THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412220139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES FRASCA, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
After a two-year hiatus, Santa Claus has returned to his winter headquarters at 2256 Newstead Drive in Red Mill Farms.
``I stopped for two years because all the lights were burning out, but this year I managed to buy 14,000 new light bulbs,'' said ``Santa,'' adjusting the buckle on a shiny black leather belt and tucking his wavy white hair under a red fur-rimmed hat. ``Plus I've got a brand new Santa suit.''
Santa, who spends his free time dressing up as insurance estimator Scott Peterson, began what he calls ``Santa's Workshop South'' in 1987. Word of mouth and thousands of colored lights transformed his residence into a holiday mecca.
Soon, neighbors in the community off General Booth Boulevard brought their children to Newstead Drive for visits with Santa. A portion of the garage was transformed into Santa's den, complete with fireplace, where Santa sits in a Boston rocker, waving at passers-by and greeting as many as 1,000 children per year.
``I love to do it. I like the little kids,'' Peterson said. ``And this means I don't have to do the malls with my wife, so it works out pretty good for me.''
Visitors this week have included several hundred children, the Kellam High School choir and a bridal party of five from Ohio.
``They just didn't want to leave town without stopping by,'' Peterson said of the newlyweds.
Peterson, who will continue his 6:30 to 8 nightly vigil through Saturday, refuses all offers of financial assistance, but he does accept donations of stuffed animals.
``I've run out of stuffed animals to give the children,'' he said. ``I've got plenty of candy canes but I sure could use some stuffed animals.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by NANCY LEWIS
Santa, who spends his free time dressing up as insurance estimator
Scott Peterson, gives a jolly greeting from his den at 2256 Newstead
Drive in Red Mill Farms. Then he attends to the needs of Elizabeth
Walsh, 9, and sister Noelle, 10.
by CNB