By Beverly Murry, Business Manager

During the school day, Le Hook plays the role of substitute teacher. Outside of school, he plays an entirely different role — one many of us know, love and recognize as a staple of Christmas festivities: Santa Claus.

Hook got his start in the Santa business at a small event that caused him to have a new outlook on the holiday times.

“The first time was totally by accident. The zoo in Montgomery, Alabama, has a train that goes all around the whole zoo, and they do all kinds of lights at Christmas time,” Hook recalled. “We were going to do that with my wife and two sons, and I just happened to be wearing a red jacket. There were a couple of kids and they looked at me: The younger kids all screamed ‘Santa!’ so I just played the part. I did whatever I needed to do to satisfy them.”

Every December since, Hook has transformed into the beloved character, brightening the lives of local children by taking part in more than a dozen events across the Outer Banks. Some events are pro-bono — non-paying jobs for the public good — but Hook’s paid jobs help cover the care of his collection of nine suits, along with buying new — and pricey — accessories.

“I usually make enough that it pays for the upkeep. Some of the things are pretty expensive,” Hook said. “Like, I bought a new belt this year, which was $89, and the belt buckle itself was $79.”

Occasionally, Hook will be recognized while on the job, which can make for some sticky situations. After the Manteo tree lighting this year, a student seemed suspicious of him.

“I haven’t had her in any of the classes I’ve subbed in, but I’ve seen her in the hallway,” Hook said. “She walked by me and she looked and she stopped, and looked a second time, and finally the third time I said, ‘Yes, it’s me.’ ”

While acting as Santa, Hook must come up with quick responses to some of the seemingly strange wishes children want for Christmas. The requests range from pickle jars to wanting a beloved pet to get better to curing a grandparent’s sadness, and Hook must truly act as Santa would with his responses.

“There was this little girl that sat down on my lap and asked for a pair of wings, and I said, ‘Oh, like angel wings,’ and she said, ‘No, no, no, I want real wings!’ Now I’m thinking, ‘Oh my,’ I could see a real letdown coming on Christmas morning when she doesn’t get real wings,” Hook remembered fondly.

“So I said, ‘There’s only one thing about wings — there’s an age limit. You have to be 16 to have real wings, kinda like a driver’s license.’ She was about 8, so I said, ‘Well you just keep wishing for it, and maybe when you’re 16 then you can get some real wings.’ You could see her mom just have a sigh of relief, because she was safe for Christmas morning.”

You can read more of Santa Hook’s adventures at his blog here!

Junior Beverly Murry can be reached at [email protected].