Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 22, 1993 TAG: 9312220054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Long
But New Castle does have a Santa Claus all its own.
One might catch sight of him during the holiday season: a robust man in a fuzzy red suit chatting with the clerks down at the courthouse, swapping stories with the tellers at the bank, having a cup of coffee at the Bread Basket restaurant.
Visitors might do a double-take, but he's a familiar sight to townsfolk, who nod, wave and say, "Hi, Santa" as if he were the guy next door.
He's genuine, all right, from the glimmer of grandfatherly humor in his sky blue eyes to the tobacco juice stains on his long, graying beard. That's a real beard, mind you, capable of withstanding tugs and yanks from hundreds of children eager to test his authenticity.
"I can't even shop this time of year," he says with a laugh. "They grab me by my beard even with my street clothes on."
Ramey Bruce Lee (born in 1924, "which puts me at 39") has had that beard more than two decades.
The Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, his employer for almost 40 years, wanted him to shave. He fought it all the way to Washington, D.C., and kept his whiskers.
Valley View Mall, where he played Santa for several years, tried to make him cut off his beard so he could wear a fake one and look like all the other Santas, he says.
He quit.
This St. Nick doesn't take any guff. He does the parades, a few stores, a few charitable functions. But he won't stand for any commercialized version of Christmas, no fakery or frenzy for him.
"Can I tell you a story? Santa Claus is in everybody's heart," he says. "Santa Claus represents the spirit of giving. It should remind us of God's giving his son to the people. And that's what Santa Claus really is."
This particular Santa is really a World War II veteran, a retired nursing care technician, a former commissioner of revenue for Craig County, a Shriner, a Mason, a charter member of the county's fire and rescue squad, a member of the Gem and Mineral Society, and a diehard Democrat.
Clinton, Gore, Wilder and Terry bumper stickers adorn his beige Chevrolet. He has a pet donkey, Baba-loo, who does not double as Rudolph for the season.
Lee has lived all his life in the rugged mountains of Craig County except for the three years he spent in the Navy, often on a submarine. He grew up during the Depression, never married, smoked too much, had a stroke in 1989 - he thinks that was the year.
Now he spends most days giving his time to the many organizations he belongs to, taking walks in the woods or trying to influence his brother, John Lee, who sits on the Board of Supervisors.
But of course, his busiest time is Christmas, when he dons his Santa gear almost every day.
His black plastic belt is fastened on the last holes. The suit a friend made for him has a few small patches in the back. The stocking cap has a white poof-ball on the end that dangles to one side. One day he wears his black shoes, no socks; the next, a pair of black snow boots.
Last week, he got his days mixed up and went a day early to the Bread Basket, where he was to entertain a group of senior citizens.
"You'll have to excuse me. I was in a hurry and left my teeth in the jar," he explains, mouthing the thick mustache that curls under his lip.
But he showed up again, on the right day, and shared a few minutes of merriment with 40 fellow old-timers.
In he walks with a "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas." They laugh and clap.
"Elmer, you're not good at all," Lee says, shaking his head. "I see Ms. Keebler over there, well she's fairly good. And Marshall, well he's been fairly good because he's not out selling automobiles anymore."
Then he says, "I got a letter the other day from someone here, I won't say who, somebody asking for a rich, good-looking man." At that, the ladies hoot and shriek with delight, blushing, holding their hands to their faces.
This guy knows how to work a crowd.
As Lee hands out candy bars from a plastic shopping bag, Marie All maneuvers between the tables and hands him two tiny crocheted wreaths. "I know you made these yourself," he says, and thanks her.
A little holiday cheer between friends. Most of these folks are old acquaintances of Lee's.
Sarah Elmore used to babysit for Lee and his younger brothers and sisters. So, what was Santa like as a kid? "Oh, a little mean, just like every little boy," she recalls with a laugh.
Later, walking through downtown New Castle, Santa reveals what he wants for Christmas.
No, it's not a Democrat in the governor's mansion. No, not a new Chevy Blazer to replace his older model.
He stops, and looking a reporter square in the eye, answers without hesitation: "Peace and happiness throughout the world. And then, if I could have my wish, this violence would stop. Let everybody realize that God will take care of all your problems."
by CNB