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Old Chester, PA: Christmas
9th & Edgmont Ave.
Photo courtesy of Alfonso Sanbe
Christmas Parade on Edgmont
Ave. c. 1965
Photo courtesy of Twyla Simpkins' Traveling
Black History Museum
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Share your own stories and recollections about Christmas in Chester!
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Recollections:
Name: Gary Fenza Jr. RecollectionsIm Gary Fenza Jr. Great grandson of Peter Fenza, founder of Fenza's Auto Repair on 227 Broomall Street. Anyone ever go to the christmas parties hosted there every year, even up to this day. Name: Gary Fenza Jr RecollectionsWell, im the Great Grandson of Peter Fenza. He owned Fenza's Auto Repair on 227 Broomall Street. Shop opened in the 1930's, still ran today by his son and grandson. Im only 17, so i dont have any actual memories, but anyone remember the christmas parties from years back that Fenza's Auto Repair used to host, and still does to this day?? Name: Joseph S. Pompilii RecollectionsHi, I am only 32, graduated from St. James in 1992. My grandfather was Sylvester Pompilii (Chester Police Officer in the 50's and my dad is Sylvester (Sonny) Pompilii. I worked with the Chester Police Force for 5 years from 1998-2003. I took a job with the Maryland State Police as a State Trooper, I along with my wife and son moved to Elkton, MD in 2004. The memories I have of Christmas in Chester was when I was 10 or 11 and my mom and dad along with my mommom Regina Pompilii and poppop Sylvester Pompilii would take me and my brothers Marc and Danny to St. Anthony's Parish on 3rd St. for church. St. Anthony's also had a dinner where Santa Claus would come and give all the kid's presents. I also remember my mom and dad would take us to May's Christmas tree yard every year to get our Christmas Tree. It's kind of funny, ever since we moved to MD I still drive to May's Christmas Tree Yard to get our Christmas Tree, my wife thinks I'm crazy. The only difference now compared to when I was a kid I have to carry my gun to get my Christmas Tree. It's ashame that Chester has gone down hill. I would have stayed in Delaware County if the Chester Police Dept. didn't have a residency requirement. Name: Bill Swafford RecollectionsOne particular memory when I was very small. We lived at 1211 Pulaski Drive in McCaffery Village. The memory: Christmas Eve, Looking out my second floor bedroom at the snow falling and old man with a beard walking toward my house. I just knew who it had to be and ran quickly back to my bed, pretending to be asleep, hoping that "HE" didn't see me. The pictures reminds me of the beautiful Chester that once was and when we would go out in my Dad's car just to see all of the decorations in town. AHHH the old days. Name: Madeline Jenkins-Steiner RecollectionsI remember many of my Christmases. I remember the ones during WWII and how special they all were. How we hoped that our family in the war would come home safe. I spent that time of my life in Highland Gardens on Nolan Street. We moved to Bickley Place as the war was ending. Christmases there were great. Shopping in Chester for gifts was alot of fun. The stores were so beautiful all decked out for Christmas. I remember in 1953 & 54 during the Korean War I was in my teens and was in the Ground Observers Corp. We volunteered hours on the roof of the YMCA on 7th & Edgmont and spotted for planes. The Air Force would send someone up to the roof to pick up our logs every Saturday. During the Christmas Season when the town was decorated you could see all over and it was beautiful. All the stores decorated at that time. When it snowed and snow was on the roof we would have snowball fights. You could hear the bells ringing from the Salvation Army Santa's. It was fun seeing the people down below and watching them shop. Most people did not know we were there. Christmas Caroling was another thing I enjoyed. My friends and I did this for quite some time. When I got older it was great to go to Christmas Eve Parties and then come home and open our gifts. Our Christmas dinner was always special. One Christmas my father went hunting with some friends and we had squirrel, rabbit and duck for Christmas Dinner. My cousins would drop by during the day and we would go to their house. Family usually lived within a block or two of one another. It was a good time. I have tried to instill family in my children, but it doesn't seem to matter like it did when I was young. They just seem to go their separate ways. We get together with family only during Christmas where as before it was most holidays that family got together. It is ashame that the children of today will never see Christmas in Chester as it use to be. Name: Joann Ott Dionisi RecollectionsI worked at the Charming Shoppe during the Christmas