The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
photo courtesy of Paramus Mayor Chris DiPiazza
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Santa Claus embodies the spirit of Christmas joy and merriment, representing a valuable cultural icon. In the contemporary economy, every source of value is maximized.
Continue reading Santa Economics: How Much Does A Mall Santa Make?
photos courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, after a winter weather delay Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland and Christmas Tree lighting in Van Saun Park finally happened .
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco ,It was truly a “Winter Wonderland ” in Van Saun County Park on Sunday as Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland hosted it’s annual tree lighting ceremony featuring Santa Claus, carols, holiday instrumental jazz from the Bergen County Academies Jazz band, and fresh snowfall! Thank you to all who came out on Sunday to attend this special celebration. Remember, Bergen County Winter Wonderland is open Fridays through Sunday from now until News Years Day!
Continue reading Its a Winter Wonderland in Bergen County’s Van Saun Park
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Midland Park NJ, Midland Park Fire Department Project Santa Registration 2022 is officially live as we begin our 8th year of this gift drop off fundraiser!
Continue reading Midland Park Fire Department Project Santa Registration 2022 is officially live
file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, December 2nd – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – East Ridgewood Avenue, from Maple Avenue to Broad Street – The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Downtown for the Holidays – Come to the East Side, the West Side, and all around the Central Business District for this family friendly annual event, where the streets are closed to vehicles on East Ridgewood Avenue, creating a pedestrian plaza from North Maple Avenue to Broad Street.
photo courtesy of The Ridgewood Guild
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, November 26th – 12 Noon – 3:00 p.m. – Memorial Park at Van Neste Square – The Ridgewood Guild’s 13th Annual Winterfest – Come and kick off the holiday season with The Ridgewood Guild at this annual event.
Continue reading The Ridgewood Guild’s 13th Annual Winterfest
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
North Pole, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and the U.S. Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with a North Pole postmark.
Here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa:
December 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On Dec. 6, the faithful commemorated a bishop in the early church who was known for generosity and love of children. Born in Lycia in Asia Minor , modern day Turkey around the late third or fourth century, St. Nicholas of Myra is more than just the inspiration for the modern day Santa Claus .
St. Nicholas, the original person behind the Santa Claus legend. Known as Nicholas of Myra .The bishop was noted for his unbridled generosity .
Interestingly enough, he played a role in a key event in Christian history, as he answered a request in 325 by the Roman emperor Constantine and took part in the First Council of Nicaea. During that council, leaders of the early Christian church including Nicholas approved the Nicene Creed and settled on a date for the Easter celebration.
St. Nicholas became associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had of giving secret gifts to children. It is also conjectured that the saint, who was known to wear red robes and have a long white beard, was culturally converted into the large man with a reindeer-drawn sled full of toys because in German, his name is “San Nikolaus” which almost sounds like “Santa Claus.”
Interesting enough, letters weren’t sent to Nicholas until long after his death. While he was recognized as a saint, “letters to santa “didn’t start coming from children until more than 900 years later. They were not seen as toy requests as much as written prayers. The St. Nicholas Center records the first letter as being sent by a little girl at some period after the year 1200.
