"For his contribution to the meaning
of Christmas by playing Santa Claus
in the Governor's
Mansion & elsewhere;
For portraying this symbolic figure
of the Season in the tradition
of
the jovial St. Nicholas;
For the personal warmth he has brought
to so many Virginians,
young and old,
in bringing to life the essence of
the Christmas spirit."
Certificate of Recognition
awarded to Glen Crone
Virginia Governor
John Dalton 1980
Glenn Crone has portrayed Santa Claus in Richmond, Virginia every year for more than
40 years.
Over the years Glenn came to understand why the Santa legend not only lives
but grows. He now sees it as a means of reaching into a child's life and enriching
it with values which, if held and applied in adulthood, can only result in more meaningful
lives and a better world.
Sometimes Glenn appears as Santa, deliberately using a great
deal of double entendre so that everything expressed is factually correct while not
adversely effecting the Santa Claus fantasy.
On other occasions when appearing as a friend of Santa’s, Glenn factually answers
the children's questions about Santa without dismantling the fantasy. At one point
in this presentation, the children are sent off to do a project for Santa giving
Glenn the opportunity to talk to the parents about what actually happened to Santa
and the purpose of the Santa custom.
Glenn is particularly keen to teach parents
how to help their children enjoy Santa in a way that will not come back to haunt
them as their kids mature.
“How do you Tell a Child There is a Santa Clause” is a
book Glenn aimed at adults that spells out, in a mildly humorous way, the four phases
of understanding a child goes through in attaining an adult understanding of the
Christmas Spirit. If you have small children, you need this book!
Santa’s Helper
Available for purchase at SantaOne.com