Santa, Kids, Ready for Closeup at Greeley Park [VIDEO]

Originally published Dec. 2011: 

At 7 a.m. the temperature at Greeley Park was still well below freezing when Imelda Murphy's appointed team of Santa's helpers arrived to make some Christmas magic.

"There's not a bit of plastic or commercialism here. Imelda has an aversion to  commercialism at Christmas," said Fran Murphy, of his wife's holiday sensibilities.

Sure enough, there was a wood cabinet lined with nutcrackers, a table display featuring Christmas mice, a rack with letters to Santa hanging with closepins, a roaring fire in an antique fire place and a real tree, fully decked.

Elves, also known as Murphy's children, 8-year-old twins Maeve and Eoghan, stood waiting to guide children toward a basket of candy canes and small gifts, donated to the cause.

Wayne and Marilyn Spence were among those helpers who said they wouldn't miss this event for the world, arriving early to hang the decorations and haul in the old 19th century fireplace, a relic they found in their northend basement.

Tom Duane of the city's Parks and Recreation Department is pivotal to making the event come together, they said.

"It's truly a neighborhood effort," said Marilyn Spence. "But he's Chief Elf," she said, nodding toward her husband, who had a brand new basketball tucked under each arm, all 104 donated to the cause by Dick's Sporting Goods.

"This is what Christmas is about," said Wayne Spence, who couldn't help but get a little choked up talking about the pure joy of being part of something so special.

Imelda Murphy said she was inspired to launch the community-driven event three years ago after reading an article in a local newspaper about the out-of-state money-making driver that is behind most mall Santa displays.

She had the feeling there were plenty of families in the city who might not be able to easily afford the cost of a photo shoot with Jolly Old Saint Nick. And besides, creating a home-grown North Pole outpost at Greeley Park somehow just felt right.

Trees donated for the event will be given to families in need, including the fully-decorated tree inside Santa's sanctum. Along with the basketballs, Murphy also received donations of 100 "gifts" including sticker books, candy canes and pencils.

Families started lining up at about 11:15 a.m. for the event, which ran from noon to 2 p.m., and the line remained steady right to the end, said Fran Murphy.

"The last family here had the right idea. They got here when there was no line, no waiting," said Murphy, who estimated there were about 125 kids who had a special moment with Santa, who many remakmed bore a striking resemblance to Nashua Community Police Coordinator Ed Lecious,  with an assist from Mrs. Claus, who coincidentally was a dead-ringer for Lynn McGee.

Irene Rutledge waited in line with her five grandkids, ranging in age from 7 years to 7 months.

"I think it's their first time seeing Santa," she said, eyeing the small but well-behaved mob, who had no complaints about waiting in the chilly winter air.

Devon Rouleau, 8, was pacing up and down the walkway, which happened to be strategically positioned next to an actual "nice" list spread across the grass, featuring lots of names – none of them, Devon.

"Good thing I wrote a letter," said Devon, who had just gotten word that Santa had left the master list at the North Pole.

Also relieved to know she would not be overlooked was 4-year-old Margaret Rork, who left Santa's lap smiling, after spending most of the time in line inconsolable after not seeing her name on the list, either.

She approached Santa, tears still on her face, and bravely listened as he explained that he was well aware of what a good girl she'd been this year.

When asked, she managed to tell Santa she'd like some dolls, and that her 9-month-old sister, Molly, would probably like some dolls, too.

Then she made her way back to her parents, and down the ramp of the gazebo, a basketball tucked under her arm, and an irrepressible smile on her face.

"We just moved here  from Rome, New York," said her dad, John Rork. "This is wonderful. What a great event."

Team Imelda Murphy, a "Who's Who" of those who make this special day possible ( she hopes she didn't forget to name anyone): Home Depot, Dicks Sports, Sconsas Fine Jewelery, Fortin Gage, Lull Farm, Rotary Club of Nashua, Haywards Ice Cream, Collins Flowers, Elizabeth & Richard Foemmel, Terry Remona, Bob & Judy Carlson, Mary Slivinski, Nashua Catholic School (Carol singers), Tom Dwane/Parks Department, Wayne Spence Chief Elf, Marlyn Spence, Lynn McGee (Mrs Claus), Meave Murphy (Elf), Eoghan Murphy (Elf), Francis Murphy, Cail Bellavance, Claudine Connolly, Ken & Pat Bruini, Cail Bellavance, Claudine Connolly, Ken & Pat Brunini and Ed Lecius.