Sunday, December 19, 2010

Living with Santa Claus.

The exact chronology of how Dennis became Santa is something I can't be certain I remember but it seems it started the year John Y. Brown became Governor of Kentucky. Dennis had some friends who were related to a man who was responsible for putting on the parade for Gov. Brown's inauguration. Since the Inauguration was December 11th they wanted a Santa for one of the floats. Dennis being somewhat rotund and having played Santa at the company party the previous year, was recruited to be Santa.
Dennis as Santa in Governor John Y. Brown's Inauguration Parade 1979

Dennis asked a friend of ours Regina Mudd to make the suit and she got the fabric and fake white fur at Behr's, a big now closed, fabric store in downtown Louisville. He ordered a nice beard, wig and boots from Caufield's and she custom made a beautiful red velveteen Santa suit with fur trim.

On Inauguration Day Dennis and Regina went to the event. He was in the parade and she was taking pictures. I was working and took a small television to work so everyone could watch parts of the parade between working. They got to go to the Governor's mansion for a private after party and he handed out gifts to those attending and got to stand with the new Governor and his wife Phyllis George Brown. He told me the Governor had his hand on her ass as she was speaking at the microphone!

The appearance was quite the success and the next year we put an ad in the Courier-Journal advertising that Santa could attend your Christmas party for a small fee. This ran Thanksgiving and the next Sunday after that. I was the booking agent and kept his calendar and was his driver. Then almost every day after work Santa and I headed out with a carefully plotted route to visit private homes.

Santa always took a candy cane for every child. He would ask the children if they knew how to sing "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer". Then he would lead them in a group sing. If he wasn't delivering gifts that night, he would have each child sit on his lap and ask them what they wanted for Christmas. The time he spent in the home was about 15 to 30 minutes and if he took longer I'd say, "We have to get to the next stop!" Sometimes he said they wouldn't let Santa leave!

The first year we did this we made about $300 at $15 for each visit. It was enough to buy Christmas presents and we both really enjoyed it. We were either paid in advance by a mailed check or someone followed Santa out and handed him the fee. Tips were not unusual! Only once did someone refuse to pay. It was a woman who lived in a very nice part of town. Dennis went in and did the whole routine. When he left she followed him and told him she was not paying him. He was hurt. He told me, "I told her that she was wrong to stiff Santa." We figured if she needed that $15 enough to do that she could keep it!
A friend of his was a photographer and he wanted Dennis to work at his studio two Saturdays being Santa for family photos. In trade for this he took pictures of Dennis as Santa. We used one on a post card which we mailed in late November each year to remind those who had hired him the previous year that it was time to book a visit for the following month! We developed a regular following this way.

The third year we got a big corporation party at a private home in the rich part of town and they paid Dennis $100. Those people had him back every year and every year they paid a bit more. He had several business parties with bigh crowds.  This went on for a decade.

Dennis died December 5, 1991. We had stopped using a newspaper ad years before but lots of repeat visits were already lined up. His Santa suit was at the cleaners and a beautician friend has his wig and beard, getting it ready to go. I had to call those expecting visits again that year and tell them Santa was gone.

I was married to Santa for twenty-one years and was his agent and driver for ten. What a wonderful life.

19 comments:

  1. After being the Pet Smart Santa for the past five years at three weekends (for free) in December, I can tell you I understand how special a man he was. Although I enjoyed the little kids who came up talk and hug me, and the great animals I got to pet and hug, I don’t believe I could do it seriously. I admire him for his ability and skill to impress so many people.

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  2. It was a wonderful life, with wonderful memories, thank you so much for sharing that story tonight, I needed it.

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  3. What a lovely story, thank you for sharing it with us.

    What is Christmas like where you live? No snow I imagine? What traditions do you have? I'd love to hear how you spend Christmas if you'd like to tell. x

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  4. What a beautiful story.
    What a wonderful man to do this for a decade.
    It takes a special person to be able to work with all these different people.
    Merry Christmas.

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  5. that was a wonderful story... seems like my rides on the fire truck were mighty small compared to this story...

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  6. That is a wonderful service you were providing. He sounds like a fantastic guy. Thanks for sharing the memory.

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  7. What a wonderful Christmas story. I'm one of those 'who believe'. Santa represents all that is good and kind about the world. You must miss Dennis very much. x

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  8. What a wonderful story, I am sure he was missed by everyone that year.

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  9. It was always my dream to be married to Santa.
    Thank you for sharing this memory as I know it hard being without him but I know his memories are so special and sweet. Remember him with a smile and it will fill you with warmth this Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!

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  10. Coffeypot: He was perfect for that role.

    Jilda: I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    Urban Cynic: We get snow in Louisville, KY. We had about 3 inches last week end and then there was ice! I hate the ice. I hear ya'all are having quite the time in England this week. Stay warm.

    Margaret (Peggy or Peg too): He sure enjoyed it as I did helping Santa.

    Glnroz: I don't know, fire truck riding is pretty special!

    Knight: You are welcome.

    Sarah: I agree with you about Santa, and yes I do.

    Bathwater: He is.

    Anonymous: I don't usually allow secret posters through, but since you were nice, ok!

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  11. This was wonderful to read. Dennis sounds like a very special person. I'm glad you got to have that wonderful life with him.

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  12. What a wonderful story... Bless his heart... Merry Christmas to you...

    Always...

    ~shoes~

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  13. What a wonderful post! I hope you had a very happy Christmas.

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  14. What could have been better?! Such good memories...thank you for sharing Dennis with us.

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  15. Okay, I'm late because I've been away, but this is a really beautiful story. Hope you had a good Christmas, and Happy New Year's to you.

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  16. What kind of a person would stiff Santa? That is just not right.

    Happy New Year!

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  17. Lisa: Yes I agree.

    Red Shoes: Thanks.

    Kwizgiver: Thank you.

    Nance: You're welcome.

    Secret agent woman: Thanks.

    Unknown Mami: A naughty person for sure!

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  18. You married Santa? Will you please be my dating coach?

    kisses

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  19. That's a lovely story, and brought a little catch to my throat. Thanks!

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