Page 52 - Flathead Beacon // 12.25.13

52 | DECEMBER 25, 2013
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COMMUNITY BIGFORK
Travel

Retirement The Real Fake Santa Claus

First Business

Growing Family
the woman in tears. “I’m sorry,” the man
College
By DAVID VALE
said, “but we’ve been listening in on your
George Wilcoxen was familiar with stories. My wife’s a little more emotional
Growing financially requires youthful skepticism, having played the than I am, but I just wanted to say I also
direction, patience and a role of Santa Claus for several years. So think you make a really good fake San-
plan — a plan based on after a gig at a local after-school pro- ta.” The woman didn’t speak, but dabbed
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sion on the speed of his
sleigh, he retired to the
back room to change
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14 West Second Street, the teacher, one young
(Next to Harvest Foods)
(Lakeside Town Center)
George Wilcoxen: Making a list and checking it twice. DAVID VALE PHOTO
Whiteish, MT 59937
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her eyes under her dark glasses with a
to rest. “You just don’t understand,” he tissue.
had said. “This guy is the real fake Santa “ALL our breads are made in-house from scratch.”
“That’s the way it is when you’re San-

Claus.”
ta Claus,” George said, after they’d gone.
I had milk and cookies with George “People just open up and express un-
the other day, as the 2013 holiday season conditional love toward you. They trust
was approaching its climax. George has Santa and have every conidence that
been Bigfork’s Santa Claus for more than he won’t let them down. I don’t think
a dozen years. Surprisingly, though, he there’s any greater accomplishment
hasn’t always been a fan of Christmas. than feeling that kind of trust.”
“We lived with my grandpa when I was
George spoke of a recent stint at Big-
young, and he didn’t put much stock in fork Station when the mercury dipped
Christmas, so neither did I. Even when I well below zero. The streets were emp-
had kids, I didn’t make a big deal out of ty except for one extended family from
it. But then, when I was working at the Costa Rica: two young girls and about
EVENTS
Lake View Care Center, I was tapped to ive adults. Before it was over, all of them,
be Santa for the residents’ Christmas the girls, the women, even the men, had
MONTANA’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
party. The folks at Lake View get as ex- taken a turn on Santa’s knee for photo-

Holiday Members Show/ Bigfork Museum
cited about Santa Claus as any kid. So I graphs. “I’m pretty sure,” George said
got dressed up in the suit and, as the pi- with a twinkle in his eye, “that they’ll re-
Wednesday, November 27 - Saturday, January 11, 11-5 ano played ‘Here Comes Santa Claus,’ I member Bigfork for a long time.”
rang the bell, gave a hearty ‘Ho, Ho, Ho,’ George doesn’t spend the ofsea-
525 Electric Avenue
and walked enthusiastically into the son at the North Pole. Although oi-
dining room with a big bag of presents cially retired, he keeps his days full as
for NEW YEARS EVE PARTIES
slung over my shoulder.”
a housepainter, a maintenance man, a
“You know,” he continued, “the resi- lawn-care provider, and a snow-removal

Around the valley, check out www.bigfork.org
dents of that nursing home can express professional. In fact, most days George
love toward Santa as well as any child. I can be seen at work somewhere around
found myself dancing with the elderly la- Bigfork. But on Saturdays in December,
Polar Bear Plunge
dies and feeling a love and warmth that George is on duty in the red suit.
I hadn’t felt for I don’t know how long. Unlike professional Santa’s who
Wednesday, January 1, 2:00pm at the Raven
Just like the little kids that sit on my perform for pay, George plays the role
knee, these folks took my face in their of Santa Claus strictly as an act of giv-

Bigfork Holiday Parade Of Lights
hands, felt my beard. It just became so ing. As the former Grinch puts it, “I have
real.”
nothing but fun during the Christmas
Saturday, December 28, Line Up At 5:30pm, Parade at 6:00pm
We were sitting at a booth in a Bigfork season now. When you’re Santa, every
cafe. George was pretty matter of fact as kid, every person is so important. We’re
he told the stories, but a fellow and his all good people here in Bigfork. But San-
wife from a booth over approached ours,
ta Claus has to be just a little better.”
For times & details, visit or call: the Chamber:

www.bigfork.org • 837-5888