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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-12-19, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013. For George Langlois, a charter member of the Brussels Optimist Club, it’s not too difficult to find a Christmas tradition that has stood the test of time. Langlois has spent the last 15 years or so as Santa Claus in the annual Brussels Santa Claus Parade, among a number of other functions, so when the holiday rolls around, it’s not very hard to find him. Despite having a stroke a few years ago, Langlois has continued his stint as the big guy come December and says he has no plans to step down. “It’s quite a job, but it’s fun,” Langlois said in an interview with The Citizen. “If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t do it.” The parade, he says, is always a big day on his calendar every year. What keeps him coming back is the children he gets to meet every year. Langlois took over the big chair in the Brussels Santa Claus Parade when Wayne Lowe, who had previously been Santa, passed away. He says Lowe loved Christmas, so it was hard to lose him around that time of year. “It gets in your blood,” Langlois said. “It can be a hell of a job some days.” Langlois says getting dressed as Santa Claus is the hardest part of the job. He spent money on a good quality suit, which looks great, but is no picnic to change into, he says. Luckily, however, he is not alone. His wife Pat makes the journey with him every year as Mrs. Claus, a job she particularly enjoys as well. “She enjoys it,” Langlois says. “The kids, the parade, all of it.” Every year, Langlois says, he plays the big role at about 12 different events throughout Brussels, Clinton and Seaforth. “Playing Santa Claus is a big dealto me,” Langlois says. “As long as I’m alive, I’ll get up there every year.” Langlois grew up in Sudbury as part of a French-Canadian family, so Christmas, he says, was always an important time of year, with lots of food and drink to be had around the holidays. In the early 1970s, Langlois first visited Seaforth, fell in love with Huron County and vowed to move back as soon as he could. He and Pat lived in Seaforth and they moved to Brussels soon after. “I’ve been to a lot of places and Huron County is just the most beautiful,” Langlois says. Another mandatory stop on Langlois’ Christmas tour every year is the celebration on Hill Street inClinton. At home, however, Langlois doesn’t need to dress up as Santa for his family. He spends plenty of time over the holidays with his children, grandchildren and even his six- month-old great-granddaughter, no suit necessary. Langlois plays Santa to Brussels for years Playing the big guy George Langlois, Santa, seen here with his wife Pat, Mrs. Claus, has been greeting the people of Brussels every year at the annual Santa Claus Parade for years and George says it’s something that he’ll never get sick of doing. The pair is seen here at this year’s parade at the end of November. (Vicky Bremner photo) PROFESSIONAL SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION All of us at D&D Glass & Mirror Thank you for your business in the past year. We’re looking forward to serving you in 2014. YOUR AUTHORIZED ANDERSEN WINDOW & PATIO DOOR DEALER 1st Avenue, VANASTRA LOCAL CALLS 519-482-7869 IF BUSY CALL 519-482-5816 Come Home To Andersen™ Back row from left: Tracey McKee, Jim Sills, Anne Sills, Russell MacDonald. Front row: Joanne Sans, Isaiah Sills, Jacob Sills, Mitchell McKee. Holiday Gifts Come in All Kinds of Packages The gift of your patronage throughout 2013, wrapped in kindness, is the one we appreciate most. FREE GIFT WRAPPING TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS Home Owners helping homeowners Main St., SEAFORTH 519-527-1620 SILLS Happy Holidays from Greyhaven Gardens We have Available by calling 519-523-9781 Londesboro Gift Cards By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen See photos from the Brussels Santa Claus Parade on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca