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Nostalgia

2012-11-19 09:41:38

Do you remember?

Q- We always like to read about your memories of Christmases past. They make us think of some of the same things. Would you share some more?

A- I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of both your asking and the publisher allowing me to reminisce like I get to do. December is a happy time when we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our LORD. It is a Time for giving our love to everyone and special gifts to those who are close to us and giving to help those in need. One of my favorite Christmas memories was downtown Wichita at Christmas in the 40’s. What a place, all decorated with garlands across the streets, many store windows with amazing décor usually to attract the children so their parents would see what they wanted for this special day. I remember as a boy going to Hinkels department store and talking to Santa and sitting on his lap and telling him my thoughts of great toys for little guys my age. In the 50s, television had come to Kansas. I got a job with what was then KTVH, now KWCH, as a cameraman. The main studios were in Hutchinson and our remote studio in Wichita was in the basement of the Lassen Hotel. We were going to sell some cars using Christmas themes. We actually moved our camera to the sidewalk outside and had the cars drive up to the curb behind us. The rehearsal went fine, but when we went on the air there was someone yelling outside and the announcer forgot the name of the sponsor. The advertising agency let him go and they needed someone to replace him for that next night. I auditioned and got the job. But when the drivers of the cars thought the rehearsal was really on the air, they went back to the car lot and here I am with no cars, cannot use the script, and one minute in Cecil Carrier’s weather show that was broadcast from Hutchinson, I had to ad lib the commercial. The agency was very pleased with what I said and I got the job. I was on Channel 12 which, by the way, was the only station on locally in Wichita. Speaking of television, I remember the giant Christmas parade that went through the downtown area with television personalities like Greg Gamer, Major Astro who was Tom Leahy, John Froome, Elmer Childress, Deputy Dusty riding his horse Kazam and many politicians like the Mayor, City Commissioners, even movie stars who were appearing in some special event here, and of course the Shriners and high school bands. Can you also recall how everyone dressed up at that time to go downtown. My dad would even wear a suit and tie. There were office parties, family reunions, all kinds of get togethers and big dinners. My dad’s family had 12 children and they all had families by this time and even so many that I remember they had to rent a church to accommodate the family. But the great times of the season were getting together with your immediate family and friends and presenting and then watching the smile on their faces as they saw what you had found just for them. I think the outstanding gift of my young boyhood years was when my mother and father took me out to the garage and there it sat…a bright red pedal car with a horn, lights and everything a kid wanted. Of course the real special times were when we all got together at church and saw plays, musicals, and read the word of Scripture how our Lord Jesus came to the earth for all of us. Christmas, I think, is the very best holiday of the year because we celebrate what Jesus did for us. Enjoy Christmas this year with your family and friends and may everyone have a very Merry Christmas!