It may not feel like Christmastime with all the warm weather we’ve been having, but Santa Clauses from all over the country, even the North Pole, have descended on the town of Albion in Orleans County. They’re honoring the man who taught Santas how to be Santa.

Santa Clauses joined hundreds of community members to honor a legend who believes it's better to give than to receive. Charles Howard was known as Santa in many major department stores nationwide. He was also the official Santa for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Howard’s greatest legacy lies in his teachings. In 1937, he opened the first Santa Claus school in Albion.

"They teach Santas the protocol of being Santa Claus," said event organizer Phillip Wenz. "It’s costuming, how to do the characterizations, a little bit of Santa psychology, how to handle certain children, they teach basic toys. It's basically a course that teaches the fine art of being Santa Claus."

In December of 1956, the Town Journal Magazine wrote a story about the Santa Claus School. The author at first thought it was a joke.

"But he went through the class and through the school and he tells the story about the first kid to sit on his lap brought it all to life, it became real," said Joe Martilotta, whose father graduated from Howard's school. "The kid on his lap is me.”

Seventy-three years ago, the Santa Claus School at Christmas Park took on the mission of teaching the meaning of Christmas.

"It is the spirit of joy, the spirit of love, the spirit of happiness and someday, peace on earth,” said Chris Issacson, a Santa Claus from Indiana.

It's a spirit these Santas will once again spread in just a few short months.

Charles W. Howard