cityXtra (CXN Magazine) - Dec2013issue by Jax Gay Magazine

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CONTENTS VOL. 4, ISSUE 3

14 16

Legal Corner Religious Corner

PROFILE 08

IN EVERY ISSUE

Happening Around North Florida

DOWN TO BUSINESS 03 12 16 20

Content Da Diva: Michael Burton R.I.P. Legal Corner: Reasons You Need A Lawyer Religious Corner: Searching for REAL Historical Santa

COVER STORY 10

A Gay Christmas Story

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE New Years Resolutions Holding UP Atlantic Beach Tackles HRO Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for the next issue? Get a sneak preview. Subscribe to RSS feeds on our website, CXNMag.com, and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Google+

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JACKSONVILLE 616: 616 Park St. (904) 358-6969

Bo’s Club: 201 5th Ave. N. (Jax Beach) (904) 246-9874 bosclub.com Club Jax: 1939 Hendricks Ave. (904) 398-7451 clubjax.com Hamburger Mary’s: 3333-1 Beach Blvd. (904) 551-2048 hamburgermarys.com/jax Incahoots: 711 Edison Ave. (904) 3536316 Park Place: 931 King St. (904) 389-6616 Metro: 859 Willow Branch Ave. (904) 388-7192 metrojax.com The Norm: 2952 Roosevelt (904) 384-0029

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nightlife

Boot Rack: 4751 Lenox Blvd. (904) 384-7090 bootrack.com

cityXtra cityXtra News Magazine Staff Publisher: David Vandygriff publisher@cxnmagazine.com Executive Editor: Louis Suffredini editor@cxnmagazine.com Creative Designer: Shane Johnson info@cxnmagazine.com Director of Sales: Carlos Martinez sales@cxnmagazine.com cityXtra News Magazine is published by GLBT Advertising Inc. 2941 Plum Street Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 410-9592 Jacksonville Office (321) 426-0296 Orlando Office www.cxnmagazine.com

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“Great article on Cher. It was very informative and up-to-date. Great work!”

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Contributing Writers David Vandygriff, Mamie Joshlin, Joey Amato, Sebastion Fortino, Dr. Harvey Carr, Atty. Gordon Nicol, Greg Henchar, Michael Smith

DEADLINE FOR J AN 15th ISSUE IS J AN 5th COVER PHOTOGRAPHY David W. Vandygriff cityXtra News Magazine is published 12 times per year. Reprints are available. Contact of contributing advertisers does not reflect the opinions of the publisher. Advertisers have proofed respective articles, and content is assumed true and correct. cityXtra is not responsible for the business dealings of its advertisers. cityXtra is for information purposes only. cityXtra News Magazine (TM). All rights reserved. The contents of this publication, including articles, may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Address changes should be submitted via e-mail to subscriptions@cxnmag.com. Send story ideas and requests for article reprints to pubisher@cxnmagazine.com or call 904.410.9592 Jacksonville Office or 321.426.0296 Orlando Office.

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Happening Around North Florida Written By: Jason Futch & Theresa Strickland

LAKE CITY PRIDE TO WELCOME EQUALITY FLORIDA BACK; A MOVEMENT TO BEGIN THE PUSH FOR A HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE IN LAKE CITY AND MORE!

