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Friday, December 7, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Features
Big business at the mall, happy children give Santa reason to be ho-ho-happy
Special to the Kansan
By Kenn MacAdam
As the two women moved closer, Ralph Scott grew edge. Each of the women weighed close to 300 pounds, and Scott just knew they were going to sit on him.
His muscles tensed in nervous anticipation as the women approached. When they slowly settled onto each of his knees, Scott struggled to maintain his jolly demeanor — and his circulation.
Then the women smiled, a photographer snapped a picture and the ladies stood up, making room on Scott's knees for the next load.
Scott couldn't help but smile with relief when he saw it was a small child.
For the last four years, Scott has been the resident Santa Claus at Blue Ridge Mall in Manaus City, Mo. Each year, from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, he listens to children's pleas for bikes, dolls and Nintendo
"Especially Nintendo," Scott said. "Seems like every other kid wants one game or another. But most of us don't." He kept doing this — I love kids.
According to Judy Knight, manager for Cherry Hill Photo, that's exactly what she looks for when she purchases her yearly search for Santas.
“It’s important that the applicant has a love of children, an even temper and a good personality,” Knight said. “Even if someone has those three qualities, if they have those three qualities, they usually turn out well really.”
Knight and Cherry Hill Photo are part of a trend that may one day put Scott out of business. Scott said the name 'independent' Santas is floundering.
While Scott usually finds his own work, Cherry Hill and other photography companies hire Santas all over
the country and then contract them out, along with a photographer and helpers, to malls and other enterprises.
Knight hired three Santas this season to work in Indian Springs Mall in Kansas City, Kan. Working with photographers and helpers, they will pose in thousands of pictures by the time Christmas Eve rolls around
All the money made from the pictures goes to the photography company. The company gives the mall a percentage of the profit, pays Santa and his helpers and the photographers, and keeps the rest. Most of the larger malls in the Kansas City area work with companies like Cherry Hill and Santa Plus, a firm based in St. Louis, Mo.
Santa Plus is one of the largest Santa suppliers in the country. The company operates Santa concessions throughout the Kansas City area, including Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.
The Santa industry is big business.
At Oak Park, a portrait with Santa costs $95. Videos are also available
at the Santa studio or $9.50 if you bring your own videotape.
More than 4,000 people will get their picture taken with Santa at Oak Park this holiday season, based on daily attendance figures. If half the group visits the other half are videos, Santa Plus will gross between $35.000 to $40.000.
Is the mythical, red-suited figure of Santa Claus merely an unfeeling, money-hungry agent for a faceless company?
Not necessarily.
"Personality is so important," Knight said. "A few years ago in Houston a father brought his little girl to see Santa. She was blind and deaf, but the father wanted her to get a chance to sit on Santa's knee. Even though she couldn't hear or see, when she could see him, she had the biggest smile on her face. Sometimes it's just the love that's all that's needed."
St. Nick legend lives on worldwide
Kansan staff writer
By Jamie Elliott
es, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."
Those words, written in response to a young girl's questioning of the Santa Claus legend, still ring true around the world. Millions of children believe wholeheartedly in the white-bearded gentleman, whether he is called Father Christmas, St. Nick or Santa Claus.
According to "The Story of Santa Klaus" by William S. Walsh, the character of Santa grew out of the
legend of St. Nicholas, patron saint of children. "Santa Claus" is a Dutch pet name for St. Nicholas.
The establishment of Christmas on Dec. 25 was apparently a compromise with pagans, who already celebrated an important festival during that time. The Roman Saturnalia was also celebrated then, and the figure in the festival was always an old man with a white beard.
As Christmas began to replace pagan festivities, the Christ child was still the most important figure, although St. Nicholas would follow
him on his rounds. Eventually, the saint acquired a more jolly, ruddy and round appearance, and took on the qualities of Silene, hero of Sanguinellus.
In many countries, Santa is still the "right jolly old elf" dressed in a bright red suit, who brings goodies to children.
Martina Keller, a senior from Germany, said Santa Claus visited children Dec. 6 in Germany, which is St. Nicholas' day. Unlike American children, Santa deliver the presents, German children meet him face to face.
"He comes in with a big sack with all the presents in it." Keller said. "He reads from a big letter, and says something like 'I've heard you've done really well in school,' or 'You've had some troubles in this or that.' He tries to make it kind of personal. And then you get a present."
German children also put out special red St. Nicholas boots instead of stockings, and in the morning they throw candies, fruits and nuts, she said.
In Belgium, children give their shoes an extra shine and fill them with hay for Santa's horse. In Holland, he is said to ride his white horse over the homes and drop candy into the chimneys.
In parts of France and Germany, St. Nicholas retains a more dignified stature. He is more grave and severe. He still distributes gifts but also brings along a birch rod to punish children who are bad. In some villages an evil spirit called Ruprecht who looks after bad boys and girls.
Theodore Johnson Jr., professor of French and Italian, spent two christ-mashes in France with the KU Study Abroad program in Bordeaux. While
he was there, he had the chance to play Santa for the students.
"In France, he's called L'Peer Neel." Johnson said. "He's very thin, like the idea of a bishop. He wears red and carries a mitre. L'Peer Nelo is sort of downplayed, but he still brings children presents."
One French tradition Johnson and his family still carry on in the setting out of shoes for Le Pere Noel, who travels by donkey. Children often leave a carrot in their shoes for the animal, he said.
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Immanuel means "God with us"
The world is decked in the garb of celebration: Tinsel and lights, garlands of greenery, brightly colored packages and flashing Christmas greenery cover our world. The world is engaged in the spirit of celebration.
God calls us now in this Christmas season to become new, to make room for our own nativity, even where there is no room at the inn
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Oh There's No Place Like
Church For the Holidays
The United Methodist Church family in Lawrent invites you to visit during this holy season.
First United Methodist Church
Virgil Brady, Pastor
10th & Monton
Sunday Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 am College Sunday School 9:30-10:30 am
Central United Methodist Church
National United Methodist Church
Don Powell, Pasto
15th & Massachusetts
84 70 67
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Sundav Worship at 10:40 am
Centenary United Methodist Church
Bill Atchely, Pastor 4th & Elm
Sunday Worship at 10:50 am
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Jay B. Henderson, Campus Minister
Office and Student Center Located in the Southwest Corner
of First United Methodist Church, 10th & Vermont.
Campus Ministry Office: 841-8661.
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