Comments on: Santa’s Village, Lake Arrowhead, 1958 http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/ God Bless Americana! -- Books, Slide Shows, & Field Trip Tours Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:56:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Laurel Tucker http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-173367 Laurel Tucker Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:58:29 +0000 /?p=87#comment-173367 My husband was reading the LA Times a couple of weeks ago when he came across Putty Henck's obituary. I grew up in Arrowhead and Putty was a family friend. He owned Santa's Village for many years and was quite the character! He was an avid sailor and a Commodore at the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club. During the raging forest fires a few years back, we were watching the TV coverage. Suddenly there was a shot of Putty ambling toward the camera, I think in bathrobe and slippers, fire in the background, while the "on-the-scene" reporter told us that some residents were simply refusing to evacuate. That was Putty! He will be missed, as is his dear little Village. (Another note: I posted earlier that his mom was important in education: In Putty's obit, was reminded that she was a teacher who established the local school district and then passed a bond to build the first school in Lake Arrowhead.) My husband was reading the LA Times a couple of weeks ago when he came across Putty Henck’s obituary. I grew up in Arrowhead and Putty was a family friend. He owned Santa’s Village for many years and was quite the character! He was an avid sailor and a Commodore at the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club. During the raging forest fires a few years back, we were watching the TV coverage. Suddenly there was a shot of Putty ambling toward the camera, I think in bathrobe and slippers, fire in the background, while the “on-the-scene” reporter told us that some residents were simply refusing to evacuate. That was Putty! He will be missed, as is his dear little Village.
(Another note: I posted earlier that his mom was important in education: In Putty’s obit, was reminded that she was a teacher who established the local school district and then passed a bond to build the first school in Lake Arrowhead.)

]]> By: Larry http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-172940 Larry Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:56:19 +0000 /?p=87#comment-172940 I lived in Lake Arrowhead until 1963 but I still go back home every time we get back to California. When the weather is bad I look at the snow up in the mountains on the webcams. The house I lived in as a kid is still there near the high school. My wife, granddaughter and I visited the mountains on January 11,2010. We had a fun time as our granddaughter hadn't been there since she was 3 years old. The last time we went to Santas Village was in 1993 and I really miss it as I have pictures of my cousins and I playing on the mushrooms outside by the parking lot when I was a kid. What a shame that some things cannot stay the same for our grandchildren to enjoy like we did. I just recently read in the Mountain News online that the gentleman that ran it for so many years just passed away. I lived in Lake Arrowhead until 1963 but I still go back home every time we get back to California. When the weather is bad I look at the snow up in the mountains on the webcams. The house I lived in as a kid is still there near the high school. My wife, granddaughter and I visited the mountains on January 11,2010. We had a fun time as our granddaughter hadn’t been there since she was 3 years old. The last time we went to Santas Village was in 1993 and I really miss it as I have pictures of my cousins and I playing on the mushrooms outside by the parking lot when I was a kid. What a shame that some things cannot stay the same for our grandchildren to enjoy like we did. I just recently read in the Mountain News online that the gentleman that ran it for so many years just passed away.

]]> By: Pamela Morris-Oborn http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-167874 Pamela Morris-Oborn Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:57:11 +0000 /?p=87#comment-167874 One of my childhood great memories of growing up in Southern California! And the best thing about it you could go there year round! One of my childhood great memories of growing up in Southern California! And the best thing about it you could go there year round!

]]> By: Deb http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-156208 Deb Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:49:43 +0000 /?p=87#comment-156208 I am so happy that I found this site, maybe a litle late, however. I grew up in the San Bernardino area (it was actually a really nice place to be a kid in the late 60's and early 70's...orange groves everywhere) and have so many fond memories of Santa's Village. I now have a vacation home up in Lake Arrowhead and have been looking for the remains of Santa's Village. I have noticed a few of the concrete mushrooms around the area, but can not remember where exactly Santa's Village was, other than Skyforest. My almost 80 year old mother just asked me recently if Santa's Village was still here. She sounded so sad when I told her that it closed years ago. Thinking about it beings back wonderful memories of spending time there with much loved, much missed friends and relatives. I never even knew that there were other locations! I have been looking in vain for some photos other than postcards or other memorabilia. It seems there just isn't much to be found. It is surprising that so little remains of this place, but it is heartwarming to find that Santas's Village meant so much to so many other people. Just thinking about the loss of the place brings tears to my eyes. I am so happy that I found this site, maybe a litle late, however. I grew up in the San Bernardino area (it was actually a really nice place to be a kid in the late 60′s and early 70′s…orange groves everywhere) and have so many fond memories of Santa’s Village. I now have a vacation home up in Lake Arrowhead and have been looking for the remains of Santa’s Village. I have noticed a few of the concrete mushrooms around the area, but can not remember where exactly Santa’s Village was, other than Skyforest. My almost 80 year old mother just asked me recently if Santa’s Village was still here. She sounded so sad when I told her that it closed years ago. Thinking about it beings back wonderful memories of spending time there with much loved, much missed friends and relatives. I never even knew that there were other locations! I have been looking in vain for some photos other than postcards or other memorabilia. It seems there just isn’t much to be found. It is surprising that so little remains of this place, but it is heartwarming to find that Santas’s Village meant so much to so many other people. Just thinking about the loss of the place brings tears to my eyes.

