Auto restoration students ‘save’ waving Santa

Santa Claus is waving again to the thousands of visitors experiencing Candy Cane Lane. And it’s not a Christmas miracle. Instead, Santa’s rehabilitation is thanks to an instructor and a pair of automotive restoration students at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

For about 20 years, the life-sized animated Santa has been a mainstay of the annual display of lights and Christmas decorations that turns the 200 block of Summer Street in Duboistown into a beloved holiday wonderland.

Craig Kropp, whose family began the Candy Cane Lane tradition in 1957, displays the waving Santa on his home’s side deck, located about a third of the way up on the right side of the hilly street. A spotlight ensures Kris Kringle can’t be missed.

That was evident last year when festive admirers noticed Santa didn’t wave because his right arm was in a sling. Kropp devised that remedy when he realized a portion of Santa’s arm was broken in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the premiere date for Candy Cane Lane.

“Many adults and kids asked why Santa wasn’t waving. I told them that he had an accident and a broken arm,” Kropp said.

After last Christmas, Kropp contemplated replacing the injured Santa but couldn’t find a perfect match for the unit, which was manufactured in the early 2000s by Gemmy Industries.

Enter Penn College. 

“Through several contacts, I found out that Penn College had the capabilities to fix it,” Kropp said.

Roy H. Klinger, collision repair instructor and co-department head, accepted the challenge of saving Santa and assigned the work to automotive restoration students Madelon E. Andersen, of Media, and Henry W. Zimmerli, of Hellertown.

“After reviewing the broken part, we realized that fixing it would allow students to use fabrication skills that they need to practice,” Klinger said. “Plus, it was a way to teach students to give back to their community. There’s added value when students have the chance to perform a service benefiting the community.”

Andersen used a power hammer machine to shape metal to serve as a reinforcement shell for the broken portion of Santa’s upper arm. Zimmerli assisted by riveting together the metal support and the plastic arm. Following the successful “surgery,” Santa’s right forearm could resume moving back and forth.

“The kids are very observant. This year, they have made mention of the fact that Santa is waving again,” Kropp said. “I have absolute gratitude for Roy and his students.”

Klinger is thankful for the opportunity to spread holiday cheer.

“I think it's an honor when a trade like collision repair and restoration can help a local tradition which is a staple of the community,” he said.

Santa will be waving on Candy Cane Lane daily from 5-10 p.m. until New Year’s Eve.