A Brief Message from Ric Erwin

I am both honored & humbled by the faith & trust which has been placed in me—all the more so since it comes from a man whom I respect as much as I do Tom Hartsfield. 

I long ago came to the conclusion that Tom was one of those men whom Teddy Roosevelt spoke of—you know, the ones who “have greatness thrust upon them”?  A quiet man in word, deed & dress, I have rarely met a Santa Claus who cared less whether or not you remembered to call him “Santa”—and I have rarely met a man who more deserved that honorific.

The last time Tom was in L.A. he & I went to a local comedy club with two other Santas. As usual, the other three of us went dressed as Santa—but not Tom.  Fully expecting to blend in with the crowd, he wore that legendary cowboy hat of his, and in the Land of Sand ‘n Surf, he sported a shoe-string tie with a colorful pendant.

1.       So who do you think all the other guests wanted their picture with? 

2.       And who do you think the comedians had the most fun with? 

3.       And who do you think laughed loudest and longest when the joke was on HIM?

Let’s see…

1.       Right…

2.       Better believe It… and

3.       YOU BETCHA!

I have always enjoyed chatting with Tom; in a roomful of storytellers, he could spin a show-stopper—and then you’d find out from somebody else that it was all true!

And I’m proud to say that I was even able to get over my initial envy of him…

(eventually...)

I and a few others have known for some time that Santa Tom was considering full retirement, so that he could spend all of his time with his children— in a more rustic & pastoral environment.

And you know, now that this day has finally arrived, I cannot even be sad...

In fact, I really think we’ve come full circle— and he’s done it again:  

considering how happy he is going to be from now on,  I think that perhaps I now envy Tom Hartsfield more than ever before…

 

National Director & Founding Charter Member

National Secretary & Director-at-Large