Tonight I was in Bellaire to meet a friend for dinner. As I prowled the length of Bridge Street hunting for a place to stash the car, I looked over and saw Santa and Mrs. Claus sauntering into Toonie’s. Even this far north you don’t see that every day. Outmaneuvering a less motivated driver, I claimed the last parking spot in Antrim County and trotted off in pursuit of an interview with the celebrity couple.
There they were, in Booth #1 right up front, waiting for their sausage and corn chowder. Oh wait, that was me. I don’t know what they ordered. I asked if I could capture them for posterity, or at least for a blog post, and they agreed.
The Clauses, as you might expect, are very nice people. When they are not out making everyone merry in the Village of Bellaire, they are Rob and Deb Younce. He has a genealogy obsession. She has a lot of tolerance for that sort of thing. Would I, Deb inquired, like to sit on Santa’s lap and have my photo taken? I would indeed.
And to all a good night.
Torch Lake Views 
centria
December 19, 2009
Oh Gerry you sat on Santa’s lap! In Bellaire! You are all looking so festive and happy.
p.j. grath
December 19, 2009
You are a great holiday sport, Gerry, to sit in Santa’s lap and not cry! Do you even know what “shy” means? I think I’ll take you for my new year’s role model.
Gerry
December 19, 2009
Well, you see, Bellaire is where the opportunity offered itself. As for shy, I am the very definition of shy. I just, um, overcome my inner shyness when I have my camera and my YakTrax.
isathreadsoflife
December 19, 2009
Seems like Bellaire (we would say Bel-Air) is the place to be around Christmas 😉 what fun pictures and great moment. Nice to meet you all and thanks for sharing your joy.
Gerry
December 19, 2009
Every nook and cranny up here is a good place to be around Christmas. I wanted to stop in Central Lake for a photo of Bill Chapman’s tow truck festooned in lights. I wanted to stop along US 31 on my way back from Charlevoix for a photo of a stable with llamas. I wanted to be on time for once in my life, and on I went to Bellaire. More later!
Scott Thomas Photography
December 19, 2009
What did you ask him for Christmas? 🙂
Gerry
December 19, 2009
Y’know, it never crossed my mind until this morning when I was putting this post together–Gerry! You should have had a list! You should have whispered in Santa’s ear! But then, I have everything I really want. OK, except for peace on earth and the fountain of youth and all the rest of that stuff, but it’s been a long, long time since I thought Santa Claus could bring me any of those things. Everyone in my family got the best present imaginable, as Bonnie Beloved of Bob came through the invasive species challenge unscathed, with the beasties rooted out and beaten back. Life is good.
Cindy Lou
December 19, 2009
Fun, fun – Christmas fun! Thanx for sharing the smiles! 🙂
giiid
December 20, 2009
YOU didn´t have a list for Santa, but have you thought about if Santa maybe had one for you? I´m sure that Santa would love to have a blog like yours, including your devoted readers. Unfortunately for Santa, it demands more than strong will to develope a HO HO up to your vocabulary, wich for some words – according to you – not even exist in any wordbook. Poor Santa… but at least he had you sitting on his lap for a short moment, let that be a comfort to him.
Gerry
December 20, 2009
Thank you for my morning chuckle! Perhaps we could collaborate on a blog for Santa. For one thing, you know more languages than I do, although I will admit to being good at making up new words. As for my sitting on his lap being a comfort to Santa, you have not taken into account that I am a rather, um, substantial elf, and that poor Santa probably suffered from numbness in that knee for the whole next day.