I T8E MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY. THE MCHIGN DALY MJWD, ilG VI r... I Clothing Salesman Doubles as Santa; Finds Job Has Rewards, Sorrows Group Acts as Liaison Body Between Campus, Alumni MUSIC OF MICHIGAN 11 I By the Band Michigan Rhapsody The Victors Varsity By the Glee Club The Yellow and Blue Laudes Atque Carmina Old Friars' Song 'Tis of Michigan i Want To Go Back to Michigan Goddess of the Inland Seas By BARTON HUTHWAITE Never tell anyone you don't be- lieve in Santa Claus ... he exists. You can spot his flowing white beard, bright red suit and pheery smile everywhere around Christ- mas time. He can be seen ringing a bell for a charity drive on a busy street corner, handing out gifts to sick and invalid children in hospitals or taking orders from hopeful boys and girls in huge department stores. Size Varies He may never look the same. Sometimes he is short and heavy. Other times he is rather tall with some obvious padding.. He will always have a pleasing dispdsition that fgvors little chil- dren. Santa Claus 'might be a destitute bum or a millionaire executive. He might be a plumber, professor or lawyer. He could almost be any- one. Job Isn't Easy Being Santa Claus isn't always easy. It has its rewards and it has its sorrows. Ben Reagin, a men's clothing salesman in Detroit's largest department store, knows. A short, rotund man in his fifties, he dons a custom fitted Santa Claus suit, shaggy white beard and white gloves during the month before Christmas. He reigns as Santa Claus on a red velvet throne, gift booklets and gumdrops at his side, for the thousands of children that shower him with re- quests every day. "I don't know exactly why I was picked to be Santa Claus .. . maybe it's because I like kids," he said adjusting his beard before going out to the special Santa Claus room. White-booted, fur- trimmed pixies scurried about making last minute preparations. Attends Special School "The company sent me to a special Santa Claus school in Al- bion, New York for five days. We were taught how to dress, act and especially how to deal with chil- dren," he explained. "I've received a lot of different requests," he smiled. "Most of the children ask for electric trains and tiny-tear dolls." "I'll never forget one little girl. She asked me to bring her mother back for Christmas. Her father later explained she had died a few months before." Pull Beard Boys who pull his beard are Ben's pet peeve. "When they try to, I dare them to go ahead. I hold it on beneath my chin with one hand and make frantic motions with the other. A little screaming helps too," he laughed. "Approximately 14,000 children visit me each day. We also have another Santa in a different room at the same time. "One hour shifts, one on and By THOMAS HAYDEN After one year on campus, the unique Student, Governors Confer- ence has more than doubled its membership and is still growing, according to Stanley Bilsky, '59E, chairman of the organization's inter-campus committee. The group, inaugurated in De- cember 1956, is a "liaison body" between the campus and various University alumni clubs, Bilsky said. Each alumni club is represented by a pair of student governors on campus, who attempt to strength- en student - alumni relations through various methods, includ- ing keeping the alumni posted on campus needs, changes and activi- ties, contacting qualified h i g h school and prep school students interested in the University and meeting and orientating these stu- dents when they arrive at the Uni- versity. Prime Function To bring the needs of the school to the attention of the alumni is one of the prime functions of the group, according to Mrs. Allison Tennant Myers, Alumnae Secre- tary of the Alumni Association. She pointed out the Phoenix Memorial project as an example.. "This was one area in which the alumni recognized a definite need to increase scientific research," she said. "Partly from this the Phoenix Project was born." At present, Bilsky said, there are approximately 200 University alumni, co-ed, and alumnae-clubs in the world, of which 46 are rep- resented on campus. ences. "We usually meet," said Mrs. Myers, "with members of the administration to discuss various aspects of the school, such as the field of admission." This is fol- lowed, she continued, by a round- table discussion. The next conference will as- semble Dec. 14 in the Regents Conference Rm. of the Adminis- tration Building. Unique Program The Student Governors group is headed by John Pierce, '58M, chairman; Richard Salo, '58, vice- chairman; Lois Morse, '58, chair- man of student information com- mittee; Judy Reynolds, '58Ed, chairman of governors commit- tee; and Bilsky. Mrs. Myers calls herself an "adviser." "This is an unique program as far as we know," Mrs. Myers said, "We're going to present its general plan at a Chicago conference in December." "We've still got some problems," commented Bilsky. "Our main one," he continued, "is convincing alumni clubs that we're around."