Site last updated: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Welcome, GuestSign In

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Santa shares experiences from Butler County

Ron Brooks has made appearances as Santa from the Grove City Premium Outlets to community events to the Croatian Hall on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Submitted Photo

As children wait in line for a chance to tell Santa Claus their Christmas wishes, many cannot stand still. From the seat positioned at the end of the aisle, Santa Claus, also known as Tom Dorsch in Mars, sees children jumping up and down, anxiously crumpling the corners of their handwritten lists, and peeking around others for a glimpse of what’s ahead.

Each of the children in line soon take a turn sitting on Santa’s lap — or at least approaching the bearded man and sharing Christmas wishes from a moderate distance.

“When you get a little kid sitting on your lap and their eyes are as big as truck tires and they’re looking at you and they’re so excited they can’t sit still, that does it for me,” Dorsch said.

Dorsch has served as Santa for decades, debuting at Horne’s department store in the 1970s.

More in Special Sections

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS