Thanks, Diana, for sharing your Christmas memories! I too would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas, full of cherished old memories and also the making of new memories for ourselves and our families to enjoy during Christmases to come. Sue in snowy Alaska ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jfmdbmlam@aol.com> To: <PACENTRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, December 21, 2001 8:12 AM Subject: [PACENTRE] Childhood memories of Christmas in Centre County > Hi List, > > I grew up in Millheim in Centre County, and this morning my thoughts returned > to my early memories of Christmas there. I wanted to share one special one > with you. > > When I was about seven years old, my Dad packed us all into our old Desoto, > and we drove out to the farm of Wally Thompson and his wife Regie (spelling > may be off). It was one of those dark, cold, snowy Centre County winter > mornings, when your warm breath shows in the cold frosty air. My siblings and > I were wrapped up warmly in our snowsuits, boots and gloves, and Dad was > wearing that old plaid wool coat I remember so well. > > When we arrived at the Thompson farm we were greeted by Wally. Regie beckoned > us from the door, and we all went inside for hot chocolate. The smells of ham > and other goodies filled that warm, friendly, farmhouse kitchen, and I've > never tasted a better sugar cookie in my life. But it was too warm to remain > inside for very long with our snow gear on, besides, the real fun was just > about to begin. > > Outside waiting for us was a big hay wagon and a team of horses (the snow was > too deep for Wally's tractor). My Mom, the southerner, stayed behind with > Regie in the warm kitchen, but the rest of us piled into the wagon and off we > went. Our goal -- to find the best Christmas tree Wally's farm had to offer! > We pulled up to a large field where several possible candidates were > standing, and everyone jumped out. The snow was above my knees, but with > Dad's help, I waded through it, and found the perfect tree. At least to my > young eyes it was perfect. Dad and Wally took their axes and chopped it down, > then dragged it back to the wagon. Before long we were all back in the > kitchen for one of those big PA Dutch meals that can only be appreciated from > a farmhouse kitchen when the weather is cold. Later, Dad and Wally tied the > tree to the roof of our old Desoto, and fortified with more of those great > sugar cookies, we set out for home, singing carols all the way. > > That tree was perfect with all it's lights and tinsel! > > So, this morning, remembering that long ago Christmas, and remembering my > Dad, who passed away in 1974, I wanted to wish all of you the kind of special > Christmas memories that I'll always cherish! > > Merry Christmas to you all! > > Diana Mason > > > ==== PACENTRE Mailing List ==== > Much info which has been posted on the list already may be found in the PACENTRE Archives. View them at: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >