Meet the Real Santas

by Bill Alley, Broadcast Host, Producer & Beard Advocate

Now I understand first-hand how Beard and Moustache competitions can seem a bit disorganized. This was a new venture for us, and as with most events things change in an instant for a host of reasons (weather, ballroom size, let your own imagination run wild), David and I were in the midst of signing up Santas inside the Conference Center at Branson's Chateau on the Lake; just outside the Sno-lympics (how the Kringles do Olympics) had Santas sweat to building bicycles in record time, sprinting through obstacle courses...or participating in the beloved Un-Run where Santas pay to watch others compete at outside umbrella-covered tables.

Our job was to keep as many Santas from escaping (especially during that hot morning) so that we could run a great contest. We wisely chose doing the event in the Lounge area and gathered about 35 participants. All were incredibly great choices and for many this was their first ever beard competition. There were four categories between Long Natural and Long Styled beards, Short Natural and Short Styled, and a Legend Beard (the man being full bearded the longest; Santa James Andrews wins with full whiskers since 1963!)  Each of the contests (except the Legend Beard) had first, second and third place winners. Judging was done in part with the crowd that gathered to watch (some related or married to the contestants) with myself and David making critical choices when it was too close to call.

The Original Santa

Nikolaos of Myra was a 4th-century Christian saint who lived in Lycia, a region of modern-day Turkey. Saint Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. As a legendary figure, Santa Claus is always depicted with a flowing white beard.

Keeping Your Appearance Right for Any Job
by Bill Alley, Broadcast Host, Producer & Beard Advocate

For those of us who are full-bearded or wear longer goatees, moustaches and side burns, there is a set routine we undertake in getting these whiskers in line.

For our foray into the professional Santa arena, our thought was to find the best of barber-stylists who were beard-conscious and respectful. To find such an establishment took a bit of research and legwork, but success was made much easier by just asking another fine bearded fellow.

The Beard and Moustache scene in central Texas turned our heads to an establishment called Finley’s for Men. For both David and myself this was our first attempt at allowing (again or at all) anyone to be the molding, sculpting force of our facial frock. Our shop of choice was just north of Austin in the Avery Ranch neighborhood.

 The store had all the hallmarks of barbers past, from the seating to the checkerboard floors; a snack and drink bar, complete with adult beverages, was a joy to have encountered. We were given recommendation to have Sueanne take charge; a youthful and “hip” gal with instant ability to connect with us and the knowledge of what her mission bore: the best looking beards ready for the Convention.

We were impressed – twice! Sueanne got her best experience from work done on her own husband's thick beard, and with his challenges, she proved to have mastered the concerns we had on our own whisker issues. She is a true Beard Advocate; her love of full beards achieved the perfect outcomes so that we could focus on our work with total confidence.

Santa’s Bearded Brotherhood

This month The International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas is one of two Santa groups dedicated to the cause of the craft. Santa must have the Spirit of Christmas which embodies itself in “The Santa Claus Oath,” which is a forever and living testimony to the Christmas Spirit and message, both in-season and daily by participating in charitable acts in their communities. Tim Connaghan, the National Santa, Kringle Group CEO and Discover Santa Chairman, (pictured below) realized years back that Santas are unique in their mission and social status. He fostered the creation of a Santa School based on his book Behind The Red Suit: The Business of Santa to engage Santas at being better rounded and skilled both in business and as “missionaries” of Christmas. At Branson, it all starts with the Kringle Family Reunion, the spirit and soul of family, love, charity and kindness—a unified embodiment of their Oath. Education and sharing experiences, through the many and varied workshops, have equipped Santa for being the best good-will ambassador this holiday.

Think of it: a child comes to you, whispering in your ear, that all they want for Christmas is to have Daddy home from war...or Mommy to stop smoking, or worse. How does Santa make a promise, or wrap such a huge request? Trained Santas we encountered in the five days of their family reunion gave us their testimony. The sessions at the event developed skills common to a caregiver, a psychologist, an advocate for child and family, and a liaison to emergency services whenever the worst of times is revealed by a child, friend or adult.

In all DiscoverSanta raised $10,000 for the US Marines' Toys For Tots seasonal kick-off campaign at the event where Beardsley & Company was a Silver Sponsor and contributor.

Your Beard as Face Guardian:
Natural Protection from the Sun, Year-Round

by Bill Alley, Broadcast Host, Producer & Beard Advocate

There's a name and a cause attached to this short story. The name is Scott Maggs, a.k.a. Jimmy Niggles. The story has to do with Wes, a friend’s struggle with cancer which ended his life in 2009, at age 26. A good place to dive into the details of what happened starts here.

To think that nature—the great outdoors—was the catalyst for melanoma to form on Wes and turn to the deadly killer, there on his face. Australians have been made especially aware of the sun's powerful connections to skin weakness where lesions, moles and discoloration should be signs to seek medical care. The advice is good to heed anywhere on Earth.

Something as natural for men as a full beard has also been touted as the best defense in blocking harmful solar radiation.  Since the turn of the century the Beard Season project gets men around the world to focus on “Movember,” skin cancer and all forms of cancers in men. Medical journals worldwide have been adding their own finding that dense hair on humans remains a natural combatant against skin cancer.

For those of us in the winter-paced Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, solar radiation is no less prevalent. For avoiding skin cancers and frostbite, your beard is “face first” protection.

More on this topic from Beard Season can be  found on their Facebook page