Christmas 1932 - vivid memories of a special time of year Pete Chalos Growing up, the best time of the whole year was always Christmas. I can remember back when I was a child, full of life and still not sure about Santa. It was a magical time. Every year, my mother would gather all the kids together to go Christmas shopping. Mother held my big brother Eli by the hand so she could keep a close eye on him. My oldest sister Cathy held my hand to make sure I didnt wander off. My sister Mary pushed the pram (baby stroller) with my brother Paul in it. On this particular Christmas, Paul had just turned three. It was 1932. It was cold outside when we left Dads shop and hurried across to the north side of Wabash Avenue. We wanted to see the Planters Peanut Man, who was walking down the street passing out samples. Sitting in a display window at Silversteins Furniture playing Christmas music on his banjo was our friend Scatman Crothers. Before he became a Hollywood icon, Scatman worked in my fathers shop and played music at various events around town. What a joy it was to listen to him play. We walked into the Schultz Department Store downtown on Fourth and Wabash and Mom said it was the biggest crowd she had ever seen. As soon as we entered the store we were in line to see Santa. Eli argued that Santa was for babies but I wasnt taking any chances. My oldest sister Cathy was often the referee in our arguments. She leaned in and told us that neither of us would see Santa if we didnt behave. The line moved slowly. A lady of about 24 years (which seemed ancient to us at the time) with a baby crying for Santa decided to cut in line ahead of us. Luckily, she didnt stay too long because her baby was making quite a fuss. Santas helpers started passing out suckers to all the kids in line while we got busy thinking about what we were going to ask for. Eli asked for a pocket knife, Paul asked for a harmonica and I asked for a little truck. After making our requests to jolly old Saint Nick, we started shopping. As soon as we stepped off the platform, we were in the clothing department. Every imaginable type of clothing for men and boys could be seen on display but Eli, Paul and I were far more interested in the back part of the west side of the store where they had great big barrels of candy as well as peanuts, walnuts, popcorn and taffy. What an amazing place! After dragging us away from the candy, we were convinced to try on some high-top boots, blue and white shirts, knickers and argyle socks. The three of us boys were getting a little rowdy so Mom told the salesman to put all the sacks behind the counter with our names written on them. She then began laying down the law - telling us that we better behave or all we would get from Santa that Christmas would be ashes in our Christmas stockings. We left the store unsure of our fate. Mom had met her good friend Fannie at the store and secretly told her to drop the bags off at our house later on in the evening. As we left Schultz, we crossed the street and headed for the Olympia Candy Kitchen. The Gus Chageris family owned it and they were good friends of ours. It was crowded that night. The whole town was trying to get in but Gus clapped his hands and we had a table for six. Mrs. Chageris, first name Amandi, sat with us. We had the biggest and best banana splits you could imagine. What a treat! After much hugging, pinching of cheeks and kisses of salutation, we were on our way. When we stepped outside all the Christmas lights were on and it was snowing. The snow was covering everything. It was beautiful. We walked back to Dads shop at Seventh and Wabash as he was locking the doors. Each of us had something to carry because we had stopped to buy donuts, coffee cakes and strudels at the Federal Bakery. The streets were full of people. Everywhere you looked, there were people either catching a street car or walking home. “Merry Christmas” was on everyones lips as we passed one another on the way home. A few minutes after we entered the front door, five young children were fast asleep and dreaming of fantastic tomorrows. As we slept, Mom and Dad filled our Christmas stockings with oranges, apples, nuts and small toys. The next morning, after playing with all of the wonderful gifts, it was time for family and fellowship. Christmas dinner was accompanied by a reading from the Bible and the singing of hymns. Christmas was a celebration of family, a celebration of goodwill and a celebration of the giving of your love to others as exemplified in the way Christ gave his love to mankind. “Love one another as I have loved you,” he said. Thats what Christmas meant to me as a child and its what it means to me today. Merry Christmas! Pete Chalos, a longtime teacher, coach and public servant in Vigo County, was mayor of Terre Haute for 16 years. Send e-mail to pchalos@netscape. Story created Dec 21, 2005 - 08:05:16 CST. E-mail this story Back to Index Printer Friendly Version Privacy Policy | Contact/About Us | Site Feedback Copyright © 2014 Tribune-Star
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 02:40:42 +0000
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