One important factor that will benefit the community is Lake City Pride’s partnership with Equality Florida. This beautiful friendship formed last year, and this year things are beginning to heat up with them! In November, Lake City Pride Hello. Thanks for reading my inaugural article agreed to a one-year sponsorship agreement with about the happenings going on beyond Florida’s premier LGBT advocacy group in Jacksonville! I will be covering developing and exchange for promotion work at the next Equality breaking news throughout North Florida which will Gala in Jacksonville, slated to be in October. include the following counties: Baker, Columbia, EQFL’s Connie Siu has been in absolute contact Union, Bradford, Alachua, Suwannee and with the organization and is very optimistic of the Madison Counties. I know that is a mouthful, but organization’s partnership. we need to remember the neighbors next to you who continue to struggle to get basic protections I have also been working with other businesses on the local charters and groups in forming a coalition that is slated to and ordinances; as well be called “An Equal Columbia County.” Its mission as to raise an will be to draft and submit a Human Rights awareness that we are Ordinance and submit it to the Lake City Council everywhere. members. Depending on the end result, it will be submitted to the Columbia County Board of This month it is ALL Commissioners. EQFL has also agreed to work about Lake City! I am with the organization as soon as their mission in very proud to say I live Jacksonville is complete. The organization is set in a city such as Lake to kick off in the middle of the next year, to be in City; where everything full effect by next year’s Lake City Pride festival on continues to grow! The September 27, 2014. Please make sure you read city’s population has next doubled; businesses month’s have begun to thrive and make a footprint in the article, as Gateway to Florida; and the college here has I will shed new light in the local community in regards keep to the importance of a quality education. everyone in the But one important thing that has occurred, is that loop the case for equality is being made here in the about community. In 2011, Lake City Pride formed with what is a handful of volunteers that includes both straight going on allies and LGBT individuals, and opened up a new in our door for people in Lake City’s gay community. neck of Since the founding of the first LGBT organization the in Lake City, other programs have formed and woods! some businesses (including the college) have Until next included protections for LGBT people. time! 8

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A Gay Christmas Story Written By: Valention DeMitri I have to confess that I have a huge crush on Santa; I’ve always had a thing for older men. Working for his organization is a family thing. My mother still works for him. My father did too, before he deserted us shortly after I was born to run off with an elf with pointier ears than Mom. Last I heard, he had a gig acting in The Hobbit. No word on what became of Miss Pointy Ears, except rumor has it she dumped him for an elf from Lord of the Rings. The weeks before Christmas are always wild and crazy in Santa’s workshop, and sightings of him are fleeting. However, today I am suddenly aware of The Man himself standing behind my chair, watching me work. “Gah!” I say when I look up into his jolly face. I always considered his demeanor to be so—dare I say it?— gay. Santa stroked his beard and looked down at my GI Joe. I could smell the scent of peppermint on his breath. For a moment, I got a whiff of mistletoe and frantically looked up, hoping someone had helpfully hung a sprig right above us. “The sparkling pink pasties glued over his nipples are an interesting touch,” he finally said.

“My mother was a Trekker.” “Clever name.” It was the first time I hadn’t been teased about it, which caused me to fall even deeper in love than before...if such a thing were possible. Santa looked thoughtful for a few, timeless moments before he asked, “Are you romantically involved with someone right now?” What? I shook my head to clear my brain. What did he ask me? He grinned. “Great. Why don’t you come over to my place for dinner tonight?” “Gah!” was my eloquent reply. Omigod. Dinner with Santa! He slapped me on the back, a hearty—but assuredly intimate— gesture. “See you at six, my boy.” Twinkle, the pretty elf who worked next to me, stared at Santa as he walked away. “Seriously?” she asked. “Dinner with The Man? None of us ever get invited to have dinner with him.” To boldly go where no elf has gone before.

As I knocked on the door to his house, I pushed the multitude of questions out of my mind. The big one that had been bothering me all I held up my GI Joe masterpiece, day was: what about Mrs. Claus? pride washing through me. “Well, initially, they would be hidden by his Had Santa sent her off to test drive the reindeer? I struggled with the uniform.” moral dilemma of having dinner with Santa stroked his beard—such a a married man. What would my sensuous caress—and nodded. “Ah, mother say? What if Santa wanted I see. Don’t ask, don’t tell.” “Yes!” to kiss me? Should I play hard to get? Would he think me easy if I He looked me in the eye. Me! I felt planted myself under any and all the tips of my pointy ears grow hot. Then he glanced down at my name mistletoe I could locate? As waves of angst coursed through me, Mrs. tag. “Spock, is it?” 10

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Claus swung open the door and greeted me with a toothy smile. “Hello, Spock! So glad you could join us this evening.” “Gah?” In a daze, I stumbled inside their warm cabin and melted into a soft chair near the roaring fireplace. “Would you like some hot cider, dear?” Mrs. Claus asked. Mutely, I nodded. Santa’s hearty laugh snapped me out of my stupor, and I jumped to my feet. Walking into the room at his side was another, younger man. Not as soft and cuddly as Santa, he was nevertheless handsome. And he was bald, just like Jean Luc Picard. A sigh escaped me. I liked bald men—the look was so...dare I say...phallic? Santa introduced him. “Spock, this is my baby brother, Sven. He’s visiting from Sweden where he works on the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee.” I took note of the smart military uniform Sven wore. “You serve in one of the armed services?” I managed to somehow ask, proud of myself for being able to finally master a complete sentence. Sven grinned and gave me a coy wink. “No, but my brother told me how much you like men in uniform.” He flexed his muscles, a button flew from his shirt, and I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a...no...could it possibly be? A pink pastie! I swooned as visions of sugar plum fairies danced in my head.

