Santa Reveals Most Memorable Gift Requests

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

The jolliest man of the season will be flying around the world tonight delivering gifts to children everywhere, but he was able to take some time from his busy schedule to talk to Patch at the South Hills Village. 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…

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Sugar Plum Days 2012 Kicks Off Saturday

Here's a look at the schedule of events for this week-long, holiday-themed celebration in Plum.

There are a lot of fun, holiday-themed activities and celebrations in store during Sugar Plum Days in Plum Borough. The week-long event, sponsored by Mayor Rich Hrivnak and the Plum Rotary, begins Saturday, Dec. 8. An entire schedule has been uploaded to the media section of this article, but some of the highlights include: There will be more events at Plum High School, Christ's Lutheran Church, the Carpenter Log House, the East Suburban YMCA and Pittsburgh East Community Church. _____________________ Plum-Oakmont Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.

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Get a 'Letter From Santa' Through U.S. Postal Service Program

Your good little boys and girls will receive a letter postmarked from the North Pole.

Dutiful little boys and girls writing a wish list to Santa this holiday season can get a unique response from the big guy himself, postmarked from the North Pole. All it takes is a little help from the post office—and you. The US Postal Service is once again keeping the magic of Santa Claus alive through its “Letter from Santa” program. Now in its 100th year, here's how the program works: NORTH POLE POSTMARK POSTMASTER 4141 POSTMARK DR ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998 Letters from Santa must be mailed to the Anchorage, AK, postmaster no later than Dec. 10, 2012. Santa’s helpers in Anchorage will take care of the rest. The personalized letters that parents send to their children via the Letter from Santa program is not to be confused with the …

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Visit Santa at Monroeville Mall & the Pittsburgh Mills

The holidays aren't complete without a visit with Santa and a ride on the holiday trains.

With Thanksgiving behind us, the Christmas season has officially begun—it's time to visit Santa Claus and ride the holiday train at local malls. Santa Claus will be at JCPenney Court at the Monroeville Mall through Christmas Eve. He will be available for photos from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (breaks from 1 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.); Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. (break from 3 to 3:30 p.m.); and Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (break from 1 to 2 p.m.). Santa also will visit with children at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (breaks from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.); Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (breaks from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.); …

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Gallery: Oakmont-Verona Holiday Parade

It's Christmastime in the Twin Boros!

Oakmont and Verona boroughs kicked off the holiday season on Saturday with a parade and many activities. Children visited with Santa Claus and everyone got into the holiday spirit during the event. The ENTIRE GALLERY can be found by clicking here. Did you attend the event? Click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button to share with your neighbors. ____________________ Plum-Oakmont Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.

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Scene Around the Plum-Oakmont Patch

Looks like Santa and the gang are on a mission on Third Street in Verona! This decoration really made my day! Hope it makes yours, too!

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

The annual letter-writing campaign kicked off earlier this month.

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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Santa Claus Visits with Ikarians in Verona

The Pittsburgh Chapter Icaros Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America in Verona hosted a pizza party on Saturday. Santa visited with children and gave them a treat.

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Santa Claus to Visit St. John the Baptist School

The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3.

St. John the Baptist School in Plum will be holding a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the school cafeteria. Santa will be meeting with children from from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast includes pancakes and sausage. The cost is $5 for adults and $4 for children.  Meet Santa and enjoy holiday story-telling. Crafts will be available for a small additional charge. Reservations are requested but not required. For more information or to make reservations, contact Lucy at negron@stjohnthebaptistschool.org or 412-793-0555 ext. 0. The school is located at 418 Unity Center Road.

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