ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 12, 1995 TAG: 9512120043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
After 38 years of listening to children's Christmas wishes, Virginia's most famous Santa Claus has passed the red suit on to his son.
Arthur G. Hood portrayed Santa at Richmond's now-defunct downtown Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers department stores beginning in 1956. Now his sizable Santa boots are being filled by son Robin.
The elder Hood's self-described ``Bob Hope nose,'' high, rosy cheekbones and cheerful smile were featured on Miller & Rhoads catalogs, and he appeared in television and print advertisements. People came from ``every state in the union and Japan'' to see him, he said.
``I tell ya, I have enjoyed every minute of it,'' said Hood, 73.
But even Santa is not immune to health problems. Diabetes has taken a toll on his eyesight, and he's been treated 13 times for congestive heart failure.
Robin Hood, 43, said he is honored to take over for his father.
``It's a wonderful experience having the kids and adults look up into your eyes ... plus, knowing that I'm following in Daddy's footsteps, that's the big thing,'' he said.
His dad only gave him one piece of advice, Robin Hood said.
``Never promise [gifts], especially if they have a long list.''
So far, Robin Hood has done four Christmas gigs for various clients. He has one more scheduled this year.
``It's totally different being on the other side of the beard,'' he said.
Perhaps no one knows that feeling better than Arthur Hood.
``To see those little kids come up to see you, let me tell you, it just melts you,'' he said.
Arthur Hood never set out to be Santa Claus, but soon after landing a job as a carpenter for Miller & Rhoads in 1956, he was asked to work nights as the department store St. Nick.
He estimated that between 700,000 and 1 million children, young and old, have ``sat up on ol' Santy's knee.'' On busy days, he'd take in wish lists from as many as 2,000 kids. He said department store managers would give him a limit of 40 seconds per child.
The hours also were long, but he loved being Santa. And people loved him, too.
He said one woman brought her daughter from Houston for years to see him. Another woman brought her children every year from Kill Devil Hills, N.C. After accumulating 15 pictures of her children with Hood as Santa, she made a collage, framed it and sent it to him. The woman later sold paintings of Santa scenes using Hood as the model.
``The adults get as much a kick out of it as the kids do,'' said Hood.
Robin Hood said having a father who played Santa always made Christmas special for him and his two sisters, Nancy Carolyn Drudge and Marilyn Gunn. Frances Hood, Arthur's wife of 49 years, grew especially good at throwing the children off the trail when they talked about the similarities between Santa Claus and Daddy.
Arthur Hood told his oldest, Marilyn, that he was Santa when she was in the sixth grade. Big mistake.
``She hemmed and hawed like she was getting ready to cry,'' he said. ``It made her so sick I wouldn't tell another one.''
Nancy and Robin found out on their own.
``Actually, it was kind of a neat feeling,'' Robin Hood said. ``I've always been proud that my dad played Santa.''
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: After 38 years of listening to children's Christmasby CNBwishes, Arthur Hood (right), Virginia's most famous Santa Claus, has
passed the red suit on to his son, Robin. Arthur Hood portrayed
Santa at Richmond's now-defunct Miller & Rhodes and Thalhimers
department stores beginning in 1965 (ran on C-1). color.