Sheila...that JOY was spread about 12 years ago in my wilder and crazier days.
I was portraying Father Christmas in an old town, Kimmswick, MO, just south of St. Louis for their Christmas house tour.
I got talked into it by a good friend the year before and let the hair and beard go starting in March. The "Christmas Walk" went on for three nights and I had a great time interacting with the folks who came to visit the town. the residents made a practice of providing me with food and 'drink' during the tours and I think I gained about 10 pounds by Sunday night.
The most fun were the 'young ladies' who all wanted their picture taken with Father Christmas!
~~~GB~~~