of 1967. I had a boyfriend that worked at the "New Wholsale Center" stocking shelves. I loved Chester and loved every minute spent there. I also worked at the Tres Bon Diner for a few years and met and married that same boyfriend during the midnight shift at "The Diner". Jasper the Kool Kat introduced us and I met an array of characters that I think of too many times to mention. I later Married said boyfriend and we were married for over 23 years...sadly, we ended 15 years ago. My mother-in-law Margaret Dionisi worked at Lloyds Mens store and we would all meet for lunch once in a while at Woolworths. Anybody out there regulars of the Tres Bon? Do you remember Jasper? Drop me a line if you do... Name: Patricia Mcfadden RecollectionsThis is my first visit here and when I look at the very first picture of 9th & Edgemont (which is excellent), it sure brings back memories of more than 65 years ago. Above the building to the northeast with "Paint" appearing on the building, during the early 30's, one of my aunts and cousins lived in an apartment above that store for years. I visited there many times to play with my cousins. The building to the southeast with a "Firestone" sign was formerly Breyer's Ice Cream store. I distinctly remember Breyers because almost every afternoon when my favorite uncle (who lived on 9th St. close to Madison) came home from work, he would give me a nickle to go to Breyers to get an ice cream cone. Breyers had an enormous sign hung on the building with the name "BREYERS). On the floor above Breyers, there were also apartments, and I had two playmates who lived there, the "Nash" family. I had several relatives in this neighborhood and I lived on Madison St., south of 9th. <p> So, this corner is just one of the "corners" in my neighborhood and I think as a very young child, I knew everyone - if they didn't know me, I made sure they did - yes, I made the rounds as a lonely only child, whose mother worked every day and father was on the road in show biz. So, the entire neighborhood was my babysitter. <p> On the northwest corner is DeShong Park, where I spent many hours particularly in my teens, when I would meet my sweetheart everyday after school. So this picture takes me back 60 plus years and what great memories - makes me realize that all I remember from 60 plus years ago, really did happen. It really took me back home, if only for a short while. Name: Kay Garvey RecollectionsIn the early/mid 60's I remember with great fondness...my father Jim Garvey dropping my brothers Jerry, Jimmy, Kevin & myself off by the Post Office where we were to do our Christmas shopping. We went to Johns Bargain Store (If memory serves me it was right on the corner) I was so proud of myself I bought an ash tray for Dad, then after checking out a few other stores like Sears (by the railroad bridge overpass) we walked back to "Marks Cafe" which was over by Caldwell Street it is where my uncles and company employees went to have "a cold one" before heading home from Nilon Brothers Caterers located at 3rd & Caldwell Streets, and one of the older boys went in to get Daddy. We went home to have Christmas Eve and I couldn't wait to give Dad his gift so I did, he was so sweet making a big fuss over this little red plastic ash tray, he lit a cigarette laid it it his new gift and pop it went broke in half, I cried and dad said don't cry now its like I have two ash trays! I think of that Christmas every year! Thanks for letting me share my story. God Bless you and Happy New Year! Name: PAT (SAVAGE)CARR-MUFFLEY RecollectionsMy fondest memories, of Chester is the great family and friends meeting, on a Friday evening of a Saturday shopping for Christmas, and everyone wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.The Salvation army, playing in front of the Post Office, and ringing their bells in front of stores. The chirstmas decorations were BEAUTIFUL, AS WERE ALL THE PEOPLE. THOSE WERE THE DAYS. When my children came along, my husband Jim and I, would take the children to see the lights, onThanksgiving evening, that is when they turned them on. And Jesus was the reason for the season. