The Snow Queen Comes to the Mathews Museum

Mathews, VA — The Mathews Museum will welcome Donna Deekens, the Snow Queen, on Friday, December 18, 2026, for a talk and book signing about Miller & Rhoads.

Donna performed as the Snow Queen with "The Real Santa" at the Miller & Rhoads downtown Richmond department store from 1971 to 1989, and also at Thalhimers from 1990 to 1991.

She is a graduate of Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, with studies in Theatre, Music and Journalism, and has performed professionally as an actress, soloist, entertainer and public speaker. She owned and operated her own traveling tea party business, "Teapots, Treats & Traditions," from 2002 to 2012, and has held positions in public relations, marketing and fundraising for governmental, corporate and nonprofit organizations.

Donna is the author of four books: Christmas at Miller & Rhoads: Memoirs of a Snow Queen; Santaland: A Miller & Rhoads Christmas, a children's book; Virginia's Legendary Santa Trains, co-authored with Doug Riddell; and The Real Santa of Miller & Rhoads: The Extraordinary Life of Bill Strother.

She was recently inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame in Santa Claus, Indiana, and she is the only "Snow Queen" to receive this honor.

At the museum, Donna will give a brief talk and meet with folks who fondly remember the "magic" of "The Real Santa" and Miller & Rhoads "back in the day." She encourages anyone who has vintage photos of their children or grandchildren at Miller & Rhoads to please bring them to share with her, and also share any stories that they recall.

Her books will be available for purchase and signing that evening. Donna will donate 10 percent of the proceeds of book sales during the event to the Mathews Museum.