Book signing events are typically held in libraries or book stores with the author seated prominently facing the audience, pen in hand to personally autograph his or her tome. And frequently the events feature remarks from the author and conversation over cups of coffee or, in the case of evening signing, wine and cheese and crackers.

Retired Warwick firefighter Lieutenant Paul Evans broke with tradition Sunday morning at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Sandy Lane. Most of those attending were bent on getting their kids pictured with Evans and secondly with him signing the inside folio to his first book. 

He willingly obliged as kids sat in his lap and clustered around him; pictures were taken on cell phones and he pulled out a pen to scroll Santa in red ink. His wife, Peggy (Mrs. Claus) and a collection of related elves kept the show running. There was a band, a table with pizza and cider, face painting and multiple games to entertain the kids should the wait to see Santa become too much to endure.

Mrs. Claus didn’t go sparingly on the invites. During his firefighting career, Evans became friends with many of his colleagues from the Warwick as well as other departments. They were on the list.  Evans was also a physical education teacher at St. Peter and St. Benedict Schools – he still teaches at St. Peter. They were on the list. And then there are those for whom he coached baseball, including Secretary of State Greg Amore, when Amore was a student at Providence College. Amore showed up to sign – a role reversal at a book signing – a citation recognizing Evans’ achievement. State Representative Joseph McNamara was also in attendance with a citation.

With the presentations, Evans left his seat to address his admirers, wishing them a happy Thanksgiving and praising his wife and those who helped him get through the two-year ordeal to publish the book. He shared the applause with Rhode Island School of Design alumnus Elisha Gillette, who illustrated the story of a young girl (could it be one of Evans’ six grandchildren?)  – who can’t sleep and discovers Santa in her home on Christmas Eve. She gets to talk with him leading up to the request, “Please, Just Leave the Glass,” which is the title to the book.

Santa Paul’s book is available for $25 at BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon, with more books being printed as quickly as his little elves can get them on the shelves. For a personalized copy, visit www.justleavetheglass.com.