_ He'll love his CHRISTMAS GBDPIPE I (4ue Centep -Daily-Wesley Kar THE ARRIVAL-Santa Claus, clothed in his custom-fitted red suit, established the existence of this fabled character as he makes his long-awaited visit to Detroit. Climbing out of his sleigh, he prepares to face thousands of youngsters and to answer their many varied requests. Santa's job is not easy, but the difficulties are compensated by his love of children. A pleasing disposition that favors little children is all that is required for this job. , ,11 this fine recording available in regular (78 rpm) $3.85 long play (331/3 rpm) ... $3.85 C>llege Days C Drink, Drink, Joy Rules the Day at- LIBERTY MUSIC SHOPS 205 East Liberty St. NO 2-0675 211 South State St. NO 8-9013 one off, help to break up the day," he said. Cites Parents Status Penciled letters to Santa Claus, extra beards and bottles of make- up filled his dressing room. "You can always tell when a child's parents are well off. They always ask for many more toys," he smiled. "We pass out story booklets tell- ing the story of the North Pole gardens," Ben continued. "Christ- mas Carol, my helper, also gives the children gumdrops to insert in the book." A concerned employee motioned that it was time for him to "go on." Ben mounted his throne, ad- justed his giant black belt and nodded to one of the pixies to open the door. Mothers Urge Children A woman, clutching coats, leg- gings and caps in her arms, ld her two sons up to Santa. "Tell Santa what you want," she encouraged. "I wan' a horsie 'an a truck," the first boy stuttered. The 'second shoved a crumpled note in Santa's hand and ran crying for the door. The note listed requests for a canteen, football, cowboy gun and a holster. A childish drawing of Santa Claus accompanied it. Ben added it to the steadily growing pile of letters and notes at his side. A little girl slowly approached Santa and asked for a typewriter. "Good girl," he replied. "You learn how to type real well and maybe I can use you up at the North Pole. I always need a good secre- tary." "Tell Santa what you want- for Christmas," a young woman en- couraged her son. "I would like a red car, baseball bat, toy shaver, and a snow shovel," he said polite- ly. "Ronnie," his mother howled, "I thought you wanted a little sister!" Santa handed him a booklet, smiled at his mother and said he would do his best. "Sometimes I surprise them by calling them by name," he said, turning his head to the side. "Watch the expressions on the faces of the parents," he laughed, looking back at the eager children. The line extended for approxi- mately 200 feet. It wound around toy counters, elevators and hurried Christmas shoppers. Some were crying, others were checking their lists for the last time. Mothers combed their child- ren's hair and tied their bows and shoelaces for the moment that comes but once a year-a visit with Santa Claus. Hold Conferences 115 East Huron Two student governors represent 31 bldcks from campus each club at intermittant confer- iiA diamond as special as love itself . .. in your Now, you can own matchless diamond from the Traub Collection. Choose your Orange Blossom Ring today. 0~ JEWELERS S91y North University -- Near Hil Auditorium 4 ,' L| =move I ' "E t c i F R' Eh "5+ I- ":1 Santa's making his Christmas lst of gifts he's buying from thels CJ i ns So STATE and LIBERTY Ir You too will want to make your selections from our wonderful gifts. She has hinted for some .. . others will take her by surprise! " robes * jewelry * formals " lingerie * jewelry cases " dresses " petticoats * gloves * suits 1 * bed jackets b handbags * coats " hosiery hosierycase formal bags " jackets I * hosiery cases s cologne * skirts Saprons linen towels e billfolds ® slacks " slippers * French purses " blouses STORE HOURS: OPEN MONDAY 'TIL 8:30 Tuesday thru Thursday, Saturday 9:30 to 5:30 Friday 9:30 to 6:00 I ..:t-.. " hristas Blles , erfa c etio t . Q / ;,k . ." "lb 4 3ZI I5 AI Chisma Bllst L r , T. x , ::......... . .y.I y.,. ,, ..: :": :{;v:;":":". .. s . - : . ". "" . . :: :. o '. .y ~ . 'I II Ljoyou .t" ^..h..