Sentimental Santa goes missing

By Mark Ribble

A beloved plywood depiction of Santa Claus has gone missing on Regatta Drive and the owners are pleading for Santa’s return.

Albert and Loretta Vriesacker have been putting that Santa Claus up in their front yard for over 30 Christmases and came home to it missing shortly after Christmas Day.

“We’ve had that Santa for 30 years or more,” Loretta told The Sun last week. “My husband and I hope someone can find it in their heart to return him. He is of sentimental value to us.”

Loretta said they were devastated to discover that Santa was missing and she hopes he can be found.

They’ve looked all over wondering if the strong winds before Christmas somehow carried the giant Santa away, but Loretta says that the statue was there at Christmas, just as he’s been for many years.

Albert has talked about creating a new one, but Loretta says they are too old for that. She’s hoping an appeal in the local paper will bring Santa home.

While the Vriesackers don’t know what or who carried him away, it’s possible he was thrown into a neighbouring yard or ended up in an open field somewhere.

If you see a tall wooden Santa along the roadside or in a back yard, please collect him and return him to 48 Regatta Drive in Leamington.

Wayward Santa from Regatta Drive. Photo submitted