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A Few of FR's Finest.Every Day.12-22 to 25-06..Polar Express - Christmas Weekend
December 22, 2006 | Dolly Howard

Posted on 12/22/2006 7:42:47 AM PST by DollyCali





The magical train ride found in the Book and the Movie are the backdrop to the glorious adventure held nightly for 5 weeks in NE Ohio as part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway (CVSR) offerings leading up to Christmas .



The story in a nutshell: A little boy, Jammie clad in jammies(FReeper material ) doubting Santa’s existence any longer, is whisked away one night on a magical train, that picks him up AT HIS HOME & takes him to the North pole where he views the magic of Santa, the elves and the life there. It is a short book with wonderful art work & was released in 1985.

At the Ohio Polar Express, this is captured in the several hour ride that parents & kids alike arrive in Jammies to participate in the fun. Thanks to the Polar express we now have a new dress category to add to Business casual etc. There will be Nighttime Jammies perhaps!

So very much goes on behind the scenes. For the ride of several hours for youngsters in wonderment along with their parents and grandparents, there is an amazing amount of ground work that is done. Professionals and volunteers all work together to make this a memorable part of the participating family holiday experiences. Many US cities have similar programs, we feel fortunate to be one of them.

Do you just decide THAT day, hey, lets go for the train ride tonight? Well, no NOT EXACTLY. The ride is sold out in late Summer and tickets chosen by lottery. There are actually two trains that converge in the North Pole. One begins in Akron heading North & the other begins in Independence heading south. They arrive at the N Pole about 15 minutes apart to gaze out the window at the merriment of Santa’s workshop, all the elves dancing (town folks, who have caught the spirit, Santa on sleigh, drummer boys, reindeer etc.

The deluxe Saint Lucie train car.which goes out each night is a luxury charter smf is sold out for next 3 years.. To say this activity is “in demand” is perhaps an understatement. This popular train, which runs in part through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park holds several other Christmas related series of Rides Mr. Jingeling's Holiday Express and Christmas Tree Adventure (train to neaby Peninsula & pick out /buy tree, return

In the story Polar express (as viewed in the movie) Director Robert Zemeckis revolutionized the art of animated film in 1998's WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT by dropping cartoon characters into the same frame with flesh-and-blood actors. In THE POLAR EXPRESS, live action and animation have merged seamlessly, resulting in sparkling super-realism. A landmark technique Zemeckis and his Sony Pictures Imageworks team call "Performance Capture" perfectly suits the tenor of this wondrous children's Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg





A disillusioned little boy, just old enough to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, has the adventure of a lifetime one fateful Christmas Eve. Clad in his pajamas, he climbs aboard a magic train to the North Pole, driven by a kindly train conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks who starred in both of Zemeckis's Academy-Award winning films FORREST GUMP and CASTAWAY). Among myriad jaw-dropping moments, the train plummets brakeless through crystalline mountains in a simulated roller coaster ride. Going off the rails, skidding sideways, and snaking violently across a frozen lake, the train arrives at the North Pole (a vast, glowing city of brick buildings)




At that moment, the car carrying the kids detaches and they're sent tumbling down never-ending chutes and slides until they land in the middle of Santa's Workshop.


In the body of the thread are pictures/commentary from the last regular “run” of the season. Try to check back regularly for new additions. Your are invited to join in the “magic”




TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christmas; polarexpress; santa; trains
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To: Billie

LOL!... candy cane horns good un!...Clever!


121 posted on 12/23/2006 3:23:19 PM PST by Majie Purple
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To: DollyCali

Y w Dolly...Tis a joy & a pleasure doing so.


122 posted on 12/23/2006 3:25:03 PM PST by Majie Purple
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To: Purple Mountains Maj

Merry Christmas Maj!


123 posted on 12/23/2006 4:26:31 PM PST by angcat ("IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM")
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To: angcat

Thanks! You too!


124 posted on 12/23/2006 4:38:06 PM PST by Majie Purple
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To: Purple Mountains Maj
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Maj.


