Posts Tagged ‘Joy and Noel’

Santa Claus and Rudolph: New Plans and Directions?

Written by Harold McNeill on October 28th, 2016. Posted in Christmas Stories


P1170295The above scene is from 2016. This year (2020) we have moved  Santa’s workshop back to this location in a slightly altered form.

Location: 4402 Leney Place at Viaduct Ave East (off Viewmont, behind the Royal Oak Shopping Centre)

November 23, 2020.  Over the past couple of weeks, we have been busy adding new home crafted decorations on the tree at the corner.  These decorations were made from laser-cut items along with odds and sods from our laser leftovers box.  Lynn McNeill (Santa’s helper) is a whiz at whipping these crafts together, then painting the pieces of 1/8th inch plywood (photo below). The ornaments range in size from 6 – 11 inches.


For a full line of art kits produced by the rest of Santa’s team at the McTavish Academy of Art (1720 Mctavish Road, North Saanich) link to their web site.

December 14, 2013, 4402 Leney Place, Saanich, B.C.
(A Note from Santa Claus and his wife Angelina)

 Santa Claus and Rudolph: New Plans and Directions?
A message from Mr. and Mrs. Clause

Hello Santa Believers,

The new Santa Workshop and Team Training Area are ready. Just to let you know, Mrs. Clause and I  have stepped back from full-time work but we will be around to manage this new shop while my younger brother, Kris Kringle, takes over delivery duty his new sleigh. Rudolf’s oldest son, Rudolph Junior, will now lead the team.  The full story of these changes is posted in the October story below.  Many thanks to all the animals, elves and young people who worked day and night to get things ship-shape for the new season.

In the current shop set up, a small pathway leads to a photo area in front of the Workshop. If you email a copy of your photo to harold@mcneillifestories.com, it will be posted and linked to the blog story. If anyone wishes to leave a note for Kris Kringle, Rudolph, or one of the other deer or workers, please place it in Santa’s Mailbox. Answers will be posted in the comments section of this post.  You may also post your comment below.

You are invited to walk up to the front door of the workshop, but please stay within the confines of the path

In the past the McNeill Family have set aside various nights for Carol Singing, Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows Roasting “on an open fire” but due to the current COVID19 lockdown, we are just happy to have you drive by and enjoy the scene.

The display will be open from dusk until 1:00 am daily and on weekends until January 2, 2021.  The tree on the corner will remain lite until the Covid19 lockdown is over.

The best of the season to you and your family.

Santa and Angelina Clause

October 28, 2013: Original Story (continues)

(2751)

Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.