from blown glass, silver,ceramics to porcelain and needlepoint issold depicting various places around south-east Louisiana. Many trees depict Santa rid-ing alligators or beignets, plantationvignettes or Mardi Gras floats or crowns.

Other local customs involve Santa’sarrival by pirogue, boat, fire truck or motor-cycle.

Stocking hung by the fire dates back topeople hanging their socks by the fire todry. Legend has it that a man had lost hisfortune and had no dowry to offer his threedaughters. St. Nicholas dropped three smallbags of gold down the chimney, where theylanded in the stockings. They could then beused for the dowries.

Gift giving is thought to traditionallyoriginate with the gifts given by the WiseMen, Three Kings or Magi to the Christchild. Instead of celebrating the gift givingon Jan. 6, the day traditionally celebrated aswhen the Magi reached the Christ child, itis celebrated Christmas Eve or ChristmasDay.

In conjunction with modern gift-givingis the practice of shopping on the day afterThanksgiving, or Black Friday. This is the

Reveillon, carolingstill practiced

SEE REVEILLON, PAGE 14


Davis helps ring in the holidays

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis and his son, John Clay, enjoy the cele-bration in Covington last weekend. (Photo by John Glover)


Santa is coming toMadisonville Dec. 5 and hewon’t be alone—the Mrs.will be making a rareappearance with him.

The festivities in thesmall town by theTchefuncte River will beginat 1 p.m. with a parade. Itwill start at the MaritimeMusem, travel down MainStreet, take a left onJahncke, a right on Pine, aright on St. Tammany and aright on Water Street end-ing at Town Hall.

As the parade, includingmarching bands, reachesTown Hall, Santa and Mrs.Claus will arrive at the dockfrom their trip down theTchefuncte River at about2:30 p.m. They will begreeted by many well-wish-ers, including Mayor PeterGitz, the St. Paul’sMarching Wolves, Boy

Scouts and Brownies, toname but a few.

Santa will then lead theprocession into his work-shop for the day, Town Hall.Many treats and surprisesawait boys and girls as theycan make their own giftsand visit with Santa. Therewill also be letter writing toSanta and pictures, cookiedecorating and story timewith Mrs. Claus. For the

intrepid New OrleansSaints fans, Santa hasarranged a TV on the river-front.

At dusk, about 5 p.m.,there will be caroling, cook-ies and hot chocolate as thetree is lit in front of TownHall.

Don’t miss the display oftrees in front of the LakePontchartrain BasinMaritime Museum. Groups

and corporations are spon-soring the trees and theywill be decorated beginningNov. 30. The trees willremain throughout the hol-idays.

Admission for all eventsis free, but the MadisonvilleChamber is collecting Toysfor Tots. So help the towncelebrate by cheering Santaand bringing a gift for achild that needs one.


• Mandeville’s annualWinter on the Water eventwill be held Dec. 11 and willbe very special this year.

Free horse and buggyrides along the lakefront,sponsored by the city, willbe offered from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Entertainment will

begin at the gazebo at 3:30p.m. and Mandeville RotaryClub will be selling hotchocolate and cookies.

• Santa’s ChristmasParade will return this year.It will begin at the harbor at4:15 p.m. and roll to thegazebo. The parade willinclude a variety of partici-pants, including local highschool bands, local organi-

zations, Clifford the BigRed Dog, ROTC, scouttroops, dance teams, theCity Council and MayorDonald Villere.

• This year Winter onthe Water will be honoringOfficer Silky Sullivan, andhe will ride with the mayorin the parade.

Upon arriving at thegazebo, Santa will distrib-

ute candy to all the chil-dren. Mandeville Elemen-tary and WoodlakeElementary will perform,opening for the show’smain headliner, BennyGrunch and the Bunch. Atapproximately 5:15 p.m. themayor will turn on thelights, illuminating theentire gazebo area. As theentertainment continues,

the boat parade will beginon the lake. The event willend at 6 p.m. and the gener-al public is invited toattend. Admission is free.

• Winter on the Waterwill immediately followOld Mandeville BusinessAssociation’s ChristmasPast Festival, which willtake place earlier on Girod

Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.the same day. The festivalwill offer fun for the entirefamily, including entertain-ment, crafts, vendors, con-tests, Christmas carolingand much more. Anyonewho wants to participate inthe parade, should callMarlaine Peachey in themayor’s office at 626-1082


A special Christmas treelighting and dedication willbe held Sunday in AbitaSprings.

Ben Banches, whose wifeowns LaRue’s Hair Salon in

town has donated at 20-foot tree and has organizedan event to be held sur-rounding its ceremoniallighting.

Banches said the treewill be placed at theTrailhead and the lightswill come on at 5 p.m. The

tree will be dedicated to thetown.

Festivities will begin at 3p.m. and will last until6p.m. Santa Claus is expect-ed to arrive at 4 p.m.

Local merchants havebeen invited to participatewith booths, and many will

be providing food anddrinks. There will also beholiday music provided bya disc jockey.

Anyone wishing to par-ticipate should call theBanches at 504-400-6081.

He said he got the ideafor what he hopes will

become an annual townevent from the movie“Funny Farm,” and he feltAbita Springs “lends itselfto something like this.”