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL PAT Name: RecollectionsChristmas in Chester was sooooo great at one time. Why did they have to ruin everything? Name: Tammy Degand RecollectionsBoy looking at the old pictures of down town chester brings back allot of good times.. Christmas shopping with my mother at Spears Store,Wineburgs,Woolworths and having lunch at the walsh! Oh the rice pudding there was GREAT! Oh and John's Dogie shop! We would always stop at Kyj's bakery before we would get a taxi home. The christmas cookies were so good and all the stores were dressed for the holiday season.It was a nice time in the 60's in Chester. I wish it was the same down there... I come down from time to time and it does make me sad to see that the town is in shambles. I just try to remember the better days of old chester. Name: Terri Michalec RecollectionsTerry Owsiany, I believe you lived on 7th Street in Chester...across from Pulaski school. I lived on 6th street. The churches in the area were ALL beautifully done for Christmas midnight Mass. That is the most memorable thought I have from Christmas as a child...going to midnight mass with your whole family and not going to bed til almost 2 am(ok going to bed but who could sleep?) Hope you are well Terry.....Happy Holidays Name: Mary Hunter RecollectionsAs a small child my mother would take me and my brothers and my sister to Spear Brothers Dept store to see Santa. Then we would do our shopping for each other and for Mom and Dad. We always looked forward to the days events. And if our parents had a few extra dollars, they would treat us to one of Johnny's chili dogs. Do I miss those! Best hot dogs in the world. Name: Recollectionswhen i think of parades in chester i remember the sound of the chester high band thy were always last and you could hear the drums and beat of rythem a mile away and it brought tears to your eyes they were so good i'll never forget them every kid in chester would follow behind until they got to chester park and disbanded ann clark Name: George Closs RecollectionsHow clean the city was. Happy people everywhere. not being able to wait to see the trains in sears or to go over to the hobby shop. Name: Roy Bartley RecollectionsI remember Xmas 1944. We thought the war would be over by now. But german troops launched an unexpected panzer attack on American lines, around Bastogne. The line were garrisonned by raw troops virtually straight from USA, and chaos ensued. The weatherwas atrocious, and in Chester, England, the streets were dark because of the Blackout, against enemy bombing aircraft. I remember my Auntie used to go to an American Forces Canteen in the Rows to assist in giving the troops on furlough some home comforts. She brought back a tie for me from the PX, tartan with an elastic neckband so that it could be worn without folding - diabolical! Later that night, lying in bed, a 'Doodlebug' (Flying Bomb) droned over and we waited for its motor to cut and the silence , before it crashed and exploded. This time it did not. Food was rationed, 2 ounces of butter per person per week, a lamb chop, about the size of a dollar, so there was little Xmas Fayre. But there was the AFN, The American Forces Network, and Duffle Bag at midday, and Mcnamaras Band in the evening, where we could listen to the best in Swing from the great bands of the era. sadly, Glen Miller, was killed and that cast a sorry spell over all, for he was a great man and his music and the band of the AEF did a lot to brighten our dull lives.The only redeeming features about that xmas were, My first kisses at a party (only I wish she had not told me my younger brother was a better kisser than me), My Father would be coming home from Egypt in the year ahead, Hitler would get what he deserved shortly, and there was no doubt the war would be over in months. But after that party, I was more interested in what was going to be learned on the Feminine Front. Name: dorothy casey white Recollectionsi can remember in the mid 1950's my sister rita and i would hop on the bus in glenolden and go downtown chester to do our christmas shopping.we would head for weinberg's our favorite store and then have lunch at one of the little deli's.we always got either a cherry coke or chocolate coke at the soda fountain.it sure was a lot of fun. Name: Kirk Bailey RecollectionsI grew up in the West end of Chester in the 5os & 60s and have great memories of xmas time there. First you looked forward to the holidays because you were off school for xmas vac. Then there was all the visiting you friends and relatives, getting together with cousins and eating and drinking great food and spirts in later years.Ice skating at Ridley Park was great if it was cold enough.I remember going over town singing with the Pulaski Jr. High choris at the Chester Court House in the court yard. We were recorded as were the other schools by station WDRF or WEEZ I can't rember the call leters back in 60-61. During the performance the xmas songs were piped over the lould speakers in town. A real treat was if it began to snow during your trip. The store windows were beautifuly painted with Xmas scenes from the art students from CHS. {they also did a great job at halloween] I remember going down to Marcus Hook and buying our tree off a boxcar on a side track for $2 (my dad could aways find a bargain) Then we would walk over to the Western Little League and borrow an advertising sign (they would take them in for the winter)plywood 4x8 and thick and heavy and carry it home.