David Morehouse, Silver Lake, also known as Santa, holds young Virginia Morgan at the Echoes of the Past “Cookies with Santa” event. Each year Morehouse listens intently to what each child wants for Christmas. When children are too young to tell him, he simply holds them in his arms. This year the event is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Little Schoolhouse at the corner of County Farm Road and CR 700S. Photo by Chris Morehouse.

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — “I grew up on a farm north of Leesburg,” stated David Morehouse, Silver Lake. “I fell in love with tractors at a very young age. I loved the sound of our John Deere running in the field. We also had an Allis-Chalmers.

“When Echoes of the Past, the antique tractor club, was having Plow Days, I went out to watch and listen. Since I didn’t own a tractor at that time, I enjoyed seeing other farmers’ antique tractors. It brought back fond memories. I really enjoyed that day and decided I wanted to be part of the club.”

Not having a tractor didn’t stop Morehouse. “I offered to feature my antique tools for display. And I loaned them my wife who takes the promotional pictures and helps structure the activities for the club.”

Morehouse loves portraying Santa in “Cookies with Santa” each year at the Little Schoolhouse on the corner of County Farm Road and CR 700S.

“Last year two babies cried when I held them on my lap, but I got out without a wet leg. Santa is intimidating to children until they get used to him.”

This year Cookies with Santa, sponsored by Echoes, is scheduled 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.

His favorite part of being Santa is listening to what the children want for Christmas. “Every year there’s a kid who touches my heart in a special way. We had a disabled boy who was 12 or 13. He fell in love with Santa. He came back again and again. That’s what makes portraying Santa so meaningful.”

Each year Santa and Mrs. Claus come in on a horse drawn sleigh. But this year might be a bit different. “We are looking for a horse to replace the one that pulled the sleigh. Since we also offer sleigh rides, the horse must be gentle and good with kids. The horse we had is getting too old for the job.”

Morehouse loves the holiday season, starting with the Fall Morehouse Family Reunion. “Years ago, parents made their children go to every family reunion. In this day and age, it’s quite different. I’m very familiar with all my cousins. But anymore, families are not as enthused connecting with extended members.”

Thanksgiving features a big family meal David and his wife Chris host. “We have a big enough house that we can comfortably host gatherings. That wasn’t always the case.”

He has fond memories of going with his son Rob to cut the Christmas tree. “Now that my son is married, those days are in the past. My wife and I decorate inside, and I put up lights outside. We host the Sloan’s Christmas party in our big garage.”

The Morehouses moved into their large farmhouse in Silver Lake in 2018. “I sent my wife Chris to pick up some arrowheads I was buying at the Donna French auction. Chris ended up buying the house along with them.”

French named the house Amazing Grace. “When I was in the hospital with COVID, one of the nurses asked me where I lived. I couldn’t remember the address because of my illness, so I said, ‘The outskirts of Heaven.’ The name stuck. We have a sign a friend of ours made in our front yard that reads: ‘Amazing Grace, The Outskirts of Heaven.’ ”