Santa's Helpers
Though Santa Claus has thousands of elves working at the North Pole, the big-hearted, jolly old soul also has a few lucky Butler County residents who work with him here.
Bobbi Pisor, 49, of Hilliards is one of those people.
She began working in 2007 as a manager at North Pole Photo, located in the center court of Clearview Mall, Center Township, where she takes photos of children with Santa, as well as training other photographers.
“I just responded to an ad in the paper,” Pisor said.
Since then, her holiday season has changed.
While she still finds time to bake Christmas cookies, wrap presents and decorate a tree, she mostly spends her days managing three Santas and six photographers — whom she also hires and trains — for North Pole Photo.
She said many of her photographers don't have a background in photography, but so far it hasn't caused any problems.
“They (the employees) have to like kids. I can teach anything else,” said Pisor.
Pisor wasn't familiar with cameras when she took the management position.
“But I love working here with the kids ... to see their faces light up,” said Pisor, who doesn't have any children or grandchildren of her own.
She didn't even have to trade in her decorative holiday sweaters for pants suits and blazers when she accepted the job. Instead, she's encouraged to wear red and green daily.
“We can wear necklaces and reindeer antlers, too,” she said.
The children especially like one of her sweaters featuring a reindeer wearing sunglasses.
“I am able to run it like a business, but keep the Christmas spirit in it,” she said.
She remembers one little girl who always runs to greet her, even before she sits on Santa's lap. And many returning parents know her by name.
“They remember the time you took with their children,” she said.
Pisor works from mid-November to Christmas, and again for a few weeks before Easter with the Easter Bunny. During the offseason, she has worked at R & M Gifts at the mall. Other times, she's traveled.
BJ McTighe, 79, of Summit Township, is one of the three Santas at North Pole Photo.
When the “real Santa” can't make it down from the North Pole, McTighe jumps into action, putting on the red and white suit and letting out a loud “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
He plays the part well. In fact, he's been preparing for this job since he was a child.
Born Dec. 6, 1937, McTighe attended a Catholic school where students had to tell teachers about the saint who was celebrated on their birthday.
Strangely enough, Santa's predecessor, Saint Nicholas, is remembered on that date, so McTighe was required to recite facts about him every December.
McTighe, who's worked as Santa at North Pole Photo for 24 years, says he has so many stories that he could write a book. He's heard Christmas wishes from children of all ages, the oldest being a 94-year-old woman.“Now I'm even getting kids' kids,” he said.He recalls one time when a little girl — maybe 4 — crawled onto his knee.“What do you want for Christmas?” McTighe asked, as he usually does.“Diamonds,” she responded.“Why?” he asked.“Because diamonds are a girl's best friend,” she said.In 24 years, the type of gifts requested has changed drastically.McTighe explained that in his early Santa years, children often wanted dolls and sports equipment, such as basketballs and footballs.Now, even 3-year-olds ask for phones and other similar devices.“It's 80 percent electronics,” he said.Santas such as McTighe are taught to be friendly, but to never promise anything.With all his experience, McTighe said he still comes across new situations each year. He responds to each child based on what they say and do.“I just let it fly,” he said.Before children go, he reminds them to “be good” and offers a high five, fist bump or hug.On slow days, he waves at shoppers, hoping to spread holiday cheer.“I make people wave,” he said. “If they look this way, I wave.”Gayle Dufford, 73, who is another longtime employee, has become known as Mrs. Claus to many children, even though she works as a photographer.“I tell them today I'm 'Santa's helper,' and they turn to their parents and say, 'I know that's Mrs. Claus.'”Bored at her West Sunbury home, Dufford responded to a newspaper ad six years ago, hoping to be hired as a Santa. But she soon found that the only position open was a photographer's.She was quick to admit she didn't have experience with the equipment, but Pisor hired her anyway, seeing her potential.Dufford remembers one little boy who ran up to Santa, saying “m” over and over. Dufford asked his mother about it and found out that he wanted an M&M candy dispenser.“The joy is in the children ... the love, magic and mystery,” she said.Her red attire is the reason she's often mistaken as Mrs. Claus. She doesn't want to lie to the children but won't discourage the belief either.“If the children thought that, I wasn't going to burst their bubble,” she said.She loves her job, saying that it puts the “happy in my heart.”“We may touch their (the children's) hearts, but they touch our hearts, too,” Dufford said.
