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Keeping it real -- Veteran Santa knows all the tricks of the trade
After being in the Santa business for more than 20 years, Dennis Shannon knows all the tricks of the trade.
For kids wanting to tug on his latex-affixed beard to see if it's real, he presses the side of his head tightly against his shoulder so kids can pull to their hearts content.
He uses a love seat instead of a chair so frightened children can sit next to him instead of on his lap.
Requests that he can't be sure of -- like an animal or expensive electronic gadget -- his standard line is "Santa will do his best and do some checking for you."
Even the signature "Ho Ho Ho" has to be done with the right amount of enthusiasm, he said, with a voice that is "deep but soft."
"Don't let anyone tell you it's easy being Santa," Shannon said. "You really have to like kids to sit in a Santa suit for a couple of hours. It gets pretty hot."
A small air conditioner is already in place in his new Santa Shop at 108 Norris Ave. The purpose of the shop, he said, is so parents can bring their children in and take pictures of their own. The place is furnished with his own items as well as donated pieces, such as the small fireplace.
"The community has been really supportive," he said.
He and his wife, Cathy, moved here from Denver about a year ago, joining his mother, their daughter and grandchildren already living in McCook. He saw the need for a "ready- accessible Santa that doesn't have the Mall Santa attitude," he said.
"It's kind of an assembly line with some store Santa's," said Cathy, who does Santa's makeup and will help out in the shop as Mrs. Claus. "We've seen some Santa's close up shop as soon as their time is up, with kids still standing in line. Dennis will stay as long as it takes."
It was about 20 years ago when Cathy first brought home a Santa suit from a costume shop where she worked. Since then, Shannon found he loved playing the role and has put his skills to work at the Santa House in Denver, at parties and wherever a Santa was needed. Shannon said he relishes the role and has fooled even his own grandchildren.
"I really like to get into it," he said. "Christmas has gotten so commercial. It needs to be brought back to children."
The Santa Shop will open its doors Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. Hours will be 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 15, when the store will be open every day from 2-9 p.m. Christmas Eve hours are 10-2 p.m. A donation basket will be available, with proceeds going toward upkeep of the shop.
Even animals can get in on the fun, with a special day reserved Dec. 14 from 5-8 p.m. so owners can bring their in pets and take pictures with Santa. A portion of the donations will go toward the McCook Humane Society.
Despite the curious questions, pokes in the stomach and sweltering clothing, Shannon does what it takes to make the experience authentic for each child.
"They tell me, 'You really are fat!'" he said proudly. "I guess they want to make sure I'm real."