GSAs Coming to Town with Santa
by GSA Sue Greenbaum
To view all of our photos visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rzuzpRYnDCndXWyK8
Santa Claus is coming to Town! This is what it’s all about at The North Pole, and YOU get to be a part of the magic!! If this is something you’ve thought you would like to try, carve the time out early for this FUN experience, and sign up for next year as soon as it gets posted.
The Journey to the North Pole, now in their 29th year, is scheduled for weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Social Committee picks one day for GSAs to attend as a group, but if that date doesn’t work fo you, you can always select another day by going on http://www.journeytothenorthpole.org. There is a need for more elves. A group you already belong to, for instance a Rotary, church, or community arts center, might be very interested in volunteering.
Here is how it unfolded for us this year…..
Several of us carpooled up to Lincoln, and it was particularly breathtaking this year. It was a clear sunny day, the mountains were covered with snow, and nearby Woodstock, a picturesque village, was all decked out for Christmas. On our way to Lincoln we stopped and saw Kelly in her new GSA Office in Campton, and enjoyed a pleasant and delicious lunch with her at the Mad River Tavern, www.madtav.com
We checked into the Indian Head Resort, www.indianheadresort.com. We had called ahead to see if we could check in early, which was no problem. Usually they have warm chocolate chip cookies at 4 pm, but we received some at the earlier check-in!! Mmmm!!! We then caught a nap, but you could choose to relax in the hot tub or the indoor or outdoor pools, which are open year round.
Our North Pole destination was just 15 minutes away, and this year we were greeted with warm apple cider. The staff was on hand to help us find our elf costumes in our size, and then they gave us instructions on how to perform our part.
There are 2 shows each day. Pizza, cookies and water were waiting for us between the shows, with plenty of time to relax.
The elves (that’s us!) met the trains with our lanterns waving. Multi-generational families disembarked, many wearing matching pajamas and Christmas apparel. The kids were so excited, they could hardly contain themselves. We each found a family and walked them up to the show. The walk is lit up with colored lights, and many of the kids stopped by the North Pole Post Office to mail their letters to Santa.
As elves we were part of the show, singing well-known Christmas sing a-longs. Afterwards we walked the families back to the train.
At this point some GSAs either drove home or spent the night with friends. We went back to our room and enjoyed this unique time to relax and really get to know other GSAs staying at the Indian Head Resort. We loved this part!
The next morning a few of us met up at Polly’s Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill for breakfast before heading home. https://pollyspancakeparlor.com
This is a wonderful experience, no matter how you choose to do it. If next year you need any help so you can join us, or to connect with others who have signed up, just reach out to the Social Committee at socialcommittee@nhgsa.com.
Net proceeds from the Journey to the North Pole™ Event fund Literacy Programs of The Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, a Charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
