The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Santa and Mrs. Claus are ready for a vacation
PORTLAND >> After the December they’ve had, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be more than ready for nice 11-month-long vacation.
The couple made a flying visit to the Portland Public Library this week to say “hello” to some of the youngest readers. And when they did, Santa and Merry Claus shared a little of their grueling schedule of personal appearances.
“We’re booked every weekend in November and every day in December,” Merry Claus said.
And those every-day bookings usually involve “multiple events,” Merry said.
That can mean “Breakfasts at the Bushnell,” or an appearance at the governor’s open house, or dropping in for a visit with the Hartford Wolfpack.
Santa (Portland resident Norm Ward in civilian life) says riding on the ice-cleaning Zamboni is at the top of Mrs. Claus’s “bucket list.”
Merry Claus is Dianne Grenier.
“We do everything,” Grenier said. “Lots of nursery schools and senior citizen centers.”
In fact, they are so committed the job of inhabiting the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus they have even shown up — in costume — for a “Christmas in July” event.
“It keeps us busy,” Merry Claus said of their hectic schedule. “Everything we do, it’s all volunteer.”
However, they have appeared at fundraisers for various libraries, including the Portland Library.
Merry and Santa have been performing together since 2007, when “we met through a mutual friend,” Merry said. Ward has been performing in the role of Santa “for the past 15 years.”
About his beard: It is real.
“I’ve had the beard since I was 20,” Ward said.
While they have an easy rapport with one another, Merry Claus says there is one thing that concerns both of them.
“There is a big shortage of Santas in Connecticut,” she explained.
Information about the group can be found on their website at www.ctsocietyofsantas.org/
ACTSS members come from all walks of life and backgrounds, but all share the same passion and love for the Christmas season. Through their portrayal of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Elves many are active in their local communities appearing at tree lighting ceremonies and in Christmas parades, fundraising events, visiting local schools, working with their local chambers of commerce and visiting hospitals, according to a portion of the “About Us’ section of the website.
“They’re always looking for more,” Merry said.
And then with time for Santa and Merry to bring their special blend of magic to the young readers at the Portland Library.
And to all, a good night.