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Christmas decorating in my house is always a group effort. I bring up the boxes of decorations from the basement and my wife and I spend an afternoon selecting where to place every treasured item.
This year our daughter Stella was very eager to help us empty the boxes and decorate the place. We soon discovered that some decorations don't hold up well with help from a 4-year-old.
Finally, when all the house decorations are up, we turn our attention to the tree. After fluffing up the branches, we assembled the tree in the living room. Getting the tree just right is my job. When I was old enough to help, I remember being sent to my grandparents to help put up their tree. My grandmother's tree is probably the most beautiful, yet most complicated tree ever to be put up. First of all, it's not just one tree, but two trees put together. The branches were all separate with color coded rubber ends that corresponded to directions that didn't account for two trees coming together.
From the previous year, each row of branches was removed and bundled together for an easier installation. After each row of branches were attached to the tree, the lights were interwoven row by row until the tree was absolutely filled with light. This had to be done in a certain tried and true pattern. After we had the tree the way we liked it, the ornaments came out. Each of these ornaments were made by hand by my grandmother and great-grandmother. Each was individually wrapped up in paper with much care taken not to lose any of the delicate ribbon or beads secured by pins in a foam ball.
An angel from Germany was the tree topper and as a final touch, little electric candles were fastened to the branches. Putting up the tree was a family affair. Everyone who was able came to help and those memories with my grandparents, parents, sister, cousins, aunt and uncle are now cherished memories. Memories and nostalgia go hand in hand at Christmas time.
Everyone has their own special Christmas memories here in our valley. There are some, though, that seem to touch everyone who grew up here back in the day. One of those is shopping at the Hub in Steubenville. Windows were decorated along their storefront and Santa was in high demand. Maybe one could take a break and enjoy lunch at the Tea Room. One of the common childhood memories that I have read often about at the Hub was the magic of the pneumatic tubes that took money from your parents to the cashier and returned with your change. This was magic in the eyes of children.
There was no mall to go to in those days, no shopping on-line. One had to go to stores to get those special gifts. The Hub was a great store for practically everything you could want. In Weirton there was the Childrens Shop, Blynn's Shoe Store, Marlinn's Shoes, Cramer's Men's Store, Gwenlen Shop, Home Furniture, G.C. Murphy, Star Store, Weisbergers, Rodgers Appliances and Stone and Thomas. Sometimes gifts I get today still come in a Stone and Thomas, Kaufmann's or Horne's box. Why get new ones when the old are just as good? Groceries could be found at the International Pure Food Market, Weirton Market, Guidara's Market and A&B Food Store, all to be found on Main Street in the mid-1950s.
Aside from shopping for food or gifts, there were Christmas events that became yearly traditions in our area. During World War II there were many sacrifices that were made during those times, especially at Christmas. Metal toys were scarce among other things, but according to the Weirton Steel Employees Bulletin, Christmas of 1946 was one to remember. Most of the servicemen and women who had fought in the conflict were home for the first time in six years, but there were still shortages.
Shortages or not, there was still plenty of Christmas cheer. Many of the departments in the mill were shut down on Christmas except the cold rolling and steel producing units, giving employees a well-earned break. During that Christmas, the WIU, or the Weirton Independent Union, sponsored an annual "Kiddies Party" at the local theaters. Santa appeared at the events much to the delight of the children. Christmas carol concerts were held at the Cove Christian Church three times a night by members of local church choirs. The music was wired into the local business districts in the Weirton and the Cove.
Later on, this event was moved to the Millsop Community Center. At the center, Santa was always out front welcoming all who visited, and of course, the nativity, the real reason for the season. On top of the building, supported by a long pole, a star illuminated the whole scene. Christmas was a magical time in our valley.
Whether your memories include decorating a tree, shopping, singing in choirs, or just spending time with your family, make sure you make the best of the time you have with them. Soon the present will be the treasured memories of the future.
(Zuros is Hancock County administrator)