Grinch In Monongahela: Santa's House Damaged By Vandals
MONONGAHELA (KDKA) -- The cozy confines of Monongahela are ready made for the celebration that begins in just six weeks' time.
The Christmas season starts Nov. 18 in the little corner of Washington County. But there's a shadow hanging over the traditional Santa's House.
Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce President Tony Bottino says the popular attraction, stored across the creek at the road department garage, was damaged over the weekend.
"Somebody had broken the windows out; you can see the broken glass on the floor," says Bottino. "There's a star that hangs on the wall inside. Somebody decided to break that. And the doorknob is broken. The lock is broken."
Michelle DeHosse, the owner of Sparkles by Shell on West Main Street, has fond memories of Santa's House.
"I can remember coming down to the Santa House when I was little. My daughter also came down to see Santa Claus when she was little, too. So it's pretty much a tradition here in Monongahela," she said.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dorothea Pemberton received the initial call Sunday night. Then, she got some good news.
"We have a great community. They're working together. The Big Fish contracting company called us immediately, and said he would come down and take a look at it, and make any repairs that need to be made, at no cost to the Chamber," she said.
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At this point, Bottino says its unknown who the vandalizing Grinch, or Grinches, may be.
"There's no surveillance here. But, you know, Santa does see everything," he says.
It appears that someone may be expecting a lump of coal in his stocking this Christmas.
