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Post by David Sechrest on Sept 13, 2006 8:07:56 GMT -5
The day after Thanksgiving has always been harped as "the busiest shopping day" and a kick-off to the Christmas season. BUT, when we were younger, to US, the day after Thanksgiving meant one thing: Santa arrived!
This Thread is set aside to discuss the places that you could visit Santa throughout the 1950's, 1960's, & 1970's (1940's anyone?) in Columbus Indiana. G. C Murphy's...Sears...wherever you went to see Santa can be talked about here!
By the way...you only have 102 Shopping Days left until Christmas!
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Post by David Sechrest on Sept 13, 2006 8:25:03 GMT -5
I received the following email from Indiana Santa. I hope he posts more info here!
Hey Dave, Thanks for responding. As to Santa memories I have a great deal. I can name just about all locations that had Santa in the 60's and 70's. Yes, I was aware of Westermeiers. In fact, I still have my photo with the deadly white kiddie shoes on while visiting Santa in the early 60's there. I remember Irwin Union's Santa and my wife and I was their Santa & Mrs. many years ago. 25th Street Plaza had The Santa's Shanty ran by the good folks at the Camera Shop. Hill's used Mr. Spencer for many years. Columbus Center had the Santa's Rocket Ship for a season as well in the late 60's or 70's. It drove around the plaza and Santa magically appeared when the light effects on the inside flashed. I have only found one photo on the net about this. I had always thought it was associated with Santa Claus Land, but they say nope.
Would love to find someone who had more information on this. Unfortunately, I never found any info at the paper office and the only merchant left from those days is JC Penny. The problem is most of those folks are retired or gone.
As to the old 4th street project my grandparents used to live down on 4th street. On Fridays, the family would meet there and the women would walk past the roller rink, pass polly parrot and then to Murphys, and the other shops. Her house was located on an alley +* where the star is showing. Today I would say it is real close to where the Sears automotive parking area is I will have to see if I can dig up any old pics or thier address.
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 13, 2006 8:32:11 GMT -5
David, David, David-------------altho' I am sitting here laughing, I might just cry, too!!!! When Richard posted the Thanksgiving ads of the cost of eating out that day in 1963, I got a tad frightened--------man, I am still 'dealing with summer, 2006,' Halloween is still quite in the future, and you guys want me to think about 'winter holidays of days gone by.' Now there is NO way that I can possibly post on the boards and think about Christmas then or for 2006. BUT I do think I have a Santa photo!!! Will make that, and a continuing search for a Garfield picture on today's agenda. You are great!!!!!!!!!! Well, perhaps, just 'too, too much!' Nanc
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 13, 2006 8:38:13 GMT -5
I do believe, and right now I forget the source of that info, that Tommy Warner of the dry cleaners also played Santa in town. I do know that his wife is still living and in a fairly local facility. Will try and get some more facts on that. Nanc
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Post by David Sechrest on Sept 13, 2006 8:51:11 GMT -5
If you follow through the 1942 Yearbook back to the very last page, I posted the obituary of Ralph "Santa Claus" Long. He graduated in that 1942 Class. Ralph WAS Santa Claus to many children in and around the Columbus Indiana area for many many years. Here's the obit:
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 13, 2006 13:47:39 GMT -5
I did confirm today, via email, that indeed, Tommy Warner played Santa for a number of years in Columbus. Additionally, I am told that there is a painting of him, and some of his grandchildren in a sleigh, in some city building in town. Nanc
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 13, 2006 16:10:44 GMT -5
I do not remember Santa being in a particular store in Columbus, however, I remember that a Santa walked along Washington Street, probably on a night the stores were open, greeting all the children. Am pretty certain that he passed out candy canes or lollipops to those children brave enough to go up and talk to him. I don't think that I ever got that candy treat, tho', was far too frightened of the bearded gentleman. Another time, as a kid, that I can recall Santa, was at the circus there on that big open field around 10th Street or so. As the circus performers made their grand entry around the Big Top, bringing up the rear of the parade was Santa, pulled in a sleigh by elephants donned with antlers. That too, was scary for me, and