'Tis Christmas again and once more our hearts are merry with the sights and sounds of this special season.
As a young girl, I wished for many things at Christmas, and year after year I yearned for a little snow. There were times when it looked like surely it would happen, with dark clouds and windy cold days. Today, when the weatherman says there is a chance of snow, we all run to the local grocery stores and stock up on milk, bread and eggs, which is a good thing to do! During these cold days and nights, our back-yard friends need food too.
I recently attended a gathering of friends and classmates of Gloria Middleton at her home and it was so much fun! The discussion of Christmas stockings and letters to Santa came up. Celeste Bush says, "I've talked to several today about what they got in a Christmas stocking and almost everyone had a different reply. She and her brothers received mixed nuts in the toe, oranges, candy and fireworks like Roman Candles and fire crackers, plus a pair of socks. Nyce LeGrand said, "Oh, Brazil nuts for sure, candy canes, fruit, walnuts and sparklers. The stocking was always a big treat.
An article from the 1959-60 WE-NO-NAH legend paper at Winona High School reads as follows: The Winona High School Band went to Greenwood on Dec. 5, 1959, to participate in a band festival. In all, there were 105 bands and floats participating. The morning parade began at
10:30 a.m. and the evening parade at
5 p.m. Between the parades, many band members went to the show or shopping. After the evening parade, the tired band members headed home.
Another article entitled "Christmas foods" caught my interest.
All over the world the Christmas season is marked by tasty things to eat. Sometimes Yule dough is made into flat cakes in shops in the shape of a babe. Mince pies were originally baked in the shape of a manger and thus associated with Christmas.In France, people are fond of turkey, black pudding and spiced gingerbread. Italy celebrated with Magi Pies, fried eels, melons, wine, chicken and pork with mustard sauce. Today, we enjoy a huge variety and typically indulge in turkey and dressing, spiraled ham, mashed potatoes, beef tenderloin, creamed spinach and green been casserole.
On the front cover of this paper is a depiction of Santa Clause, exactly as our young minds pictured him. A closer look at the artist’s initials reveal a special person in my life and a very talented person she was; the initials were of my sister, GCH , Glenda Carole Herring.
The true magic of the season lies in our memories.
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
~Clement C. Moore~
