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November 27, 2014 VOLU M E 70 | I S S UE 3 | 5 0 ¢
WestminsterWindow.com
A D A M S C O U N T Y A N D J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O A publication of
Hard work goes into annual lighting celebration By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Preparing for the annual Westminster Holiday Lighting Ceremony at city hall is no easy feat. Parks staff begins taking inventory and pulling decorative pieces out of storage in October, which is just the beginning of a six to eight week process. “We actually start planning the event in August, so a lot of time goes into this event,” said Jessica Stauffer, Parks, Recreation and Libraries marketing and outreach supervisor. An estimated 150 hours is spent on creating the lighting extravaganza, which originated in 1973. Over the years the event has grown to include hundreds of thousands of lights and at least 100 decorative pieces, including moving objects, animated pieces and a giant train. And each piece on display was made by parks staff “Every structure you see at the Holiday Lighting Ceremony was built by parks staff,” Stauffer said. “We didn’t order anything or have it custom made. There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears that have gone into making this event happen.” Every year about 1,000 people attend the Holiday Lighting Ceremony, sometimes braving cold temperatures just to see city hall light up and get a glimpse of Santa arriving by fire truck, led by the Standley Lake High School marching band. Stauffer expects the same number at this year’s celebration on Dec. 6.
This year’s Holiday Lighting Ceremony is on Dec. 6 at Westminster city hall. Each piece of decoration was built by city parks staff, including the soldiers who guard the front of city hall. Photo by Ashley Reimers The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and will also feature musical performances, hay rides, a bon fire and refreshments. Children can also visit with Santa after his arrival. “We have around 1,000 cookies and 15
to 20 gallons of hot chocolate donated for the event,” Stauffer said. “These donations come from the business community, which is really neat example of how this event brings together different people.”
For more information on the Holiday Lighting Ceremony, visit www. ci.westminster.co.us. For weather concerns the day of the event call 303-412-8761 ext. 428.
Man dedicates 10 years to St. Nick role By Ashley Reimers POSTAL ADDRESS
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
(ISSN 1072-1576) (USPS 455-250) OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the Westminster Window is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m.
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Ben Brauch flips through the large, white photo album on his dining room table in Westminster remembering a time when he was known as Santa Claus. A time when bringing a shy little boy out of his shell and making him smile was a victory. And a time when his priority was being a moment of joy for a young girl whose only request for Christmas was her father’s safe return from war. “Not every story was a happy one, so I had to give those kids a wonderful experience,” Ben said. “But there were also some great memories. I formed relationships with families and watched children grow up over the years.” Ben is a moderate-sized man with a white beard cropped close and blue eyes that sparkle with warmth and kindness. Now retired from his St. Nicholas role, Ben began his Santa career in 2000. He started as a freelance Santa before joining Naturally Santa, an organization that places Santas in malls, the following year. The organization trained him and eventually connected him with a photography company at a mall in Clovis, California, where he worked for 10 years. Every holiday season, Ben would grow out his beard to Santa stan-
LETTERS FROM SANTA PROGRAM SEND A personalized letter from Santa to a child for a $5 donation to the Senior Hub. FORMS AND donations are due by Dec. 8 and should be submitted to the Senior Hub at 2360 West 90th Ave. in Federal Heights. FOR MORE information call 303-426-4408 or visit www.seniorhub.org. dards, and he and his wife Anita would drive the 1,150 miles to Clovis. Ben and Anita, who worked alongside her husband taking photos and running the cash register, spent five to six weeks every year creating memories for thousands of families. The couple worked 10-hour shifts, seven days a week, before finally driving back to Colorado on Christmas day. “We kind of screwed up Christmas for our kids and grandkids during those years,” Anita said. “We’d end up celebrating Christmas the Sunday after the holiday or on New Year’s Day.” To be a good Santa, it takes good training and a love for children, Ben said. As a former teacher, coach and school counselor he’s always had a love for kids so that part was easy. The thorough training from Naturally Santa helped with the rest. Ben attended trainings in Las Ve-
Anita and Ben Brauch of Westminster take a look at some past remnants of Ben’s time as Santa Claus. Ben is now retired, but spent 10 years working as Santa at a mall in California. Photo by Ashley Reimers gas and Colorado Springs learning the dos and don’ts of being a Santa, how to handle tough questions and participating in simulations. “It takes time and commitment to be a good Santa because there are some kids who are afraid or shy,” Ben said. “I spent a lot of time on my knees, at their level, to make that connection. I worked and worked and worked until I got those tough kids. There weren’t very many that I couldn’t win over.” Ben misses the moments he spent with people as they had their photos taken with Santa, some as
young as newborns and one as old as 98. And despite the long hours, he can honestly say 99.9 percent of the time he was a jolly old elf. What he realizes now is that he was more than just a celebrity. He was a part of the many families he met along the way. “I had moms bring in photos of the past year and tell me how special I was to them and the kids,” he said. “I’ve also done some of my best counseling for one particular 17-year-old who just wanted someone to talk to. I had some really fun years.”
G ET SO CIAL WITH US
WESTMINSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS Man dies in apartment fire
P L EA S E R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Westminster Fire Department responded to a fire at 1:50 a.m. on Nov. 7 at the Toscana apartment complex, 8450 Sheridan Blvd. The building was evacuated and fire crews soon had the fire controlled and successfully confined the fire to
the apartment of origin. One victim was removed from the apartment and transported to a local hospital by Westminster Fire. He was then taken to another hospital via Flight for Life, but later succumbed to his injuries. The fire was accidental and electrical in nature.
Arson causes $350,000 in damages
Westminster Fire responded to a house fire at 1:10 a.m. on Nov. 6 on the 2900 block of W. 110th Ct. The single-family home was for sale and vacant. When fire crew arrived the house was ablaze. Though the fire was soon under
control, the $600,000 home had sustained significant damage. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. If anyone has any information about the fire please call 1-877-89ARSON. There may be a reward up to $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest.