The following are encapsulations of some of today's top local stories. Al Peters has never been airborne in a sleigh, cracked a whip over the heads of reindeer, or stuffed himself down a chimney. But the Enola man has performed the duties of a Santa's helper at Country Market Nursery in Upper Allen Township for 19 years. For about 14 hours a week from just before Thanksgiving to before Christmas, Peters dons the suit and beard and listens to what children want for Christmas.
Peters often encounters amusing moments when talking to children.
He was skipping. As the child left, Peters recalls, he walked past a display of plastic Santa Claus lawn ornaments. But being a Santa's helper brings sad moments as well. One of Peters' repeat visitors, a girl named Charity, has a lot of health problems. Her twin sister, Chastity, passed away last year.