Newfoundland and Labrador’s North Pole ambassador announces news that Santa will be available to Zoom!

Families can book private Zoom call with Santa with proceeds going to local charity; each call results in keepsake video.

Today, the North Pole’s long time Newfoundland and Labrador ambassador, Bruce Templeton, shared the news with delight that Santa Claus has agreed to do special Zoom calls with families.

Santa called Bruce personally to ask him help spread the word to boys and girls that the Zoom call opportunity was possible.

With early indications that COVID-19 might start to affect Santa’s usual surprise visits, Mrs. Claus immediately called upon the elves at the North Pole to sweeten up their Wi-Fi capability.

“Santa told me that Mrs. Claus and the elves have been devoting every spare moment not spent on Christmas Eve preparations to this new initiative,” Bruce shared.

“The man in the red suit has gotten involved too,” Bruce added. “He’s been busy arranging toys and decorations to create the best Zoom tour possible for the families.”

Virtual guests will be greeted by Santa in the North Pole’s winter village before they’re magically transported to the workshop’s grounds. Then Santa will invite your family inside after hanging up his hat. Guests will see the workshop briefly before Santa moves into his office to check his list, twice (of course).

Limited appointment times are available, and parents can visit https://manintheredsuit.wordpress.com/zoom-with-santa to book their special date and time. Each Zoom call will last 20 minutes, and proceeds will go to charity.

In his conversation with Bruce, Santa of course wished that he could visit children’s gatherings and events as usual to read Ruduloph’s story, sing holiday carols, and create memories. 

But, despite COVID’s challenges, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves are determined to keep the dream alive for people young and old, everywhere.

Fourth book from bestselling author Bruce Templeton on the way via Flanker Press; available October 22, 2019!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 22, 2019 and get ready to go on another exciting adventure as bestselling author Bruce Templeton launches his fourth book.

Bruce Templeton and Flanker Press are pleased to invite you to the official launch of In Search of St. Nicholas at Chapters (70 Kenmount Road) in St. John’s, from 7pm to 9pm.

Templeton’s brand new release, In Search of St. Nicholas, is a double dose of Christmas spirit. The first half of the book is based on a 2017 live performance that Bruce first delivered at the Johnson Geo Centre in November of that year. It follows a young lad named Nicholas as he goes in search for the perfect home for his very own teddy bear. Santa himself offers to accompany Nicholas on the journey that takes them back in time to learn all about the true meanings of many different aspects of the Christmas season.

The second portion of In Search of St. Nicholas offers up all new stories and experiences from Bruce’s past in his efforts to assist Santa.  You will read personal stories and learn about the people whose lives have been touched by Santa’s visits, like Nevaeh, Kaiden Little, baby Jade, Graysen, and more.

The book also includes a special foreword penned by Her Honour, the Honourable Judy May Foote, P.C., O.N.L., Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Santa stops in at Government House (NL) to surprise the Girl Guides of Canada (NL) as they spread Christmas cheer!

Excitement brimmed at Government House in St. John’s, NL this week as the Girl Guides of Canada’s local Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders, and Rangers all gathered for the annual tradition of decorating the Girl Guide Christmas Tree.

Fifty young women an their leaders sang carols, drank hot cocoa, enjoyed cookies and the company of Their Honours – with the evening topped off by a surprise visit from the Man in the Red Suit, himself!

The Jolly Ol’ Elf dropped in to join them in songs, helping the girls reach the top of the tree, read Christmas stories, and for some photos.  Here are just a few images from the evening, as shared by Her Honour, The Honourable Lieutenant Governor Judy M. Foote, P.C., O.N.L.

RELEASE: Bestselling author Bruce Templeton takes to the stage with new seasonal stories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 7, 2017 (St. John’s) – This morning details were confirmed by the central office at the North Pole for an upcoming holiday performance from Santa’s assistant, Bruce Templeton. The Globe and Mail bestselling author, who has released three books to date, has a series of new stories that he will perform in St. John’s at the Johnson Geo Centre on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

The new show about a young boy, called A Journey Back in Time with Nicholas, will follow the titular character’s expedition to find the perfect home for his teddy bear.