I didn't wave at him, as all the other kids did when he passed by where we were seated in the bleacher grandstand. I waited til he was 'long gone,' and then cried when he didn't wave back to me. For some reason, I do sort of remember a department store Santa in a store in Indianapolis, would that maybe have been Block's? Somewhere else on the boards, buried deep within, I have wondered outloud, what family had a Santa sitting in a rocking chair in a big picture window up by Donner Park. Richard and I, as recently as July, puzzled yet once again whose house it was. Anyone else remember driving by this house? Another holiday memory, was a house that was decorated with beautiful colored lanterns, at least that is what I remembered. In July, and I did mention it elsewhere, I found that home at 10th and Franklin, and way back when, belonged to the Custer family. I really can't rationalize why I was so feared Santa as a child. That 'old gent' was really good to me!!!! The Christmas that I was 2 1/2 years old, and I don't know how 'he' managed it, but he brought me my first pony--------------And 'he' got that pony right in the house beside the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Sadly, I have not a single picture of that Christmas, and the movies turned to dust many moons ago. In reality, 'Santa's elf,' my dad, worked for the prior six months on the weekends breaking this pony. As a little girl, I so remember being 'required' to take a nap on weekend afternoons------so 'the elf' would have that pony ready for me by the 25th of December 1940. And Babs, in answer to your question------I guess one has to be a 'believer' to get a Black Angus bull from 'Santa.' I 'know' there was a Santa when I was little, I just know it!!! Being the daughter of a watchmaker, 'Santa' or maybe, 'his elf,' made sure that I learned to tell time before I started school. And come Christmas, 'clever Santa' made sure I had a watch, he even 'sneaked' into my bedroom as I had 'visions of sugar plums dancing in my head,' and put my 'new,' actually a used, watch onto my arm. Oh, my, I awoke and was really scared, as the watch looked almost like my mom's and I thought that I surely must have walked in my sleep and taken my mom's watch. AND that I would be in big trouble for taking something that wasn't mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, of Christmases past--------------hope that many others share their memories, too. Nanc
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Sept 13, 2006 18:45:50 GMT -5
I am like Nanc, all this talk of Christmas is just a wee bit too early for me. We just got through with Labor Day, guys! Come on! :-( Halloween and Thanksgiving come before Christmas!
Oh well, I don't have any fond stories or pictures to post of Christmas past but I do have one very special "memory" of a snowy, cold night in the middle of Winter. My dad, who as most of you already know, was a school teacher and his teacher's salary barely provided for a family of four so he worked at other jobs to supplement his income.
One snowy night, he came home from work late and had our mom wake both my brother and me up, we were bundled into snow suits and out came the sled. Not much traffic back in those days and since we lived on 20th Street just half a block West of Central, that is where our dad took us. The snow was just like diamonds, here sat two small children on a sled and my dad pulled us back and forth on Central Avenue. I couldn't have been very old but in my mind I can still see that beautiful white snow. No car traffic had marred the street and it was just the four of us out in the Winter night. It is one of my fondest memories of a very little thing that our dad did for us that one cold night. I'm not sure but our mother possibly got a sled ride too. I just know I can still see the sparkling snow, looking just like diamonds. The trees and all the houses shimmered in the glow of the street lights. :-)
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Sept 13, 2006 19:03:52 GMT -5
I just had another Santa memory...well not really but you will get the idea.
When we went to Garfield School, I was in a lot of the plays and one year I was chosen to play Mrs. Santa Claus. I remember I wore a white blouse and a red skirt, had a Santa hat (probably made by the teacher) and I had white boots. At one point I had to take hold of the arm of "my husband....Santa Claus" and I did not want to do that. The teacher said "take hold of his arm, he isn't going to bite you"! We had to walk across the "stage" with me holding his arm. I don't recall the guys name but he was truly a great Santa because he was a really large boy; think thats why I didn't want to take his arm. :-)
Anyhow I guess I did eventually do as the teacher instructed me and the "show went on". I was probably about 9 years old that Christmas.
