The North Pole News Dispatch

14/07/2024

Join us Todd and Ken tonight live on YouTube!

07/07/2024

Join us tonight 7/7 live on YouTube!

25/06/2024

01/06/2024

New episode out now!
Sorry this episode just dropped but the elves here at the North Pole had trouble getting it through the strong geomagnetic storms and unusually large solar flares so better late than never.

‎Show The North Pole News Dispatch, Ep NPND May Edition - Jun 1, 2024

03/04/2024

Tonight!

Unveil the magic of the 2024 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Box in our latest unboxing video! 🎄 Experience the enchanting treasures of Christmas Clatter as we reveal this year's collection. From timeless classics to delightful surprises, each ornament promises to add a touch of holiday cheer to your tree. Watch now and join us in celebrating the wonder of the festive season! 🎁✨
https://youtube.com/live/rJ74BjDmays?feature=share

01/04/2024

Can’t wait to see what is inside!
Don’t miss new Hallmark ornaments for 2024!

Hello everybody!!!!

28/03/2024

Celebrating all the holidays here at The Dispatch Station! Two of my Easter favorites!

13/03/2024

Today’s Christmas Spin!
The 1968 recording “Christmas Day with Colonel Sanders” offers a delightful and charming glimpse into the sound of the holidays in the 60’s. This vinyl not only captures the essence of Christmas but also reflects the true Americana aspect of Colonel Sanders and KFC as he became a beloved figure in American Pop Culture. The 1968 vinyl “Christmas Day with Colonel Sanders” is not just a cool relic of the past but a timeless reminder of the joy and warmth the holiday season brings. My two favorite picks are both on side one. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Ed Ames and “The Christmas Song” by Henry Mancini and His Orchestra.

31/01/2024

These Valentine Rice Crispy Treats from the Jolly Bakery are so good. My favorite is the heart shaped with strawberry cream cheese frosting drizzled with white chocolate!

28/01/2024

Today's Valentine Spin!
Dean Martin’s album “You Can’t Love ‘Em All” was released in 1967 and recorded in San Fransisco on Pickwick/33 Records.
In my opinion this is just a terrific album and truly fitting for Valentines! From the very first time you listen to this album by Dean you’ll hear something a little bit different, and much more than a little romantic. There are sweeping strings, warm brasses and caressing reeds. This album has a relaxed and gentle beat. And, of course topping it all off, the genial, persuasive voice of Dean Martin.
These are recordings Dino made before the heavier beat of more modern popular music of the day took over, a short yesterday ago when the lush romantic sound was still paramount. The songs on this album as you might well imagine are choice examples of Dean at his finest, singing with warm and casual intimacy, the relaxed and mellow style that have made him one of music’s most enduring stars. All the songs from this album sound as though they might well have been written for the man who sings them-a romantic easy going fellow named Dean Martin.
My two favorite picks from “You Can’t Love ‘Em All”
are both on side 1 and they are “I’m Yours” and “I Still Get A Thrill Thinking Of You”.

22/01/2024

The Creamy Blueberry Pie recipe from The Jolly Bakery

20/01/2024

Elf Kristi’s Everyday Chocolate Chip Cookies. Check the January Edition for a live Taste Test and recipe.

12/01/2024

Today's Christmas Spin!
Kentucky Fried Chicken’s 1966 release of “Christmas Eve with Colonel Sanders” is the first of four Christmas albums recorded on RCA Victor and ran from 1966-1969. The 1960’s were the golden years of promotional Christmas albums sold by retailers such as Firestone Tire, Gas Stations, Hardware and Department Stores and yes even by the Colonel at Kentucky Fried Chicken. The 1966 album was released in mono only and a year later in 1967 the same album was re-issued in stereo. The difference is the 1967 album says stereo at the top left corner of the album cover and consists of the same songs but were arranged in a different order. I feel like KFC didn’t have a large budget for this series of Christmas albums because on the 1966 album two songs, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” are on there twice but performed by different artist. It seems they used whatever songs they could get the rights to, but who knows.
Honestly, “Christmas Eve with Colonel Sanders” along with the others in this series are really kind of goofy because what does Colonel Sanders really have to do with Christmas anyways. Just look at him on this album cover. What was the photographer thinking? The Colonel was either catching a nap or having a stroke, not really sure but not his best look. All that said I do like having these albums in my collection because they are a true pieces of real Americana and I love KFC. I could not find out where this album was recorded but to me this album has the feel of an old Nashville recording as it has artist on it such as Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis, Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer and Hank Locklin.
If I must my two favorite pics from this album would be from Side 1 “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Skeeter Davis and on Side 2 “The Little Drummer Boy” by The Norman Luboff Choir.

