WS Chronicle

Santa made a short weekend getaway from his North Pole workshop to visit with children at Union Station in Winston-Salem on Saturday, Dec. 7, in an appearance hosted by The Historic Magnolia House of Greensboro. Santa had a prime location inside Union Station that was perfect for picture taking and a meet-and-greet with the Jolly Old Elf himself.

While each child sat on Santa’s lap for a brief conversation, pictures were made by Santa’s official photographer, NikonDon. Hot chocolate was also available to make this a truly memorable experience for children and families alike.

Santa (aka Fabian), who hails from Greensboro, has been visiting with local children and families for nine years. Santa said what he most enjoys is when the children come to him with outstretched arms and smiles on their faces. “Those are the true believers.” For those who are shy and take a bit of time to come around, Santa can take his time too. “The smiles are what makes it all worthwhile.”

The children who visited with Santa came prepared to share their wish lists. For 18-month-old Damori Robinson, this was her first time with Santa and she was most comfortable with mom Tecole Robinson close by. On her Christmas wish list was anything that sings or lights up. Abigail Godfrey, who was there with her parents Cecilia and Dennis Godfrey, was so excited about seeing Santa that she couldn’t sit still, even on Santa’s lap. Wearing a red and green dress for the occasion, Abigail ran and danced around the Union Station lobby. When Santa showed her his scrolls of who was on his Nice and Naughty lists, she was happy that she was on his Nice list and shared that she wanted any kind of princess dress, which would match her ebullient spirit.

During a lull in lap-sitters, Santa discussed things he has learned over his years of visiting with kids of all ages. He recognizes that for this once yearly encounter with a red-suited, bearded older man, the preparation that parents can give goes a long way toward children’s embracing of the magic that Santa embodies. The shy ones take their time checking him out. The believers are drawn to him instantly. Having his Nice and Naughty lists in hand, each one a handsome scroll with the children’s names listed alphabetically, gives him the entrée he sometimes needs to show a child he really is Santa. 

Santa said that it was quite by accident that he took on this role. Cathy Paylor, his elf assistant, had mentioned to him a decade ago that, with his snowy white beard, he would make a great Santa. And so his alter-ego was born. Santa is available for seasonal appearances with home visits, parades, and studio portraits with people and pets. His official North Pole photographer is Nikon Don, (Don Harris of Greensboro), who is also the photographer for The Historic Magnolia House in Greensboro. Don said his Christmas joy is “seeing the kids having fun, when their faces light up seeing Santa.”

At noon Santa was whisked away in his magical sleigh with Rudolph at the helm to visit with more children at the Magnolia House in Greensboro before heading back to the North Pole where his elves were hard at work making lists and checking them twice to see who had been naughty or nice. (Rumor has it that Chronicle readers were on the nice list.)

The Historic Magnolia House in Greensboro opened in 1949 and was listed in The Green Book as one hotel that allowed African American travelers between Atlanta, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia, to stay overnight due to lodging restrictions during segregation. An accompanying exhibit at Union Station, available to individuals and groups by registration through February, is “Traveling While Black,” a virtual/augmented reality (AR/VR) presentation that provides a cinematic experience immersing the visitor in the long history of restriction of movement for Black Americans and the creation of safe spaces in our communities. The Historic Magnolia House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

Union Station, which was built in 1926 and restored in 2018-19, is also on the National Register of Historic Places. When Union Station was restored, it preserved the segregated structure of waiting rooms, water fountains, and rest rooms that were common during the Jim Crow era.

For more information on The Magnolia House and how to reserve tours for “Traveling While Black” exhibit, please visit www.thehistoricmagnoliahouse.org. The exhibit will be up until February 28, 2025. To reach Santa Fabian for individual or group visits, go to DiamondStarSanta.com.

Judie Holcomb-Pack is the associate editor and David Winship is a contributor to The Chronicle. Both are believers in the magic of Santa and are members of Winston-Salem Writers.