The town itself is expect-ed to turn on its lights onthe field across from TownHall and at the Trailhead

the first weekend inDecember.

Santa Claus will makeanother appearance in thetown on Dec. 19, when hewill ride around on a firetruck before arriving atTown Hall to take picturesand hand out presents.


Abita to celebrate Christmas

Mandeville revs up the celebration this December

Madisonville celebration welcomes Santa and Mrs. Claus


Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people crowded under the oaks for the lighting of the trees and the arrivalof Santa Claus. The oak trees in front of the Emergency Operation Center, the former St. Tammany ParishCourt House, are star-lit for the season. Entertainment was provided by Hands of Praise from Faith Bible andCovenant Christian Church. As little hands reached to touch Santa and get a treat, the jolly man tried to sin-gle out each child and provide them with an early Christmas memory. (Photos by John Glover)

Santa kicks off Christmas season in Covington


The 11th annual Holidayof Lights celebration willtake place at the TammanyTrace Trailhead on KoopDrive off LouisianaHighway 59 in Mandeville.

This event is free andopen to the public.

The celebration will beheld Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11 from6-9 p.m.

The event includesChristmas trees, variousdisplays, Christmas carol-ers, music groups, and alighted 160 foot watertower.

This year the celebration

will also present the grandopening of the Kids TownPavilion. The Holiday ofLights is sponsored by theTammany Trace Founda-tion and St. TammanyParish Government.

Sponsors are still beingsought to help with thisevent. If you are interestedin participating as a spon-sor, please call Lisa Maddoxat 867-9490.

While the performanceswill only take place on thosefour days, the displays willremain lit and open to thepublic until Jan. 2.

Holiday of Lights

begins Dec. 3

Christmas Underthe Stars

The city will hold its tra-ditional Christmas Underthe Stars this year startingDec. 10, but it will be scaledback and in a differentvenue.

Because of the construc-tion of the Slidell Aud-itorium, Christmas Underthe Stars has been movedfrom its traditional locationof Griffith Park to HeritagePark.

There will be the tradi-tional Christmas trees dec-orated by various organiza-tions in the city as well asentertainment. However,unlike other years, the dis-play will be cut back until itreturns to Griffith Park forChristmas 2011.

There will be entertain-ment on four nights, witheach evening dedicated todifferent aspects of the hol-iday season.

The Dec. 10 opening,called “The Nutcracker”

will start at 6 p.m. with awelcome by Mayor FreddieDrennan, presentation ofthe colors, a benedictionand the singing of “SilentNight” by the Pagones fam-ily. After that Santa andMrs. Claus will fly in fol-lowed by a performance of“The Nutcracke” by BalletEsprit.

The Dec.11 festivities willcelebrate Hispanic Christ-mas with a program calledFeliz Navidad. That alsostarts at 6 p.m. with storytelling, Santa and Mrs.Claus in the gazebo, andperformances by the LittleOak Firecrackers JumpRope Team, the MacedoniaBaptist Church DancingAngels and the Faith BibleChurch Worship Team.

The German Christmastraditions will be celebrat-ed Dec. 17. Again, there willbe storytelling, Mr. andMrs. Claus beginning at 6p.m. Then there will bemusic and Christmas carolssung by choirs from

Cypress Grove Elementary,St. Luke the EvangelistChurch, and Carolyn ParkMiddle School.

Finally, on Dec. 18, thetraditions of Kwanzaa willbe spotlighted at ChristmasUnder the Stars in HeritagePark. Starting at 6 p.m.there will be storytellingand Christmas music per-formed by the StarlightMissionary Baptist ChurchMass Choir and the DoweyGaston African MethodistEpiscopal Church Voices ofPraise. Of course Santa andMrs. Claus will be in thegazebo to listen to what thechildren want forChristmas.

Events at theNorthshoreHarbor Center

There will be severalChristmas events at theNorthshore Harbor Centerin Slidell. The DeltaFestival Ballet and the

Louisiana PhilharmonicOrchestra will put on theperennial Christmasfavorite, “The Nutcracker,”at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 & 5. Ticketsfor the ballet can be boughtby calling 718-4905. TheU.S. Marine Corps ForcesReserve Band will performChristmas music Dec. 9.

Christmas Traindisplay

The city will also set upits famous Christmas Traindisplay at the DubuissonGallery at 300 Robert St. forall children and adults tolook at. The train set wassaved after HurricaneKatrina by three intrepidSlidellians and runs on agiant track. The train runsthrough the snowy coun-tryside and a small town alldecorated for Christmas. Atthis time, the dates for thetrain have not been set, butit will run throughout theholiday season.

» slidell christmas events


day that stores offer salesand deals on items hopingto lure shoppers into theirstores. Some stores offerlimited numbers of outra-geously marked down highdemand electronics ortechno gifts and people lit-

erally camp out in line to bethe first in the store to claimtheir bargain.

Works of charity are alsopart of several families’ tra-ditions for the Christmasseason, regardless of reli-gious beliefs or background.Giving to the poor, adoptinga needy family to provide

them with gifts or helpingre-stock the local food bankare necessary this yearmore than ever due to theeconomy. Whatever yourparticular set of customsand traditions may be, enjoythem with those you lovemostm or better yet, startyour own tradition.

» FROM PAGE 6

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