Hot Line to Santa Claus
By Robert Kerr
Have you ever wondered who was behind that jolly red face and mountain of whiskers when you took your little sister or brother (or maybe yourself) to sit on Santa Claus’s knee and give him a list of Christmas wishes?
At Sears Roebuck and Company in Texarkana, it’s Rodney Thomas of Rt. 7, Box 459, who is a freshman at TC.
How does one become a Santa Claus? Rodney said he started more out of necessity than experience. He applied at Sears for part-time work and, willing to try anything once, wound up as jolly old St. Nick himself.
However, according to Rodney, it has been a most rewarding experience. “You learn a lot about children and a lot about parents,” he said.
But don’t get the idea that just anyone can do this type of work. According to Ima Witterstaetter, of the personnel department at Sears, it is often difficult to find someone who is good with children and can make them smile for a picture with Santa.
Apparently Rodney has the touch. He was recently greeted by a small child who cried “There’s Santa Claus!” upon spotting Rodney as he emerged from his dressing room.
And in this line of work, you don’t find any profit-seekers as far as monetary gain goes. Santa Claus’s receive only minimum wages and according to Mrs. Witterstaetter they have to love their work or they usually don’t make it.
For any of you interested, Rodney is busy bringing delight to the hearts of youngsters at Sears every night from four to eight p.m. and all day Saturday. He will be around until Dec. 23 when he will presumably leave to carry out other duties.
And if Santa still lives in your heart, don’t pay too much attention to anyone who tells you different. When this reporter talked with him on the phone, I assumed that my call was being received at Sears. However there was a faint noise of busy hands and tools in the background.
Enough to make one wonder if the line didn’t run to a pole somewhat farther north.