125 posted on 12/23/2006 6:36:13 PM PST by WVNan
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To: WVNan

Ty Nan...Same wish to you & yours!


126 posted on 12/23/2006 9:32:06 PM PST by Majie Purple
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To: Purple Mountains Maj; MEG33; LUV W; Mrs.Nooseman; GodBlessUSA; Mama_Bear; JustAmy; Kitty Mittens; ..
May your Lord's Day
be a treasure...




THANK YOU GodBlessUSA
(FROM HER THREAD AT FINEST last WEEK)
-click on each hot link to hear selection-





* Bing Crosby~Silver Bells   *Bing Crosby ~ Do You Hear What I hear

* Josh Groban ~ O Holy Night    * Clay Aiken ~ Mary Did You Know

* Mannheim Steamroller~Carol Of The Bells  * MSteamroller~Pat A Pan

* Elvis ~ Blue Christmas   * Elvis ~ I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

* Vienna Boys Choir ~ Gloria   *Michael W Smith ~ Christmas Time Medley

* Emmylou Harris ~ Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem    *Handel ~ Halleluja

*Nat King Cole ~ The Christmas Song   *Andy Williams ~ Carol Of The Bells

*Ray Charles ~ Winter Wonderland    * DBC Choir ~ I Have Seen The Light

*Mannheim Steam Roller ~ Little Drummer Boy   *Natalie Cole ~ Caroling

* Classics of Christmas ~ Deck the Halls   * Bing Crosby ~ Silent Night, Holy Night

* Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & The London Symphony Orchestra ~ The First Noel

     *The Carpenters ~ I'll Be Home For Christmas* Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

* Barbara Mandrell ~ It Must Have Been the Mistletoe   * Sleigh Ride

* Whitney Houston ~ Joy To The World   * John Tesh ~ Homecoming

* Mannheim Steamroller ~ O Come Emanuel    * Jewl ~ Hark The Harold Angels sing

* Bing Crosby & David Bowie ~ Little Drummer Boy   * Josh Groban ~ Believe

* George Winston ~ The Holly and The Ivy   * Charlie Brown ~ Christmas Time Is Here

* Glenn miller ~ We Wish You A Merry Christmas


127 posted on 12/24/2006 3:09:23 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: DollyCali
Merry Christmas Dolly!

I received a CD a few days ago in the mail. It's The Ultimate White Christmas soundtrack, featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney.

I adore it, and have been listening to it non-stop. It's a must if you're a fan of the movie, White Christmas.

128 posted on 12/24/2006 3:22:04 AM PST by Northern Yankee ( Stay The Course!)
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To: DollyCali

Oh thank you so much for these songs. Listening to "Oh Holy Night" and I feel Christmas.


129 posted on 12/24/2006 3:47:15 AM PST by YaYa123
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To: The Mayor
Because of our need and His love, God the Father gave us the gift of Jesus the Son.

Amen. Thank you.

130 posted on 12/24/2006 4:19:49 AM PST by .30Carbine
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To: WVNan
Welllll, would you believe half burnt ny strip steak and half uncooked. (? how that happened.) Mashed potatoes that had to be spooned (fast) before it drained off the spoon. Used mushrooms......I think they were, cooked them in black butter.....smoky taste... and brown Mrs Smith's apple pie. (the ice cream was good though. and the coffee.

but then it's a learning process. ( I really loved the field rations in the military.

Will practice, and practice till I get it right.

Merry Christmas
131 posted on 12/24/2006 5:35:25 AM PST by DaBearOne (she is always with us)
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To: YaYa123; kayak; Dianna; snugs; Bobibutu; RebelBanker; JulieRNR21; DaBearOne; The Shrew; ...
Some of you have lost a special member of your family this past year & will have an empty place in your home & heart for this holiday season.. Some are NOT FReepers & accessing that person's account for comfort. For some of you the time has been longer but I have noted in your posts, the pain you still experience. Some(or one very close) are now suffering with major medical illness, some have had divorce or other horrific events in your life. The loss of a beloved pet is a heartbreaking event that many are still in pain regarding. Please know that your FReeper community cares & lifts you right now at this time in prayer & love. May you find some measure peace & joy despite the heaviness in your heart.


