PRESS PHOTO BY JIM MARSH Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company firefighters give Santa a ride on their fire engine around the neighborhood Dec. 18. Santa had a special message for a family along Coventry Circle. “Thank you for lifting our spirits. Mrs. Claus and I had been riding through Western Salisbury neighborhood's most of the day Dec. 18, waving and greeting children and adults in the fire company's fire district. As the sun was beginning to set, we were feeling a little tired and cold. One of my elves told me that as we drove by your house, Momma said, ‘We've been waiting all day for this.' That made it all worthwhile. Merry Christmas. Santa.” Additional photos appear on Page A2.

Santa pauses to greet the families of two Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company firefighters during the fire company's annual Santa run Dec. 18 in an Alton Park neighborhood.

PRESS PHOTOS BY JIM MARSH Participants in the Dec. 18 Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company's annual Santa run stand for a photo after a hot chocolate stop at the chief's house.