The Doyle Center in Sturgis will host a “Santa Workshop” event on Friday, Dec. 13 from 5-8 p.m.
By Steve Eldridge
STURGIS — Who would have thought that Santa and Mrs. Claus lived right here in Michigan?
They don’t, of course, but Tom Bland and his wife Cindy reside in Quincy, and spend nearly the entire month of December portraying the jolly old fellow and his wife. They both travel to various locations in the tri-state area to appear as Santa and Mrs. Claus, much to the delight of both young and old.
They’ll be visiting the Doyle Center in Sturgis on Friday, December 13th for a “Santa Workshop” from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. It will feature photo opportunities, cookie making, letters to Santa, crafts, games, a bouncy house, and of course, the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Registration for the event is required, and must be completed by December 8th. Those interested are asked to contact the Doyle Center for more information.
“Santa” was asked how this very rewarding and interesting quest started, and it all began with a sunburn on his face.
“I got really sunburned one summer, and it was very painful to shave, so I let my beard grow out,” he said. It grew to such a length that when he and his wife were out and about, children would flock to him and ask if he was Santa Claus. The rest, as they say, is history.
He decided that he and Cindy would take on the role of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and make themselves available to the public during the Christmas holiday.
“It’s been non-stop for the last 20 years,” said Bland.
In order to perfect the mannerisms of Old St. Nick, he and his wife attended a Santa Claus school, located in Midland, Michigan. A three-day session taught them that eventually, along with the normal gift requests, they’d have to face some hard questions, too.
“I had one little girl ask me if she could have her grandmother back who had passed away recently. I told her that her grandma was with her every day, and I said I would pray for her, hoping to put her at ease,” Bland said.
Bland also said that “It’s not always peace, love and joy for children around the Christmas holiday. It’s just not that way for every child.”
“Mrs. Claus” said that they sometimes make three appearances in a day during December, which requires them to have more than just one change of outfits. They have an outfit for “Christmas in July” as well.
“That’s become a popular event the last few years, and we thought it’d be fun to appear at those events,” she said. Shorts and shirts with a Hawaiian theme are also part oftheir outfit, but the shirts also make no mistake of it being a Christmas celebration, too.
“It’s been so rewarding for us to do this,” Tom said. “Helping the children and their parents open up to us is the fun part of what we do.”
Always being in character has its advantages, too.
“It puts me on my best behavior at all times,” he laughed. “Mrs. Claus and I make a good team. It’s helped us grow old gracefully.” He also added that “We can’t express the rewards that have come our way. Just seeing the joy it brings can’t be explained.”
