Posted: 12/20/05
Memories of the Christmas school program
And Wagnerís Variety Store
By Selma (Goetzinger) Voight
Special to The Argus
Editorís note: We asked Selma Voight, 86, of Caledonia, if she would share some of the Christmas traditions of her childhood. She responded by writing the following article. Thank you, Selma!
As I look back to early days, one of my enjoyable memories, was preparing for the school Christmas program. Early in December, the teacher would start making plans for the last day of school, before the Christmas vacation.
My school was District 33. Yes, the school with all of these precious memories for me, now stands as a Historical building at the Houston County Fairgrounds.
Iíll focus on 1932, I was then a 7th grader, and was real happy when the teacher gave me a part in a couple of dialogues, to memorize a part and act them out. It was fun to dress up, to be an old lady, a black mammy or a Mr. and Mrs. Farmer, etc. Also to sing for the audience, to enjoy (without music accompaniment) Up on the Housetop, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming Tonight. Then came the last week the younger children made paper chains for the tree, all kinds of cut outs for the walls and windows. Then making the stage with bed sheets. We drew names for gifts for each other, and a gift for the teacher.
Iím sure if the dear old lady taught school many years, she must have had a dresser full of handkerchiefs, if it was a man teacher, he probably didnít need to buy socks for quite some time. (By the way teachers wages varied from $25 to $35 per month, and they roomed and boarded at some home in the district, also were their own janitors).
Then the big night came. Fathers standing around the stove in the rear of the room, mothers in the desks where we sat, we were all up stage behind one curtain or another. Neighbors brought lanterns or lamps for lighting. And then it began. And ended with Santa coming bounding in with a ìHo! Ho!î and a bag he flung over his back. He never lingered long. Too many of the older boys knew him and the best thing was leave the sack and get out.
Then another happy memory was a trip to Toyland, which was Wagnerís Variety Store. For us who grew up around Caledonia. This great town with all its modern buildings, will never be what it was when Mike Wagner and his wife owned and operated the variety store. If we had a little money saved and our parents gave us 50 cents or a dollar, that was the store to head for. It was packed, toys, books, candies of all kinds, anything you could wish for.
Then there were lots of things for moms too (except groceries), there were shelves full of yard goods, buttons of every king, lace, ribbons by the yard, fancy dishes. How those dear people could put up with all those kids going though the store with snowy boats, little fingers picking up things, etc. Bless their memory.
And finally that was the year. I got the story book ìLittle Women.î Many hours I spent reading and re-reading that wonderful story.
I graduated from 8th grade the following year. I didnít go onto high school. I stayed home and helped on the farm. Am one who experienced the Great Depression as a teenager.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
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