(my brother always tried to get out of that deal) That would become our platform for our 2 American Flyer trains. Theses trains were cool,My brothers was a passenger and had this set up where it would pick up a sack of mail off a post and throw another out of the mail car. My train was a long frieght but was special. The engine was a Royal Blue. This train ran on the old B&O behind my Grandmothers house I was told by my uncles who grew up close to those tracks. I found out at an early age that if you dropped tinsel on the electrical tracks it would spark like hell. Since the tree was in the middle of the platform its a wonder my brother and I didn't burn down our Highland Garden home. Graduated CHS in 64 and was promply(as most of my friends and classmates were)drafted in Uncle Sams army in Dec. 65 I left for the army on Dec. 27 65. Those were unforgettable days leeding up to my induction. Wow what a party. Great memories of my beloved city. Xmas was a great time and memory growing up in Chester. Name: Mark Morgan RecollectionsThe Sun Village boy's club at 1103 Morton Ave. Would have meet santa nightfor all the little children santa clause was played none other than Mr.Jones of all my child hood memories that is one of the few that stick in my mind he played a great part as santa and I think anyone who know's him would agee. Name: Caroline RecollectionsJim Crawford Thank you for identifying the band and Mr. Kirland... ...and you. We always appreciate the time one takes to ID photos as John adds them. The generous sharing of such photos by people like you via of our reunion, photos being scanned and emailed, and by sending information snail mail is helping OLDCHESTERPA to grow in its vast history. Name: Jim Crawford RecollectionsThe photo above of the Christmas parade is nice. I (Jim Crawford) am the trombone player in the front on the far left. The band is from Smedley Jr, High School. Mr. Kirland, the band director, is the man with the sports coat walking with the band. I think he was telling us what our next song would be to play. Name: Larry Wood RecollectionsMy aunt Alice Lilley owned Cooley Lilleys gift store in chester and every Christmas all the family would woork at the store. I started when I was 8 yrs. old. Stores wouldn't close till most every one was off the street.My dad made deliveries and my brother and I would work in the storehouse in the basement. WE would retrieve layaways and run up and down stairs with needed stock. Also would take days reciepts to the bank in a brown paper bag. Town was always crowded back the . Christmas it was almost shoulder to shoulder. Those were the days. Larry Name: Patty Boyle RecollectionsMy favorite memory was when I was a little girl, my grandmother Bess Boyle would take me Christmas shopping down town. We walk all along Edgemont Ave, and go in and out of the stores. The streets would be decorated and I knew it was time for Santa. We would go to Weinberg's and I would get to pick out something for my Mom, and then take it up stairs to get wrapped. Then we would go to lunch at the Welsh Restaurant. It was an all day event for us. We would go into Spears, Harry's shoes, Sears. Then we would take a cab ride home to Sun Village. There was always a beautiful tree that stood at the intersection of Morton Ave and 12th St. The Christmas decorations would be beautiful at night, and we would all pile in the car at night and take a ride thru the city. It was like a scene out of it's a wonderful life. Those were the days. Name: Iris Howett Messick RecollectionsI was born in 1936 and lived at 422 Highland Avenue. My recollections of Christmas are of love and excitement. My father, Milton Howett, never had a Christmas gift or a tree until he married my mother. Needless to say he made up for lost time. My Dad would begin right after Halloween to make preparations for our Christmas platform which took up 1/2 of our living room. The furniture would be covered with plywood for the base of the platform. He would choose a theme and work on it. One year was Admiral Byrd's expedition to the North Pole. He made igloos out of plaster of paris and "borrowed" my very small dolls to cover in fur (eskimos). He made a sleigh out of linoleum and dogs (to pull the sleigh) from pipe cleaners (I still have these today). During WWII he made the bombing of Berlin. Again his houses were made from linoleum. He would make two identical buildings. One side of the room was Berlin before the bombing and the other half was after the bombing--He took a soldering iron and destroyed the houses. There were navy ships on a mirrored sea and airplanes hanging from the living room ceiling--why worry about holes in the ceiling/walls, it was Christmas. We had a mantle place on the third wall, nothing under it, I imagine at one time it may have been a fire place. The mantle was always