Missing my Oliver ....still

132 posted on 12/24/2006 5:46:26 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: DaBearOne; ST.LOUIE1; Billie; dutchess; DollyCali; GodBlessUSA; Mrs Mayor; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine; ..

December 24, 2006

Wonder

All those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. —Luke 2:18

Elmer Kline, a bakery manager in 1921, was given the job of naming the company’s new loaf of bread. As he struggled to come up with something “catchy,” he found his answer in an unlikely place. While visiting the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he stopped to watch the International Balloon Festival.

Later he described the sight of the beautiful hot-air balloons launching into the Indiana sky as one of “awe and wonderment.” The thought stuck, and he called the new product Wonder Bread. To this day, the packaging for Wonder Bread is brightened by colorful balloons.

Wonder, however, is a word that evokes something more significant than a loaf of bread or hot-air balloons. One dictionary defines wonder as “a cause of astonishment or admiration.” It’s a word that captures the experience of all the people surrounding the events of the coming of Jesus into the world—the angels, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and all the people they told. Luke said they “marveled” (2:18). For all of them, trying to understand the birth of Christ was an exercise in wonder.

As we celebrate Christmas, may we be filled with wonder at His love and His coming.

Have you felt the joy of the shepherds,
Who were first to behold the sight
Of that holy Child of Mary
On that wonderful Christmas night?  —Brill

A wonder-filled life is yours when you know the Christ of Christmas.

133 posted on 12/24/2006 5:47:43 AM PST by The Mayor ( http://albanysinsanity.com/)
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To: DollyCali

Thank you for the wonderful post and all the links, Dolly. And Merry Christmas and good health in the New Year for you and all your loved ones.


134 posted on 12/24/2006 5:49:32 AM PST by Peach (The Clintons pardoned more terrorists than they captured or killed.)
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To: The Mayor
A wonder-filled life is yours when you know the Christ of Christmas.

That is the truth! O Glorious Truth!

135 posted on 12/24/2006 5:53:34 AM PST by .30Carbine
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To: Purple Mountains Maj

Will remember that. (just proves that nobody tells me anything.) My son Steve made a CD about Mar, and used your "flowers to heaven steps cover." When I learn how to copy the cd I will send it to you.

I have a lot of blank cds (dvd-rw,dvd-r,dvd+r 4x 4.7gb,and cd-rw. I just don't know how to make the copies.

My computer is very powerful, 2gb of memory, 300 gb hard drive, and 400gb external memory.

and a lot of other stuff to play with. can even watch tv on the screen..

Got the thing for Mar, to do her thing when she got back home.

Thanks again for letting me know I loved your flowers..

Have a wonderful Merry Christmas.

bernie


136 posted on 12/24/2006 5:57:35 AM PST by DaBearOne (she is always with us)
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To: .30Carbine

Amen.


137 posted on 12/24/2006 6:04:55 AM PST by The Mayor ( http://albanysinsanity.com/)
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To: The Mayor

Merry Christmas Mayor

Thank you for sharing the Lord's Word with us all year
May you and your family be Blessed all the days of your life.


138 posted on 12/24/2006 6:07:28 AM PST by stopem (God Bless the U.S.A the Troops who protect her, and their Commander In Chief !)
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To: stopem

Thank you!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.


139 posted on 12/24/2006 6:10:41 AM PST by The Mayor ( http://albanysinsanity.com/)
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To: DaBearOne

Good to see you. YOu know you are in our thoughts & prayers..

Cant you see our dear Maggie at the heavenly manager getting things "JUST RIGHT"?

hugs to you FRiend.. glad you are visiting with us on occasion


140 posted on 12/24/2006 6:12:41 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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