Pub 11/13/02
'Santa
Ricky' making his holiday home in Worthington
By
AMANDA WASHEL
Santa
is making an early stop in Worthington this year.
In
fact, it will be his only stop.
Ricky
Baldwin, 46, better known as Santa Ricky, is bringing his sleigh
and eight tiny reindeer to the Worthington Mall, 150 West Wilson
Bridge Road, this season.
Instead
of several look-a-likes, Baldwin will be the only Santa Claus that
children will see.
"I
don't ever bring the cliche of the man," Baldwin said. "I
bring the humanity of the man."
Santa
Ricky works all year long doing work for charities and other such
organizations.
He
will spend the holiday season at Worthington Mall in Santa's Holiday
House from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon
to 4 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 30 to Dec. 24.
Worthington
Mall Marketing Director Patty Lyons said they wanted Baldwin alone.
"He's Santa all the time," Lyons said. "He said he
wanted to be our exclusive Santa."
Lyons
said she was happy to take Baldwin on board after she met with him
to discuss the details.
She
said his look and attitude fit into the mall's holiday theme.
"The
reason he committed to us was because of the vision that we had,"
Lyons said. "We wanted it to be a magical experience for the
kids."
Lyons
added that having only one person portray Santa would help bring
authenticity to the age-old character.
"It's
great that we're going to have that continuity and bring that story
to life," she said.
Baldwin
rides around in his shiny red Dodge Caravan that he nicknames "The
Sled" all year.
He
pairs up with his sidekick Pierre the Polar Bear to show people
that Santa lives on during his 11-month, 30-day vacation.
Baldwin
is experienced in theater, television and public speaking.
He
was cast locally as Santa in a Miracle on 34th Street production
with the Davis Discovery Center and has four years experience under
his belt with the Palace Theatre.
Baldwin
said he knew he couldn't give up being Santa after the Christmas
season came to an end.
To keep tabs on the jolly character, Baldwin keeps a long, white
beard and a closet full of green and red clothes all year.
"I was too close to all the hugs and the genuine love of the
kids and the families," Baldwin said. "I just fell in
love with that character."
Baldwin
said he is excited to be a part of Worthington's festivities and
is up for the challenge.
"I'm
going to be a tough act for other Santas to follow," he said.
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