Something Like the Eastborough Santa
Christmas is always a fun time. And we knew how to have fun; “we” being Jim Brammer (deceased), Dick Carlock (deceased), Dan Kinney (me), and John Deardorff.
Guys “Who Knew How to Have Fun”
While driving through Eastborough on a Christmas vacation night, one could not overlook the many decorations, particularly the one at the Eastborough entrance. The residents had gone all out and in the center of the big display stood a six foot, really fun Santa Claus.
It looked really good and waved to all passersby, but I thought it would look better on Sherry Black’s (East ’61) front porch.
Without hesitation we stopped, piled out, grabbed Santa and hauled him to my car trunk. My tennis shoe strings tied the trunk lid down and off we went to Sherry’s house at about 1:00am.
Once we arrived, we hurriedly unloaded and Santa had a new home! Fun, huh? We didn’t expect Santa to make the news with possible reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Santa.
Mr. Black was not too happy about the spectators and those who were taking pictures. In fact, he was pissed! Sherry quizzed me frequently, and I finally confessed. Mrs. Black learned and went along with us for awhile and reportedly told others, including the Eastborough cop, that she didn’t know how Santa got on her porch.
A week later, the same guys agreed to return Santa one night.
As we were placing Santa back in his spot, who drove up? You guessed it, the Eastborough cop. He jumped out of his car and told us to put up our hands and not to move. I asked if I could explain and he angrily replied, “No, this is serious and you can explain in jail.” His demeanor was not in the Christmas spirit and I began to worry about this one, a little.
The cop looked over Santa and realized it had not been damaged. I think the residents had been riding his butt. He became friendlier and asked me what was my story. He was obviously relieved to see Santa was in good shape.
I told him politely that we were friends of the family, and they had asked if we could help them out. I let him know we were not responsible for removing Santa, but in the Christmas spirit were glad we could help resolve the issue. He was nicer, but let us know we had not heard the end of this. I asked him also if there really was a reward for “Santa’s Return.” He informed me not to press my luck.
I never heard another word about Santa other than through the media when they stated that Santa had mysteriously returned, unharmed.
We were all glad Santa was not injured and we didn’t receive a special Christmas Present.
Editor’s Note: Click on the following links to read other stories by or about Dan Kinney.
- Dan Kinney as Santa – At Innes
- Ron Haun, A Traveling Christmas Remembrance
- Danny’s Dumb Desoto Disaster
- Breckenridge Bound
And more about the rest of the rascals, who all became solid citizens –
- Dick Carlock, 1942-1992
- Jim Brammer died in 2009 in Colorado. He earned an impressive reputation during a long career in the Judge Advocates Corps. No obituary for him has been located.
- John Deardorff, “Remembering B Ware“
Love these stories (confessions) that have emerged with the advent of the web page. I am sure there are more to come as we get to the age where we will be at the pearly gates! I feel sure that there might have been more if some of our classmates were still with us.