Santa for rent plays the part with help from Mrs. Claus
You could call John and Darnise Frey an accidental Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Although the couple has played the part for years for their four children and seven grandchildren in Illinois, they had never gone out in public until they moved to the Cape Region 10 years ago.
Like so many people, they visited the area and decided to move from their home in Hyland, Ill., to be near the ocean.
Darnise said there was also an outside chance she might locate a half-brother who lives in the area. She's never been able to find him.
Working as a part-time manager at Friendly's in Rehoboth Beach, Darnise said her boss asked her if she knew someone who portrayed Santa Claus. Of course she did, and Rent a Santa was born.
It didn't take long before playing the parts of Mr. and Mrs Claus consumed most of their time over the holidays. Darnise, who loves to paint, sew, and do arts and crafts, made their costumes.
John says it's the twinkle in children's eyes that makes the job of playing Santa worthwhile. "I really like the way kids look at me," he said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus help support WBOC's Bless Our Children program each Christmas. They've attended December birthday parties, had breakfast with children, gone to other parties and even traveled out on Christmas Eve to hand out presents.
They also go to parties attended by people young at heart. "There was a 56-year-old man who wanted to get a photo taken with Santa because his parents wouldn't let him do it," John said.
John said children ask the questions most people think would be asked of Santa. "They want to know where the reindeer are, and recently I've been getting questions about the elves. I tell them they are busy this time of year," he said.
And some children are still scared of Santa and end up yelling and screaming. "I don't wear gloves, so that's helped a little. I guess some kids were afraid of them," he said.
Sometimes children end up on Mrs.Claus' lap. John said he has learned that age has nothing to do with fear of Santa.
Darnise said they have experienced many special moments over the years, including a recent one when a young child handed Mrs. Claus a green teddy bear. "She said I needed a gift too," Darnise said.
John was forced to retire on disability in the early 1980s from his job at Illinois Power Company. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972 as a photographer on three aircraft carriers, the Forrestal, Independence and America. Darnise, who is trained as a pharmacy technician, has had a variety of jobs over the years. The couple met 36 years ago when she was working as a barmaid.
"John's foreman at work told him to stop by the bar, and four months later we were married," Darnise said. "People were taking bets how long our marriage would last. He asked me to marry him during every date."
They never dreamed their life's journey would include time as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Darnise does not like to sit still for long. If she's not working on an art project, she works part time at Friendly's and full time at Vineyard Vines in the Tanger Outlets.
Darnise said they have learned to improvise over the years. John had a party scheduled and couldn't attend because he was sick. She was able to find someone at their church to fill in. "But he was so thin his belt fell off during the party," she said with a smile.
John said he wants to be as realistic as possible, including possibly growing a beard. "I used to wear padding, but I don't need that anymore," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
To get more information about renting Santa, phone 302-249-8775.
