WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019
Serving Polk County’s St. t Croix C i Valley V ll since i 1897
VOL. 122 NO. 20 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: OHS girls basketball bounces back with win. PAGE 11
The Christmas Story
‘Santa’s helper’ nears 50 years in the suit
St. Luke 2: 1-20 BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
A
nd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they went there, the days were accom-
plished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keepSEE CHRISTMAS, PAGE 2
“At least two of the kids that sat on my knee then, I have their grandkids doing it now,” said Rick Anderson, dressing as “Santa’s helper” for nearly five decades. “I was 16 walking in the store looking for Christmas presents when I saw a one-size-fits-all Santa outfit, and it all started from there.” Taking only one year off from dressing as Kris Kringle, Anderson has nearly reached 50 years of pictures, handing out candy canes, and hearing Christmas wishes from boys and girls. He’s attended countless area events, frequently seen at the Holiday Stroll in Amery
or reading Christmas stories to kids at the Deer Park Library. He’s also attended The Art Barn and school Christmas programs in Osceola as well as many charities, nursing homes, and other venues. After all that time and so many events, one might think that he would tire out, but 49 Christmases have yet to slow down his enthusiasm for the role. “Wherever I could, I liked to do a lot of it,” Anderson says. “It definitely wears you out a little bit, but there’s no definite timeline when I’ll stop. It’s the little things. I like talking with the kids, and the SEE SANTA, PAGE 20
AMERY FREE PRESS
Rick Anderson has dressed as “Santa’s Helper” for 49 years. With the ambition and passion he has, it’s likely that 2020 will be his 50th year in the suit.
Getting to know the new clerk in the village Osceola welcomes Fran Duncanson as clerk/ treasurer BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
The Village of Osceola formally welcomed Fran Duncanson as the new clerk/treasurer at their monthly board meeting December 10. Duncanson has many years of experience in public service that she is bringing to Osceola and says she is
excited to be a part of the community. “My hometown is Turtle Lake, that’s where I was born and raised,” Duncanson said. “I worked at a bank for about five years before a deputy clerk positioned opened up in Turtle Lake 24 years ago, and that’s when I started my career in local government.” After 12 years in Turtle Lake, Duncanson worked in the City of Amery as the clerk/treasurer and office manager for
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Fran Duncanson
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eight years, spent two years in the Village of Clayton, and one year in Wyoming, Minnesota, before the opportunity in Osceola brought her back to Wisconsin. Outside of government, Duncanson is fondly interested in genealogy; a discovery that would show her that working in government was “in her blood.” “I realized I knew a lot about my mom’s side of the family, but I didn’t know much about my
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dad’s side of the family,” Duncanson said. “I started my research there and found lots of exciting and unexpected discoveries. A lot of things came up that make a lot of sense to me. I found out my great-grandfather was a state legislator in Iowa, and I found out that my ancestors also had a history of working in local government.” A cat lover with four of her own, Duncanson also works with Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue of
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Kenosha, a program that accepts owner surrenders, works with shelters and brings purebred cats in who would otherwise do poorly in a shelter environment due to their special needs. “If there is an owner surrender in our area, I meet with the owner to accept the cat,” she said. “Then I meet another member of the organization and pass the cat off to them who go through SEE CLERK, PAGE 14
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