The magic of Christmas visited Santa Claus this year. It came from the wizardry talent of local Great Bend artist Loretta Miller. She infused new life into the 20-year-old Santa Claus sculpture that appeared in the Santas Around The World exhibit, located in downtown Great Bend. Santa now greets visitors with a brand new face and a fresh new look.
Miller’s inspiration derived from the Santa Claus suit that was donated by the community’s longtime Santa Claus, Randy Smith. After five decades of playing jolly old Saint Nick, Randy hung up his uniform for the final time last season. Then he handed the complete outfit – from hat to boots – to Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation, which operates Santas Around The World at 1223 Main Street.
Santas Around the World comprises 25 life-sized Santas, representing countries and regions from around the world. It is currently open to the public through Dec. 22. The exhibit’s regular hours are 4-6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. People can schedule appointments outside of those hours by contacting Rosewood at 620-792-2536, info@rosewoodservices.com.
“I knew when I donated Sandy’s Mrs. Claus suit for the exhibit last year that my suit would soon follow, once I completed my role as Santa Claus. Just like Sandy and me, our suits belong together,” Randy said.
In the fall of 2022, Randy donated his late wife Sandy’s Mrs. Claus outfit to be used for the new addition to the exhibit. Miller’s completed work of Mrs. Claus was her first to the exhibit in 17 years, and the new sculpture was introduced to the public last Christmas season. Then last February, Miller went back to work sculpting a new look for Santa Claus and completed that sculpture last March.
“I thought they both came out very well, but I admit that Mrs. Claus is my favorite,” said Miller. “She’s a happy woman. Sandy always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye, so I think Mrs. Claus captures that element of Sandy very well. I think having their suits in the exhibit is remarkable. I’m glad that the two of them will always be together forever in their suits, in Great Bend and we will always be reminded of them every holiday season.”
Randy morphed into Santa Claus for the first time in 1968. In those early days, Sandy helped him every step of the way with his appearances throughout the community. About a decade later, she joined him as Mrs. Claus. Through four decades of serving as the Claus couple, they never charged for their appearances, but instead, accepted donations and gave the money to an organization, charity or a family in need.
At the start of their alias appearances, the Smiths purchased quality suits and then accessorized them as the years went by. Their original suits and all their accessories are now showcased in the Santas Around The World exhibit.
“There’s so much more to it than putting on a suit and asking someone what they want for Christmas,” explained Randy. “Now that more than three years have passed; losing David (the couple’s son) and then losing Sandy two months later ... material things are material things. It’s the cherished memories that are the most important.
“So many memories. David went with us every time in the early years. It was so amazing. I get flashbacks of every year. I can remember coming into town on the combine for the Christmas parade; I can remember falling off the combine. I remember riding on the back of the firetruck for the parade. I remember (oldest granddaughter) Kenda’s first year being in the parade. She sat up on the back of the firetruck and said, ‘Grandpa, you look just like Santa.’ We got involved with Great Bend Rec, serving as Santa and Mrs. Claus for many years. We were involved with Rosewood clients all those years, and we visited so many homes every year. I think most of Great Bend has sat on my lap.”
The donation of Randy’s and Sandy’s suits come full circle as the multicultural Santas display is operated by Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation. Sandy was an original employee of Rosewood Services in 1998, and she served as the first Rosewood Gallery manager for 15 years, before retiring in 2013. Even in retirement, she continued to stay involved with the clients and Rosewood, until her health no longer allowed her to do so. Randy also helped the agency gain its footing, especially in the early years.
Having both Sandy’s and Randy’s outfits included with the exhibit makes the new additions extra special for Rosewood, said Tammy Hammond, Rosewood founder and executive director.
“Randy and Sandy are so special to all of us at Rosewood, for so many reasons, but also for playing Santa and Mrs. Claus to our clients for nearly two decades,” said Hammond. “They will forever be a part of Rosewood in all of our hearts. It’s symbolic that their Santa suits will forever be connected with us, as well. We are thankful and blessed to have had them in our lives for so many years. Thank you to Loretta for so elegantly capturing their spirit in her artistry while building Santa and Mrs. Claus for the exhibit. Seeing both figures together, it’s such an amazing rendition of the couple that uniquely exists here in Great Bend.”
There is no charge to visit the exhibit, but a freewill donation is suggested to provide funds to Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation that go toward helping to maintain the Santas Around the World exhibit. Also, a portion of the funds are donated to Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas, (formerly Great Bend’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program) for helping to man the booth through the season.
Adding to the ‘Santas’ experience, the City of Great Bend provides a free opportunity for Santa Claus to visit with children at that location during the same regular hours that the Santas exhibit is open to the public.
People can find out more about the exhibit by visiting the website, SantasAroundTheWorld.com.
