Christmas, 1955
Following are two stories from “The Messenger” around Christmas time.
The Messenger, December 18, 1959: Dolls, Bikes, Make Happiest Christmas for East Aces
Materially-minded East students seemed to feel that a Toni doll, a pink velvet jumper, a bicycle, and a shot gun constitute the Christmas they will never forget.
“When I reached the tender age of twelve, I received my best Christmas present. It was something that I had always wanted,” mused Mary White, ’60. “It was the perfect dream of every little girl – a pink velvet jumper. I realized after receiving the gift that I was no longer a tom-boy,” she laughed.
(Left, Mary White in 1960)
“A two-wheeled bicycle that I received when I was 10 years old was my favorite Christmas present ever,” stated Jane Mourer, ’60. “I was so excited that on the first ride around the block I fell off and sprained my arm.” (Right, Jane Mourer in 1960)
Having an old-fashioned Christmas was that of Janet Town,’60, about eight years ago when she spend Christmas with her aunt in Missouri. “The electric lines were broken so we had to use coal oil lanterns for light,” commented Janet. “We cut a Christmas tree from a nearby forest and covered it with popcorn balls and gum drops.” (Left, Janet Town in 1960)
“The best Christmas I ever had,” stated Tom Vosper, ’60, “was last year when my dad bought me a shot gun. Two hours after receiving the gift, I was searching the brush for rabbits. Not knowing that my gun had dirt in the barrel, it happened that a rabbit bounded from a pile of wood. I shot “BOOM” and there went my Christmas present down the drain. Well, it was fun while it lasted,” explained Tom. (Right, Tom Vosper at some point, we aren’t sure when)
The Messenger, December 18, 1958: East Clubs Sponsor 10 Needy Families at Christmas
East Aces’ Christmas spirit is apparent this year as four school clubs sponsor 10 needy families this Christmas. Wanting everyone to share the joy of Christmas, Y-Teens, Hi-Y, Bible Club and Student Congress have adopted families for Christmas.
“Y-Teens are adopting six families, which is less than usual, but this year each family has from six to eight members,” stated Miss Laura Neville, Y-Teen sponsor.
“Girls earn or donate the money to buy each family gifts and a Christmas dinner, ” explained Linda McFarland, ’59, Y-Teen president. She continued, “Bake sales and rummage sales are common projects to earn money.”
“Bible Club always tries to have two or more families. We take them a Christmas basket and one thing I especially enjoy is reading a Christmas story with them,” said Miss Marian Shuh, Bible Club sponsor.
Hi-Y will also sponsor one or two families. “We try to get individual gifts for the family members and provide them with Christmas dinner,” explained Willard Peters, Hi-Y sponsor.
“Student Congress has adopted the same family they adopted for Thanksgiving. We’re buying Christmas gifts and, if possible, coats for the older children. Besides a Christmas dinner we will buy extra groceries and a tree with decorations,” stated Susie Brodie, ’59, chairman of committee.
Junior Red Cross is adopting families and making hospital gray favors, but this is done by the city Junior Red Cross Club. East Red Cross is providing entertainment for the Veteran’s Hospital during the Christmas season,” explained John Rhodda, Junior Red Cross President.
