Santa Claus

WILLIAMSPORT erinc@herald-mail.com Pam Black rubbed her gloved hands together near a small fire in a barrel Wednesday evening trying to stay warm. As she looked to her left, she saw Santa Claus get out of a small helicopter and walk toward her. Santa was invited to a field beside Black's home, where he waited to greet children. Black said anyone is welcome to visit her home at 15942 Spielman Road today and Saturday to visit with Santa. During the first two days of the event Tuesday and Wednesday, Black said only a few children stopped to see Santa.

HALFWAY ? Nine-month-old Alexis Ferguson celebrated the beginning of her first Christmas season Friday night with a trip to see Santa at Valley Mall. Her mother, Christin Ferguson of Boonsboro, snapped pictures as they waited in line to sit on Santa's lap. Ferguson and Alexis' father, Matthew Smith, later sat for pictures with Santa and their daughter. Before welcoming children onto his lap to hear Christmas wishes, Santa circled the mall in a train and waved to a crowd full of children blowing on wooden whistles in honor of the event's railroad theme.

Santa Claus will visit the Washington County Free Library on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event originally was scheduled for Thursday, but the library was closed because of inclement weather. There will be a "take and make" holiday craft for children to take home and make. The library's regular "Family Story Time" will be at 7 p.m. in the Children's Department in conjunction with the visit. For more information, call the library at 301-739-3250, ext. 132, or send e-mail to www.wcflchildren@washcolibrary.

Decked out in red velvet and leopard print with jingle bells around her neck, 3-year-old Brooklyn Dunkle awaited Santa's arrival. "He's exciting," she said. "He's, he's ... " As she searched for words to describe him, Jolly Old St. Nick came "Ho-ho-hoing" down the corridor at Valley Mall aboard a train. Flanked by elves and Mrs. Claus and waving to the crowd, he made his way to his red striped chair in the mall's festively decorated center court, known for the holiday season as Valley Mall Junction.

It was a beautiful November day for both the Greencastle and Waynesboro Christmas Parades on Saturday. Scarves, mittens and warm coats were the dress of choice for the 27th annual Christmas parade, sponsored by VerStandig Broadcasting, in downtown Greencastle on Saturday at 9:21 a.m. Thousands lined the Greencastle parade route from E. Baltimore Street onto the square and down S. Carlisle Street to watch bands, floats and costumed characters spread...

It was the start of a new school year in 1897 when friends of Virginia O'Hanlon told her the unthinkable: Santa Claus was a myth. Unwilling to accept such a notion, the 8-year-old wrote a letter to The New York Sun with the simple inquiry: “Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?” The letter was answered by veteran journalist Francis Pharcellus Church, who brightened the day of all true believers with the simple answer, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” It can be argued that no editorial has had such a lasting impact, despite being written in fewer than 500 words.

Decidedly masculine, with a full-bodied beard. Sensitive, with a renowned love for children. He is arguably one of the most famous men in the world, and he drew a crowd Saturday when he arrived by train, among elves, at Valley Mall. Santa Claus rang in the holidays with the clang of the train bell, chugging down the vestibule to Center Court, which is decorated during the holiday season in a train-themed motif dubbed Valley Mall Junction. Jessica Straley, 6, of Upton, Pa., was first in a long, winding line of children who were waiting for some face time with Mr. Claus.

HALFWAY - Three-year-old Marley Knight shifted from foot to foot, her deep-red velvet dress swinging to and fro as she contemplated whether she should move toward the large bearded character. He was, after all, offering a coloring book. And asking what she wanted to Christmas. Marley took a couple of slow steps forward, warily eyeing this Mr. Claus. In a snap, she snatched the coloring book from his gloved hand and zipped back to her post several feet away. "She told me she wasn't going to go up to him," said Marley's father, Craig Knight, 36, of Maugansville.

WILLIAMSPORT - Santa Claus will be in Byron Memorial Park in the community building Dec. 17-19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Santa will have a treat for children who bring a toy or food item. The Williamsport Food Bank will be on hand all three nights, collecting food donations and financial contributions. A collection box for the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots collection will be available. The park is decorated with lights for the holidays.

The Top Five Tie-dyed tribute band On the Bus will present Grateful Dead music. 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. $10. Call 304-876-3704 or go to www.operahouselive.com . Civil War Christmas Learn what Christmas was like during the time of the Civil War. Speakers, handouts, songs, decorations and treats. Have your photo taken with Civil War Santa Claus Jim Tent. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Pry House Field Hospital Museum, 18906 Shepherdstown Pike, Sharpsburg.

