The Christmas season is often so filled with a long list of “to-do’s” that we wonder if we will be able to fully enjoy the moment. Thankfully, there are quieter moments when I find myself recalling scenes from my childhood Christmas memories. I then remember that Christmas has always been a busy time of connecting with others in shared activities in a way that no other holiday season offers.
When I think back to my elementary school years, I remember how my home town would attach oversized, lighted ornaments to the utility poles along the main street running through the town’s square. In the shapes of wreaths, candles, Christmas trees and candy canes, these decorations created a sort of Christmas wonderland feeling, especially at night.
In my elementary school, we enjoyed seeing all of the Christmas decorations around the school building’s library. It was centrally located in the building, with an open design that gave it a town square feeling. Before dismissing for the holidays, a special school assembly would happen with all the K-6 students seated with their classes around the library area (the library floor was about five feet lower than the surrounding hallway). Each grade would take turns singing a Christmas carol they had previously rehearsed, and then the whole school would join together in singing a few favorites. To quote the line from one of Bing Crosby’s recordings, it was a moment that gave us all “that Christmas feeling.”
Meanwhile, in my local church, there were usually recitations to be memorized and then performed before the congregation. Many times, there was also dialogue from a script to be memorized for a part in a Christmas play. Of course, we always enjoyed the opportunities to sing a variety of traditional Christmas hymns. “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” and “O, Come All Ye Faithful” were sure to be included at least once every year. And of course, as kids, we always wondered if it would snow on the Sunday closest to Christmas Day.
In my own home, the family would put up the Christmas tree and strands of lights. My mother would make sure her five young children had some new Christmas coloring books to work on while drinking hot chocolate and listening to some of our favorite Christmas records. We also enjoyed TV specials from stars like Red Skelton and Bob Hope. But mostly, we were thrilled to be out of school for a few days. And hoping it would snow again. A lot!
When you think back on the Christmas seasons of your past, I hope your memories are good ones. The sights, sounds, smells, and feelings associated with those recollections hopefully bring a sense of being blessed.
I wish for all of you a Christmas filled with hope and love that will leave you with new good memories!
Old Time Radio
At Records of History, we encourage folks to explore recorded programming from the Golden Age of Radio (1930s-1950s). In addition to the vast number of hours of programming from many genres to be enjoyed, one can also discover connections to other areas of interest.
As a fan of the television series, “The Andy Griffith Show,” I learned of a handful of interesting connections with old time radio.
The long-running TV series “Gunsmoke” was preceded by a radio version of the series. Initialing airing in 1952, radio’s “Gunsmoke” featured William Conrad as Matt Dillon. Also starring as regular cast members were two actors who would later be regulars on “The Andy Griffith Show.” The role of Chester Proudfoot was played by Parley Baer, known as Mayor Stoner in Mayberry. Playing the part of radio’s Doc Adams was Howard McNear, known in Mayberry as Floyd the barber!
Many Mayberry fans may not know that Don Knotts worked in radio early in his career. Like many listeners of radio’s “Bobby Benson and His B-Bar-B Riders,” Andy Griffith first became familiar with Knotts as the memorable character, Windy. If you hear Knotts in character on this series, you will easily recognize some characteristics that would later be part of Knotts’ role as Mayberry’s Barney Fife!
In a memorable “Andy Griffith Show” episode featuring Aunt Bee, guest star John Dehner played a visiting medicine man wearing western apparel. Of course, to old time radio afficionados he is remembered as the actor who voiced Paladin in radio’s “Have Gun Will Travel” (1958-1960).
Mary Lansing stayed very busy playing supporting roles in many popular shows during the era of old time radio. In Mayberry, after appearing as several one-off characters, she landed the recurring role of Martha Clark, wife of Mayberry’s late series’ fix-it man, Emmett Clark. It was a role that continued for her in nine episodes of “Mayberry R.F.D.”
