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Santa’s on his way to town Thirty years after watching Santa ride into town atop the Santa Claus parade float, and less than a year after Larry Mabley retired as ‘special assistant’ to Santa Claus, Tim Griffen is ready to pull on the magical black boots and bright red suit of the big man him- self... that jolly old elf called Santa. Tim knows he has big boots to fill. Ralph Wilbur, who was Tim’s wife’s (Cathy Pavlik-Griffen) grandfather by marriage, enjoyed three decades as Santa’s as- sistant before retiring to let a younger Larry Mabley take over the huge responsibility back in the late 1980s. Last spring, Larry announced he was ready to hang up his Santa suit, saying, “After 25 years, the time’s come. Besides, I’m 80 years old this year and I’m ready for my second retirement”. Both men cherished the responsibility of their roll of ‘Santa’s as- sistant’, and loved bringing Christmas cheer to local children and families for a combined 55 years. Scugog’s newest ‘special assistant’ to Santa has dreamed about the job for years. “From a very young age I thought that being Santa’s helper would be the ultimate job,” he said with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “To me Santa was always magic. He was my superhero when I ‘was growing up.” Tim’s first venture into his dream role came about four years ago when he was asked by Mr. Mabley to fill in for him for a day. He contacted Hillis Wilbur, Ralph’s son, who had safeguarded Mr. Wilbur’s Santa suit. Tim borrowed the suit for his first assignment. “Ralph was a short man, so the sleeves came to about here,” he said, motioning to a spot mid-way up his arm. But he managed and went on to help fill in on a number of Christmas events over the next few years. When the opportunity came earlier this year, as Larry an- nounced his retirement, he literally jumped at the chance. Making every effort to honour the high standards and tradi- tions of the men before him, Tim began his transition from ‘mortal man’ to the celebrity of ‘Special Santa Assistant’. Looking for a fresh start, he searched the internet for a new red suit and boots, and topped that off with a custom-made hair wig and beard, all the way in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his wife Cathy travelled to Kentucky this past summer for a final fitting. The results are remarkable as seen on the cover of this issue. Tim takes his new responsibility very seriously, realizing every child must believe they are talking to Santa. And of course chil- dren young and old will believe... because he is Santa. Mark your calendars now. Santa will make his annual visit to the residents of Scugog on Saturday, December 6, in the annual Port Perry Santa Claus Parade, beginning at 5 p.m. Give him a warm Port Perry welcome. By J. Peter Hvidsten Focus on Scugog Tim Griffen, “special assistant’ to Santa, begins his term greeting the residents of Scugog this Christmas season in downtown Port Perry. Santa's “special helper” Ralph Wilbur is pictured here in December 1985. Ralph is the father-in-law of Tim Griffen who assumes the role this year for Scugog. FOCUS - DECEMBER 2014 19