By Myra Bean

There are seven more Fridays until Christmas, counting today.

Batesville’s own Santa Claus, retired teacher Dr. Gary Crowell, has opened Santa’s Auction House with the theme “Where everyday is like Christmas.”

He and his wife, Mrs. C (Janet), have restored the former Southern Cuisine Bar and Grill building into a fresh open space, which is set up for Santa’s workshop.

The walls have been refinished with a lighter paint and the floors refurbished with grey wood planks. Pews are set in the middle for the Sunday afternoon gospel singing, which will took place last weekend with the Hankins Family Gospel singing group.

There is also free karaoke Friday nights at 6 p.m. There is a karaoke machine and music, and participants are welcome to bring their own. A  concession stand is open.

Also, the online auction is live Monday. Go to Facebook and sign up on Santa’s On-Line Auction. Those are some of the ways the workshop will make money, Santa and Mrs. C are mostly humbled that half of what they do is non-profit work.

Santa can been seen in hospice clinics, hospitals, the Baddour Center, Boys and Girls Club, Make-A-Wish functions, nursing homes and more non-profit entities. “Some of the profit we make is donated back to families and children,” Santa said.

Santa recalled two stories which really touched his heart over the years. He tells of visiting a family which had just lost a young child and how he was able to help the siblings of that child smile again.

He also told of the home visit he made to a family that was losing the father and husband.

He had Christmas with the family before Christmas Day. “It is heartbreaking to know he would not be there for Christmas,” Santa said with a tear in his eye.

The couple shared story after story of how they were able to bring a little bit of cheer to those who otherwise would not have any Christmas. In order to be able to do the 75 events he expects to have in the next two months, Santa opens the auction house for family portraits. He gives each family 45 minutes to take photos in front of four different backdrops and even lets them change clothes. Santa has a small charge for any kind of family type thing, but the Santa  couple gives to families in need, not just toys, but funds to pay electric bills and buy food.

Janet likes that they are able to travel around and do their work because so many children cannot get to the mall and see Santa.

The Crowells were in Gatlinburg about 10 years ago and people kept speaking to him saying, “Hi, Santa.” They found out there was a convention there of  “real beard Santas.”

They went to a couple of the sessions and were fed and picked up some information about what Santas do. He did not join the organization but that was his catalyst to be Santa and help others while still teaching.

“I jokingly say I need to go back to work to get some rest,” Santa said laughing.

Santa stays busy with the two churches he pastors in the Delta and the year-around events that Santa is asked to make an appearance. Last year he did a Santa event that almost paid for 17 elderly adults to go on a cruise. “All our donations were given to that group to go.”

Santa has events planned in Oxford this year including the Gingerbread Village to raise donations for the food pantry, Santa for the athletic department, Aramark Food Services Banquet, and the Dec. 16  Ole MIss basketball game at The Paviliion.

Santa wants the auction to also be home in the future to “Seek Ye First Ministries” for anyone of any denomination or no denomination to come worship.

They will have live auctions each Thursday night, starting Nov.15 at 8 p.m. and first and third Sundays. All items for sale will be family-oriented, Santa said.

There is so much more Santa and Mrs. C plan to offer. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 857-1045.