Congratulations to Kay Ables, this year s recipient of Thrown Stone New Connections Award! As a renowned historian and curator, Kay has brought Ridgefield s rich history to life, preserving our heritage and connecting generations. Join Thrown Stone on July 14th to celebrate her remarkable accomplishments.
Charles Ashbee: Ridgefield s Santa for three decades
by Jack Sanders
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Charley Ashbee played Santa Claus to children in Rigefield for three decades, from the Great Depression into the start of 1960s.Contributed photo
When Charley Ashbee died in 1962, the front page of the May 31 Ridgefield Press announced: “C.F. Ashbee, Santa Claus, Dies at 89.” By then the retired insurance executive had become a local legend.
“Mr. Ashbee spent nearly as much of his long life portraying Santa Claus and delighting the children of this town as he devoted to the insurance business,” the newspaper said in his obituary. “Donning a Santa Claus suit became a habit with Uncle Charley soon after he and Mrs. Ashbee settled here.”