28/12/2023

Here they are!
The Waffle House posters I talked about during the Christmas Eve Special. They hang right here in the Dispatch Station at the North Pole.

27/12/2023

When you’re the Eggnog Taste Tester you just gotta go for it!

19/12/2023

While waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve grab a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday drink and listen in to The NPND Christmas Eve Special. I'll be reading Christmas Poems and Such from the Dispatch Station located on the hillside looking down at The Magical North Pole Village.

12/12/2023

Thanks to Elf Arnie and Elf Doug for the prize winning Maple Glazed Egg Nog Cookies! Hear my taste test of these cookies on the NPND December Edition.

06/12/2023

Today's Christmas Spin!
Ella Fitzgerald’s “Ella wishes you a Swinging Christmas” was recorded with a studio orchestra in the summer of 1960 and released later that year on Verde records. The tracks are all secular Christmas seasonal songs, in contrast to her second Christmas album released in 1967. This album has been reissued several time of the years with variations to the album sleeve’s artwork.
“Ella Fitzgerald wishes you a Swinging Christmas" is a wonderful holiday album that captures the essence of the season with her unparalleled vocal talent. This album features Fitzgerald's velvety timeless voice backed by cheerful arrangements that blend jazz and traditional holiday tunes. Ella's renditions of classics like "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland," and "Sleigh Ride" are infused with her signature swing and soulful style, making them feel both familiar and refreshingly new. Her vocal control and emotional delivery effortlessly capture the joy and warmth of the holiday season.

Overall, Mrs. Fitzgerald’s "A Swinging Christmas" is a delightful and if you are a jazz lover like me, a cheerful and bright addition to any holiday vinyl collection. The album showcases Ella Fitzgerald's ability to evoke nostalgia while infusing these beloved songs with her own distinct charm. So if nostalgic Christmas is your thing then this album is for you. I love it and added this one to my personal collection.
My two favorite picks from this album are from side A “The Christmas Song” and from the B side “White Christmas”.

05/12/2023

Just recently I was a guest and had a great time on Pit Life BBQ Podcast with show host Johnny Maguire! Johnny and I talked a little about grilling, my Faces to Places Podcast and a good bit about The North Pole News Dispatch! Pit Life BBQ Podcast audio version is also available on all podcast platforms.

https://fb.watch/oKgTtdXabf/

02/12/2023

I want to thank elf Holly for the scrumptious Creamy Blueberry Pie from The Jolly Bakery! Listen to NPND November Edition for a live taste test! Recipe coming soon.

29/11/2023

In this special episode of Christmas Clatter, I'm thrilled to have a very special guest—my mom! Join us for a heartfelt conversation that delves into cherished holiday memories, family traditions, and the timeless magic of Christmas.

Together, we'll explore the joyous moments that have defined our family celebrations, from festive decorations to the delicious aromas that fill the air during the holiday season. Get ready for a candid and warm discussion as my mom shares her favorite Christmas stories and imparts the wisdom that makes the season truly special. Join us as we share the love and joy of Christmas with a special family episode on Christmas Clatter!

https://youtube.com/live/G4jZnQuLS6o?feature=share

29/11/2023

I recently took a trip with Todd Killian of Christmas Clatter to the Atlanta Center of Puppetry Arts to see Santa and Rudolph from the 1964 “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Listen to the NPND NOVEMBER EDITION to hear me talk about our trip.

31/10/2023

Your trusty guide to help with your candy selection!

27/10/2023

Just recently I was a guest on A Cozy Christmas Podcast with Art Kilmer. We had a wonderful visit and even better Cozy Christmas conversation. Together we discovered that no matter what your current situation is or how it may have changed over the years Christmas is best celebrated with family or friends!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375?i=1000632532370

24/10/2023

Here are some Candy Corn Popcorn Balls I made using the recipe posted on the NPND FB page. Give’em a try! The are so good!

23/10/2023

Today’s Spooky Spin!
Werewolves of London is written and performed by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. It was released in 1978 and was a top 40 US hit reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Werewolf of London is a iconic rock anthem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of humor, horrifying imagery and a catchy melody. Listen to my full review of this song on the upcoming NPND October Bonus Edition!

23/10/2023

In the NPND September Edition Stephen Marlow of Henderson Nevada responded by email to my question "is salting a watermelon a regional thing". He said he grills his watermelon a few seconds then lightly salts. I've never tried grilled watermelon until now. I mixed the juice and zest from one lime with olive oil, brushed it on the watermelon then grilled four minutes each side
right over the top of the coals. Topped it it off with some fresh basil from the garden. Listen to the NPND October Edition 27:16 to hear my thoughts on grilled watermelon. Here it is!