Today is the feast of St. Nicholas - aka Santa Claus. In some countries, St. Nicholas' Day is the time for gift giving and remembering this 6th century Bishop of Myra (modern day western Turkey), who was known for his generosity and love for children, making him the patron saint of children around the world. St. Nicholas is also the patron saint of seafarers, and those who sail on the large ocean-going cargo vessels often wear a likeness of this kind saint on a medal around their necks.

Lots of local athletes go on to play at the college level, and it is always good to hear of their success. Sydney Parks, a former standout player on the Boonsboro High School volleyball team and now a freshman at Baruch College, helped her team in its recent second-place finish in the CUNY Athletic Conference Championship. Baruch defeated rival Hunter College in five sets in the semifinals, which were postponed and relocated due to Hurricane Sandy.  Busy weekend ahead in town So many great opportunities for fun, fellowship and holiday shopping in our little town this weekend.

Whack. A toddler struck a Christmas tree with a bat. A crowd cheered him on as it spun in circles. The tree was stuffed with candy, a piñata to amuse the 50 or so children who celebrated the Christmas season Saturday at Fort Ritchie Community Center's Tree Lighting and Fun with Santa. At the opposite end of the gymnasium were older children with slightly more refined motor skills hammering away at a snowman piñata. A young girl executed the final blow as an excited throng made a mad dash for its contents.

It seems that no matter where Santa Claus goes this time of year, children follow. The annual Breakfast with Santa drew a record crowd to the Rouzerville Ruritan Club on Saturday, according to event organizers. Allen Scott, immediate past president of the Rouzerville Lions Club, was up bright and early to stay ahead of the rush, but his plan didn't work out the way he hoped. “We started setting up at 7 o'clock and serving at 8 (a.m.), but we can barely keep up with the demand,” Scott said.

1. Christmas from olde tyme Olde Tyme Christmas will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in Funkstown. The event begins with a Yule log bonfire at 6 p.m. The evening will include music and Santa at Town Hall; wagon rides, music at St. Paul's Church, living nativity in the park; shopping; raffles. 8:30 p.m. raffle and contest winners announced at Town Hall. Sites in Funkstown. For a complete schedule, go to www.funkstown.com . 2. Coffee, music on a Friday night Dana and Susan Robinson will perform a blend of contemporary songwriting and traditional Appalachian music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Trinity Orchard House, W.Va.

It was the start of a new school year in 1897 when friends of Virginia O'Hanlon told her the unthinkable: Santa Claus was a myth. Unwilling to accept such a notion, the 8-year-old wrote a letter to The New York Sun with the simple inquiry: “Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?” The letter was answered by veteran journalist Francis Pharcellus Church, who brightened the day of all true believers with the simple answer, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” It can be argued that no editorial has had such a lasting impact, despite being written in fewer than 500 words.

The Washington County Senior Coalition will present a senior forum with the Washington County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center at Girls' Inc., 626 Washington Ave. in Hagerstown. For more information, call the Washington County Commission on Aging at 301-790-0275. Live nativity                                                                                          Emmanuel United Methodist Church, at 802 Summit Ave. in Hagerstown, will host a live nativity on the church lawn Saturday, Dec. 8, with presentations at 7 and 8 p.m. There will be costumed characters, music, and narration as the Christmas story is revealed through the eyes of Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, shepherds, angels and the crowd.  Refreshments will follow.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. It is a day to give thanks for our wonderful families, friends and all of the good things in our lives. Santa arrives at Long Meadow Boys and girls, it is that time of year again. Santa Claus is coming to town. He will arrive at the Ashley Furniture Store in Long Meadow Shopping Center Friday at 10 a.m. Lions Club bonus books The North Hagerstown Lions Club is selling Sheetz coupon books for $10 each.

Complete with an enthusiastic countdown, more than 200 people helped ring in the holiday season Monday night at Hagerstown's annual tree-lighting ceremony in City Center. Capped by the 10-count and a loud cheer, the 37-foot blue spruce in Public Square, wrapped in strings of lights, decorated with dozens of ornaments made by students of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and, of course, topped with the bright star overlooking the downtown, lit up the faces of many standing nearby.