Remembering Christmas 1947

JERRY PERSON

This is the time of year for folks to relax in front of a warm fire,

remembering past Christmases and the wonderful friends and relatives

that made them memorable.

Last week we looked at how Huntington Beach celebrated Christmas

of 1935 and this week we’ll jump ahead to Christmas of 1947, bringing

back memories of the fun and people who made it so.

Part of the Christmas tradition is the giving of gifts, and in

1947 Crosby’s music store was giving away a new RCA-Victor

combination radio phonograph onstage at the Surf Theater.

These were the days before television became popular in living

rooms. So what else were we doing that Christmas?

Lylyan Mossinger presented a Christmas program to 100 members and

their guests of the Huntington Beach Garden Club, and a potluck

dinner at Lake Park clubhouse.

Mrs. Fred Hermann served as the chair, and part of their

entertainment included a selection of Christmas carols sung by Monte

Nitzkowski, accompanied by Carmen Vidal. Several students from our

elementary school performed carols and dressed in costume.

A city musical was held inside Memorial Hall that featured Muriel

Maxwell, Jack Ligthart and the Georgia Bell string ensemble. The hall

must have been lovely that afternoon, as it was decorated by the

garden club and members of the chamber of commerce’s music and arts

committee under the direction of Ray Elliott.

Ralph Hawes directed the girl’s chorus number “The Heavenly

Child,” while cellist Ligthart performed several selections of

Christmas music.

C.C. Ellis was not so happy that Christmas because someone in his

neighborhood was cracking open his child’s piggy bank -- not once,

but twice.

Boy Scout Troop 2 enjoyed its Christmas party that year. The

Huntington Beach Rotary Club put on a special dinner for the scouts

at Lake Park clubhouse.

Warren Bristol, Ange Mollica, Lou Mitchell and John Henricksen

formed the committee responsible for the scouts’ party. A Christmas

tree was brought into the hall, both of which the scout mothers

decorated.

The Rotary Club paid special tribute to Scout Leader Walter Riley

for building up the troop from 12 to 46 scouts.

Bristol honored Eagle Scout Keith Preston for earning 21 merit

badges. The old man in his red suit made an appearance and handed out

gifts to one and all.

In the basement of the Methodist church, 27 members of the Merry

Methodist bible class were enjoying their holiday party that included

games, carols and a visit by Santa Claus.

A toy alligator race was held in the basement, in which Jim Clark

finished first with Robert Stricklin coming in a close second.

Over at the Wintersburg Community Church, an early morning

Christmas service was being held with several holiday numbers played

on the piano by Corynne Stricklin.

Choirmaster R. Galen Young sang “The Christmas Song” and the

congregation enjoyed a solo by John A. Murdy Jr.

The Starlite Club met for a Christmas potluck luncheon and a

50-cent gift exchange at the Masonic lodge hall. The Five O Club

baked two turkeys for its party at Lake Park clubhouse.

Albertine Rider decorated the clubhouse in holly and Christmas

ornaments. She also dressed as Santa and handed out gifts to the

members just before they all enjoyed a dessert of ice cream, cake and

a game of cards.

Eber Flaws played the organ while the choir of the First Baptist

Church performed a sacred cantata “Rose of Christmas.”

Joe Perry sang “The Tabernacle of God is With Man,” and Hazel

Ranney did a solo “Love Came Down at Christmas.”

At the home of Vicky Terry on Frankfort, the Music Lovers Club

entertained its members before a glowing fire and the smiles of

children’s faces. Sharon Moiola opened the program with “Away in a

Manger” and Marnie Vidal sang “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

Some of her guests included Nancy and Jack Robertson, Pat and

Mildred Ellis, Mary Jane Whittaker, Jerry Worthy and Hazel Coker.

The music department at Huntington Beach High School presented its

Christmas program to nearly 1,000 students, parents and teachers and

included Gesu Bambino sung by Anita Vidal.

The school’s choir did “Glory to God” and “Beautiful Savior” and

the combined choir and glee clubs sang “Onward Christian Soldiers”

and the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The choir and glee clubs were directed by Ruth Harlow and

accompanied by Carmen Vidal.

Nearly 150 employees of the Southwest Exploration oil company

voluntarily donated their time and money to bring Santa and his bag

of presents to 65 families in the Colonia Juarez community.

The employees decorated an oil truck with a lighted Christmas tree

and gifts. While loudspeakers played Christmas songs, they drove up

Main Street to Warner Avenue and Ward Street to bring Christmas joy

to needy families. Thomas Lahart of Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic

Church arranged this.

The Lions Club held its holiday party at the Golden Bear Cafe, the

Elk Club arranged for Santa to fly into town and be driven by Kenneth

Thompson to the Surf Theater on the pier’s tram, where they held

their Christmas party.

It was at the Surf Theater where manager John Barnett walked on

stage to announce that Juanita Sullivan of Lake Street had won the

radio phonograph that was donated by Crosby’s music store.

Remember as you gather around friends and relatives this Christmas

that in 50 years you will be seated before a warm fire remembering

this Christmas as we’ve remembered Christmas of 1947.

* JERRY PERSON is a local historian and longtime Huntington Beach

resident. If you have ideas for future columns, write him at P.O. Box

7182, Huntington Beach, CA 92615.