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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 Santas 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 Santas 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
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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)
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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
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TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christmas; polarexpress; santa; trains
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To: The Mayor; All
Warm wishes for a happy and peaceful
Christmas Eve Day
& God's blessings to FR's Finest!
181
posted on
12/24/2006 10:39:26 AM PST
by
Libertina
(All Nations Under God)
To: Purple Mountains Maj; potlatch; DaBearOne; All
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay
Shhhh.....
To: Lady Jag
Lovely, LJ. "Let your heart be light." Mmmmmm...... It takes a (Santa's) village, Merry Christmas
To: Purple Mountains Maj
Another oh so sweet and precious posting. A Blessed Christmas to you, dear (((Maj)) and to everyone here!
184
posted on
12/24/2006 11:10:18 AM PST
by
onyx
(Phillip Rivers, LT and the San Diego Chargers! WOO-HOO!)
To: DollyCali
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the music!
185
posted on
12/24/2006 11:12:56 AM PST
by
onyx
(Phillip Rivers, LT and the San Diego Chargers! WOO-HOO!)
To: DaBearOne
Bernie, if I may, there are always frozen dinners. They're better than they used to be. I like "Smart Ones," "Healthy Choice," and Marie Callendars....
I salute you for having a go at cooking, though.
To: onyx
Well, in that case, let me say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too!
To: La Enchiladita
Very cute!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
188
posted on
12/24/2006 11:23:35 AM PST
by
onyx
(Phillip Rivers, LT and the San Diego Chargers! WOO-HOO!)
To: DollyCali; All
189
posted on
12/24/2006 11:50:43 AM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)
To: DollyCali
Thank you, I didn't want to bring anyone down, but I just lost my Mom Friday morning after a long illness. Thanks for your caring.
190
posted on
12/24/2006 11:52:42 AM PST
by
fredhead
(Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?)
To: dutchess
Merry Christmas..(((Hugs)))I know Purty will help Fred with all the duties Weinie gives him at Rainbow Bridge..
191
posted on
12/24/2006 11:57:41 AM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)
To: Purple Mountains Maj
192
posted on
12/24/2006 11:58:26 AM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)
To: fredhead
I am so sorry..May God comfort you in your great loss.
193
posted on
12/24/2006 12:00:44 PM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)
To: MEG33
What a wonderful effect on that table.. lovely. Thanks Meg, your offerings are always beautiful
194
posted on
12/24/2006 12:04:25 PM PST
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
To: .30Carbine
Amen... Thank you, Carbine.
195
posted on
12/24/2006 12:05:44 PM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)
To: fredhead
you aren't bringing anything down fred... Part of life is death & I for one want to honor those who are grieving. I am sorry for your mom's death...there is never a good time but the holiday's seem to add an extra emotional hit, more or less.
I read on Dianna's thread about your situation & you surely have my prayers & thoughts at this time
196
posted on
12/24/2006 12:06:34 PM PST
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
To: DollyCali
((((Hugs))) Thank you, Dolly.
197
posted on
12/24/2006 12:09:24 PM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)
To: Purple Mountains Maj
Beautiful post, Maj - Merry Christmas!
198
posted on
12/24/2006 12:13:39 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
To: Billie
Thanks Billie and a Merry Christmas to you too.
199
posted on
12/24/2006 12:20:33 PM PST
by
Temple Owl
(Excelsior! Onward and upward.)
To: fredhead
Dear fredhead... Here is a hug from me and a listening ear, whatever you need to say ... I understand. I'm very sorry for your loss..
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