I've teased Mrs. Koch that she's a bit of a Forrest Gump.

No, she hasn't suddenly become a ping-pong fanatic, but she's taken part in a few moments of national importance.

This photo is from 1941, when she helped place the cornerstone for what is now the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial:

And today, in honor of Presidents Day, she shares a few memories with us:

...on 7/31/05

While closing Holidog's FunTown one evening, I overheard an amusing exchange between a mom and her young (6 or 7ish) daughter.

The mom kept saying, "I know you need you to go to the bathroom--you need to go before we leave."

The young daughter replied, “What I need is some ice cream.”

(Originally posted 1/8/09)

Will marches to the beat of a different drummer.

We like to say that when others "zig" he chooses to "zag."

So when he calls a meeting, it may not be in a conference room.

That's Will in the red jacket, holding a different, uh ... drum stick.

Today's "meeting" is in the Plymouth Rock Cafe kitchen.

It's a "tasting" meeting.

Under consideration: Adding turkey legs to the menu.

The assembled tasters chewed over their decision for a few delicious moments, after which Will made the presidential proclamation: "Let them eat turkey legs!"

There was all kinds of nasty (albeit seasonal) weather forecast for the early Tuesday morning this week.

Valentine's Day.

The one day every year when a red-inked letter in the mail is a good thing.

It was a sweet coincidence that Valentine's Day was the day we planned to move the original Santa Claus Post Office to join other historic buildings in town at the Santa Claus Museum site.

The post office was built in 1856. Since 1946, the outgrown 18' by 40' building has served as the House of Dolls (and, more recently, the Betsy Ross Doll Museum) here in the park.

A famous visitor dropped by in March of 1955:

Ronald Reagan was decades away from being our nation's 40th President back then, but he was already famous as an actor. In the above photo, he is flanked by Dan's grandfathers - Santa Jim Yellig and Louis J. Koch (the founder of Santa Claus Land).

Here's a video postcard of yesterday's move, as a dusting of snow didn't keep us from our appointed rounds:

We also have a moving video of last week's church relocation. Want to help us in this endeavor? Please check the Membership tab at http://SantaClausMuseum.org.

While cleaning out an old filing cabinet (you never know what you'll find!), we came across an old VHS tape.

Curious, we popped it into an old player to see what we had.

It's a Group Sales video, produced to help show area businesses what we had to offer.

The year was 1995: The Raven was brand new, Splashin' Safari was only in its third year.

Hope you enjoy the trip back in time:

Karen sent us a photo of her children, Derek and Elizabeth, who brought HoliDuck along with them on a cruise a few years ago. She included this note: "HoliDuck made the trip to Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Castaway Cay with us. Thanks for many wonderful memories."

When Nathan started posting photos of the town's 132-year-old church moving to its new home one-half mile away on the Santa Claus Museum's Facebook page, Sabine from Germany commented, "... in German we have a saying: 'carry the church around the village.'"

Indeed, Mrs. Koch's dream to carry the past into the future took flight yesterday.

The church's trip to its new home, nestled between the Santa Claus Museum and the newly-restored 1935 Santa statue, was a parade of sorts.

And a pilgrimage.

Nathan documented the trip in this moving video:

No, we're not marketing Mammoth Cake Pans.

And reviewers haven't issued any negative commentary regarding our new water coaster, either.

And no, the Greek god of shepherds hasn't added a new critter to his flock. (Although we do expect folks to flock to our new water coaster ...)

What I'm talking about is camera movement. When it's side-to-side, it's called a "pan." (Up-and-down is a "tilt.")

Get a load of the long pan Nathan shot in our latest Mammoth video construction update:

You never forget your child's first job. Or his first day of work.

Especially when he works where you work.

When my John filled out his Holiday World job application, there was a place to list past employment.

The instructions even encouraged writing down such career accelerators as mowing lawns and babysitting.

So John listed his other job: Werne Dairy Farm.

Truth be told, John's been a tremendous help to his dad this summer. And his position at this job? Assistant Manager.

Me: John!

John: Well, Dad's the Manager. It's just the two of us, so I'm the Assistant Manager.

The next line asked for Reason For Leaving. John quickly scribbled: I didn't want to smell like Cow Poo anymore.

So when he decided to apply for a position in Games, it seemed like a good fit. John's never met a stranger and he's good with children.

Sunday was Orientation. So Sunday evening was a home-schooled pop quiz.

Me: So John, where are the ATM machines? The pay phones? What number do you call in an emergency?

John: Leave me alone.

Me: I can give you demerits, you know.

John: Go away.

Me: So what did you learn today?

John: We learned The Four Cobblestones.

Me: Cobblestones?

John: Sure...The Four Cobblestones: Safety, Service, Cleanliness, Friendliness.

Me: Cornerstones, dear.

John: Whatever.

Me: Hey!

John: Cornerstones, cobblestones ... same thing.

Me: Not really ... the four cornerstones hold up a building; they're part of the foundation.

John: Yes, but cobblestones all fit together to create a path. They create the path to righteousness.

(Maybe I should see if we have an opening in PR ... all that shoveling manure rubbed off on him in more ways than one!)

At this very moment, John is working his second shift down in Merlin's Castle. If you happen to stop by Merlin's and see my middle child, be sure to ask him to recite The Four Cobblestones. And be sure to tell him -- he's been HoliBlogged! (Originally posted 8/3/05)

It's seasonal hiring time for 2012 already, and John will once again fill out an application, which will now includes experience in Games, Cash Control, HR, Sound Tech and even Beachcombers (he played bass in the group back in 2010). Would you like to apply to work here at the park this season? If so, please fill out our online application.

(Originally posted 2/12/09)

How many people receive emails from their boss with this message: Ain't they pretty?

And this attached:

Those big blue tanks are the filters for Pilgrims Plunge.

And Will is happy.

Who needs chocolates and flowers when there are ... filters?

According to GM Mike (who is also happy), these tanks contain 90% sand and 10% gravel and will filter the water used at Pilgrims Plunge.

And for this ... (wait for it) ... we give t'anks.