Templeton will take the audience along with Nicholas, back to 1939 where they’ll meet Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer before travelling even further back to nine other stops. At every turn, Nicholas will land in a magical moment of time where he’ll be greeted by historical figures with ties to the season. He’ll learn about the origins of the very teddy bear he’s seeking a home for in 1902, and then encounter Virginia O’Hanlon in 1897. Later in the show, Nicholas will land in 1843 and run into Charles Dickens as he pens A Christmas Carol, all before returning to 280 A.D. where Nicholas will meet the saint that shares his name.

With each spellbinding stop, Templeton will lead the audience and Nicholas through fantastical folklore as they relive and discover the true history of Christmas.

Known for his ability to lure an audience’s undivided attention through his delivery and content, Templeton uses his own life experiences to highlight virtues of life, family, youth and children. He demonstrates community and business leadership through being an example, living by his motto that it is your presence, not presents, that count.

Templeton is accredited by the Canadian Association of Public Speakers and has participated in TEDx Talks. He has dutifully assisted Santa for almost 40 years, is the only living Canadian inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, and has been knighted as a Knight of St. Nicholas. The proceeds from all three of his books, including national and Globe and Mail bestseller The Man in the Red Suit (2012), The Man with the White Beard (2014) and Twenty-Four Teddy Bears (2016), have supported the Rotary International Polio Plus program.

Bar service will be available for those 19+ and the venue is fully accessible. The Newfoundland Chocolate Company is also supporting the production and will be on hand with a few treats and information on their confections at the event, at the perfect time of year!

Tickets are only $23 (plus applicable EventBrite service fees), and seating will be limited for this intimate evening. Tickets are available at https://manintheredsuit.wordpress.com/tickets or through the event’s Facebook listing at https://www.facebook.com/ManInTheRedSuit.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bruce Templeton
brucetempleton@bellaliant.net

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Santa’s surprise for Neveah

Santa recently visited some special boys and girls spending time at the Janeway Hospital as the holidays approach. Here is a very special moment we’re happy and lucky to be able to share thanks to Stephanie O’Brien – OZFM.

After hearing that a young girl named Neveah liked the coat she wore in the Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade, Santa saw to it that she would become its owner. On his annual visit to the Janeway Children’s Hospital, he surprised her with the gift.

There is a video of the surprise here:
https://www.facebook.com/steffieob/posts/1788757307808071

Neveah and Santa share a special moment after the surprise gift was presented to her.

Neveah gives Santa a big hug in thanks for her new coat.

Santa and Neveah show off her new threads around the Janeway Hospital

Highlights from the Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade

Another year has come and the 2016 installment of the annual Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade went off with a Ho! Ho! Ho!

Sunday, December 4 to the delight of children and their families, the parade marched through the streets of the Newfoundland and Labrador capital, with the big man himself marking the end.  Here are just a few highlight photos and clippings from the parade which saw Santa do the dabbin’ dance!

CBC VIDEO: Dabbin’ Santa! Kids at St. John’s Christmas Parade celebrate after Santa dabs for crowd

VOCM VIDEO/PICS/STORY: St. John’s Santa Claus Parade Collects over 15,500 Pounds of Food for Community Food Sharing Association

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VIDEO: Bruce Templeton launches Twenty Four Teddy Bears!

Last Thursday on September 29, 2016 Bruce Templeton launched his latest publication Twenty Four Teddy Bears: A Christmas Journey. This latest book, published by Creative Book Publishing, rounds out a trilogy for Templeton. His initial release, The Man in the Red Suit, garnered international attention and was a Globe and Mail best seller. The second book in the series equaled in its success, and was called The Man with the White Beard.

