Gallery: 'Tis the Season for Sarris Candies

The store is decked out for the holiday, and with days left before Christmas, the store has been packed.

There was nary a space to park at Sarris Candies in Canonsburg recently. But 'tis the season, and employees say it's been brisk as usual. People milled around the store, not only picking out chocolate delights and other candy goodness, but also took time to look at the over-stuffed Santa (next to a Steelers motorcycle) and other decorations that give the store that special holiday feeling. If you haven't gotten your Sarris fix yet this holiday season, it's not last call for chocolate pretzels and other goodies yet. While the store is closed on Christmas, it is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

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Tara Smith

11:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Yeah this past weekend was barely any room to park   more ›

Area Santa Reveals Most Memorable Gift Requests

An exclusive one-on-one with arguably the most popular man of December—Santa Claus.

Patch: What have been the most popular gift requests this year? Santa: Electronics. iPods, iPhone 5s, mini iPads, everything. Patch: How have gift requests changed over the years? Santa: All the electronics have been the biggest change. Even the small ones are asking for iPhones. Patch: What has been your most unusual and memorable gift requests? Santa: One wanted me to bring the parents back together. Another one wanted his family to have a very happy holiday. The best was two or three years ago, a four or five year old wanted a phone. It took a lot of time for me to figure out why he wanted a phone at such a young age. He finally told me he wanted a phone for when he had to call his friends because his mother was always on the phone! …

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Hayley L. Martin

2:40 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012

What an adorable story!   more ›

'Tips for Tots' Exceeds Fundraising Goal

All proceeds from last week's event go toward Eat'n Park's Caring for Kids campaign.

Angela Weaver of Canonsburg confirmed: The "Tips for Tots" event that took place at the McMurray Eat'n Park was a success last week—exceeding its fundraising goal of $1,000. Santa and Smiley (the company's mascot) were there for the kids, and Weaver (a server at the restaurant) herself spent time in "jail" to raise "bail" for the campaign—and the event even included a familiar face serving customers. Canonsburg's own Mayor David H. Rhome volunteered as guest server—and Weaver said she was very impressed with his skills! To read more about the fundraising efforts for the campaign (including an upcoming benefit concert), click here.

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Reminder: North Strabane's Breakfast and Lunch With Santa Nearing

Reserve your spot now!

Although North Strabane's breakfast and lunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus isn't until Dec. 15, township officials urge those interested in attending to reserve their space as soon as possible. The event will be held at the Christian Life Center at the Thomas Presbyterian Church on Linden Road in Eighty-Four that Saturday. The event is open to toddlers and youngsters in grades 4 and under. Each child will receive a goodie bag, be able to make crafts and will be given a North Strabane Township ornament. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Claus, there will be other entertainment for the kiddies, as well. Breakfast seatings are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The lunch seating is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For…

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Lunch With Santa Planned in Cecil, Toy Drive Slated in Muse

Here are two events happening this weekend—so get the kiddies ready!

Canonsburg isn’t the only community getting into the holiday spirit this weekend—there are also events planned at Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Muse Volunteer Fire Department featuring all things Christmas. The 5th Annual Lunch with Santa begins at noon on Saturday at the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Department on Millers Run Road. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. While, among other things, Santa will be there to take pictures with the kids, the Ladies Auxiliary will be presenting a check to the department. The cost for the lunch with Santa for children 10 and younger is $2. Lunches for adults will also be available for purchase. There will also be a Chinese auction, facepainting, cookie decorating and other activities and …

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Santa Returns to the South Hills

Customers can take part in the 'Cutest Santa Photo Contest.'

Holiday magic returns to South Hills Village as the Santa Photo Experience opens to greet bright-eyed visitors with their wish lists today. Children can be photographed with Santa beginning 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in the Lower Level North Court. Click here for the specific dates and times after Friday. “There is always a great deal of entertainment and fun at Simon malls during the holiday season but the Santa Photo Experience is something generations of families count on every year,” said Jennifer Carroll, South Hills Village Director of Marketing and Business Development. ABC Family is sponsoring the event for the eighth consecutive year. Another sense will be engaged this holiday season as Simon is teaming up with ScentSicles…

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Representin'

An Open Letter to Santa

State Rep. Jesse White gives us a peek into his holiday wish list in his letter to Santa.

Dear Santa, I’d like to think I have been a pretty good state representative this year. I worked hard and didn’t raise anyone’s taxes, so I think I’ve done about as much as possible for a politician to stay off your naughty list. As such, I have put together my Christmas wish list for this year. As you probably know, I recently welcomed a kitten into my home as a gift for my wonderful girlfriend. What you probably don’t know is that the kitten, otherwise known as Molly the Junkyard Cat, has systematically taken to torturing me and my dogs, Abigail and Delano. If you could bring us some variation of the system you and Mrs. Claus use to keep the elves in line so we can control Molly the Junkyard Cat, we would be eternally grateful. I wish …

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U.S. Postal Service Delivers Children’s Holiday Dreams

The annual letter-writing campaign kicked off recently.

What do the U.S. Postal Service and Santa Claus have in common? Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night will keep them from delivering dreams this holiday season—especially with the Postal Service’s annual “Letters to Santa” program now ongoing. “Letters to Santa” is an annual letter-writing program through which members of the public and charitable organizations respond to children’s letters addressed to Santa Claus, the North Pole and other seasonal characters. “We are delighted to once again kick off the holiday mailing season with the start of our annual ‘Letters to Santa program’,” said Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe. “The Postal Service is gearing up for a huge mail delivery to the North Pole to help Santa and his …

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Get Out: Christmas Ball, Vendor Show and Lunch with Santa

Here are our top picks for fun this weekend.

1. Moving Forward in Faith Christmas Ball Where/When: The George Washington Hotel, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday Why Go?: All are welcome to join Mt. Olive in its first ever Christmas Ball at the George Washington. Formal dress only. Tickets are $35 and you will get fellowship, a buffet, valet parking, a live band, white-elephant auction and a chance to dress up. Ticket proceeds will go to the Moving Forward in Faith Building campaign. Call church office at 724-745-4777 for tickets and more information. Pricing: $35 2. Christmas Craft and Vendor Show  Where?/When?: Muse Fire Department #2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday Why Go?: The Christmas Craft and Vendor Show will feature multiple craft and vendor displays. Admission is free and the …

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Jolly Good Time at Cecil VFD

Kids flocked to visit Santa in Cecil Saturday.

Minutes before noon Saturday there was nary a parking space available at the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Department. But then, there aren't many times a year when such an esteemed guest comes to visit: In this case Mr. Kris Kringle. And he came in with all kinds of hoopla. "We brought him in on the fire truck with the sirens blaring—it was great," Cecil Fireman Ed Povirk said with a big smile. That was right before they took him through several of the housing complexes so those who didn't come out to the station to eat lunch and take pictures could at least get a glimpse of Old Saint Nick, too. Inside the station was also packed, with a winding line of parents standing with their children in tow for a little lap time with Santa. For …

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