Though he only appeared in one episode, Norris Goff deserves a mention in any Mayberry-Old Time Radio discussion. As Abner of radio’s long-running “Lum and Abner,” Goff’s voice was distinct and easy to recognize. Viewers of the “Andy Griffith Show: Opie’s Job” episode would have quickly identified the local grocer as none other than Abner Peabody of radio’s “Jot ‘Em down Store” fame!
If you have never had the opportunity to listen to any shows from the Golden Age of Radio, you can find recordings of thousands of episodes on the internet. Some younger listeners have described it as “it’s like you are listening to an expensively-produced audio book.” With a bit of exploring, I am sure you will be able to find something you enjoy!
Happy Fourth of July
In the 1950s classic television western episode, “The Roy Rogers Show: Boys Day in Paradise Valley,” Roy works directly with a group of boys to mentor them in learning more about citizenship. Being a proud, responsible citizen was a principle included in several of the creeds, codes, and cowboy commandments of early TV’s western heroes.
From the Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules, item #10 states that as citizens, we should “Always respect our flag and our country. We live in the greatest country in the world and it’s up to all of us to do everything we can to show our love for America.”
Hopalong Cassidy’s Creed for American Boys and Girls stated: “Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American.”
The Lone Ranger Creed concludes with the tenet, “I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow men.” This was a recurring theme with the Lone Ranger, such as in the TV episode “One Nation Indivisible,” in which he said, “I like to think of myself as an American who believes in the future of our Country, with its people living and working together.”
All of the above appears to be ideals still worth holding. While it is true that our society seems more divisive in character today compared with the 1950s, perhaps we can make a positive impact in our local communities by personally exhibiting these ideals of good citizenship.
What does a good citizen look like? Let us consider this from the New Testament: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:1-2, ESV).
Hope you all enjoy a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday!
Remembering D-Day
As June 6th comes around each year, I am always aware it is yet another anniversary of the famed D-Day invasion of Normandy, France that occurred on June 6, 1944. I am even more keenly aware of the date when it falls on a Tuesday, as it does this year (2023), for it was in the early Tuesday morning hours that thousands of Allied ships approached the coast of France and American, Canadian and British soldiers landed on the beaches to begin the long-anticipated assault on Hitler’s “Fortress Europe.”
At the time of the invasion, US Army Private John McKenzie, was departing from Fort Meade and heading to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey from where he would sail on a troop ship to England. The Allies had succeeded in gaining a beachhead on the coast of France, but proceeding further inland was proving to be tough going. Casualties were mounting, and replacement soldiers – especially infantrymen like John – were needed to keep the attack moving forward.
On Wednesday, July 19, John was one of 34 replacements assigned to duty with the 134th Infantry Regiment, which as a part of the 35th Infantry Division was then engaged in the Battle of Saint-Lo. It was just the beginning of a long tour of combat duty for John. By virtue of never becoming a casualty himself, he was present for the entire campaign through France, into Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge, and on into Germany. You can read his story in the new book, “Hero in the Family: A World War II Combat Story.”
“Hero in the Family: A World War II Combat Story” is the latest book written by Matt McKenzie, and is available for purchase on Amazon.
Great Conference!
The Thrive! Homeschool Conference is over and we had a wonderful time! It was so nice to see friends we’ve known over the years and a pleasure to get a chance to meet and speak with many new people. If you met us for the first time this past weekend – thank you so much for coming by and introducing yourself! We hope that you left the conference encouraged in your homeschool journey!
Now we are repacking and getting things ready to head to the MidSouth Nostalgia Festival in Olive Branch, Mississippi that will take place June 8-10. If you enjoy classic tv shows and movies, come and check it out! The list of special guests is on their website, but expected guests include cast members from CHIPs, western stars Robert Fuller, Darby Hinton and Buck Taylor as well as stunt double Diamond Farnsworth – just to name a few. We are also looking forward to seeing friends and familiar faces that we’ve become aquatinted with in previous years.
One last thing I want to mention – Amazon is going to be raising their prices on our books in mid-June. We just wanted to give you a heads up in case you are planning to order any of our materials from Amazon.
Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you somewhere down the road!
MATTHEW McKENZIE 