How the Grinch stole The Pearl's Christmas parade


I learned an important lesson while taking part in my first Santa Claus parade as a Member of Parliament: avoid walking next to a 6-foot Grinch with foot-long droopy fingers.


The Grinch will steal the show/Christmas every time.


A politician can barely get a wave in edgewise.

The Mount Pearl Lions Club Santa Claus Parade drew thousands on Saturday, thanks in large measure to the fabulous weather.


Most popular question I was asked along the route: “Were you dropped off by a search-and-rescue helicopter?”


Which was a shot at Defence Minister Peter MacKay.


People aren’t impressed, it’s fair to say, with the minister’s choice of taxi.


The quote of the day came when I mentioned to a woman how it was a lovely day for a parade.


“Every day is a lovely day in The Pearl,” the woman said.


And so it is.


Smiles stretched the entire length of the parade route, and continued long past the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony later in the evening.

•••

The Once and guests performed Saturday night at a sold-out Gower Street United Church.


The third annual Once and for All Christmas Time (including special guests Andrew James O’Brien, Emilia Bartellas, and Rick Boland) was simply fantastic.


There’s a new Christmas tradition in eastern Newfoundland — it’s called The Once.


Their new CD (Row upon row of the people they know) would make a wicked gift.


Only I couldn’t wait, and picked up a copy at Fred’s Records in downtown St. John’s.

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