Santa Claus Network Collector Corner

Vol 19 | Issue 1 | Winter 2011
Newsletter
In This Issue
Collectors Corner: Come meet William Draiccho our featured collector.
Guess the Santa: For colds and sniffles Santa has...
Christmas Word Search: Spend a little bit of relaxing time doing this fun puzzle!
Sneak Peek: We invite you to see our new Santa design that is sure to bring back memories
www.Department56.com | www.Enesco.com
Santa
Claus
Network
Collector
Corner
Recently I received a wonderful note
from a gentleman named Kristopher M.
Kamborian.
He wanted to share with
Possible Dreams the story of his 86 year
old grandfather, William P. Draicchio,
Vol 19 | Issue 1 | Winter 2011
Dear Possible DreamsMy Grandfather served his country and city well after his service with the USMC and Quincy Police
Department. In 1951, immediately upon his return from fighting overseas, he was appointed as a
Quincy Police Officer . During his 38 years as a Quincy Police Officer he became known as “The
Dancing Cop,” while directing traffic and crossing children for school in the biggest and busiest
intersection in the City of Quincy (Washington St./Rt. 3A and Southern Artery). With his arms constantly
flailing and waving at vehicles in the center of the intersection, he created the art of directing traffic in a
dance. He was dubbed, “The Dancing Cop,” on the front page of the Patriot Ledger Newspaper during
this time. In 2002, this particular intersection was named after him and dedicated to his years of service
and exceptional traffic enforcement, and is now recognized as “William P. Draicchio Square.” My Grandfather also worked in the
famous Clothing Department store known
as “Remicks” for 33 years. Remicks was
known to be so famous, due to the owner’s
daughter and Quincy native, Lee Remick,
becoming a major actress. Remicks then
closed in 1983. a Possible Dreams’ Santa collector.
I so enjoyed reading about Kristopher’s
After my Grandfather retired from the
grandfather that I decided to print a
Quincy Police Department, he worked in the
portion of his letter and share the photos
City Clerk’s Office at Quincy City Hall for 19
he sent along with the SCN newsletter
years. He worked on the polls of many
readers.
elections and once again served his City. At Quincy City Hall he was dubbed, “The
-Christin Bosque
Candy Man.” While working in the City Clerk’s
Marketing Manger
Office he supplied over 60 big jars of almost
every type of candy you could imagine. My Grandfather has also served his family well after helping raise 4 children while serving the Marine Corps in the Korean War and WWII, and while being a Police Officer
with the Quincy Police Department. His children and grandchildren have followed in his
footsteps in serving the City of Quincy in many different areas. After accomplishing all of this in his life and serving his Country, City, and Family, his hobby of
collecting his Possible Dreams Santa’s is very important to him. He takes pride in his collection
and loves to show it off as much as possible. Regardless of his age, My Grandfather has always
been a kid at heart, with all of his Holiday Figures and Toys, and always has a smile on his face. His other hobbies include cheering for the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and New England
Patriots. He is a big sports fan and still will give a “yell” at the TV during games. Despite my
Grandfather being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a few years ago, that doesn’t stop him
in the least. Believe it or not, he still gets out and about in the City of Quincy, whether it’s for
My Grandfather’s Bio:
always attending the annual Quincy Police Memorial, personally raising the USMC flag on the
Marine Corps Birthday in front of City Hall, or just to get out to a local restaurant for an appetizer
Name: William P. Draicchio
Date of Birth: November 15, 1924
and a glass of wine, he is well known and respected in the City of Quincy and will remain to be. Place of Birth: Quincy, Massachusetts
If you ask a person that knows my Grandfather how to describe him, I believe the statement of a
Children: 4
Police Officer that worked briefly with him and knows him said it the best to me recently. “Your
Grandchildren: 9
Grandfather is a staple in the Quincy Police Department and in the City of Quincy, and will United States Marine Corps: 1943-46, 1950-51
(Served Full Time & then Served for 8 Years in
Reserves & Fought in Both WWII & Korean War)
always be recognized that way.” I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Quincy Police Officer: Appointed in 1951
(While over seas) and Retired in 1989
Thank You,
Employee in Remicks Department Store
(Quincy, Ma): 1943-1983
Kristopher M. Kamborian
Employee in City Clerks Office
(City of Quincy City Hall): 1990-2009
New Contest
Guess
the Santa
Want to be in an
upcoming newsletter?
Drop us a note along with
any images you have of
For colds and sniffles Santa has no time
your Possible Dreams
What he needs is a daily dose of Vitamin C
Clothtique collection to
It will keep him healthy and in his prime
Now you know why he carries an orange tree
Send your entries to: mslittown@dept56.com.
Include in the subject line “Guess the Santa”.
One winner will be selected from entries.
mslittown@dept56.com.
We’d love to hear
from you.
Entries must be received by 3/15/11.
Congratulations to our winner from our last “Guess the Santa” contest.
The Answer was Silver Bells | Winner-Donald Sico, Riverton, NJ 08077
Christmas
word
search
BELLS
BLITZEN
CANDLES
CANDY
CANES
CARDS
CELEBRATE
CHRISTMAS TREE
COMET
CUPID
DANCER
DONNER
ELVES
FAIRIES
FRUITCAKE
GREETINGS
HAM
HOLIDAY
JUBLEE
MISTLETOE
NOEL
NORTH POLE
PARADES
PARTY
POINSETTIA
PRANCER
REINDEER
SANTA CLAUS
SEASON
SCROOGE
SLED
SLEIGH
STOCKING STUFFERS
STOCKINGS
SWEET POTATO
TIDINGS
VIXEN
WREATH
Sneak Peek
Mrs Claus’
fruitcake
Traditional Christmas cakes were
made in advance, usually no later
than November. The cake would
be kept upside down in an airtight
tin. Every week a small amount of
brandy, sherry or whisky would be
‘fed’ into holes in the cake, until
Christmas.
Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe
Ingredients for Mrs. Claus to pick up:
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4 oz raisins
4 oz candied cherries
4 oz mixed peel
1 lb currants
4 oz golden raisins
2 tablespoons brandy, sherry or rum
4 eggs
8 oz butter
8 oz soft brown sugar
8 oz plain white flour
1 teaspoon mixed spice
4 oz ground almonds
Answer to
Christmas Word Search
on page 3.
Mrs Claus’ Fruitcake
2011 release
#4022364
Instructions:
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Have Elves chop raisins, cherries and mixed peel.
Put these in a bowl with currants and golden raisins.
Watch Santa pour the brandy, sherry or rum over the mixture and leave
overnight.
Line an 8 inch diameter round cake tin or 7 inch square tin with
parchment paper.
Preheat oven to 300°F.
Beat the eggs.
Help Donner and Blitzen cream butter and sugar in a large bowl.
Sift flour and mixed spice in a separate bowl.
Add soaked fruit and ground almonds.
Let Rudolph mix well together.
Add spoonfuls of egg then flour mixture to bowl of creamed ingredients.
Mix well at each addition until all is thoroughly mixed.
Have Santa put mixture into prepared tin.
Bake the cake for 3 to 4 hours, until it is firm.
Help Elves remove cake from the tin and place on a cooling wire.
When cold, store in an air-tight tin and let it mature as long as possible
(at least 3 months). It will keep for a year.