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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2001)
________________________________________________________________________________ dacambf 21.2001 | f t f |41 PEOPLE ..............▼.............. r The truth about Santa Continued from Page 1 Faster than Prancer can dash across the sky, W heeler snagged an interview and two days later was suited up and handing out candy canes at Vancouver Mall. He received no train ing “because 1 was hired at the last minute. I just used my own instincts,” he says modestly. His instincts were as perfect as Rudolph’s bright red nose. “You have to be very quick...som etim es parents are more of a prob lem than the kids,” he whispers, explaining how he deals with punitive mothers and fathers who try to force their children to confess their bad deeds to Santa. He simply replies with a spin worthy of a C linton aide, “O h, I bet you’ve been good— mostly.” Besides, he adds, “I’ve got to believe in them if I expect them to believe in me." Sounding more like Old Saint Nick by the minute, Wheeler confides his solutions for tricky situations. For greedy kids who can’t see beyond the length of their wish list he asks, “W hat’s something nice you’ve done for someone this year?" That, he explains with a twinkle in his voice, “helps them think outside them selves, to think of others. If you give gifts to people you love, you’ll always have the spirit of Santa in you.” And what And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod... about little led. Some kids get so excited, jump up and down, tykes who wonder if he’s real? “I poke ’em and and some get so mesmerized they can’t talk.” say, ‘Are you real?’ Then I ask them to pull on So w hat does th e m an who plays Santa my beard, and that usually convinces them,” he think is th e real spirit of Christm as? “Just says with a hearty, good-natured chuckle. giving. I’m very spiritual myself, and I paral Wheeler also prefers to rely on his own belly lel Santa Claus with the Holy Spirit. I feel full of jelly, which puts him on the lighter side of the Santa scale, although he has an answer for Santa can be used for good or bad. For some kids it’s ‘me, me, m e,’ which can turn it into that, too. “W hen adults say, ‘Santa, you’ve lost a negative thing, or you can give in th e spir weight,’ I say, ‘Yeah, Mrs. Claus has me on a it of love. But as S anta I stay neutral," he diet—she takes good care of me.’ ” explains diplomatically. O f course, there are heartbreaking moments, too. This year a young girl told him, “All I want ot surprisingly, Wheeler keeps busy the rest of is to be able to see my sister,” W heeler pauses, the year doing a number of Claus-like things. clearly saddened at the memory. “I said, ‘Oh, “I do foster grandparent work through the wouldn’t that be nice...I hope that happens.’ She didn’t want any toys— just to see her sister.” schools, tutoring kids who need extra help. I’m at Most of the children, however, “are really tick a middle school, and they think it’s neat that N Santa works at their school, so 1 showed up at their family night.” A t the other end of the life cycle, he is also a senior companion, helping folks stay independent longer. “1 take people shopping or do errands. O ne fellow is blind, so 1 read his mail and write checks for him.” As if that’s not enough, Wheeler also works at a church one day a week. H e’s found his own spiritual home in the Anawim Community of gay men who meet for Christian meditation and prayer. “I attend for the prayer and discus sions we have there,” he says of the group, which attracts about 15 people. “W e’ve really become a community, and we do a lot of sharing.” his year W heeler even bought his own Santa suit, and he plans to spread more season’s greetings next year. “But not at the mall. I’m gonna do it on my own, do more gay events,” he says, referring to his recent appearance at the holiday party held by the Portland chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, of which he is also a member. So what does this special Santa wish for the gay community? “That we continue to keep mak ing progress in becoming more accepted in soci ety and acquire our basic rights. That’s my wish.” If anyone can help make that come true, maybe it’s the big-hearted guy in the snazzy red suit, T jn You still can see A rt W heeler as Santa from 4 until 9 p.m. Dec. 21 and from 4 until 7:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at Vancouver Mall. i Please join us soon to share our passion for good food and friendship in a romantic setting Notice the Body Language For the right fit that fits in all the right places, it’s French Dressing jeans. For denim wear A c a d ia G ift C e rtific a te s m ake g re a t H o liday gifts. 4 that says comfort and speaks the right body language, it's French Dressing jeans. FRENCHM'DRESSING jeanswear ^ O rlean s ¡B istro paris ■ ? \ 503 249 5001 Tuesday — Saturday 5 30 9 30 1303 NE Fremont St www.creolapdx.com Call now to make your N ew Years Eve dinner reservations. rA5«KDM5 ron woneri Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-4 4931 SW 76th Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Raleigh Hills Shopping Center 503-297-1609 f
