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Newspaper
Big Timber Pioneer
Location
Big Timber, Montana, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1956
Page
3
In a feature from The Big Timber Pioneer, the origin of Santa Claus is linked to Clement Clarke Moore and another unnamed figure. The piece also offers practical advice on transplanting live evergreens and cautions about size when used as foundation plantings.
A historic note on Moore's poem and Thomas Nast’s illustrations showing how Santa grew from a literary figure to the modern figure. Nast popularized the red suit Bob Cratchit style, added a fat jolly visage, and linked Santa to a tracking spy glass and a great book for record keeping.
The guidelines advise keeping lights away from tree branches, not plugging or unplugging beneath the tree, and discarding wrapping promptly after opening gifts. Do not leave lights burning when home or unattended. If needles brown or fall, move lights and remove the tree and discard it promptly.
A year end advisory notes that earth balled and burlapped evergreens endure heat indoors for a week or more and must be planted in a sunny well drained site by spring. It warns that poor sites and mid winter planting raise mortality, while sandy soils drain easily and heavy clay may need drainage tiles.
Helena official J F Reid of Montana's tax agency calls the gasoline tax refund law unconstitutional citing its refund to buyers while tax is collected from distributors. He notes potential loss of highway funds unless the 1945 law is fixed and cites higher refund costs versus total collections.
A cautionary piece warns holiday trees pose fire risks due to pitch and resin. It advises choosing a small tree, delaying setup, keeping it outdoors briefly, locating it away from heat, placing in water, avoiding cotton or paper decorations, and using only safe electric lights with intact wiring.
The text notes that before the fourth century Christians observed Epiphany and Easter with festivals while the physical birth of Christ was not widely recognized. It mentions Spain and Armenia as examples and describes pre Epiphany months as times of fasting and repentance.
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