They might not have a sleigh or a reindeer with a bright red nose of their own, but one Franklin couple has done its best to bring the magic of Santa to the children of Franklin County over the years.

Each Christmas season for the last 55 years, Randy and Elvera Dallman have donned red suits and traveled through the countryside as Santa and Mrs. Claus, making house calls for three generations of Franklin County residents.

The Dallmans are being honored this holiday season as this month’s Community Heroes.

Though their schedule gets a bit hectic once December hits, playing Santa is something that Randy has enjoyed immensely. “It’s well worth the time,” Randy said. “I’m still a kid at heart.”

When Randy started playing Santa in 1960, he and Elvera lived on a farm outside of Macon, a small town just north of Franklin. That year, the person playing Santa at a local high school was sick, and Randy was asked if he would fi ll in for him. From then on, the tradition continued. “It’s the best,” Elvera said. “Otherwise we wouldn’t do it.”

Elvera didn’t accompany Randy at fi rst, but she joined him later and helps keep track of his schedule and maintains his appearance.

First, the couple made only door-to-door appearances to their neighbors around Macon.

Eventually, they started being asked to appear at community events, in parades and at private parties throughout south-central Nebraska. Once, they were asked to come to a December wedding in full Santa gear. They’ve also dressed up as the Clauses for their three children, three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Randy has gone through six suits and five fluffy white beards during his tenure as Santa Claus.

He said his favorite part about playing Santa is interacting with the parents and children — though some of them aren’t always good boys and girls for Santa.

Previous Month's winners:
November: Andrea Potthoff
October: Amanda Shoemaker
September: Sarah Isaac
August: Julie Weir
July: CHI Health Good Samaritan Pediatric Nursing Unit
June: Helen Casper
May: Jackson Murphy
April: Judy Billings
March: Sharon Hoffman
February: Justin Huber
January: Wayne Olson
December: Janis Robbins
November: Elaine Cleveland and Cathy Mohlman
October: Mary O’Rourke
September: Mary Kolstad
August: Judi Sickler
July: Jessie Harris
June: Belinda Schroder
May: Olivia Derr
April: Delbert Sindt
March: Natasha Kelly-Wise
February: Ivy and Brian Olin