Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus, with fur-trimmed coat and cap, and beard of icicles! Many a mile he has traveled this Christmas Eve, and many a toy-shop emptied, and father and mother consulted for the children’s sake.
How splendid it must be to have so much to give away, and such a heart to give it!–We are acquainted with a little girl who said with sparkling eyes , as she pulled the treasures from her stocking, “I know one thing–if I could not be God, I’d be Santa Claus–wouldn’t you?”
The federal department of agriculture has gravely suggested that those farmers who have installed radios in their barns to delight the livestock should tune in on softer gentler 
music. Cows give more milk when contented, it seems, and no cow can be anything but restless while listening to hotcha music of the Big Apple variety. Hoofs itch and necks twist in the stanchions. — Philadelphia Inquirer [printed in the Portsmouth Herald and Times, October 18, 1937, page 9]
Apologies of my readers, but this article was really too funny not to share with you!
Janice
Christmas passes off very quietly here. The break of day was ushered in by the English carolers, who favored the waking residents with their music, while the Kearsarge Fife and Drum Band serenaded many citizens with some equally choice music. Sleighing was brisk, especially in the afternoon.
Also called “Tableau” and “Tableau vivant“, these words describe a custom posed scene consisting of actors (either amateur or professional), often in costume with backdrops, created for entertainment purposes.
Notice of Christmas Festival at Amherst NH in the Farmer’s Cabinet of December 19, 1861, page 3
One of the most popular stage entertainments of the nineteenth century was a form of minstrel show, consisting of plays and tableaux (a mute scene or representation). Both adults and children would participate and such performances were often used to raise money for various worthy causes, such as orphanages, sick and disabled soldiers, etc.
An unassuming plaque sits at the corners of Hall Street and Lake Avenue in Manchester New Hampshire, proclaiming:
This plaque commemorating the death of Pvt. Bernard B. Barry sits at the corner of Hall Street and Lake Ave in Manchester New Hampshire. Photograph copyright by Kevin Cronin, and used here with his knowledge and permission.
PVT. BERNARD B. BARRY
Co. E. — 309th INF. 78 DIV.
KILLED IN ACTION OCT. 16, 1918
IN THE ARGONNE FOREST
But Private Bernard B. Barry was more than simply a name on a sign. He was a flesh-and-blood Manchester resident who gave up his life for his country during World War I.
