LINCOLN COUNTY – Don

Miller is all about perfecting the ultimate Santa Claus experience, The transformation and the details all matter — everythine from the smile and beard to the suit is essential, “10% beard, 10% smile. It’s all going to add up,’ he said, “How you present yourself and how you go through understanding every little about being a Santa, Howr do you greet people? How do you look? All of that plays into the effect of Santa.”

In 2018, Miller started down the road to achieving professional Santa Claus status by joining the Santa network.

Taking online classes, he says are expensive but benefisee

cial. Some of the courses cover the suit, facial expressions, body language, and having a good ho-hoho and an overall fantastic presentation. The physicality of Santa includes having your cap on, eyebrows showing, the beard and mustache just right, and of course the red suit. To be the best St. Nick, he says requires homework, preparation, and investment. ‘This isn’t downing anybody who wants be a Santa but most of the real Santas have really great suits that are like $500,” explained Miller. “They’re constantly working on them and reconditioning them to make them look better and add stuff like a leather belt or other accessories so that’s it s not a costume but realistic,” But it s not just the physical appearance that makes Santa Claus shine. Miller says it s first and foremost about the true meaning of

Christmas. The belief of joy that comes from the Lord and the spirit of it ringing true. He says ‘the more joy for Christmas that you have inside of you, the more people and kids will see.” It s the lasting and joyous impression of good ole St, Nick — the whole package internally and externally and total experience of the professional Santa — he aims to leave with kids and parents. ‘One of the great tilings is reading a Santa book and getting them involved,” Miller said. “I don’t do ‘The Night Before Christmas1 because it’s a dad book. I do ‘Five More Days Until Christmas’ and I get all the kids involved and they’re all shouting and yelling and I get all the parents shouting and yelling and involved in everything.’ Seeing tons of kids every year, he has many memories and cherishes them all but one of his

favorites is a young girl who loves Star Wars. He says they instantly bonded when he was able to answ er her questions initially and

every year since that first meeting. But one year in particular stands out when the girl and her family could not make a place Miller was playing Santa so they set up a special time for a Santa encounter. “I just happened to be hanging around the Christmas Tree downtow n and she was walking by,’ he said. ‘She says, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Santa. What are you doing here?’ That kind of interaction is my favorite. It’s true, real innocent joy. It’s not about me. It’s about the children. It’s about God’s love.’ One of the places in the comity that Miller has brought his version of Santa Claus to previously is the Powell Memorial Library. Returning on Dec. 6 is “Santa’s Workshop’ where children are able meet Santa

and enjoy engaging activity stations. Of the many questions Miller is asked, the most common ones are where is his sled and w here are the reindeer? He drives a jeep each year but like a professional and welltrained Santa Claus might answer, Miller responds the sled is being prepped for Christmas Day and the reindeer are on vacation until then. “We love having Don as Santa.” said Librarian Valerie Levy. ‘He brings a warm, friendly presence and connects beautifully with each child. If anyone feels a little shy, Don is always sensitive to dieir comfort level, letting the interaction happen naturally. ..It’s a magical experience for all,’ The event is Dec. 6 from 10-11 a.m. at the Powell Library.