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Post by Ricky_Berkey on Sept 13, 2006 21:52:32 GMT -5
The painting of Tommy Warren is in the city hall building in the large meeting room on the street level. Its one of a number of paintings of memorable Columbus characters commissioned by and donated by the "River Rats" group. I did confirm today, via email, that indeed, Tommy Warner played Santa for a number of years in Columbus. Additionally, I am told that there is a painting of him, and some of his grandchildren in a sleigh, in some city building in town. Nanc
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 14, 2006 7:18:51 GMT -5
Hi Ricky, and thanks for the info on the whereabouts of the 'Santa painting' of Tommy Warner. I guess I should start a list of 'Things to Do/See' the next time I visit Columbus. Additionally, on 'that list' one MUST do the Visitor Center's tour of Columbus. Thanks should go out to Ricky and all the other volunteer guides for contributing their time and valuable insight to things 'Columbus.' Nanc
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Rhonda
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Post by Rhonda on Sept 14, 2006 7:24:22 GMT -5
The painting of Tommy Warner (Santa), in City Hall, was done by a friend of mine. His name is David Williams. If you have seen the painting, you noticed that Tommy was not wearing the Santa suit. There was some controversy about this when David was submitting his early sketches. The Santa suit was draped over the back of the sleigh in the finished painting. Also....I don't think the children are Tommy's grandchildren. I'll try to find out for certain. There is also a wonderful little story about the bird being held in the hand of one of the children. It is actually a personal connection to David and a family tradition from his mother.
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 14, 2006 9:03:51 GMT -5
The painting of Tommy Warner (Santa), in City Hall, was done by a friend of mine. His name is David Williams. If you have seen the painting, you noticed that Tommy was not wearing the Santa suit. There was some controversy about this when David was submitting his early sketches. The Santa suit was draped over the back of the sleigh in the finished painting. Also....I don't think the children are Tommy's grandchildren. I'll try to find out for certain. There is also a wonderful little story about the bird being held in the hand of one of the children. It is actually a personal connection to David and a family tradition from his mother. Thanks so much, Rhonda, for the info on this painting. Indeed, I will forward the info to my 'source.' It might clear up some 'family notions about the children,' as Tommy Warner was married to my uncle's sister, Beth Hunt Warner. And my 'source' being my uncle and his wife, who currently reside in Franklin, IN. Would love to confirm that about the children, as well as, know the 'story' about the bird. Thanks. Nanc
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Sept 14, 2006 9:31:05 GMT -5
Reference Reply #6. Nanc, Actually I believe all the major department stores in Indianpolis had Santa's. I know one of my favorite memories is of going up to Indianapolis (which I think we did at least once a month to shop) around Christmas time and we would look in all the store windows at the displays of trains, toys, Santa's, etc. Columbus had some displays but none quite like they had in the big "city". Blocks, Ayers and Wassons were the largest stores as I recall. ( My very first credit card was from Ayers!)
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 14, 2006 19:34:38 GMT -5
Slowly, but surely, and with the help of technology am getting additional information about Tommy Warner and his role as Santa. My uncle's wife sent me info that appeared in the Republic. Preserving a memory of Santa
Portrait of Tommy Warner reminder of city's past
The timing couldn't have been better for today's ceremonial unveiling of a painting dedicated to Tommy Warner. That the 1 :30 p.m. event in the large meeting room of City Hall is taking place five days in advance of Christmas underlines the significance of the event.
The subject, a Columbus businessman who died in 1986, was best known most of his life for the role he assumed every December. Warner was Columbus' Santa Claus. There was some hard-to-define quality that somehow or other set Warner apart from so many others who have donned the familiar white and red outfit.
He didn't do it for the money that was given him for countless appearances at parties and business gatherings. He gave all that to the Cheer Fund.
Nor did he do it for the personal recognition. For the thousands of children he gave candy canes, the ones who climbed onto his lap at a Santa's House outside Irwin Union Bank, Tommy Warner was an unfamiliar name. He was just Santa to them.
Warner donned that suit made by his wife out of authentic materials every December simply because he loved being Santa and watching the expressions on the faces of children who still believed.
He is the second Columbus "personality" to be honored in this fashion. Last year at this time a painting of Jack the Bum, the legendary lifeguard of the old swimming hole, was unveiled in the large meeting room.
Although neither of these men would be described as "movers and shakers," they had about them qualities which endeared them to thousands of people.
They touched lives in the most basic of ways. In essence they were remembered by so many, not so much for what they did but for who they were. Their recognitions are the work of the River Rats, a group of Columbus volunteers who are most commonly associated with their environmental efforts in creating and preserving the natural beauty of Mill Race Park and its surrounding rivers.
