santa and the cat

 

Eleven months of the year Bill and Frances Chancy are typical Tahoka residents but come December they become Mr. and Mrs. Claus when their place south of town is transformed into Santa Land.  Visitors may drive through the four acres of light displays, nativity scenes, inflatable reindeer  and cartoon cut-outs.  Then you can park and visit with the Clauses - even the farm cat gets into the act!

 



entry to Tahoka Santa Land

Santa depends on donations to decorate the wonderland.  Who knew that empty bulk canola oil containers would make a Santa Land frame work for arches and fences and square presents!  The wonderful sunset was donated by Mother Nature.

 



Santa Land

Tahoka, Texas

slaton santa

 

Kris Kringle is often depicted with a walking stick.  The Santa at Slaton's Harvey House had a Santa stick as an accoutrement a la "Miracle on 34th Street."

 

Harvey House

Slaton, Texas

12.11.2014

waiting for the children

 

Tonight the former dining room of the Harvey House resembled a vintage living room, complete with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Slaton’s Harvey House was built in 1912. Fred Harvey began his chain of 84 off-railroad restaurants in 1875. A Harvey House was essentially a fast food joint - but with china and linens. Passengers ordered while on the train and then had only about 20 minutes during the stop to eat.  The Slaton Harvey House restaurant closed in 1942 but the building continued as a passenger depot and then a cargo depot.  The railroad association saved the building from ruin; today it operates as an event center and B&B.  This evening's open house welcomed Slaton citizens and bright-eyed children with wishes.  And yes, that locomotive fortuitously stopped by the window.

Slaton Harvey House
Fred Harvey Company
Slaton, Texas

santa on hard times

 

I've always sympathized with those individuals who sell Sunday newspapers on the corner in all kinds of weather.  Today's vendor at 4th and the Loop was at least a bright spot although it didn't seem to increase his sales.

 

4th Street (FM 2255) and West Loop 289

Lubbock, Texas

career santa

 

If one carries a big camera and walks with authority, one can enter the Claus's cabin by the exit and bypass the long line.  The things one does for a shot!

 

Santa Series #3

Santa Land

Mackenzie Park

Lubbock, Texas