decorated, to the ceiling, in tune with the theme. The WWII theme was the military hospital. My most vivid memory was the fact that we had two trees! Not ordinary green trees but tress that he had sprayed with white paint and decorated with silver balls, blue lights, and angel hair. He would buy colored balls and remove the exterior color from them--the result silver balls. Anyone walking down Highland Avenue would remember these, the only colored trees one would see would be those wrapped in cotton. In the early fifties everything got painted white and then "dark light" paint would be applied to each and every little figure. Up would go the Purple ray of light (black light) which was unusual at that time. Of course my mother was involved with the fine detail, along with the preparation of the Christmas dinner. Our house was always occupied with family and friends during the Christmas holiday evenings. When we were Santa "followers" the trees would be placed a week before Christmas, but the platform would be decorated AFTER my brother and I were in bed. My traditons with my children and grandchildren are as follows. First, we break open our Christmas "crackers", don the paper hats and eat a large meal. After dessert, a designated grandchild places the infant Jesus in the Manger and we bring out his birthday cake and sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus". Following this a designated grandchild reads from the Bible (The Christmas story from Luke). We sing Carols. Then the annual question is asked, "Why do we receive Christmas gifts?" They answer,"Because, the Wiseman presented gifts to Jesus." Gifts are handed out and we sit in a circle, each taking a turn to open a gift. When gifts are completed, the grand children leave the room and we hang a "pickle" on the tree. The one to locate it receives a nutcracker. Then each grandchild chooses an ornament from our Christmas tree (That way, the kids get the grandparent's ornaments instead of someone at a yard sale!). We finish by 6:00 p.m. as church services at Upland Baptist church begin at 7:00p.m. I forgot to mention that two weeks before Christmas the grandchildren come to our house to decorate gingerbread cookies and make their own gingerbread houses. Name: Anita DiMarcella RecollectionsChester, Pa. at Christmas, my Mother Millie DiMarcella owned Laura's resturant. She is doing well and still working at 85 in food service. I remember when I was young that every year we would go to see Santa at a department store on 3rd street. The name seems to have slipped my mind. (What I want to say is Rogers but that was on Edgemont Ave. in the middle of our darling town.) UT OH! I am slipping. ( I could call Rocco Marchetti he would remember) I remember that this person really was Santa, and it was wonderful to go with my brothers to see him. Chester always was a fun City to be in when we were growing up. I sat on a development board for a town in Minnesota for years and said please listen to me. You have to be agressive or the town will die. I know because my home town is boarded or leveled. I will never forget the good times. Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh RecollectionsCaroline, you made me nostalgic and hungry! Christmas memories of Chester...wow, too many to remember, but I will always remember the little suitcase I got from Scott Paper Co, when they used to give out presents to employee's families. Blue with little flowers, had it for years. The best memory I have of Christmas is Midnight Mass at Resurrection. We all know ours was not the most beautiful church in Chester, especially when compared to St Hedwig's, Immaculate Heart and St Mikes to name a few. But at Christmas, in the eyes of a small child it held all the beauty and wonder of Christmas. The communion rail draped so lovingly with real garland, the fresh trees, the aroma, the creche on the front lawn and the one up in front of the church, just took you to that spiritual place that is Christmas. And when we were lucky enough to have a Christmas Eve snowfall, the walk to church was just plain magical. Midnight masses are still nice, and the churches are still beautiful, and maybe it isn't so much that it was Chester, it's more that it was OUR Chester then, our childhood, just like millions of others, we remember the town of our childhood as if it were the most special place on earth. And for me, it was. Name: Scott Carter RecollectionsI grew up in Parkside in the 70s and 80s but I can always remember going to visit my great-grandmother's house on Christmas at 21st and Madison. She would always give my sister and I five dollars in a money card. Boy, did we think we were loaded! I can also remember sledding in Chester Park during the holiday break. It used to seem like there were so many people down there. I never see anyone sledding