CHAPTER OFFICERS: V O L U M E
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I S S U E
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N E W S L E T T E R
D A T E
PRESIDENT: BO TURNER, SANTA OPA CLAUS
VICE– PRESIDENT: BOB BULICK, SANTA BOB
MEETING COORDINATOR: OPEN POSITION
SECRETARY: SHERRY MCCURLEY SSEMCC@HOTMAIL.COM
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
President Musings
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A Visit From Nick Santa Jerry Green brought wonderful guest speakers to our April 1st meeting, Mr. Nick Ledbetter and his mom, Susan Ledbetter. They are the only reindeer breeders in the state of Oklahoma. Now, since most reindeer are in Alaska or Norway it probably doesn’t come as a big surprise to most of us that there is only one in Oklahoma, but the paper work required does. “You basically have to be registered as a zoo to keep reindeer,” Nick told us. Nick discussed how he got into the business and what certifications were necessary to raise reindeer. He also talked about the possible illnesses that befall them. Nick and Susan regaled us with
In the Sleigh
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Raffles
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Christmas Trivia
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Known Concerns
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Vendors/Classified
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Upcoming Events
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several colorful anecdotes from taking them out to the schools for educational talks. He did mention they are fairly docile and
play games (of course) and take many pictures. The reindeer generally rent for $300/day. Some Reindeer Facts: Affectionate Trainable Smaller cousins of Caribou Give Reindeer “kisses” Love Animal Crackers Don’t jump much or very high
Nick Ledbetter, Reindeer Breeder
can be kept in line by giving their noses a twist. They display the animals at the Polar Express in Stillwater. They
Don’t kick backwards like mules Both males and females lose their antlers each year and grow a new pair each year Males lose their antlers in Nov. Females lose theirs in spring
In the Spotlight Sherry McCurley has just accepted the position of secretary for our chapter. Sherry has been a Mrs. Claus to her Santa Steve for the past 24 years. It all started when she was asked to make a suit for a local bank Santa. That Santa couldn’t fulfill his duties one year
and her husband stepped in, There was a 6 inch height difference, but the suit fit perfectly. Ahh, the magic of Christmas! Sherry has taken on the Mrs. C persona whenever needed. She is also the head elf in charge of logistics for the operation.
When not working with the big man, she is the director of the Adult Learning Center at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, OK. However, she is looking forward to her upcoming retirement the end of June.
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Musings from the President Wow! I’m still amazed at the number of Santa and Mrs Claus our Chapter has grown to. To think that we are so young of a Chapter and still growing. It’s a busy spring so far for me. I have just returned from the IBRBS Face to Face Board meeting in Denver and am excited about the new direction the organization is planning to take. Bob Bulick has volunteered and joined the Education Committee which will be Priority 1 for the organ-
“I think I am a much better person because I am Santa...I have created memories to last a lifetime.” Glenn Burket
ization as we continue to seek growth and retention of our members. The intent is to build a wonderful library of information to allow members to view and study in their growth within the Christmas Community. The Tulsa break out looked to be a good time and I hope to have one for us in Central Oklahoma soon as well (Did my in state rivalry just show up?). The more chances we have
to get together and to share will help each individual to learn and share for the betterment of our Chapter and our personas. I’m still so proud of how our Chapter was the inspiration and the guide as how to form and build a state or regional Chapter, but we can’t stop there. I see a need for us as a group to help in our communities outside of our season. Continued page 3
In the Sleigh In the sleigh this time is Santa Glenn Burkett. from Tulsa County near the North Pole, that would be the north telephone pole. His first gig as the man in red was for a Cub Scout pack in 2008. “I had a Santa hat, but the only red coat I had was a Marlboro jacket. My wife and I sewed white fur trim to the jacket, but the jacket would not zip up with the pillow pad-
ding, so I bought a wide belt from a thrift store with a large square buckle and I had to cut it in the back and piece it together with a piece of elastic so the belt would show in front. A pair of red sweatpants completed the outfit and it looked pretty bad, but the children didn't seem to mind. I handed each one a candy cane and a pinewood derby car kit wrapped in Christmas paper.
