Becoming Santa is a calling
The calendar shows 78 days until Christmas, although September surprised us with a winter wonderland preview.
Pat Russell, 69, of Coeur d’Alene spent the past week surrounded by a sea of Santas at the renowned Charles W. Howard Santa School in Midland, Mich. The school, whose namesake was a consultant in the classic holiday movie, “Miracle on 34th Street,” was founded in 1937. Some of the special skills taught to Santas-to-be from all over the world run the gamut — sign language, comforting a frightened child and how to drive a reindeer sleigh.
The sleigh should be easy peasy for Pat, a professional driver who teaches in Washington and through NIC.He already sports an authentic white beard and twinkle in the eye.
About four years ago Pat first donned a Santa suit for his extended family’s Christmas party. A few other appearances followed, including an annual visit to Providence/Sacred Heart’s Children’s Heart Center.
Pat’s wife, Dorene, aka Mrs. Claus, says that Pat is already a wonderful grandpa so it’s perfect for him to share the love with even more children.
When asked the secret to becoming Santa, Pat’s reply, “I truly feel it’s not me, I’m being led to do this, like it’s God’s plan for me in these years.” Bringing the jolly old elf to life has allowed Pat to see the joy sparked in the children’s hearts. He said that his response to little ones who worry if they don’t have a chimney is simple … Santa comes through the heart, not chimneys.
“Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.” Francis P. Church, The Sun. 1897
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When I’m missing my father most is when I’m most grateful to have had a father worth missing. Ronald D. Rankin, April 20, 1929 – Oct. 12, 2004.
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Highlights of Things to Do:
Tonight, Mayors Awards in the Arts with the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission at Hagadone Event Center, 6 p.m. Free and open to public.
Saturday, the 11th annual Junk2funk fashion show, with artists creating fashions using recycled materials, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles.
Auditions for Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center’s “A Christmas Carol” are Tuesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. No experience required, all ages. Info: 208-457-8950
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Happy birthday today to Kathy Epstein, Randy Wells, Greg Luraski, Lyn Harris and Ron Deering. Tomorrow Nate Brown, Jim Hamby, Bill Everson, Nancy Kosonen, Jessica Moore, Steve Fitzhugh, Lori Gravelle, Bob Cox, Allan Knight, Lynn Jackson, Mollie Sommers, Marlea Kruger and Mike Way celebrate.
On Friday Michael Pereira, Chris Pasquale, Ben Drake, Greg Worley, Genie Riegert, Chad Anderson, Cindy Odd and Warren Anglin blow out the candles. Happy birthday on Saturday to Tom Elliott, Jeff Yates, Donnie Murrell, Alan Brown, Kathy Getchius, Kirk Hjeltness and McKade Brown. Sunday celebrants are Nick Smoot, Jeff Johnson, Margaret Eddings, Derek Scharf, Serena Pratt, Kathy Pierce and Judy Bennett.
On Monday Randy Bohach, Leslie Lien, Jeff Elder, Dave Chambers, Karen Hammond, Linda Polley, Gary Graham and Suzanne Metzger put on their party hats. Cheers on Oct. 15 to Braxton Kurtz, Don Sausser (85!), Dee Jameson, Beth Peters, Katie Smith, Wayne Hammond, Elizabeth McGregor, Laurie Dixon, Beth Myles, Greg Cossette, Dave Smith, Peyton Brown and Patty Cheesman.
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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.