Primrose
December 18th, 2005, 01:31 PM
Web Cam Puts Santa On-Screen
Times staff
Grandma and Grandpa can be half a continent away and still see little Johnny visit Santa in Frankfort this Christmas season. In fact, they can be anywhere in the world thanks to technology and, of course, the worldwide Web.
The Times has joined with Going1Up.com, accs.net and Kramer Lumber to provide a Web cam at Santa’s house in Frankfort’s Veterans Park.
The site is the brainchild of Times publisher Rick Welch, who started a similar Web cam at his previous job in Evansville. It turned out a very successful site.
“I got the idea of doing this from when I was at the Courier-Press in Evansville, where I helped produce libraryghosts.com,” Welch said. “Libraryghosts.com is one of the top ghost cams on the Internet today. The cam itself is seated inside the Willard Library, which has been alleged to be a spot where ghosts reside.
“I wanted to try and get this started in Santa Claus, Ind., but at the time wireless connection wasn’t available or it was in its early stages and wasn’t reliable.”
It is now, and Frankfort gets the benefit. The site has been up and running since Saturday and has already had numerous hits on the Internet. Those who wish to view the cam, can go to The Times’ Web site,
http://www.ftimes.com/santacam.
The site also has links for a fun page for parents and children to NORAD, which, on Christmas Eve, will show where Santa is on his annual journey. The site also includes links to the history of Santa Claus, the history of Christmas and Christmas around the world.
The site will allow users to send personalized letters from Santa, for people to view letters and links to all the sponsors.
But more important to loved ones who can’t be there in person as a child visits, it will allow them to be in on the special moment.
“Just let Grandma or Grandpa know about what time you’ll be visiting Santa, and they can go to the Web site,” Welch said.
For those who visit Santa in Veterans Park, Withrow Photography offers photo services. Santa’s house also is set up with the help of Tri-Kappa sorority and Frankfort Main Street.
Times staff
Grandma and Grandpa can be half a continent away and still see little Johnny visit Santa in Frankfort this Christmas season. In fact, they can be anywhere in the world thanks to technology and, of course, the worldwide Web.
The Times has joined with Going1Up.com, accs.net and Kramer Lumber to provide a Web cam at Santa’s house in Frankfort’s Veterans Park.
The site is the brainchild of Times publisher Rick Welch, who started a similar Web cam at his previous job in Evansville. It turned out a very successful site.
“I got the idea of doing this from when I was at the Courier-Press in Evansville, where I helped produce libraryghosts.com,” Welch said. “Libraryghosts.com is one of the top ghost cams on the Internet today. The cam itself is seated inside the Willard Library, which has been alleged to be a spot where ghosts reside.
“I wanted to try and get this started in Santa Claus, Ind., but at the time wireless connection wasn’t available or it was in its early stages and wasn’t reliable.”
It is now, and Frankfort gets the benefit. The site has been up and running since Saturday and has already had numerous hits on the Internet. Those who wish to view the cam, can go to The Times’ Web site,
http://www.ftimes.com/santacam.
The site also has links for a fun page for parents and children to NORAD, which, on Christmas Eve, will show where Santa is on his annual journey. The site also includes links to the history of Santa Claus, the history of Christmas and Christmas around the world.
The site will allow users to send personalized letters from Santa, for people to view letters and links to all the sponsors.
But more important to loved ones who can’t be there in person as a child visits, it will allow them to be in on the special moment.
“Just let Grandma or Grandpa know about what time you’ll be visiting Santa, and they can go to the Web site,” Welch said.
For those who visit Santa in Veterans Park, Withrow Photography offers photo services. Santa’s house also is set up with the help of Tri-Kappa sorority and Frankfort Main Street.