‘Twas the month after Christmas and the Santas were talking shop

As the Santa Clauses meet, Russell Spice of Sterling Heights, Mich., standing, talks to David Allen of Port Clinton, in the plaid vest, Richard Incledon of Perrysburg, right, and Mary Miller of Toledo, foreground. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The scene in Manhattan’s bar and restaurant on Adams Street on Saturday morning was improbable, to say the least.

Inside were nearly 20 jolly men with red outfits and long white beards, some of them scarfing down — you guessed it — cookies.

The informal gathering is an annual Toledo tradition organized by Tom Pellitieri, a real-bearded 50-year-old Santa Claus from South Toledo.

“It’s a chance for Christmas professionals and volunteers in Ohio and Michigan to get together after our busy season and share ideas on what went well, and what could have gone better,” Mr. Pellitieri said.

GALLERY: Santa Convention

Most of the men wore what one described as “Santa casual,” or “workshop.” No fur-lined suits or fuzzy caps, although red and white was still a must.

Sweaters and vests were popular, maybe some candy-striped stockings for flair. A couple of the more laid-back Santas even opted for Hawaiian shirts with a surfing Santa print.

In this room of mostly paunchy, rosy-cheeked men — several Mrs. Clauses were on hand too — topics of conversation ranged from hair care and liability insurance to how to respond when a child asks for the impossible.

“There aren’t many places where you hear men of retirement age talking about hair-care products,” Mr. Pellitieri said.

Much of the conversation revolved around how to deal with the surprising — and sometimes heartbreaking — statements children make.

“You literally have to be prepared for everything,” said Eddie Burch, president of Buckeye Santas. The 56-year-old from central Ohio’s Grove City carried a binder containing a “Santa Oath,” information about entertainment insurance, how to submit for a criminal background check, and several sleeves of Santa business cards. “Networking,” he explained.

He said the first rule in responding to children is to never lie. That commitment can make for some dicey situations, he said.

Russell Spice’s mid 1990s Oldsmobile station wagon was stolen while he worked as a security guard. But its Santa license plate and bumper stickers aided in its recovery. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Mr. Burch was working at the Polaris Mall near Columbus when one girl told him her father died in Iraq.

“She said, ‘The only thing I want for Christmas I know I can’t have,’?” Mr. Burch said. He told her that he and Mrs. Claus would put her name in their book and pray for her strength.

A former Marine, Mr. Burch said he’s not necessarily a religious man, but when it comes to his role as Santa Claus, “it is a ministry, and we’re very serious about it.”

Another common and potentially disastrous situation: a child tells a professional Santa he’s not the “real” Santa.

Norm Gerring, a member of the Michigan Association of Professional Santas, explained his strategy in such situations.

“I never say I’m the real Santa,” he said (see first rule). “Instead, I say, ‘Is this a real beard?’?”

Then he shows them his elaborate pocket watch and Santa Claus ring.

“Who else would have a ring like that?” the 68-year-old said. “By the time I say all that, they don’t question me anymore.”

Mostly, though, the Santas simply swapped stories.

Professional Santa Russell Spice, 63, of Sterling Heights, Mich., told the group about one of his adventures from September, when he got off work as a security guard to find that his vehicle had been stolen. No, not the sleigh. His other car — a mid-1990s Oldsmobile station wagon.

“It’s got my picture on the window and reindeer on it,” Mr. Spice said.

Within an hour, local television stations were broadcasting about the stolen “Santamobile.” The news reports led to a tip about the vehicle’s location. It was recovered, but it had sustained some damage. Local news stations reported that too.

In no time, five auto repair shops called Mr. Spice to offer their services free of charge, he said.

“That’s how my season started,” he said.

It didn’t end much differently. As the Santas departed Saturday, Mr. Spice walked across Toledo’s first significant snowfall to his station wagon, complete with its vanity plate — “1SANTA” — and myriad bumper stickers: “I Brake for Reindeer,” “Attention! Naughty and Nice Inspector on Board,” and “My other car is a sleigh.”

“We were just tickled to death to have them,” said Manhattan’s owner Barbara Lehey. “They’re a special group.”

Contact Tony Cook at: tcook@theblade.com or 419-724-6065.