The North Pole News Dispatch

16/02/2025

From the “Valentines In The North Pole Village” episode is my favorite commercial Valentine treat.

16/02/2025

Claxton Fruit Cakes have certainly been a long standing part of American tradition during the holidays. Listen in to the “Valentines In The North Pole Village” episode as I tell the history of the Claxton Friut Cake.

20/01/2025

Today's Christmas Spin!

Released in 1968, The Perry Como Christmas Album was recorded at Webster Hall in the East Village of Manhattan in NYC and backed by the iconic Ray Charles Singers. Webster Hall was built in 1886 and has three performance venues, The Studio has a capacity of 400 people, The Marlin Room with a 600 person capacity the world famous Grand Ballroom which holds up to 1500 people. Webster Hall also has a bar called The Ritz Lounge. The Ritz Lounge showcases gold stenciling on the walls and fluted glass along the bar. I say this because I could just see Perry Como and other crooners of that time just hanging out in The Ritz or performing in The Marlin or The Grand Ballroom. Perry had a very successful career that spanned over 50 years and he sold millions of records. He was the first artist ever to have 10 records sell more than a million copies and in 1958 he won a Grammy for Best Male Vocalist
The track list of this album includes timeless favorites like "Home for the Holidays," "The Christmas Song and "Winter Wonderland," but also spiritual pieces such as "O Holy Night" and "Ave Maria." Como's heartfelt, velvety smooth renditions provide a comforting and serene atmosphere that just perfect for the holiday season.
The Perry Como Christmas Album I feel is Perry Como at his finest. His smooth, velvety voice is perfectly suited for nostalgic Christmas music. The album strikes a fine balance between festive holiday cheer and spiritual reflection, and that makes it ideal for family gatherings or just quiet evenings in front of the fire.This album is a great choice to get started collecting Christmas vinyl or if you’ve been at it a while a don’t have this in your collection I highly recommend you try to find this Holiday Gem as I’m sure it will become one of your vintage favorites.
My two favorite picks from this album are O Holy Night from Side 1 and from Side 2 I really like Ave Maria.

28/11/2024

I had the honor of being a guest on A Cozy Christmas Podcast with Art Kilmer for Thanksgiving. After the turkey is all gone give it a listen.

Happy Thanksgiving! In today's episode my guest is Ken Smith from the North Pole News Dispatch - one of my favorite Christmas podcasts! Fans of good food, go...

23/07/2024

Today's Christmas Spin!

"Christmas Eve with Burl Ives" released on Decca Records in 1957, captures the quintessential charm and warmth of the holiday season. Burl Ives, known for his distinctive voice, delivers a collection of classic Christmas carols and hymns with a certain heartfelt sincerity. This album opens with “Silent Night," setting a nostalgic tone that resonates throughout the entire album. Mr. Ives’ rich, soothing vocals are complemented by the gentle orchestral arrangements creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that always takes me back to a very familiar and much simpler time.
The standout tracks include "Silent Night," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," each rendered with a unique blend of traditional and personal touches, I feel that could have only come from Mr. Ives himself. Burl Ives has the ability to infuse each song with emotion and certain authenticity that makes this album a timeless treasure. "Christmas Eve with Burl Ives" embodies the traditional spirit of Christmas making it a beloved addition to my vintage holiday vinyl collection.
My Two favorite Picks from this album are from side one “Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem” and from side two “It Came Upon The Midnight Clear.”

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.