Editorial: Dems kick up some dust over a MAGA event
Cynthia Prairie | Jan 10, 2025 | Comments 5
By Cynthia Prairie
©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC
I first got word of this earlier this week, when a dear friend mentioned it as we chatted. Then another friend mentioned it. Then I received an email. Then I saw the social media posts, which not only complained about the Fullerton, but complained that Republican Roy Spaulding was “Santa for the kids,” and laid the blame for this affront also on the Fullerton Inn.
The post, on a local Democratic social media site, said: Fullerton Inn seems to have gone full MAGA. They hosted some GOP events before the elections, had MAGA Roy Spaulding be Santa for the kids, and now this. When we first moved to Chester, we would get takeout from Fullerton every week or two. … Not anymore, I guess!
Here’s a screenshot Roy Spaulding’s poorly worded post.
Roy Spaulding, for those who don’t know, is indeed an unapologetic MAGA Trump supporter, who has displayed an oversized Trump sign on his business on Route 103 North for quite a long time. Earlier last year, he was instrumental in the resurrection of the long-dormant Republican Party here in Chester and attended the GOP convention in Wisconsin, sending back photos of his adventures for The Chester Telegraph to publish. (We asked the same of the local Democrats, but they weren’t sending anyone to their national convention.) Spaulding’s now the chair of the Chester Republican Committee.
And he is also a really nice and convivial person.
For his part, Spaulding admits that he wrote a badly worded post, which says that the “Fullerton Inn … will be hosting an inauguration watch party” on Monday, Jan. 20. On Friday morning, he clarified the post: “I did rent it … It’s a matter of semantics. … The Chester Republican Committee is actually hosting the event.” He added that everyone is invited to view “this historic moment,” no matter their party affiliation. But, he added, everyone will have to purchase their own lunch and drinks.
Chester Republicans have rented the Fullerton several times over the past election cycle for political events. “I like the Fullerton,” he said. “It’s a beautiful building and it has everything for an event that you could want.”
While Spaulding said he was baffled by the dust-up over the Fullerton, he also addressed the implication that the Fullerton “had MAGA Roy Spaulding be Santa for the kids.” Spaulding, who sports a massive white beard, said, “I stepped into help out because Scott (Blair, who usually plays Santa) was sick as a dog. … I got a call from (Town Manager) Julie Hance at 2 p.m. on the day (of the event) asking me to fill in.” He added that he even wore the same Santa suit that Blair wears and that he has been Santa for a Ludlow restaurant and for the Andover Mountaineer Snow Riders Club.
Also on Friday, Rob Ambrose, the Fullerton’s owner, said matter-of-factly, “The Republicans are paying… (Spaulding) paid me for the space (for) a day we are not normally open. … if you want to come in that Monday, come in.” (Back in the late summer, as we looked into campaign financing, The Chester Telegraph had asked Ambrose who was paying for several events. And the answer was the Republicans.)
Ambrose added that if the Democrats “want to host anything at the Fullerton, they can … and they did a couple of years ago. If you want to … have an event here, we are happy to have you.”
So this might not satisfy anyone who just wants to believe what he wants to believe. Studies have found that facts just don’t change people’s minds. And now that their world has turned upside-down, it seems to be the Democrats’ turn to proffer and believe untruths.
But at what price to local businesses?
By the way, the Fullerton Inn has been one of our anchor advertisers for several years now. And Republicans and Democrats in Windham and Windsor have all advertised with us, especially last year. Those advertising dollars help us to keep delivering unbiased reporting to you. Or maybe we’re just tools. Many will believe what they wish to believe, no matter the facts.
Filed Under: Commentary • Telegraph Editorial
Comments (5)
Leave a Reply
Editor's Note: Due to the recent repeated comments from some readers, including those using aliases, which is against our stated policy, we will be closing comments after an article has been up for eight days. We will allow one comment per reader per article. As always, first name or initial and last name required. COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT THEM. Again, no aliases accepted.
Just to be clear! Santa Claus did not meet the children at the Fullerton Inn! Santa Claus met the children at the information booth. Roy Spaulding did us(me) a huge favor by being Santa Claus this year for the Chester kids! Our regular Santa called out sick at 1:30pm on that Saturday. I made several frantic phone calls, trying to find a substitute Santa, without hesitation Roy agreed! This event had nothing to do with politics! This event was celebrating the community of Chester and its children!
WOW! It is so sad. Anyone can rent a facility choosing not to does not mean it is full on MAGA and Jeepers playing santa for someone who could not because they are sick. People are so negative and make assumptions. What has this world come to? All I can say is so very sad!
I am appalled that there is a dust up over this. Proves again lib-dem cannot take “losing”. Fullerton is a business. If you wish to threaten them with the loss of your business over who they chose to deal with? Then you are only convincing me more of your inability to accept the will of the people. Aka sore loser. If you’re upset over Fullerton’s choice? Then perhaps I can choose to not engage in to our product and those that advertise in it? But I won’t. Because I’m a mature adult and understand everyone has an option. So be it. We still last I looked have freedom of speech? And based on this reaction? I will go to watch the event at Fullerton! And yes order a big meal. And tip well.
Thank you Cynthia, for standing up for Roy, who is soft-spoken, a generous man, and whether you like his politics or not, is a small business owner and productive part of our town. A better Santa would be hard to find. Allowing a person’s politics to be the issue of public scorn when they are stepping up to be part of the community is shameful.
The people who complained about him might want to consider that kind of judgmental behavior is partly why the election went the way it did.
Thank you for clarifying this. I had seen the post and was wondering who was in charge etc. I am keeping my comments to just this because my feelings about January 20th are overwhelming.