Saturday December 12, 2009 (12/12/09)

My Santa story and photos made the local newspaper, Advertiser, and “our” Gus the camel story made the front page of the Irish Times . . . . Do Dah, Happy Days ! ! ! !

In the Advertiser, the editors used every word I wrote of the Santa story, and included two of the six photos I submitted with the story. But the writers at the Irish Sun bastardized and rewrote everything I submitted for the Gus story beyond recognition. But, it was still a story and Greg was happy. I learned from the photographer that the writers at the Sun are having a contest amongst themselves to see who gets the most coverage and mileage from their story, so that’s probably why the Gus story was sensationalized. 

You can read the stories yourself, I’ve copied and pasted the text below the newspaper.   I know you can click on the photo and make it huge, but I still thought the text would be easier to read in the blog.

First my Santa story in the Advertiser (you all recognize Santa Kevin don't you?) :

 



The holiday spirit is alive at Farm Safari in Churchtown, Ballinea. Just six miles out the Athlone road from Mullingar, Santa’s Magical Animal Kingdom is welcoming children of all ages to come and visit Santa and his reindeer.

 

This past weekend Santa had his photo taken with, and handed out presents to, all the children who were on his “Nice List.” Few things in life are better than the sound of children’s laughter and the sight of their smiles - a Christmas Wonderland was enjoyed by all. Our visit was grand. We didn’t even miss the snow.

We also had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Claus, one of Santa’s elves, and Comet and Vixen, two of his reindeer. Rudolph and his family are even here. Plus, there are many other real, live animals, including bunnies, geese, chickens, ponies, donkeys, highland bulls, and a special exotic local celebrity, all surrounding Santa’s Grotto.

Notorious for his 2006 antics during a Christmas party at the Mullingar Equestrian Center, Gus the camel was also in attendance. That’s right, you can meet Gus the camel at Farm Safari’s Santa’s Magical Animal Kingdom December Fridays, 11 & 18 from 2pm-6pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 12 & 13 and 19 & 20 from 3pm -7pm. Come meet, and have your photo, your child’s photo, or your pet’s photo taken with Santa and many of Santa’s animals, and receive your gift. Take home a Christmas tree for €5. Admission is €10 per child, Adults Free. You don’t even have to worry about the weather as there are all-weather facilities in which to enjoy your visit.

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Here is my original Gus story, followed by the front page headline photo of Santa (Kevin) and their full story:

Gus, the camel, has done it again. Notorious for his 2006 antics during a Christmas party at the Mullingar Equestrian Center where he ate 200 mince pies and drank many pints of Guinness, Gus the camel has since been residing at the Farm Safari Park outside Mullingar.

Free-roaming the beautiful green grass of Irish pastures with another Bactrian camel, Gus has been living the Life of Riley on the Farm Safari. His neighbors in adjoining pastures include ponies, donkeys, highland bulls, llamas, an emu, exotic sheep, and red deer. He doesn’t want for much.

During preparations for Santa’s Magical Animal Kingdom at Farm Safari, taking place every weekend until Christmas, many animals were moved from their fields to be closer to Santa’s Grotto. A special mash of biscuit meal and molasses was made to feed them and help ward off the chill from the rainy winter nights. “I guess Gus could not resist the sweet smell,” said American visitors Kevin and Renee Cotter, because somehow, in the quiet of a midweek afternoon, when everyone was indoors having a cuppa tea, Gus found a way to get it all.

After he glutted himself on the mash, the barking dogs took him on a wild gallop, chasing him up to the main house where he charged through the clothesline. Of course, on the one day of sunshine allowing it to be used, the clothesline was full. Gus dragged all the items, including Santa’s and the elves’ wardrobes, off the line and onto the muddy ground.

“When we all responded to the alarm of the dogs, Gus was standing calmly in the driveway, draped and decorated with colorful bed sheets, munching on Santa’s trousers. I wish I’d had my camera, but keeping Gus from harm was our only priority. We rushed to untangle him and return him safely to his home," explained owner Greg Potterton. Brendan added, “Santa Claus is going to need new pants!”

You'll have to double click the photo to read their crazy story . . . .  that's a mini-mince pie in Greg's mouth:

In other news, we have another reason to celebrate . . . . Renee can now stay in Ireland for five years, legally. And at the end of five years can apply for citizenship. Yahootie!

We spent the morning with Garda Kevin Forde in Mullingar and after extensive interrogation, fingerprinting, and cross-examination, I left with a "registration card" to that effect. Huzzah!