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Da DIVA: Michael Burton R.I.P. Written By: James Eddy, Jerry Rosenberg, Rhiannon Owens, Sondra Todd, and LuLu L’Amour

was and how they felt about him. Jerry Rosenberg: who they are there is a small hole formed in our Michael Burton, was my friend for over 20 hearts. We recently lost a Diva Michael (Mike) years..... James Brown (former owner of Metro) Burton aka Dawn Montgomery (1953-2013) and when a Diva passes on to the great sky above the introduced us at a Pageant at Bo's, in the early 90's. I always admired him as my Friend and Heavens gain a star that shines down on us all. applauded him, many times over as The IncrediAs most know Mike loved Liza. To me the song ble Dawn Montgomery.... Seven years ago, “Cabaret” summed up how Mike lived his life. These words seem most fitting “The day she died when my brother AJ, and I started working with the neighbors came to snicker: "Well, that’s what Mike, at The Metro, he took us under his wing, comes from too much pills and liquor. "But when I and truly taught us everything he knew about the bar business. He was my teacher, mentor, prosaw her laid out like a Queen She was the happiest...corpse... I'd ever seen. I think of Elsie to tector, friend, co-worker, and all around greatest this very day. I'd remember how'd she turn to me guy in the world. and say: "What good is sitting alone in your room? Mike also had the greatest sayings in the world..... Come hear the music play. Life is a Cabaret, old He taught me that he called everyone at the bar, chum, Come to the Cabaret." And as for me, I honey, sweetie, baby, or trouble! Trouble just made up my mind back in Chelsea, when I go, I'm meant that there had been an incident once, but it going like Elsie”. Mike lived life to the fullest; in was OK, now.... Just a way for Mike to let you 2010 Mike had a setback. I knew it was time for know that he never forgot..... Mike loved his kids, this community to honor Mike before it was to late loved his friends, loved cooking huge "family" for him to know how big of impact he has dinners, and loved taking young people under his impacted this community. The community honwing, and being a Parent/Friend, to them, and a ored him by making him grand marshal of River shoulder for them to cry on..... Mike was the first City Pride 2010. When I called him to tell him to one to step up, and organize any fundraiser for a tell him he was humbled and said there was peo- needy cause.... Mike knew how to work, ple more deserving than him. volunteer, party, and enjoy life to the fullest, every day of his short life.....Club Shadows, or as Mike On December 1, 2013 his kids and fellow entertainers came together to honor him the best affectionately called it, "Shady Ho", was Mike's idea and creation. Club Shadows is Dedicated in way they know how, with a show. The event was Loving Memory of Michael Burton… also a fundraiser in Mike’s name. His kids knew

When a community losses someone, no matter

the charities Mike really believed in, he helped with many but these were closer to his heart. The PFLAG billboard fund, Holiday Helpers and JASMYN and $4210 was raised. The community came together with representatives from Metro, InCahoots, 616, Park Place, Hamburger Mary’s and the Norm. The crowd at Metro was over 300 people, to honor this man.

