Top Photo: Norman Rockwell’s “Homecoming.” For more images from Norman Rockwell, visit the Facebook page simply entitled Norman Rockwell.
Just five days before Christmas ladies and gentlemen! We wanted to share this piece from our reporter in Eclectic, Margie DiGiovanni. We also want to encourage YOU to share some of your favorite memories, traditions and stories! Yes, we are asking for audience participation. Please, if you are seeing this on Facebook, leave some comments, photos, etc. If you are seeing this on the website, please email me (Sarah Stephens) at editorsarah@yahoo.com. This could be fun!
By Maggie DiGiovanni
Elmore/Autauga News
I tapped the memories of my fellow seniors for tales of Christmas so important they remembered them like yesterday. Readers, be prepared. Some offer chuckles, and others make us grateful for what we have today.
Obed Manning – A.K.A. Santa tells all:
As a child of five, Obed received a much-loved tricycle for Christmas. The next day his big brother managed to break the front wheel off. Maybe that is part of why he later became Santa Claus’ helper in Elmore County. For twenty-five years, Obed stemmed the fears of children, listened to their wishes for Christmas and made the holiday a little nicer for everyone.
Schools, churches, and the Eclectic Christmas Parade – where he proudly rode on a fire truck tossing candies to laughing, screaming children – called on Obed year after year.
Before the virus hit, your reporter was fortunate to join Obed as Mrs. Claus at the annual senior dance, held at the Civic Center in Wetumpka. What a delight to see the joy on the faces of people, especially the women, posing for pictures with the bearded giant of a man. As was customary, Mr. and Mrs. Claus led off the first dance.
Obed hung up his red sack and black boots two years ago, making way for a new Santa’s helper. It is a necessary passage. We hope the new one will show the dedication of Obed Manning to the jolly fellow’s place in children’s dreams.
Greg McCain’s Story:
Greg’s dream of the perfect Christmas came true when he opened the box of Rock’em Sock’em Robots. Often being the loser in fights with his older brother, Greg figured with the robots he had a chance of getting even.
Practicing often, he got his wish of being able to sock the head off his brother’s robot. Sometimes differences can be evened out though playtime. Ray laughed at how often his robot, the same size as the competition’s, came out the winner.
