Christmas Eve never started until Mom got home from work. We spent days previous rearranging the presents under the tree, my sister shaking and guessing the contents of each package. It was straight to the kitchen for Mom to prepare for what we called the Junk Food Feast, which was a wild assortment of any food imaginable. Each child (there…
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When much was lost, much was given
1956 is when my father died after having open heart surgery in Mayo Clinic. He was one of the first. He was 33 and left a wife and four children to mourn him. And mourn we did. Christmas Day 1957 was memorable only in that none of us had recovered from the loss of our father, and our young widowed…
Read MoreFinal foto
The family stood in front of the front drapes at Mom and Dad’s for a Christmas picture, not something I recalled ever doing. It must have been because Dee and Jeannie and I had traveled to Jefferson from far places. We returned this time with two husbands, Jon and Jim; and a boyfriend, Mike; a grandchild, Jimmy; We were adults,…
Read MoreMidnight mass at St Mary’s Church, southeast of Cooper, Iowa
It was maybe 1949, and I was bundled in the backseat of my parent’s Ford on a freezing cold crystal clear Christmas Eve as we drove the four or five miles from our farm to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. St. Mary’s was a simple country church sitting among farms along a gravel road. Like other country churches it did not…
Read MoreIt’s a Wonderful Life
So, I am watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” as I do each Christmas season now. It was my mother’s absolute must watch movie (and one of her favorites). I resisted watching the damn thing until after her death – on principle. She loved it = I should hate it. And I did (even though I’d never watched it). She asked me…
Read MoreUnexpected Christmas greetings
Hotdogs by candlelight
When our children were small, the Christmas Eve meal after church was a challenge. What dish would satisfy three little ones who didn’t want the oh so traditional oyster stew? It had to be prepared quickly, since they were hungry after the 5:30 service. It should also be a special meal…somehow. Like most young’uns, they had a favorite food that…
Read MoreElks slate Hoop Shoot for Jan. 4
Local competition for the 68th annual Elks “Hoop Shoot,” the national free throw contest for youngsters ages 8 through 13, will be held at the Jefferson-Scranton Middle School gym on Saturday, Jan. 4. Registration begins at 9:15 am with the competition beginning at 10 am.
Read MoreChristmas memories bring smiles 65 years later
I do not remember the presents I got when I was little. I do remember there would be just one. Aunt Pearl would usually come through with a bottle of fingernail polish or coloring book. But I do remember the Christmas programs at school and church, Christmas Eve at my Grandma Osnes’s and how my mom took the holiday over after …
Read MoreCentral Christian Church’s young members put on program
JPRD offering Pre-Sports for ages 3-5
The Jefferson park and recreation department will introduce children ages 3-5 to several different sports in the Pre-Sports program in January. Through fun games children will begin to learn and improve motor skills needed for all sports. The program will meet Wednesday mornings from 10:15 to 11 Jan. 8-29. Class will be held at the Greene County Community Center and…
Read MoreReservations by Friday for Elks Christmas dinner
Jefferson Elks Lodge #2306 will prepare and serve a traditional Christmas meal for the 49th year to those individuals and couples who would otherwise be spending Christmas day alone. Elks members, their spouses, children, and grandchildren will donate time from their Christmas Day to prepare and serve this free Christmas meal.
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