in "the Park" anymore. At least it's still nice to have memories. Name: George Karlsen RecollectionsCaroline: A non - Rush Limbo 'ditto' to your recollections. Food was (is?) always important. Our Ukie holiday included fish sticks with ketchup, and some cole slaw Christmas Eve. Then the next day was the ham, kilebasa, potato sald, borscht (uhm.. for me yuch?), mustard, paska (spelling?), butter, lotsa good things. Remember the Medfords meat packing place down toward Scott Paper & the parking lot? Those ladies there were always nice in the 70's. Then BJ Price up around the Sacred Heart Hospital area? Both places smelled really good! Whever I do think Chritmas season, those younger memories are what stays with us, I suupose. May it be the same this year - love, and the traditions. Thanks. Name: Caroline RecollectionsChristmas Eve Memories In our home the Christmas Holy Days were filled with a legacy of Love, Religion and Tradition. The house is filled with the aroma of Christmas and wonderful memories of the past are awakened. The Eve of Christmas is a day of fasting and everyone busily preparing for the “Holy Supper" ( Wilia / Sviata Vechera) The Christmas bread that Mom bakes and the Braid of Mary that topped the bread sit on the dinning room table cooling, waiting to be served with warm honey. Chrusciki., those wonderfully thin pastries tied in a knot, fried then sprinkled with powdered sugar, the Kolacky with Lakvar oozing out of the delicate pastry, and sugar cookies cut out in the shapes of stars, candy canes and santa sprinkled with colored sugar ready for plating. Tempting little fingers that are helping, to take one when no one was looking. Sugar donuts that we all loved, with a real prune cooked in the center , only Bacha' could make, her jelly donuts are teasing our appetites. Should we dare beg one for breakfast. Yum, it is so good. Mom is busy Kneading the dough for the Pierogi (Varenyky) always preparing them fresh on the Eve morning. The stove steams with the potatoes, cabbage and sautéed onions that will be used to fill the dough pockets. Bacha’ and Mom will sit and make dozens for the evening supper . Yet.. taking the time to teach the older girls the secret of pinching the edges so they will not open when being boiled, making sure to keep the ends tender. Then showing them the different closing technique between the potato and cabbage pockets. This is an art that is handed from one generation to the other. The Kapusta (Sauerkraut Soup) cooking slowly and the split peas that will go in the soup being squeezed through a sieve making sure there will be no lumps. When its time, the soup is served first, with fresh rye bread. Its a race to finish because the legend of the soup is, the one that finished first would meet a prince or princess, marry and live happily ever after. The second legend was that your hair would grow in curly. (how wonderful that would be. No more perms) Each trying to get the heel of the rye bread to enjoy with the soup. The dried mixed fruit slowly cooking for the Kompot z Owocow Suszonych (Uzvar) no table would be without this compote, warm or cold, it was and is delicious. No meats or meat products are eaten this day. There are several types of fish being prepared , flounder, steak cod, shrimp, scallops, pickled herring. Bought fresh the day before. Mushrooms are cooking for the Christmas gravy. The supper is one of the most important dinners of the year. It must contain the produce of water, woods, fields, gardens and orchards to ensure the fruitfulness of these sources in the year to come. A feast to commemorate the Birth of Jesus. When the first evening star in the sky appears the family and guests gather around the table for the Supper. The Star symbolizes the journey of the Three Wise Men. The table is set with a thin layer of Sweet Christmas Hay placed on the floor under the table , (I can remember Grandpop putting the Hay under the table the Christmas of 1944/45. It was WWII and all or most of his daughters husbands were in the service as was his son. He made it a happy Christmas for his family during very hard times. He rejoiced because new babies were born that year. ) Years later the Hay was placed under a white table cloth or as I do today, place the hay in the center of the table covered with a white cloth and the dish of Christmas Wafers. The Hay is in Memory of the birth of the God Child in the Stable.. In our home the head of our family would begin with the prayer "Our Father” then pass the Christmas wafer (Oplatek) for each family member or guest to break and share the joy of Christ and the Holy Family. Saying "Khrystos rodyvsya!" (Christ is born) the response "Slavite yoho!" (Let us praise him.) or Wesolych Swiat" (Merry Christmas) It is believed that the Saviour will Bless You, holding you in the palms of His hands