By LORI SCHWARTZ
Guest Columnist
“Well, I was born in a small town, and I live in a small town. Probably die in a small town. Oh, those small communities.” – John Mellencamp
Yes, those are the lyrics John Mellencamp’s popular song “Small Town.” I, too, was born, raised, and live in this small town. Many people say it’s not anymore.
It’s Christmas time in this town and we just had the holiday parade enjoyed by many. It is officially announcing “He’s here! He’s here!” He, or course, is Saint Nicholas.
In the late 60s the parade also brought shopping and light in the store windows, along with his house. The tiny red house. The house magically appeared on the courthouse lawn for everyone to see.
Photo provided
This house has been photographed, oil painted, and pencil drawn by our local artists from 60s, 70s, some of the 80s, and on until there was a need for repair and restoration of the courthouse. Then Santa’s house was gone, never to return. Or so it seemed.
One joyful day in the late 60s, after shopping was complete, Mom took me there. Crossing the street to toward Nick’s house, our turn had come to enter.
We entered to a “Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!” She sat me on his lap, and I heard, “Now tell Santa what you want for Christmas.” I was numb. My mouth would not move. The man in the red suit said, “Well, how about I bring you a doll?”
Snap went the camera and my only four-year-old thought was “Just get me out of here!”
Years flew by in this small town and I was working at the 5 and dime. Every Christmas we had the traditional parade, all the lights, the shopping, but no Santa house.
During restoration the red house had been stored at a farm for years, not to return.
One day in the 1990s a friend – who has now passed – Mr. Roberts, came in my store and said, “I want to build a Santa house. We need one on the courthouse lawn.”
Santa looks less than jolly, and young Lori looks scared . . . ah, small-town Christmas memories! (Photo provided by Lori Schwartz)
I told him I thought it was a great idea, that I wanted to help, and I asked what I could do. We talked and my family donated lumber and some red paint for Santa’s new house.
We learned permission needed to be granted by the commissioners, but who could say no to Santa Claus in this small town?
Santa’s house is still here today.
I used to volunteer for as many hours as I could. Knowing how those three-, four-, and even five-year-olds felt, I thought handing them a candy cane first would help.
I love this small town!
Some things should never change.
Email Lori Schwartz at lschwartz2@hotmail.com.