Like the initial two, this new book is meant to be read in the lead up to Christmas with each chapter corresponding with a date in the month. The stories profile the folks who were recipients of special teddy bears that Bruce, in his efforts as Santa’s assistant, helps get to people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

If you missed the launch, take a look at this video, then be sure to visit the signings and sightings section of the website for all of Bruce’s upcoming appearances.

Photos from Bruce Templeton’s launch of Twenty Four Teddy Bears

On Thursday, September 29, 2016 Bruce Templeton launched the third book in his Christmas series that shares his experiences assisting Santa! Published by Creative Book Publishing, the book was made available for the first time ever at the event held in the Knights of Columbus hall in St. John’s, NL.

As of today, you can find the book in many retailers, and online. Bruce will also be available at a number of signings and appearances, which you can find here.

Photo Credits: Joshua Jamieson and Bernadette Gentry

Bruce shows Olivia where her story is found in the book (on page 89)

The Telegram’s Keith Gosse taking photos for the paper!

Bruce speaking to guests at the launch.

 

Q ‘n A with the author… part three

We continue with our interview series with The Man in the Red Suit and The Man with the White Beard‘s author Bruce Templeton today! Here are the final five questions Bruce recently answered that reveal who has contributed the Forward for his new book as well as some of his other collaborators!

1. Were there any stories you found particularly hard to write?

I found it hard to ask the families to write the stories of their children’s visits with Santa in the hospital. But it is part of their healing and acceptance to tell their stories.

2. There’s very personal photo to you that will appear in the second book, can you share the story behind it?

There is a photo of St. Nicholas in the new book and it was fun to get the support of church leaders to create the real St. Nicholas. These are not “props” but the real thing and I thank the church leaders for the support and understanding. There is also an inter-generational family photo from the first book, recreated for the second book but at this point it may or may not make the cut!

3. The first book had a portion of its proceeds go to Rotary’s Polio Plus program, will there be a similar tie-in with book two?

Yes, the first book has directly and indirectly raised the funding for 200,000 dosed of Polio Vaccine for children in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria with Rotary. We will continue that work with Rotary and the support of the World Health Organization.

4. Who are some of the people you have worked with on this project, and what has the collaboration process been like with them?

It is always a privilege to collaborate with talented people. I had two gifted editors, an amazing team at Creative Book Publishers, an understanding group of corporations and government offices who did work through all issues that arose. In one case, I had to track down the writer of a poem in 1995 after the death of her child. I took called to the US registry office, her town’s Board of Trade, a funeral home who buried her daughter, and learning now her new surname following her separation and remarriage and her moving to a totally different city in the US. The lady was astonished that anyone would work that hard to find her. Her poem is in the book now with her consent. That is the process you must follow.

5. Book one’s forward was provided by Danny Williams, will this one also have one? And, if so how and why did you choose the individual who would provide it?

The simple truth is that you are trying to ask someone whose name will appear on the cover who is widely known and respected by many. This time, I went to Sister Elizabeth Davis, RSM at the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Elizabeth seemed like a natural choice. She supports my belief in St. Nicholas and she is the former head of Eastern Health so she appreciates my small “M” ministry if that is what it is. She sees what I do through her experience and I admire her.

NL Volunteer Hall of Fame will induct Bruce Templeton

We have learned that Bruce Templeton will be inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Hall of Fame in October 2014 at a gala event.  Announced by former Lt. Governor Edward Roberts, who is the chair of the selection committee, Bruce is one of eight individuals who will be inducted into the hall this year.

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Hall of Fame allows exceptional people to stand as an inspiration to our community, and particularly to our youth,” said Roberts during the announcement.

The gala and induction event will take place on Friday, October 3 at the Sheraton Hotel, starting at 6:30pm with a silent auction before the dinner at 7:30pm. Proceeds from the event will go to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and more information is available on the Volunteer Hall of Fame’s website.