with everlasting Love. The wafer is similar to a Communion wafer but is stamped with the figures of the Christ Child, the Blessed Mother and the Holy Angels. Pieces of the wafer were often mailed to members of the family who were absent from this supper. This wafer is called the "Bread of Love". Some families have small unleavened loafs of Babka that they break and pass at the table. If we did not have the wafer available, our Mom would cut a garlic clove and pass it to each of us. The promise of a throat free of soreness from the cold winter and the gift of the Christmas Blessing, helped with consuming the garlic slice. Along with the wafer I still carry the garlic tradition into my Holy Day . Traditionally the Supper has from Seven to Eleven courses, Mom set the table with all the foods prepared at one setting. My parents home was always opened for everyone to “just drop in“. There was never an odd number of guests seated at our table. A chair and place setting is always left vacant for the GOD CHILD. Hoping that the candles burning in the windows would guide Him to our home. All food from the plates that go uneaten are thrown out to the wild life. This is that nature would continue to provide for us the coming year. Our dinner ended with the pastries that were baked and the most important of traditions : The Birthday cake for Jesus and the singing of the Birthday song to the Baby Jesus. The cake is to remind even the youngest of children the reason for Christmas. The Christmas Tree was special too. Mom and Dad would drive to pick up the tree as a family trip. Finding the right one, tying it to the top of the car , what joyful times.. It really was a special tree, our parents seemed to look for the tree that was often bent, crooked, sometimes not to full, but when it was decorated it would be the best looking “Charlie Brown” tree that a child’s eyes could behold. A Manger was placed beneath the tree along with a large plate of homemade pastries, a tall glass of milk, carrots and celery and sometimes an apple for the Reindeer. With extra branches, Mom and Dad would make blankets for the cemetery, first for our sister and grandparents and then Mom made Blankets for Dad and the family. She continued this tradition along with her children into her 84th year. As grandchildren came into Moms family she added a tradition that brings a smile to my heart and tears to my eyes as I remember. Weeks before Christmas Eve on Friday nights we would drive to Booths corner auction to pick up little gifts for Christmas. (It was like old home week, it seemed as though you would see everyone you knew .) After the dinner as we cleared the table and cleaned up the dinning room, Mom would disappear upstairs to her room. Earlier she had laid open a big white sheet and filled it with the toys and gifts she bought for her family. When the time was right, we would hear HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS, HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS. and there would be Mom walking down the steps with a sack twice her size being “Santa Mom“. What happiness the kids had in seeing her and receiving these gifts. What joy filled the hearts of Mom's grown children as we watched the pleasure “Santa Mom” brought to our Mother. To close the evening Mom would call her brothers and sisters and they would pray or sing in Ukrainian as they had done as children with their parents. Mom’s private Tradition. After all had gone home and the children were fast asleep dreaming dreams of all that is good; the stocking hung hoping they would be filled with fruit, candy and nuts NOT coal. Mom would be getting ready for tomorrows Christmas dinner and for midnight Mass.
Years later, In my home, Santa would leave our children three gifts under the tree. Our tree was set during the day, but not decorated until the small ones went to bed. These three gifts were to represent the gifts given by the Three Wise Men to the Babe on the First Christmas. Those of us that make Christmas Midnight Mass, visit as many churches as possible on the Eve. It is tradition to lay a dollar (silver coins) on the churches Manger and retrieve a piece of the Blessed Sweet Hay of this night. The legend goes that if you place a piece of the Manger Hay in your house and wallet, you will not hunger or go without. The Hay must be gotten at the Midnight service. We were Blessed with Loving, and caring parents.. . As much as I wish and believe in Christmas Miracles, we cannot turn back time and be with them , yet they can be with us though memories that overflow within our hearts. I wish you and your loved ones a Most Blessed Holy Day and Pray that the New Year will be one filled with good health, much LOVE and peace around the World. I join with you today in saying “HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS.”
