Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1324147
"C HRISTMAS ISN'T JUST A DAY. It's a frame of mind." Kris Kringle first spoke this line onscreen in the 1947 classic "Miracle on 34th Street." ings aren't as simple now as they were then, and for many of us, the holiday frame of mind means being stressed, overwhelmed and overbooked. When we're able to slow down and let go of expectations, though, we get a glimpse of the true spirit of Christmas – joy, gratitude, generosity, childlike fun and wonder, and the pleasure of being with friends and loved ones. Anyone who has ever spent time with Randy Fenley will tell you that he manages to embody that spirit year-round. Randy, who grew up in Central Florida, has called Macon home for the past 33 years. He worked as a server for many of those years, his friendly face and charming demeanor a consistent and welcome presence to Middle Georgia diners. His current position at Compass Cares, which provides personalized treatment and care to those living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, allows him to continue serving the community he has grown to love. Most of the year, Elvis is king of Randy's home décor. He's a lifelong aficionado and dedicated collector, and he's turned his living space into a kind of museum of cultural iconography and kitschy treasures mostly featuring Mr. Presley, with glimpses of Marilyn Monroe or Lucy, of "I Love Lucy" fame, popping up. When Christmas is around the corner, though, the other icons take a backseat to jolly old St. Nick. When Randy got his own place in Macon, he began to amass Christmas decorations, most of them Santa themed. About 13 years ago, he got the idea to throw a Christmas party to show off some of the treasures he'd been collecting. us, the Ho-Ho-Ho-Rah Bash was born. ese parties, which Randy throws once every few years, bring a diverse mix of people together with the express purpose of creating joy. Randy's an ideal host, delighting in giving back to his loved ones with good entertainment, good food, good drinks and even door prizes. It's a beloved tradition to all who have participated. Last Christmas, Randy hosted his fifth Ho- Ho-Ho-Rah. He expects to hold the next one in 2024, when COVID-19 will hopefully be a semi-distant memory and when he's not quite as traumatized by the work that goes into putting up and taking down his remarkable decor. Here, he talks about his background, his collections and his charming canine sidekick. My folks are from Central Florida – that's where I grew up. When I was younger, I moved to Thomaston and lived there for a year. Hated it. I was on my way back to Florida and some friends from Macon talked me into staying. Most of them have moved on, but I'm still here. Been in this apartment for 33 years. My landlords are like family. I like it here. I'm not big on change. I like to have roots. " DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 | maconmagazine.com 81