SANTA CLAUS WITH BILL AND PAM BEDORE
Well folks, wonder what old Santa is doing these days? Well, I’m doing leg lifts to strengthen my leg muscles because of a wounded knee. However, I want to thank you for giving me and Mrs. Claus a wonderful seven-year Herons Glen Christmas Parade ride! We so enjoyed being the lead golf cart.
My thoughts drift back to when and why I ever started doing Santa Claus side gigs along with my usual Christmas Eve deliveries. Here’s the story. One day in the North Pole prior to Christmas I was thumbing through a Midwest newspaper and an advertisement was asking for a Santa to help with a local police precinct to distribute presents to the area’s children as a goodwill gesture. The volunteer job description fit my background and I felt I could use this as a warmup drill for my actual December 24 deliveries. I applied, I got the job. I was thrilled and did this volunteer job for six years. Then, Mrs. Claus and I started tinkering about an idea to become Christmas Eve snowbirds in Florida. I could still do what I enjoy, volunteering, just in a different way. Fills my heart to see young and old delightful smiles with that surge of excitement when they see the man! Me, Santa Claus!
We settled for the Herons Glen community and made a decision to now do our practice runs early on Christmas Eve visiting residents who needed cheering or had grandchildren visiting for Christmas. If you think a child’s smile warms your heart, an elderly adult’s will melt your heart especially if they didn’t expect company that evening! Herons Glen residents Pam and Bill Bedore, Cindy and Keith Brown and Carole and Til Cook served as volunteer elves from time to time. They helped bring the joy to many homes plus kept Santa on schedule.
IN THEIR CART
As time passed another volunteer opportunity arrived in 2018 for both Mrs. Claus and myself. Pat Stuchly, the HOA Activities chairperson at that time asked if we would be interested in leading a cart parade throughout Herons Glen with residents who decorated their cart. It didn’t take more than 30 seconds for me to respond with a Yes! That was the beginning of the Herons Glen’s Christmas Cart Parade. Resident Jim Kara was the Grand Marshall the first year. We followed him, zigzagging along the streets exchanging hugs, treats and goodies with the area residents. So much excitement was in the air! Each year the parade got a bit larger and more residents had driveway parties to welcome us. Mrs. Claus got the biggest bang out of watching people’s expressions when she shouted out their first name. Yes, Santa and Mrs. Claus know you; and, know if you’re naughty or nice! A few years went by, then in 2022 the Island Coast High School band joined in the festivities. By golly, Mrs. Claus could hardly be contained in our golf cart! She would jump out to greet a band member with a hug or arm around the shoulder. She was at home! And last year, 2024, a fire engine and classic police car was added to the parade. I would describe it now as a Grand Parade with all the bells and whistles!
WITH THE ISLAND COAST HIGH SCHOOL BAND
We felt we would be doing this volunteer job until we retired. However, some bad luck fell upon me, Santa. I have been sidelined since May 2025 due to a workshop mishap. Rather than letting the elves assist me with managing a workload, I overstepped the boundaries and wrenched my knee. Unfortunately, I’m not healing as fast as I’d like so I submitted our resignation for the Herons Glen 2025 Christmas Cart Parade. We will now be watching the Cart Parade from the sidelines. But as one of my good buddies from Memphis once belted out on stage:
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear …
I did it my way.
Ho-Ho-Ho! Merry Christmas to one and all!
With love, Santa Claus and the Mrs.
