Man About Canton: Dec. 19 Preview

Did you know …

Now that Santa Claus has read his mail, made his list, and checked it twice, he and his sleigh are ready to deliver tons of presents to those who didn’t pout or cry and have been good this year. As usual, his loaded sleigh will be powered for his worldwide trek by his group of eight dedicated tiny reindeer; and if the weather is foggy, they will probably be led by a special reindeer with an unusually bright red nose. In addition to all the nice gifts, Santa will also be carrying a special bag with lumps of coal for those who have been naughty, but happily there haven’t been many that have earned a lump of coal. Santa will be making his long trip from his home at the North Pole, where his large crew of elves busily spent a whole year making all the gifts he gives away on Christmas to a large number of sleeping kids and adults who anxiously await his arrival. When Santa and his reindeer-led sleigh leave your rooftop, he will again call out to all within earshot, “A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

The next time you go by the Veterans’ Memorial Park at Canton Corner Cemetery, drive in and see the individual white spotlights that illuminate each of the town’s six war memorials, highlighted by the newest memorial headstone dedicated to the Canton American Legion Post 24 and the six branches of the service. Each have individual Christmas wreaths with red bows hung on them. In addition, there is a 15-foot fir tree behind them decorated with blue lights. The overall patriotic scene was produced by former Canton Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti. Viewing the war memorials at night is an impressive and unforgettable experience.

The Christmas Tree Association estimates that 25 million Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year, and according to the U.S. Commerce Department, 50 percent of all artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China.

You may not realize it, but the popular winter song “Jingle Bells,” which is about 160 years old, never mentions Christmas and is instead about old-fashioned winter fun. Most people know and sing it, and it has been recorded by hundreds of artists.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 in Chicago for the Montgomery Department Stores for a Christmas promotion. The lyrics were written as a poem by Robert May but were not set to music until 1947. Gene Autry recorded the hit song in 1949.

Like many years in the past, you probably will see at least one copy of the letter that 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the editor of the New York Sun in 1897 questioning whether Santa Claus really existed. When you see it, take a moment to reread the editor’s response. It explains it all …

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Posted by Joe DeFelice on Dec 21 2019. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.