In commissioning these portraits - and others to follow - the River Rats are actually extending their mission of preserving the city's treasures.
An added bonus is that these paintings are the work of local artists. Jack the Bum was painted by Cathe Burris, and Tommy Warner by David Williams.
By showcasing them in the popular venue of City Hall, the community not only has a chance to remember the charming personalities of the past but to take pride in the abilities of its artists of the present. David or Richard, if this, in any way infringes, the posting of the article from the Republic, we can delete it. Nanc
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Sept 15, 2006 8:27:32 GMT -5
A second article, by Harry McCawley, from the Republic, about Tommy Warner, Columbus' Santa, and the painting by David Williams. Portrait of Santa Tommy should ring a lot of bells
By Harry McCawley harry@therepublic.com
David Williams got his first real look at Tommy Warner's Santa Claus the other day. It was in an old home movie shot many years earlier by Dr. Al Henry.
"I already knew a lot about him," the Columbus artist said. "1' d read a lot of the newspaper clippings, seen the pictures in the scrapbook and talked to his wife and friends. Still when I saw him coming up the front walk of Dr. Henry's home in that film it almost felt like he was right there."
David's study of the late Columbus businessman who dressed up as Santa Claus for thousands of Columbus children had to do with the commission he was awarded by the River Rats to paint Tommy Warner. That finished painting will be unveiled in a special ceremony in the large meeting room of Columbus City Hall at 1 :30 p.m. Wednesday. David's pretty sure that he never encountered Tommy Warner's Santa in person. The 34-year-old Columbus artist grew up here, but in his youth Tommy would have been winding down his Santa.
But there were things in that home movie that brought Tommy to his mind. "He was carrying those Christmas bells in his right hand, and he was holding them in a way that I instantly recognized from the pictures in that scrapbook," he said. "There's just something mystical about those bells. I think they say a lot about the man."
Indeed those bells were Tommy's trademark. In the years that he played Santa from the late 1940s into the mid-'70s they were a constant presence, his way of announcing the arrival of Santa Claus instead of the stereotyped and loud "ho-ho-ho" which he believed would scare small children. David's done quite a few paintings in his time. Several of them are on display at the Alley Frame Shop in Eastbrook Plaza, and he just completed a series of works for St. Peter's Lutheran Church.
Personal connection
However, he found himself more personally drawn into the subject of Tommy Warner than in many of his earlier efforts. "He was really an ordinary kind of guy, not somebody you'd think of as influential. I think you would pass him on the street and never think that this was the guy who was Santa Claus. I came to see him as someone who just liked to share things and not get anything in return."
That's how a lot of people remember Tommy through vignettes that speak only of a simple guy who really liked to play Santa Claus.
He is especially remembered around Irwin Union Bank where he was a regular presence during December. The bank is one of the sponsors of the painting, and community relations director Beth Stroh had asked some of the senior employees to share some of their memories of "their" Santa. Barb Smitherman wrote back that "he used to bring pork rinds in at Christmas time, and he would be all dressed up in the Santa suit his wife had made for him. I remember it had white rabbit fur. In the summer he'd bring in vegetables in the back of his pickup truck. He was a wonderful man and a delightful Santa." Nanc
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Margo CHS Class of 55
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Sept 15, 2006 8:44:19 GMT -5
Could some one please tell me if it is OK to go into City Hall and take a picture of Tommy so all those who have not seen it can enjoy it also?
I would assume it is OK but wanted confirmation first.
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Sept 15, 2006 12:21:55 GMT -5
Margo, I would suggest you call city hall and ask. I'll bet they would have no problem whatsoever putting you in touch with whomever and then you would know for sure. I can't see why anyone would object to you taking a picture of the painting. I have a friend who is an artist in Florida and someone is always taking pictures of her work which is hung in city hall there.
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terrys
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Post by terrys on Dec 21, 2006 20:20:07 GMT -5
I remember the one at Hills in the early and mid seventies.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2007 21:37:07 GMT -5
George Faure, Margie's husband that plays the Jolly Old Elf at Westfield shopping mall in St Peters, Mo,a suburb of St. Louis. He has been doing this for nine years. He has quit a following in that area. One family had moved during the summer, so come Christmas they drove 200 miles to see George, the only Santa they had ever known.
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