LuLu L’Amour : Words cannot express how much Michael Burton meant to me. He was the first person I met in the bar scene and from there he was one of the people who took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. He always knew what to say and I can still hear his voice saying “That a girl”. For me he was Diva, Friend, but most importantly he was In getting this tribute together I wanted a couple of Family. Though he will be missed he will live on through the memories of those who loved him. his kids and friends to really tell you who Mike 12

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Da DIVA: Michael Burton R.I.P. Continued

Sondra Todd: We pay tribute to a man who I had the pleasure of calling friend for nearly 3 decades. I trust this expression of love and giving will serve our memories of him and honor him in a deserving fashion. Like or love him, Michael Burton was a pull-no-punches, tell it as it is, down to earth man. H e

served our country from trenches in Vietnam. He returned home where he continued to serve. He served as an ambassador and crusader for our community. He did this because he wanted us to live in a more tolerant world, where we are measured by our deeds rather than labels. He was a high-kicking, Broadway-tune belting, hell on heels for nearly 40 years. Long before the time of Drag Races and with minimal acceptance from mainstream America, he toured the country. Hell, back then we wore men's undergarments because the law required it in some places. He soldiered on (with BVD's under his pantyhose), taking no crap from no one. He was recognized from Pittsburgh to Savannah Georgia and even our nation's capital as a beloved personality and entertainer. Jacksonville got lucky when, about 30 years ago he decided to make this place home and us an extension of his family. I consider myself fortunate to have shared the stage with this man many, many times. We once had a review show, "The Diva, and the Doll". He was, of course, the Diva. As I loved to remind him, he was the old one, and me the pretty one. He would usually give me that cocked eyebrow and we'd chuckle about it. Da

Diva is what I have called my friend ever since. Years ago, Mike then took over the reigns as GM at Metro for which he had unwavering devotion and unconditional love. He brought a passion to the place and helped define it, serving as its heart and soul. Of the many good times, many of our mutual performances were for one charity or another. We celebrate his legacy in a way that honors this belief. Please join us as we celebrate the life of my dear friend and a Community Warrior. Rhiannon Owens: Few people know that Mike Burton was a war Veteran in the United States Air Force before reaching success onstage as Dawn Montgomery. Many people don't know that his drag career spanned 40 years. He graduated high school in 1971 and there are photos of him in drag back home in Pittsburgh from 1973. He held titles in Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Savannah, and Jacksonville. He was one of the first entertainers crowned Miss D.C. before it became Miss Gay America. He believed in the art of Female Impersonation and respected those who lived as men and worked as women. He loved Liza, Patsy Cline, Broadway, and Shirley Bassey. As Dawn Montgomery, Mike Burton performed in nearly every bar in Jacksonville and was the show director in some of the most successful nightclubs here since the mid 80's. Mike loved a good production and a clever gimmick onstage.

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Da DIVA: Michael Burton R.I.P. Continued

He didn't care how much you really looked like a woman so long as you could get people on their feet or bring them to their knees with your performance. He was a very hardworking guy behind the

locations, that they respect him. Not many people can say that. He made sure jobs got done. He made sure everyone knew and did their part. He was the go-between between many people and the entertainers in the city. When large events needed a helping hand or a show director, Mike was there.

Club Shadows in the Metro was Mike's baby. He fought to have the room built and had a final say in it's design. When it opened in 1998 it boasted a stage on a hydraulic lift, a double sized bar, amazing lightshows, and a cast of Jacksonville legends that included Sondra Todd, Basia, and Tina Knight. It has been host to some of the country's biggest stars in the drag world from Carmella Marcella Garcia to cast members from RuPaul's Drag Race; all of whom were or would become close friends with him. Mike fought for entertainers and demanded they be treated with respect. As a manager AND an entertainer, he scenes. Many of the patrons and people in the city knew the importance of a good working aren't aware of just HOW MUCH he did to get relationship and keeping the peace between the things done. And more than that, he fought for management and the staff and cast. everyone in some way. He was involved in I met Mike Burton in February of 1998 at the organizing benefits to raise money for multiple Metro and he was the general manager and show charitable organizations, he was integral to the success of the Metro most of its 20 years, he gave director at the time. I'd competed my way through the talent show finals and Mike was the one who new entertainers their first shot at success gave me my first weekend bookings in Club onstage, and as a friend he made sure you were okay and knew you were loved. He was a fair man Shadows. No one really "got me" back then. I wore a lot of black. I did songs by artists that and while he wasn't always sunshine and weren't really on the radio. But Mike saw rainbows you ALWAYS knew where you stood something and he gave me a shot. He did that with him. He was a friend to more than just the with a lot of girls. Mike introduced me to many gay community. Everyone was welcome at the people in the city that I would become great bars he worked in, provided they didn't drink underage or act belligerent towards anyone else. friends with; from Bruce Ross and Holiday HelpIt was no secret that he would literally grab you by ers to the wonderful people in charge of the the ear and throw you out if you deserved it. Many Jacksonville chapter of PLFAG. He also would make sure that special guests from other cities of the bar staff from the Metro, will tell you even would know who I was when they were booked at years after moving on to other careers or the Metro. He had a helping hand in getting some 14

