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Hardin County Woman Chosen to Help Decorate the White House for Christmas

Kate Bateman of Radcliff will join an all-volunteer pool of Americans who will decorate the White House for Christmas.
Kate Bateman
Kate Bateman of Radcliff will join an all-volunteer pool of Americans who will decorate the White House for Christmas.
Kate Bateman of Radcliff will join an all-volunteer pool of Americans who will decorate the White House for Christmas.
Credit Kate Bateman
Kate Bateman of Radcliff will join an all-volunteer pool of Americans who will decorate the White House for Christmas.

Never mind that it's not even Thanksgiving yet, Kate Bateman has Christmas music playing inside her Radcliff, Kentucky home.  When you visit, you'll find she's obsessed with Christmas.

"Bad enough that I put up five trees.  I have Santas in a showcase that stay out all year long.  I have a six-foot tall Santa in the foyer and he's out all year long," explained Bateman.  "It's kind of an overkill I guess, but I love Christmas."

The retired Hardin County Schools art teacher will soon combine her passion and talent to help America’s First Home sparkle for the holidays.  Bateman is part of an all-volunteer group of people from all over the country selected to help decorate the White House for Christmas.  She first learned about the opportunity while watching a special on HGTV. 

"I thought to myself 'Man, I'd love to do that!' but it wasn't a good time for me," she said.  "I was still teaching and I said 'I'm going put that on my list for when I retire."'

Fast forward a few years to the end of last month when Bateman learned the application she submitted over the summer had been accepted.  She leaves for Washington on Thanksgiving Day.  The opportunity puts a crimp in her traditional Thanksgiving plans, but she doesn’t mind.

"My youngest daughter had already said she wanted to host Thanksgiving at her house this year and I was all for that," stated Bateman.  "I'm making the pies the day before.  Their dad will take the pies over, and I'm on a plane.  And I'm so okay with that!"

Bateman will join a group of about 100 volunteers ranging from florists to lawyers who will put their mark on the 132-room White House.  She doesn’t have her assignment yet, but the suspense, she says, is part of the fun."I am pretty much in the dark.  I just know I get to go and I get to help," Bateman replied.  "I told my husband that I'll probably be sitting in the floor with a hot glue gun gluing pine cones to burlap, and I don't care.  This is just such an exciting opportunity."

The volunteers will have their first meeting with White House officials on Thanksgiving night.

"We'll start the day after Thanksgiving.  We will work two days at a warehouse facility off site.  That's where we'll do all the assembling," she explained.  "Then, we'll spend two days in the White House actually putting the decorations up."

The work will conclude with a White House reception.  The die-hard Democrat is crossing her fingers she’ll get to meet the First Family.

"That would be the cherry on top, but I would be okay if it doesn't happen," Bateman remarked.  "I didn't do this because the Obamas are in the White House.  I did this because it's just such a cool thing to do."

Kate Bateman leaves for the White House on Thanksgiving Day and is taking with her a handmade Santa for the Obamas.
Credit Lisa Autry
Kate Bateman leaves for the White House on Thanksgiving Day and is taking with her a handmade Santa for the Obamas.

Hoping to score some brownie points, Bateman will take with her a handmade gift for the Obamas.  She pulls off a plastic bag to unveil and specially-crafted black Santa.   The Santa is in a rocking chair next to a small artificial tree that lights up.  The body is made of polymer clay.  He’s dressed in a red flannel nightshirt with long underwear.  He holds a nice list, which Bateman jokes, includes no members of Congress.  Next to Santa is a bag of gifts , including a left-handed putter for the president.  In Santa’s lap is the First Dog Bo, a black Portuguese Water Dog. 

"It was a lot of fun to make," said Bateman.  "My husband and my brother both laughed and said, 'You're really angling for a meet and greet aren't you, and I said 'Well yeah, who wouldn't.' So I'm hoping my Santa gets me at least a thank you card."

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will owe its holiday glam, in part, to Kate Bateman, and that alone, she says, is enough.

Copyright 2014 WKU Public Radio

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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