]]> By: Mary http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-146752 Mary Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:10:30 +0000 /?p=87#comment-146752 someone in the Rochester,ny area looking for a recipe from the Santa village; recipes for a dip made with Mrs. Claus' Blanc and seasonables dips, the name of the dip was"Mrs. Claus' Special Dip" someone in the Rochester,ny area looking for a recipe from the Santa village; recipes for a dip made with Mrs. Claus’ Blanc and seasonables dips, the name of the dip was”Mrs. Claus’ Special Dip”

]]> By: Ada http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-142023 Ada Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:41:19 +0000 /?p=87#comment-142023 Does anyone know what happened to the little sheperd chapel? Does anyone have a copy of the book that the little chapel was dedicated from? Does anyone know what happened to the little sheperd chapel?
Does anyone have a copy of the book that the little chapel was dedicated from?

]]> By: Nancy O'Lexey Barnes http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-141927 Nancy O'Lexey Barnes Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:39:41 +0000 /?p=87#comment-141927 Wow, I can't belive I found this web site. I use to work at Santa's Village in 65 66 67 with Tony Crowder His sisters Tracy & Trudi and the rest of the gang, also Bill Bailey which he lives in Grants Pass, Or now. It was so much fun working there it was like christmas everyday.... Wow, I can’t belive I found this web site. I use to work at Santa’s Village in 65 66 67 with Tony Crowder His sisters Tracy & Trudi and the rest of the gang, also Bill Bailey which he lives in Grants Pass, Or now. It was so much fun working there it was like christmas everyday….

]]> By: Kellie http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-121296 Kellie Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:48:41 +0000 /?p=87#comment-121296 Does anyone know what they did with the concrete mushrooms on the property? Does anyone know what they did with the concrete mushrooms on the property?

]]> By: Robin http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-93085 Robin Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:05:48 +0000 /?p=87#comment-93085 Ah, Santa's Village! My wife's father passed away when she was only 12 years old. Until that time he'd take the family up to Santa's Village every summer and there he would sit my wife on one of the many concrete toad stools that populated the park, he'd stand beside her while her mom snapped a picture. Every year a picture, every year taken on the same toad stool. There are twelve of them in an album on our coffee table there in the den. A few years back Santa's Village closed and held a public auction, selling off everything that the park held from the Bumble Bee ride to the costumes worn by the employees. Needless to say, we went. A few hours later (and more than a few hundred dollars lighter) we were headed down the mountian with our load; a employee costume (green felt vest and eflish hat, name badge and red/white striped shirt) Donner's mailbox, a gross of vintage "Come see Santa in the Summertime" bumper stickers, and best of all - riding in the back of a strained trailer - the concrete toadstool my wife had had her picture taken on all those years ago. Currently it resides in our yard - where every year we take pictures of our daughters to put into the album. We almost didnt get the toad stool - we were repeatedly outbid bu someone with considerably deeper pockets than we had - who was this weathly collector of kitch? Paul Ruebens aka PeeWee Herman Ah, Santa’s Village! My wife’s father passed away when she was only 12 years old. Until that time he’d take the family up to Santa’s Village every summer and there he would sit my wife on one of the many concrete toad stools that populated the park, he’d stand beside her while her mom snapped a picture. Every year a picture, every year taken on the same toad stool. There are twelve of them in an album on our coffee table there in the den. A few years back Santa’s Village closed and held a public auction, selling off everything that the park held from the Bumble Bee ride to the costumes worn by the employees. Needless to say, we went. A few hours later (and more than a few hundred dollars lighter) we were headed down the mountian with our load; a employee costume (green felt vest and eflish hat, name badge and red/white striped shirt) Donner’s mailbox, a gross of vintage “Come see Santa in the Summertime” bumper stickers, and best of all – riding in the back of a strained trailer – the concrete toadstool my wife had had her picture taken on all those years ago. Currently it resides in our yard – where every year we take pictures of our daughters to put into the album.

We almost didnt get the toad stool – we were repeatedly outbid bu someone with considerably deeper pockets than we had – who was this weathly collector of kitch? Paul Ruebens aka PeeWee Herman

]]> By: Laurel Tucker http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2004/12/2004-12-02/comment-page-1/#comment-92518 Laurel Tucker Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:03:27 +0000 /?p=87#comment-92518 Charles, I love getting your Slide of the Week. Your latest on Florida's "Storyland" led me to Google "Santa's Village," so what a treat to find your name in the search! Growing up in Lake Arrowhead, many of my friends worked at Santa's Village through the summers of the late '70's (and by the way, they had all of their teeth!) I remember a short-lived outdoor discotheque there. It was not well-attended, but it offered a unique place to dance for mountain kids under age 21. We also knew the owners of the park, the Henck family. Mrs. Henck was "The Lollipop Lady," while Mr. Henck's mother, Mary Putnam, was an important historical figure in education in the mountains. Our junior high was named for her. It's too bad that Santa's Village is gone. Would've been fun to take my own kids there... Charles, I love getting your Slide of the Week. Your latest on Florida’s “Storyland” led me to Google “Santa’s Village,” so what a treat to find your name in the search!
Growing up in Lake Arrowhead, many of my friends worked at Santa’s Village through the summers of the late ’70′s (and by the way, they had all of their teeth!) I remember a short-lived outdoor discotheque there. It was not well-attended, but it offered a unique place to dance for mountain kids under age 21.
We also knew the owners of the park, the Henck family. Mrs. Henck was “The Lollipop Lady,” while Mr. Henck’s mother, Mary Putnam, was an important historical figure in education in the mountains. Our junior high was named for her.
It’s too bad that Santa’s Village is gone. Would’ve been fun to take my own kids there…

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