Suzanna Parpos
Guest Columnist
Rumor has it that he was left behind in the demolition of the old historic Shoppers’ World and now, 27 years later, his 24-foot wooden frame remains buried somewhere underneath the grounds of the current shopping center.
I didn’t know it back then when I’d go with my parents and siblings to visit Santa and his reindeer at the gazebo, but Santa had a hidden toyshop under one of the stores at that retail park. Well, more like there was an underground workspace where Shoppers World maintenance worker and celebrated woodworker, Hal Purington, constructed the beloved wooden soldiers (the General included) that were displayed each holiday season at the mall.