Name: OUT OF STATE RecollectionsMY LAST CHRISTMAS IN CHESTER 1962 " WHO'S GOING TO DECORATE THE TREE", SAID MY MOTHER, HER VOICE TRAILING OFF AS I WAS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON MY JOURNEY TO CALIFORNIA. MARCH 1963 Name: George Karlsen RecollectionsLots of Grat Xmas Recollections! 1967 it was about 60 degrees that Xmas day, I recall. Dad got a carton of cigarettes, and a bottle of whiskey (politically uncorrect today, right?). Mom got 'mom stuff', and I got the Matchbox City. Dad and mom sometimes argued on Xmas. Dad got tanked up a bit, and then would say to my mom jokingly, "you weren't brought up, you were drug up". I thought it funny, dad and the neighbours also, but well, ya know... mom had not much humour. They were a great family, and all Xmas' are special. I knew I was getting Eric Clapton At His Best for Xmas circa 1974, cause I peeked. My grandmother gave me ear muffs one year. Uhm, yeah that was cool, but I was about 22 at the time. Xmas vacation is great, however, I had to argue to go to the later 12 O'clock 'mass', cause I wanted to play with the toys, spoiled brat boy that I be. I guess many of us 60-70's gang remembered the worst present of all - the Series E Savings Bond. Ya just couldn't spend them! I'd rather have the ear muffs, at least they were hockable. Also, remember Sears had the 'buy 2, get one free' album (LP) Sale on the day after Xmas? Merry Kringle Year 2 All! Name: Barbara Bell Creegan RecollectionsWe'd walk from E. 8th Street all through town down to Stotter's Dept. store. After entering the store, I noticed nothing on the first floor as we walked through it. My eyes were focused on the stairs in the back where a wonderland awaited me. My mother would walk me up what seemed to be a hundred slippery wooden stairs. It's a wonder I didn't trip because I was so busy looking at the different characters that were painted on the walls of the stairway. Characters children loved. Then as you approached near the top of the stairs, you could hear the toy trains running and the excitement would build. Then you touched the top stair and onto the second floor. It seemed like we arrived at Santa's workshop. Toys all over the place. We'd walk around and I'd point to things I'd like for Christmas and then I'd get in the line, of course, with the help of Santa's Elf. As I inched my way closer to Santa, I'd go over and over in my mind what I wanted to tell him. My turn finally came and I'd sit on his lap and I'd whisper to him and he'd whisper to me and I'd promised to be good and he'd promise to give me what I want. Sometimes as an adult, the whole experience reminds me somewhat of going to confession. Of coure, to a child Santa was very similar to God. I would leave and go down those slippery stairs and slip out of the store and go home and slip into bed just knowing a wonderful Christmas day awaited me soon. And....so it always did. Thank you mom and dad. I know you can hear me where you are. My wish is that every child who celebrates Christmas could have it that good. They should. Name: Marti Ohmart RecollectionsI used to live next door to Samuel (Sonny) May and his wife, Carol and their four boys. Sonny used to give our family a Christmas tree every year as a gift to the children. We also got to enjoy their great water ice in the summer months. The Mays are a really special family... Name: George Karlsen RecollectionsSo, like, in 1978, I think, I came back to Chester to take my grandmother to church. The chuch was Holy Ghost. I had this leather biker jacket, and got told about being disrespectful. Well, grandma, mom and me had a nice Xmas. They wouldn't allow me to eat meat until after midnight. Xmas 1971 - got my first stereo, and first vinyl album - Steppenwolf Live. Xmas 1967 - My grandpop, John Emmanuel Karlsen, in Darby, died on the 28th. I seem to remember that was an Xmas that was like 60 degrees. Name: barbara RecollectionsMy dad would put the platform up about a week before Christmas and it took up about half of our living room. Then my brother and I would trim the tree after my dad put the strings of lights on it. My mom put the garden on with the Stable and Baby Jesus, there was a village of houses that would light up. We had ice skaters and skiers coming down the hill. And we even had Santa on a cloud on the wall above the village. And to top things off, a Lionel Passenger Train which ran around the whole platform. It took about three days to put this together but it was beautiful. We had a mirror on the wall by the front door and called it a magic mirror. When you looked in the mirror the reflection from the tree and platform just sparkled. My dad had the tree set in a bucket of coal and we would just add the water for the tree when it was needed. I remember going to Midnight Mass at St Hedwigs and Christmas morning would open the gifts from Santa. Christmas Day we had home made kielbasy which we all helped my mom make. My dad would always grate the horseradish and mom would put the finishing touches to it. I still make the kielbasy and horseradish for Christmas. Mom always had a big baked ham too. These are just a few of my memories at our house for Christmas. Gone but will never be forgotten.
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© 2003, 2004, 2005 John A. Bullock III.
This page last updated 09/15/08