Featuring the history of the first untethered space walk.
To all North Pole City Elves, those in Santa’s Village, in the Lower 48 and all around the world, this is your weekly update for the week of February 7, 2022. I'm your host Walter "Mistletoe" Livingstone. Let's go to press.
| For the week of February 7, 2022 your sponsor is Freddy’s Fine Furnishings located at 928 Holly Drive, Freddy’s Fine Furnishings features craftsmanship at the level you would find in Santa's Workshop. From end stands to dining room tables, stop by Freddy’s Fine Furnishings to find anything to make your house a home. |
| Update from Santa’s Village, there was some disruption in the workshop last week as Cupid and some of the Workshop elves were playing games in the cafeteria of Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and they were late returning to their shift. Although taking breaks from work is highly encouraged, supervisors of the workshop were a bit concerned when the elves were not back at their posts when expected. There were no delays in production as the elves stayed a bit later to get caught up on their work. “This seems to happen quite often when some of the legendary figures visit the workshop, “ said Ladimer Sneed, Santa’s Workshop Supervisor, “but we build this in our forecasted production numbers.†|
| From the Department of Elfland Security’s security division, Professor Hinkle has been captured and transported back down south.  Edward Hinklemyer released a statement thanking all of the North Pole City Elves who reported his wear-abouts that lead to his capture. “We deal with this issue every year and are prepared to keep all of the legendary figures safe and secure, “ he said, “Frosty is safe once again and will be out roaming the streets of the city once more.â€Â Also, the Tailor and Seamstress Division have been busy with the creation of some new designs for Cupid. Several have been posted on Cupid’s website and are available through the TAOLF.com merchandise store. |
| The Division of WWW/PR has been exploring other social media platforms for the TAOLF.com website. Coming soon may be an Instagram and a Tik-Tok account. Some tests have been performed and results so far have been favorable. Once these are released, there will be links on the main website and make sure you take the time to follow along if you have accounts on these platforms. |
| Update on NPC Weather, more sun is in the forecast. It may not be time to break out those shorts and bathing suits, but we will have some great snow fishing weather this week, so be sure to get outside and have some fun. |
| This week in Elf History, on February 7, 1984, While in orbit 170 miles above Earth, Navy Captain Bruce McCandless II becomes the first human being to perform an untethered space walk, when he exits the U.S. space shuttle Challenger and maneuvers freely, using a bulky white rocket pack of his own design. McCandless orbited Earth in tangent with the shuttle at speeds greater than 17,500 miles per hour—the speed at which satellites normally orbit Earth—and flew up to 320 feet away from the Challenger. After an hour and a half testing and flying the jet-powered backpack and admiring Earth, McCandless safely reentered the shuttle.Of his famous spacewalk, he wrote in 2015: “My wife [Bernice] was at mission control, and there was quite a bit of apprehension. I wanted to say something similar to Neil [Armstrong] when he landed on the moon, so I said, ‘It may have been a small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me.’ That loosened the tension a bit.†|
| Update form North Pole City Commerce Associate, it was decided at this month’s meeting that they will be tabling the creation of merchandise for small businesses for a few more months as they work on updating the business directory for the association.With thousands of businesses in the city, it is difficult to decide where to begin and it is suggested that some sort of lottery may be created for the order in which businesses will be featured.  It has also been suggested that the association may begin a business of the month recognition and tie this into the creation of the merchandise.  Further discussions will take place at next month’s meeting. |
| From the North Pole City Council, after reviewing the plans and designs for the new sidewalks in the city, it has been requested that the engineers look into including the streets in the warming system as well.  If you recall, last week plans were submitted to council for a system that would heat the sidewalks of the city to help keep the snow and ice melted during inclimate weather. This feature may be extended to the streets as well, but this would involve some major construction and disruption of traffic throughout the city to be installed. Council has asked for plans to be presented by the end of the month if possible. |
| A big week in NPC Sports as the regular season of the Snowball Games has come to an end. The final team rankings were:In first place: Love at First Snowflake with 169 points.In second place: Candy Cane Lounge with 164 points.In third place: Hinklemyer Cocoa Pub with 156 points.In fourth place: The Peppermint Shack with 150 points.These teams will be competing this week in the semi finals in all events to determine who will be going into the finals.  A complete scorecard and schedule has been posted on TAOLF.com. Again, we would like to wish good luck to all contestants. |
| This week in Community Events. Cupid will be sponsoring a singles dinner and dance at the North Pole City Hotel this Friday night for anyone wishing to find a Valentine this year.  Doors will open at 6pm and the singles speed dating will begin at 7. Food and drink will be supplied by Mrs. Claus’ kitchens and “The Tree Tops’ will be playing all of your favorites all night long. It is expected to be a great event. |
| Speaking of the North Pole City Hotel, WELF-NPC would like to wish Jackie, “Ice Cicle†Leighton, a very happy 800th birthday this year.  Jackie has been the head of housekeeping at the hotel for almost 500 years now and runs a tight and clean shp.  We wish Jackie many more happy years. |
This is Walter “Mistletoe†Livingstone with the reminder: If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
Have a good evening, and be sure to tune in next week for another WELF-NPC North Pole Radio News Update
