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By Miriam Raftery
Photos: Left, Bill Swank with Reina Menasche; lower right, Swank with Ed Barrena at our studio in El Cajon
Listen to the podcast of our interview, originally aired on KNSJ Radio 89.1 FM: http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/rqxbr1r051/BookshelfSanta-BillSwank.mp3
December 21, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re looking for a true treasure to share with someone on your holiday gift list, a copy of Bill Swank’s Christmas in San Diego is ideal. His book is filled with local examples of the Christmas spirit, from Santee Santas giving back to the community to endearing and unique holiday traditions in towns across our region.
“The goodness that we have in us all is Santa Claus,” says Swank, who has expertise in delivering holiday cheer. He’s played Santa for years, including serving as Santa Claus at the annual December Nights celebration in Balboa Park.
He shares memories that are heartwarming and at times, tear-jerking, including helping make a wish come true for a boy in hospice who wanted to be Santa when he grows up. “Appreciate all the wonderful people that we have in all the communities, all the volunteers, that make Christmas a wonderful celebration for everybody else,” he concludes. “There’s a lot of good in the world.”
Also a baseball historian, Swank has written numerous books on baseball, including two on baseball in San Diego, from Lane Field to the Padres. On our show, he also discusses his background as a probation officer before turning to a more jolly occupation.
You can learn more and buy Christmas inn San Diego at http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Diego-Images-Modern-America/dp/1467134554
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