While Santa flies around delivering gifts, a group of elves will be in our midst, making sure travelers arrive safely, can quaff a beverage, have someone to call if they crash their sled. Here are some of the folks who spend Christmas Day providing essential services in the valley. Happy holidays ...
Patrol Officer Brycen Hill sits in his cruiser with mischievius Elf on the Shelf Sprinkles poking out the back window at the Conway Police Department station. "This is definitely going to be my first time working Christmas," Hill said, noting that "it's nice to give back to the community any way that I can." (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Dispatcher JJ LaRose is seen at the Conway Police Department station in Conway on Dec. 19. "It'll be nice to work on Christmas. I mean, it'll stink not to be home with my family, but at the same time working here is always great and being able to help the community and the people that live here." (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Eastern Slope Regional Airport Manager Dave Cullinan (left) and Airport Associate Terry Eichels will be working Christmas, keeping the Fryeburg, Maine, runway clear so planes can land. The airport usually isn't busy on Christmas. "It's really nice, it's kind of Zen," said Cullinan. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
J-1 employee Ximena Hospinal will be scanning passes at the South Quad lift at Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway. She worked the holidays last year, too, and while she misses her family in Peru, "I feel excited because of the new opportunities I get to share with my friends," she said. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Waitress Robin Gagnon places a customer's order at the Peking Sunrise restaurant in North Conway. It will be open for takeout from noon-8 p.m., and the bar will be open from 2-8 p.m. on Christmas Day. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Kitchen staff Lin (left) and Ming laugh while cutting meat at the Peking Sunrise restaurant in North Conway on Dec. 20. The Chinese restaurant will be open for takeout orders on Christmas Day. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Customers wait in the checkout line at Walgreens in North Conway on Dec. 21. Walgreens will be open on Christmas Day. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Nurses (from left) Hannah Jernstrom, LNA, Theresa Harrison, RN, and Sayumi Camille, LNA, who will be working the inpatient floor on Christmas Day. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Kristen Hargraves, a cook in Food and Nutrition Services at Memorial Hospital will be scheduled early to come in early and depart earlier so she can celebrate with her children. “My kids are older now so they enjoy being able to sleep in. My family does most of our celebrating on Christmas Eve,” says Hargraves. Food and Nutrition Services is a round the clock operation, so the team rotates holidays in order to share the obligation. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Adoption Counselor Robyn Wilmot (left) and Operations Director Kristen Belanger will be working Christmas at the Conway Area Humane Society. Belanger said: "It's definitely something that it's sad to have to be away from your family, but the animals here don't have family. They still need care 365 days a year, so it's very rewarding to be able to take care of them on Christmas and to give them all of their presents that we get donated to us." (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Bartender John Paul Krol pours a beer for a customer at the Ledge Brewing Company in Intervale on Dec. 21. "I'm just happy to be at one of my favorite places on Christmas, and I'm looking forward to seeing all our lovely patrons," he said. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Hampton Inn & Suites North Conway General Manager Tim Butts and Sales Manager Haylie Bartlett in the lobby on Dec. 21. "It's good to work the holidays," Bartlett said. "It's the giving season, so not only is it giving to our customers, but also to our employees to give them time to be with their families." (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
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