The Christmas Tree Memory and Santa in a Changing Town
A reflective piece recalls the annual Community Christmas Tree events in a small town, from joyous school pageants to church celebrations, then the shift to consolidation and centralization. It notes the loss of rural Christmas traditions and the evolution of Santa from humble modes to the modern red robed figure with a sleigh.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chris
St. Nick
Roblin
Elis
Cmd
Bethlehem
Lindy Schpel
Elks
Christmis Tree
Memorial Hall
History of Santa on Christmas cards
Cards trace Santa evolution from dour Father Christmas and Saint Santa to the modern rotund red figure. Esther Mooney of the Norcross Historical Collection notes 19th century greetings favored children and flowers, with Santa appearing rarely in monk robes or as a religious figure before the jolly modern image emerged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Claus
Esther Mooney
Norcross
Santa
Father Christmas
St. Nicholas
Christmas tree origins differ from ancient decor
The text notes German origin for the Christmas tree while Romans favored laurels and green branches at the Kalends of January. It explains Germans substituted evergreens for laurels, reflecting cultural decoration customs.
Christmas Lights Tale From an Old Box
A dust covered Christmas light string narrates its fall from the Barker attic to the trash, finds a small family's tree in a storm, and lights anew as a town rescues a lost boy, bringing warmth to a cold night. The tale blends nostalgia with small town rescue and holiday cheer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr Barker
Mr. Barker
John
Smallhild
Also Mentioned on This Page
Palmerston
Senta C
Billy
Friendly
Santa Cisus
Goo & Witt
Lena & Metro Kozmennik
Marshall Wells
Saturn Motor Hotel
Doreen and
Gordon Russell Roblin, Manitoba
Rev Murray Harold Boughton
Gerald Harper
Roblin Laundromat & Drycleaning
Bob and
Anne
Laurie
Graham
Julie
By Dom Wheeler
Cullen
Tommy Granger
Route 83
Herb and
Megan
Edee
Roblin Theatre
Walter, Marlene
Boys
Florence Fowler
Cliff
Edith
Merry Christmas
Inter-city Gas
Tupper ST
South
Portage LA Prairie, Man
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!