Albion students will unveil 44-page booklet in honor of Santa School founder

The cover of the booklet features Charles Howard helping one of his students in the finer points of portraying Santa.

ALBION – A group of Albion seventh-graders have been researching and compiling a booklet about Charles Howard, the man who started a Santa Claus School and also developed Christmas Park in Albion.

Students will present the booklet at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10 at Hoag Library. The unveiling includes presentations about Howard and a display of items from the school and Christmas Park.

Howard ran the school from 1937 until his death in 1966. The school continues in his name and is now in Midland, Mich.

The booklet touches on other parts of the Santa School founder’s life.

“Howard was much more than a Santa Claus,” said Tim Archer, an Albion teacher who helped spearhead the project honoring Howard. “Whether in the church, 4-H, or around the world, Howard represented all that is honorable and good. His was a life well lived – a true ambassador of goodwill.”

The community is welcome to attend the event on Dec. 10. Students in Archer’s Service Learning class will read excerpts from the booklet, which will be available for $5. Some of Howard’s family members and former workers at Christmas Park are expected to be in attendance, as well as Ken McPherson, a graduate of the school.