On a different subject . . . . Please forgive me for using our blog as a soapbox, but I’m using any forum I can to shed more light on the recent boorish behavior of Boar's Head. I am still disgusted with them and want to urge everyone who reads the details to tell everyone they know, AND to never buy another Boar's Head product ever again. Boar’s Head foiled and spoiled a fundraiser in Fort Myers, Fl. for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Here's the story from the recent News Press Fort Myers:

Boar’s Head, the country’s top-selling deli meat company, left local folks angry and scratching their heads Saturday after it disrupted Susan G. Komen for the Cure support breast cancer research fundraisers at four businesses.

Steve Riley, marketing director for Dietz & Watson — main competition for Boar’s Head — says the Sarasota-based company ran off customers at Topps Supermarket, The Sandy Butler Gourmet Market, Mario’s Italian Meat Market and City Deli by parking trucks in parking lots and entranceways.

“Obviously, they’re trying to intimidate us with their mob mentality,’’ says Riley, whose Philadelphia-based company sponsored the fundraisers.

None of the businesses stocks Boars Head’s wares.

Representatives of Boars Head weren’t talking Tuesday, but you get the picture.

The Fort Myers Beach invasion hit Topps Supermarket at 1:30 p.m.

“All of a sudden one Boar’s Head truck after another came into our parking lot,” says Jay Carney, whose father Dave has owned Topps since 1996. “We were selling hot dogs for a buck and they took our parking spots.”

Carney says he counted 25 trucks or vans with three men in each. He says the trucks had license tags from Naples and Sarasota.

“I told them we were doing a charity event for Dietz & Watson and politely asked them to leave,” Carney says. “They said: ‘No, we’re customers.’”

Carney says he threatened to arrest them for trespassing and vowed to tow their trucks.

They didn’t budge.

“I finally called the sheriff’s office and they left when they saw the deputy coming down the road,” Carney says.

Vince Pica, who owns Mario’s on South Cleveland Avenue in south Fort Myers, says 18 to 20 trucks blocked his market entrance at noon.

“They were only there honking their horns for about five minutes,” Vica says. “But no one could get in and out of the store.

“The way they did it was very unprofessional.”

Bill Conway and Amy Clothier, who own City Deli, say Boar’s Head workers were intimidating in Port Charlotte.

“I was just about to get in the shower at 10 a.m. when Amy called me and said four Boar’s Head trucks were there,” Conway says. “When I got out of the shower, she called again and said 30 trucks were there.”

“They came in like a sea of black and red trucks and blocked our little deli completely,” she says. “All of the men got out and formed this mob so nobody could get to the taste-testing booth.”

Clothier says Dietz & Watson officials were setting up a taste test between the brands when the caravan rolled in to Paradise Shoppes of Port Charlotte on U.S. 41.

Clothier says the men’s demeanor scared her.

“I didn’t know if there was going to be a fight or not,” she says. “It was unsettling. I was hiding in the restaurant. It was like a union tactic.”

Conway eventually ran off the intruders, but they didn’t go quietly.

“I wasn’t going to take any crap,’’ he says. “They left blowing their air horns and making a ruckus.’’

Riley says Bob Fox, who owns Sarasota Deli Provisions, masterminded the truck invasion.

 “Fox was at all the sites,” Riley says. “He got them all together.”

Conway, whose deli has been open two months, says he tried to get his picture taken with Fox, who was using a crutch and wore a surgical boot, for evidence, but Fox refused.

“Fox told me Boar’s Head had a better product and he would cut me a better deal,” Conway says. “I told him I already tried his product and Dietz & Watson was better.”

Fox and Boar’s Head spokeswoman Ruthann Lamore did not return messages seeking comment.

Can you blame them?

Boar’s Head’s behavior couldn’t be more boorish.

— Sam Cook’s column appears Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Call 335-0384 or fax 334-0708.

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I have written to as many people and places as I can think, asking them to spread the word regarding this boorish behavior but I also ask for your help as well. All I can say is Hanakokolele, Shame on you, Boar's Head. Why didn't you simply have your own bigger and better fundraiser for Susan G. Komen and spread good cheer instead of creating havoc.

On a happier note, one of our Christmas presents “to us” arrived today. The complete box set of EVERY season, the entire series, of Boston Legal is now ours to watch at our leisure! What a treat. I love this show. Now when there is junk TV we have a good program to watch.

More playing Santa with visitors this weekend ~ Happy Christmas ya'll!