Posted on Mon, Dec 24, 2012 : 8:02 a.m.
Backstage: Santa gets ready to hear more holiday wishes
By Daniel Brenner
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Ann Arbor resident Danny Maier dons a Santa costume at his home on Sunday. Maier has been Santa at Conor O'Neill's for more than ten years. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor resident Danny Maier dons a Santa costume at his home on Sunday. Maier has been Santa at Conor O'Neill's for more than ten years. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor resident and local Santa Claus Danny Maier suits up on Sunday. Maier has been Santa at Conor O'Neill's for more than ten years. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Danny Maier buckles his belt and asks his family if his belly is jolly enough on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier climbs stairs to apply makeup and adjust his beard at his home on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier adjusts his beard at his home on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier looks in a mirror to adjust his beard on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier looks in a mirror to adjust his beard and facial makeup on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Santa Claus Danny Maier comes down the stairs in his home after donning the complete outfit on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier waves to a neighbor before departing for Conor O'Neill's on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier climbs into a minivan, or his sleigh, on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Ann Arbor Santa Claus Danny Maier walks through the back entrance of Conor O'Neill's on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Dearborn resident Ellen Laney, two, greets Santa as he enters Conor O'Neill's on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Livonia resident Maeve Hynes, two, waits to sit on Santa's lap on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Santa waits for the next child to sit on his lap and have their picture take at Conor O'Neill's on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Santa sits with kids as a Conor O'Neill's waiter walks by with drinks on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Santa Claus Danny Maier waves goodbye on Sunday. Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
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Santa Claus has been busily talking to kids across Washtenaw County for the past month, making sure he hears every item on their wish lists.
So who can blame him for stopping at Conor O'Neills in Ann Arbor on Sunday night?
But no, it wasn't for happy hour. It was - once again - the chance to talk to kids, this time at the downtown pub's annual event.
Here are photos that show the "backstage life" of Santa in the days before Christmas.
Comments
Jeffrey Smith
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
Midland Daily News photographer Nick King did a great story on the Santa School a few years ago. http://www.mppa.org/poy/554/2010-feature-picture-story-second
Jeffrey Smith
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.
... and nice photos yourself of course Dan!
Daniel Brenner
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
Wow, what a unique and interesting school? Perhaps we can do a story on it next year
jns131
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
I saws a video on it and not sure where. Maybe here? Or You Tube. Check it out. Pretty neat to watch. I think they are on the internet. Any way you look at it, Santa is a hit young and old.
Jill Boydston
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.
jns131, Maybe you're referring to the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland. http://www.santaclausschool.com/index.html
jns131
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
Did you know there is a school that teaches you how to be a Santa? Right down to the Ho Ho Ho to the keeping duct tape from becoming a necessity. I think there is one up near Flint. Would love to Ms Claus. From what I read? She is the most important person. Why? Distractions when things go south.