A look back at Christmas in the ‘Good old days’ (Silver Creek)
From ‘Once Upon A Time’ by Marion Thomas
“How did Silver Creek celebrate the holidays in the 1820’s? The little town was originally called Fayette, NY and the only permanent building in the community was the home of the original settler, John Howard (now 24 Howard Street). There would have been few family reunions, for distances were too great in that day and families too widely separated, since most of these settlers were New Englanders. If friends or relatives were in neighboring pioneer communities, they would be arriving either in ox-cart or on horseback. The holiday dinner, of course, was very different from today’s version. Life was still too primitive, too limited and restricted by circumstances to permit anything other than the foods that came close to nature: wild game, Indian corn meal, and such dishes as could be prepared on an open fire in pots hanging from the crane and in iron kettles on little legs that could stand in the coals.
The emphasis of the holiday without question would have been put upon the church service where these families could join together in their devout holiday with a feeling of close unity. Who would have conducted the service is a question. It might have been the Rev. George Lane, the first Methodist Circuit Rider who formed the first “Methodist Class” in Fayette. To these few families bound together by necessity in a comparative wilderness where newspapers, books, periodicals of any kind were not available, a preaching service was a privilege and above all others, an experience to be fed upon.” [‘Once Upon A Time’ – 1976]
From the Choir Loft
Please join us for a time of Christmas caroling this Tuesday evening (12/16/08) @ 6:45 pm at Saint Columban’s on the Lake (2546 Lake Road – Route 5) Sheridan, NY. We will most likely be roaming the halls of the residence singing traditional Christmas carols. Please wear comfortable clothing under your winter coats, since the facility is usually kept quite warm. Even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, bring your bucket and help us wish the residents a Merry Christmas!
'Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’
One perishingly hot day in July 1945, Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn were in Los Angeles to talk with their publisher, Edwin H. Morris. Their business finished, Cahn suggested that they go to the beach to cool off. But Styne, always businesslike, thought they ought to work a little first. He suggested that they cool off by writing a winter song. Cahn finally agreed and dashed off the beginnings of a lyric; Styne responded with the beginnings of a tune. Before long, ‘Let It Snow!’ was finished.
#1 Song on this date in history December 14
1970 – ‘The Tears of a Clown’ (Smoky Robinson & The Miracles)
1968 – ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ (Elvis Presly)
1942 – ‘White Christmas’ (Bing Crosby)
History of Christmas Toys Timeline: ‘Slinky’
Question from last week: While searching for a suspension device to ease rough sailing on battleships during World War II, navy engineer Richard James discovers that his torsion spring might make an interesting child’s toy. This toy is still manufactured in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on the same 8 machines that James began with over 70 years ago. What toy is it?
Answer: Navy engineer Richard James found that a torsion spring will “walk” end over end when knocked over. James brought the discovery home to his wife, who named the new toy “Slinky.” If stretched end to end, the Slinky toys sold since 1945 would wrap around the world over 126 times.
Next week: John Lloyd Wright, the son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, introduces a new toy in 1916. He is inspired by the way his father designed the earthquake-proof ‘Imperial Hotel’ in Tokyo, Japan. What popular toy did he design? (Answer next week!)
Bud: (716) 934-7734, email: tubamanbud@gmail.com
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