He's the little St. Nick: Retired
teacher turns passion into hobby
By Phyllis Royx
Special to the Journal Inquirer
Published: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:41 PM EST
STAFFORD — When asked what prompted him to begin collecting the impressive Santa and other Christmas figures on display this month at Stafford Public Library, retiree R. Price Milam says, “I taught eighth grade industrial arts at JFK Middle School in Enfield, and I used to play Santa there. I started this collection about 12 years ago, after I retired.”
The display has 50 figures of varying clothing styles worn by Milam’s Santa figures date from the mid-1800s to contemporary times.
“Some come from mall shops, some from catalogs, and some are gifts,” says Milam. “About 20 countries are represented in the collection.”
Milam is well-versed in Santa lore.
“In the late 1800s, Santas were depicted much thinner than they are today,” he explains. When Milam places a Santa costume on his spare frame, he needs padding to meet present-day girth requirements.
Milam himself has a rippling white beard and a mustache. Perhaps as much as the Santa roles he has played over the years, the facial hair explains why he will forever be Santa in the minds of some.
“Five kids who lived next door thought I actually was Santa,” he says.