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Da DIVA: Michael Burton R.I.P. Continued

of my first bookings outside of Jacksonville. When there was a benefit, he'd raise his eyebrow and say " it would be a good idea for you to be there"....and when a pageant came along he'd say " Are you going to compete? I think you should". He took note of those who were willing to give of themselves and their time. And he made sure you knew how much he appreciated it. It wasn't until 2001 when I won my first "big" title that our relationship really took shape. I was his Miss Fl USofA @ Large and he was my promoter. We traveled together to Nationals and he took very good care of me. Few know that most of the girls he took to Nationals were almost always top 10; if not top 5. He won Promoter of the Year in 2000 and also had plaques for "Most Improved Preliminary" and such. He was often recognized as a humanitarian and had many plagues and certificates from corners of the gay and drag communities thanking him for his involvement, organization, management, or helping hand in big events. Mike believed in the importance of coming together as a community and supporting each other. He did his best to always be available and help where he could and encouraged new queens and new kids in the bar scene to remember that.

like a home away from home. At the Metro, we felt protected and assured that we were looked out for. A lot of us literally grew up in those walls and those of us that remain remember him as "Da Diva" or, like myself, "Daddy". Rhiannon and LuLu preformed â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Goodâ&#x20AC;? from Wicked at the event to honor Mike and I feel these words are the best way to end. I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn and we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you... Who can say if I've been changed for the better? I do believe I have been Changed for the better And because I knew you... I have been changed for good...

He has many lasting friendships in the Leather, Drag, and Bar communities. Mike has many friends from his days as a waiter in places like Olive Garden, European Street, and the late nights of Dave's Diner. His impact is felt by not just the gay community, but by practically everyone he worked with all across Jacksonville. He didn't always have a lot to give but never hesitated to share. He believed in his gay family no matter how crazy some of us would drive him at times. He believed in community and the importance of what that meant. For many of us, Mike made any place feel CXNMagazine.COM

LEGAL CORNER: REASONS You Need a Lawyer Written By: Gordon T. Nicol, Atty

One of our clients suggested that it would help other readers to know when they should have a lawyer. Lawyers provide critical analysis, strategy, and help you through the legal process – lawyers have seven years of education. A lawyer is a tremendous resource. Below I have identified a number of reasons you should protect yourself and consult an attorney. You don't have a current will - A properly drafted will can help alleviate a tremendous amount of grief and expense later. Planning ahead minimizes/avoids fighting amongst your family members. Your family will be grieving. Your spouse –or- partner just left you with all the children and no way to pay the bills. You have and your children have rights, it is important to know what can be done. Don’t risk having the lights turned off, having your car repossessed, and not being able to buy groceries when you are going through this painful process. You own your own business (regardless of size) - Short and long term development and strategies can help any business be as successful as possible. Knowing how to best structure your current and future business is critical. There are different types of business “identities” including sole ownership, a limited liability corporation, or a ( nonlimited liability) corporation. They all provided offer different pro’s and con’s. There are also tax consequences. Protect your business. Don’t find yourself in a situation where all of your hard work can

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be lost. You are taking care of your elderly parents. It is important to have all the documents in place and know your rights before mental –or- physical conditions deteriorate for your loved one. Health care surrogates and living wills provide for legal protection in making health care decisions. A durable power of attorney and guardianships provide protection for making financial decisions. You are applying –or- have been turned down for Social Security Disability. Understanding this complicated process is essential. Understanding the legal process includes knowing how the medical evaluation, vocational testing, hearings, and time critical deadlines come in to play. Social Security fees are paid when you collect disability so there is no “out of pocket” fee for you to pay when you start applying. Recognize that the difference between “winning” and “loosing” your case can have $100,000.00 or more in Next month, we will continue to help our client’s / readers know their legal rights. The above article is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific legal advice. Every legal situation is different.

