Merry Christmas! 2006

from The Odebolt History Pages
 - Bonnie Ekse & Barb Horak (the Girvan sisters), editors

CHRISTMAS PAST IN ODEBOLT
Step back in time to Christmas 1951
.... and then to Christmas 1916!

The Odebolt Chronicle, Vol. 63, No. 50,
DECEMBER 13, 1951

Several Hundred Watch Santa Claus Procession

‘Enthusiasm’ Voiced by Marchers, Spectators; 700 Treats Distributed

Several hundred persons lined Odebolt streets Saturday afternoon to watch the Santa Claus parade which heralded the final stretch of the Christmas shopping season.

"The marchers and spectators were enthusiastic over the parade," said George W. Dresselhuis, president of the Odebolt chamber of commerce, sponsors of the event.

Climaxing the parade was the distribution of 700 popcorn balls, wrapped in gay colored cellophane by Santa Claus, a representative of the Art B. Thomas shows from Sioux Falls.

Even with 700 popcorn balls, however, the supply was not enough to go around the hundreds of children who mobbed Santa Claus when he stopped at the Memorial park to dispense the treat.

Another Treat in Store

Chamber of commerce officials reminded children that Santa would be in town again on Saturday, Dec. 22, to hand out a real Christmas treat of candy, nuts and fruit, and that the children would be guests at a free show at the Princess theatre.

The parade formed at the Methodist church and moved north on Walnut to Second street, east to Main street, south to Third street, east to Willow, north to First, west to Maple and south to Third street where it disbanded.

The Boy Scout troop color guard led the parade. Riding high on her throne above the spectators was the snow queen, Miss Emily Bergman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Bergman, who was elected for the honor by high school students.
 

Sixty Children March

About sixty school children, decked out in bright costumes and carrying letters and symbols of the season, interspersed the line of floats. Floats included the snow queen's vehicle, the Santa Claus float, the Boy Scouts, the "Christmas Around the World" float expressing the season's greetings in 16 languages, and the chamber of commerce entry emphasizing a shopping theme. Rex Chevrolet Company, Friday Motors and Mandernach Motors were represented with new model cars.

Also in the parade was Sgt. Toke with his Eskimo husky and dogsled. Concluding the parade were the three trucks of the fire department.

Chamber officials admitted that there was a certain amount of oversight. The marching band didn't appear in the parade because the high school music department inadvertently hadn't been contacted, they said. There also were not enough costumes to dress up all the children who reported at the church to march in the procession.

Stores Crowded

Whatever its shortcomings, the parade was appreciated by oldsters and youngsters alike as they followed the progress of the floats and marchers through Odebolt's business district.

Merchants also reported an influx of Christmas shoppers following the event when children let their Dec. 25 desires be known to their parents by interest in various items. Some parents called shop keepers aside to say they would be back Saturday night without their children to make purchases.

[in a sidebar box:]
Parade Sidelights

Two boys, paired together in a horse costume, needed a little assistance at one corner where they headed straight while the paraders before them turned. They got only two or three steps before they were guided in the right direction.

* * *

Santa Claus was aided by some zealous young helpers in dispersing popcorn balls. A group of boys climbed up into the trailer loaded with the treats and started pitching the popcorn balls far and wide.

* * *

The Odebolt event attracted many spectators from neighboring communities, a tribute to the thorough manner in which the chamber of commerce handled its publicity.

My Christmas Tree

On
Christ-
mas morn-
ing when I
awake, and
sleep-dust from
my eyes I shake, 
I see   a sight that
makes me start  and
causes thumpings in my
heart! A Christmas tree-
oh, pretty sight-with can-
dles, bells and balls  alight.
With horns and dolls and sugar
plums, and skates and trains and
beating drums.  And oh, it is a wond-
der tree, with heaps of things for me
to see!  Rare gifts hang upon 
the side, which tinseled fairies
cannot hide.    A soldier-
doll,  a doll house,
too,  and strings
of      gold
come to my
view,  and
as  I   look 
I seem  to 
hear sweet
Christmas
music soft
and clear.
A Merry Christmas it seems to say,
A merry, happy, holy day!

Dear Friends:

     I have traveled many miles and have brought loads of toys to Charley Nelson's stores so all my friends may find just what suits them best without any trouble. These two stores--The Novelty Store and The Boston Store--are to be my headquarters for Odebolt. There you will find beautiful Japanese bronze baskets in odd shapes and all sizes, waster paper baskets of the newest styles and sensible sizes, toilet sets at reasonable prices; perfumes in fancy bottles and handsome boxes, stationery from ten cents a box to as high as you want to go, books for all the family at "old time" prices, before paper went so high, handkerchiefs in boxes and single. When it comes to toys, I can't possibly tell you about them, it would take this whole newspaper to name them. You'll simply have to go into these stores to see them and the dolls. The china is the best I could get and is very beautiful. Now don't forget the names of the stores, THE NOVELTY STORE on Second street and THE BOSTON STORE on Main street.

Yours in the Christmas spirit,
Santa Claus

THE ODEBOLT NEWS, Vol. III, No. 40
DECEMBER 14, 1916

DECKED OUT IN HOLIDAY ATTIRE
__________________________

Odebolt Now Sporting Colored Electric
Light on Streets and Stores Decorated

CHRISTMAS TRADE IS ALREADY LOOMING BIG
________________________________
Window Displays and Interior Decorations
Worthy Coming Many Miles to See
_______________________________

Odebolt suddenly bloomed forth in gala attire yesterday when Councilmen J. L. Bruce and J. A. Koehler rubbed elbows and got to discussing boosting programs for the holiday season. The net result of the first rub was colored electric bulbs in all the electroliers on the streets in the business section of the city.  Not content with sticking to one good, warm color--red, for instance,--they put in all that are included in the attractions of the rainbow and so readers of the News need not be surprised at the efflorescent array of colored lights which they will see as they approach the city.

Window displays of unusual excellence are numerous.  Numerous interior displays of attractiveness are also to be seen.

Odebolt merchants have been making unusual preparations for this season and their stocks are larger than in the past.

Among the pretty windows noticed by the News were those of the Kirchner furniture store, Koehler & Hanson's hardware store, Kalin & Gilinsky and the Co-Operative Co., J. B. Hatch's jewelry store, Briggle's display of confectionery and the clothing and furnishings windows of the Hub, Reynolds & Krusenstjerna and Brynt Brynteson. The latter is enhanced by a display of products brought from Texas recently.

   Christmas Past, 2005       Christmas Past, 2004

Christmas Past, 2003     Christmas Past, 2002