by John Mooy
“I remember places and people in my live, they are the songs inside of me.”
That line is from a song titled, “I Remember” which chronicles a young fellow growing up and the influences that have played out in his life.
When I first heard the song, I couldn’t help but think of the places in my own life and even more to the point, the place in my life which is Marcellus.
And the people, the countless Marcellus people who provided a positive influence on me.
And now the Christmas season is upon us and we can look back through whatever number of Christmases we have experienced. Each person has their own recollections of the Holiday Season in Marcellus and I know because we have the advantage of a small community we share many of the same experiences. I could write a book on the people of Marcellus and the countless acts of kindness and giving: from a simple “hello” to “can I give you a hand?”
Have you ever noticed how it seems that as Christmas draws closer there is a certain feeling unique to the holidays?
I can still recall in the houses of my childhood friends where the Christmas trees were located in their homes. To add to the festivities there were always baked goods, cookies, fudge and popcorn balls that just might appear on a plate in front of accompanied by “here, would you like something?”
Outdoors during the break from school, the weather was cold and snowy and we loved it. We could play all day long and as the evening approached head home cold, tired ready for the warmth of our home. In my case we often spent the day sledding over on the hill next to Mrs. Stearns We went from the top of the hill to the bottom on sleds, toboggans, saucers and skis
each time attempting to go faster than the previous run. Danger on the slopes was our business. The laughter was always prevalent.
A walk around the village delighted the eyes as everyone’s house revealed some form of celebration. Multi -olored lights on the Christmas tree, silver icicles and a star on top was visible in the majority of houses while others had decorations outdoors as well.
You could run down the snow packed streets and slide as far as you could. Free entertainment.
Main Street was always decorated with lights and greens, and those two wooden boxes; one red and the other green with white lettering on the side which spelled out “Santa Claus North Pole.” A slot in the top of each box provided a place for anyone to drop a letter in for Santa Claus and he would receive those messages before Christmas.
One night after the main feature, when Marcellus had a theater on Main Street, we were leaving the building and there in the lobby was none other than Santa Claus himself passing out candy and oranges. He was there, I’m not kidding, I saw him in person. He was however much slender than I had thought he would be.
And then the day of Christmas would arrive. And there were presents to be opened which we did as we sat around the tree on the floor. I remember each Christmas, Dad would open my gift to him. It was always a small box and inside was a bottle of Old Spice cologne. Dad gave me the money each year to go to Ingersoll’s to make that purchase. It was a Christmas tradition. Ho. Ho. Ho.
But the greatest two gifts everyone in town received every year.
The place: MARCELLUS
The people: Knowing the PEOPLE in our small town.
Have a great week, Marcellus.
Remember your gifts throughout the year.
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