Gordon T. Nicol, Attorney at Law 7545 Centurion Parkway, Suite 108 Jacksonville, FL 32256 E-mail : helpdesk@yourjacksonvillelawyer.com Ph : 904-384-4911

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Searching for the REAL Historical Santa Written By: Dr. Harvey Carr

when an objective historian stumbles upon a believable fact; but if he grips the fact too tightly, it instantly vanishes in a puff of historical irrelevance and uncertainty. Read accounts of the life of Nicholas of Myra in any encyclopedia and you’ll see: He was (apparently) born here. He (allegedly) served as bishop there. He traveled (perhaps) to such-and-such a place. He (maybe) did this or that. He (conceivably) grew old and (likely) died. The English language does not have the capacity to communicate the nuances of uncertainty of the alleged life St. Nicholas of Myra.

him with the Santa of faith.

As a child I recall hearing another boy in my third grade class telling kids at school there was no such thing as Santa Claus. In my family we always went to my maternal grandparents’ home for Christmas Eve and to celebrate Christmas. My grandparents had been orphans, reared in the orphanages operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church of the late 1800’s. We grandkids always enjoyed the excitement and I especially loved being spoiled by my grandfather as the eldest grandchild and his namesake! After the traditional English dinner (the parents of my grandparents were from England) and the reading of the Christmas story from the scriptures, Santa always suddenly appeared to distribute gifts, making certain every descendent of my grandparents had a gift from them under that tree. Years later I learned that the father-in-law of one of my aunts donned the Santa costume and made our night so special.

of Nicaea in 325, where Arius was rejected for denying the deity of Christ. His southern coastal city of Myra was about 400 miles from Nicaea in the north, and he would have only been about 55 at the time. (Besides, didn’t he have a fleet of flying reindeer?) We do have an account that at the state dinner for the bishops attending Nicaea, the Emperor Constantine apparently pointed out the three bishops he believed deserved special honor, saying, “There are three pillars of the world, Anthony in Egypt, Nicholas of Myra, and James in Assyria.”

There are extremely rare instances

Going beyond the facts of history to relatively reliable tradition, we discover that St. Nicholas was a very generous person who gave liberally to the poor and defended the oppressed. And he did so anonymously so that the thanks, praise, and glory would be directed to God alone. Many details of his charity are sketchy and legendary, but it seems that he cared for children as well as showed hospitality to sailors and foreigners—those who were constantly passing through the port city of Myra. (He was from the coastal MediterI have spent years of study on the life, legacy, and ranean. He was not from the North Pole, and he probalegends of Nicholas of Myra. So, can we have a confident answer to the question of every child, “Is there bly never saw snow!) a real Santa Claus?” How was St. Nicholas transformed Nicholas likely suffered imprisonment and mistreatment from a malnourished monk in a frock to a fat man in a during the great Roman persecution under Emperor red suit? Nicholas of Myra may be the best known Diocletian, who reigned from 284–305. Records indiChristian saint we know almost nothing about. cate that Nicholas attended the first ecumenical council

Tales are told about his many miracles—from calming the seas to bringing children back to life. He is often called “Nicholas the Wonderworker” because of the accounts of miracles appearing in medieval biographies and artwork. But outside of the miraculous, the most interesting legend for me is the story of Nicholas striking Arius in the face at the Council of Nicaea. (Not quite the When I asked my mother about the rumor heard at jolly old Saint Nick we imagine!) But, alas, there is no school of no Santa she explained that “Santa” was a historical evidence for Santa Claus punching heretics in meaningful symbol of the Christmas spirit. As a child the nose. and a teen, I accepted the “idea” of Santa Claus as a St. Nicholas is more than simply a symbol of the holiday quaint personification of a festive spirit, a joyful spirit . . . not much more, but more nevertheless. So, if demeanor, or even charitable virtue. Mom’s a child should ask you if Santa Claus was a real person, interpretation was good enough for me. Having you may confidently answer, “Yes.” But beyond that, conveniently dismissed the Claus of history, I replaced there’s really not much more we can say with certainty. 20

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