One tradition they fostered for years was the 'Roaming Christmas Tree". Along with the Lions Club, every house was visited on New Years Eve and popcorn balls and candy given to the children. The Lions were dressed as Santa. Since it was cold, they needed their antifreeze. More antifreeze was dispensed from some of the houses. Many church goers on Christmas day looked the worse for wear.
My Webber took the tree to neighboring towns on the following nights. Imagine you are a stranger traveling US 40 late at night and a rolling Christmas tree was coming at you. Might sober you up, no?
What a delightful tradition!
ReplyDeleteNeat for the kids. All the new money moving in killed it. It was kept alive in the small town to the West for awhile but is gone now.
DeleteCouple of pretty big horns on that truck, too..
ReplyDeleteMr. Webber did all of the PA for every event for many years. I don't remember anyone complaining about not being able to hear.
DeleteA kid a year ahead of me was interested in radio and corresponded by radio code with people in Europe. Mr. Webber helped him as the kid's family didn't have a pot to piss in.
Love the stories.
ReplyDeleteI really miss Colorado.
I'm old enough to remember similar stories from Montrose, where I did a large portion of growing up.
Small towns had advantages for kids.
DeleteHah! Love that. I wish towns would do a little more of embracing these great things about the holidays rather than how many presents we can buy our kids.
ReplyDeleteAgree.
DeleteThere was one night when the Tree was going to a neighboring town to the south. A couple of drunks were driving the opposite direction and drove off the road into the ditch. No injuries...just ruined a perfectly good $20 drunk. Our mother was kissed by Santa one year in front of her mother. Grandma was a little shocked and Mom got a little high from Santa's breath.
ReplyDeleteSisty
Santa was lucky Dad was working a shift.
DeleteI've so enjoyed reading these stories. What a great tradition.
ReplyDeleteWish they had kept it up. All the new arrivals with money changed the character of the town.
DeleteAnd it wasn't bad 'advertising' for them either... :-D
ReplyDeleteNo it wasn't. The family were hard working and tireless promoters.
Delete