The following week-end we volunteered as a pack to ring the bell for the Salvation Army at Kmart. I wore my Santa outfit and the children waved and smiled and begin to line up to get pictures with the "real" Santa and my heart just melted. It has continued to melt ever since that day. “ Glenn says his wife helped out last year at Utica Square as Mrs. Claus, but the “Santathing” is clearly my gig.”
Club Raffle At the April 1st meeting we held two raffles. The purpose was to raise a little cash for the club for incidental expenses such as cards or flowers for members in time of sickness, death, or other occasions.
Kringle’s Knock Apart Throne
The first raffle was a $10 buy in for a chance at win-
RED
HAT
CHAT
ning a beautiful snowflake belt buckle. The buckle was donated by Santa Stephen Arnold and his company, Toys for Santa. It was won by Santa Michael Noble. The second item raffled off was a set of plans for Bob Bulick’s new chair he has designed.
Thank you to everyone for the contributions. We appreciate your generosity.
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Christmas Trivia the bottom. The stamp was designed by William Mumas Issued lock, the Canadian Stamp Postmaster General.
1st Christ-
In today’s market it is worth approx. $45.00 if in mint condition. Did you Know Canada was the first country to issue a Christmas stamp?
Canada didn’t issue another one until 1964.
Issued December 7, 1898, it was known as the “map stamp”. The only clue that it was a Christmas stamp is the word XMAS 1898 near
The Christmas Mountains in Canada are named after the original 8 reindeer. They are located in northern New Brunswick at the headwaters of North Pole Stream. The ten peaks include North Pole Mountain and Mount St. Nicholas. Mount Dasher is the tallest of the peaks and Mount Comet is the shortest at 2,461 feet and 1,804 feet, respectively.
from the president continued... I have some ideas, and hope to share, and hear some of your ideas as well as to how we can.
Until next we meet, keep smiling and bringing Joy to others.
The OK Chapter of Santas has two Facebook pages.
Continue to seek out others within the Christmas Community and tell them about our Merriment and invite them to coffee or a doughnut and inform them. Growth is a good thing, and we should always be reaching out to help our Brothers and Sisters in Red.
Bo Turner Oklahoma Santas Chapter President IBRBS Board of Directors One more thing—
One is the public page: “Oklahoma Santa affiliate Chapter of the IBRBS” and the other page is the private page: “Members only OKLAHOMA Santas Affiliate Chapter of IBRBS”.
Like us on Facebook.
Make sure you are on them both. This is an easy way to get information out to all of our members quickly.
Known Concerns
Next Raffle
Sandy Bates, wife of Santa David Bates, has been diagnosed with cancer. She is undergoing treatment at this time. They are from Tulsa. Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
We have already had two donations promised for the next quarter’s Red Hat Chat. Santa Delbert will donate some Bells and Nick Ledbetter will
donate a reindeer antler. Maybe it will be Rudolph’s. You won’t want to miss that chance!
Antlers from the Reindeer Club in Bristow
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Classifieds/Vendors Reindeer Club
Reindeer Club owner & operator, Nick
516 W. 11th, Bristow, OK
Ledbetter will give Oklahoma Santas a spe-
918-906-6117 Reindeerclub@yahoo www.facebook.com/Okreindeerclub Owner, Nick Ledbetter
cial price for photoshoots of $50.00/hr. September & October would be best time. Contact him to set up a date now! Info. at left.
For inexpensive, round Santa glasses www.zenniopitcal.com For long, white gloves http://santasclauset.org
The Oklahoma Santa’s Chapter of IBRBS doesn’t endorse
https://www.toysforsanta.com/
these or any vendors.
Upcoming Events 3rd Quarterly Red Hat Chat
April 2018
Saturday, July 15th
IBRBS Santa Gathering in Denver
Time & Place TBA
Omni Hotel More info. coming soon
Red Hat Chat April 1st at the Stables Café in Guthrie