Christmas of 1919

Woodrow Wilson was president in 1919, and that year proved to be a very special holiday for many of our residents.

When the Armistice was signed in November 1918, most of our doughboys were still stationed in Europe and were unable to be with their loved ones for Christmas.

So it was the next year that had the most meaning to everyone, when their sons came back home from the Great War.

That year was doubly important to those servicemen, for the story of Christmas would hold a truer meaning because they had lived through a nightmare.

The kindergarten class of Thelma Price at our grammar school went on a field trip to the store of M.A. Turner and McElfresh Mercantile to inspect the stock of new toys.

Needless to say, the 32 little ones thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

At the intersection of Main Street and Walnut Avenue, the municipal Christmas tree stood proud and erect.

W.R. Anderson strung its color lights around the mighty pine, and Mildred Mitchell and J.B. French carefully hung beautiful ornaments on it.

A platform was erected nearby for the presentation of the Christmas program.

On this stage Rev. F.J. Seaman of the Methodist Church told the Christmas story in an interesting manner and the junior band supplied music.

A combined choir of members from the Christian, Baptist and Methodist churches performed traditional Christmas carols.

The Rev. J. Scott Willmarth, pastor of the Wintersburg Methodist Church, delivered the closing prayer.

But what came next was the important part of the ceremony for the children of the community: Former Huntington Beach Mayor Ed Manning donned the red suit of Santa Claus and passed out presents to the children.

Malcolm Keith and R.J. Prescott assisted him.

The Rev. L.P. Tirre and the members of the Spanish Mission on Ward Street presented their Christmas program before handing out gifts to the children.

On the evening of Dec. 23, the Methodist church attempted something different in their annual Christmas program -- a playlet entitled “Little Tim’s Christmas Party,” which featured Maxine Farrar as Little Tim, Margaret Lavering as Little Nell, George DeLapp as Sam Weller and Edna Hearn as Jenny Wren.

Before the program ended, the big man in red made an appearance for the kids.

Adair’s Grocery on Main Street was selling residents Christmas trees at 25 cents and up. How prices have changed.

The First Baptist Church’s program featured Mr. McLaughlin as Santa Claus, assisted by Gordon DeLapp and Dwight Merwin dressed as Brownies.

When Santa entered the room there was only one Brownie, and after waiting a few minutes, Santa opened his bag of toys he carried and pulled out the missing Brownie, Merwin.

Mrs. George Gothard of Wintersburg, along with daughter Agnes and sons Joe and Edwin, spent their Christmas in Fallbrook at the home of Mrs. Gothard’s sister.

The Wintersburg Methodist Church presented two Christmas programs, “Our Gifts for the King” and “The Overflowing Cup.”

To convey the spirit of the Christmas season, Eader’s Bakery wrapped their fresh bread in special colorful Christmas wrappers.

The John Graham family of Wintersburg had their house filled with relatives from all parts of Southern California for their traditional Christmas dinner, as did their neighbor, the Emil Kettler family.

The Will and Guy Preston families enjoyed Christmas at the home of their parents.

I hope that all of you who have servicemen and women in your family this year will pause for just a minute to remember those who didn’t return from battle and will never again enjoy their family’s holiday feast.

* 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.

20051222gzerjpke(LA)