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Weekly News December 6, 2010Description
Auburn Heights Christmas, 1929: How did Auburn Heights look during the Christmas period long, long ago? Although the photo in my playroom dates from 1927, my first real remembrance was Christmas, 1929. Like most women before and since, my mother loved to decorate for special occasions, not the least of which was Christmas. In 1929, she had invited her mother and all her siblings and their families for dinner on Christmas day. The table was set for 22 in the dining room with a “T” extending into the living room. The front hall, the sun porch, then heated by steam, and the remainder of the living room were “gathering” areas. All guests were asked to take their outer garments to one or two of the upstairs bedrooms. Ida Murray (1866-1953), mother of Clifford who was written up earlier this year, was the main cook, and she was assisted by Mary Simpson, my grandmother’s cook from Middletown. Ida (and Mary while she was here) lived in the apartment over the garage, quite primitive at that time. Before my bedtime on Christmas Eve with the table settings just about completed, our electricity went off. Direct current came to Auburn Heights by overhead wires from the adjoining paper mill. I think I went to bed by candle light, but our power must have been restored shortly thereafter.
When it was our turn to host the family, my grandmother Shallcross usually came a few days before and stayed a few days after Christmas. Since I was her youngest grandchild, we had a special relationship. All others came Christmas morning in automobiles without heaters. My father carved the 30-lb. turkey at the head of the table. When most of the guests asked for “seconds”, he went at it again. There was not much time for him to eat. A freshly-roasted home-grown turkey was a special treat, as we seldom had turkey more than twice a year. That evening and the next day we could expect cold turkey with filling, then turkey salad, and finally, turkey soup. All the women in my mother’s family were good cooks, and Ida was special, too. They knew all the tricks in getting the most from a wood-burning cook stove. The toy I remember receiving that day was a coupe about 8” long that had real headlights, activated by a “D” dry cell battery.
A Festive Holiday Celebration
Sincere thanks to Chevonne and Rob Robison for once again extending extraordinary hospitality to the entire F.A.H.P. family at the annual Holiday Party. They outdid themselves, with an amazing buffet, libations, and warm welcomes all around. We feel supremely thankful to have such amazingly generous members!
Work Nights
Projects last week included getting the Model K back on the road, and on Tuesday night Bill Schwoebel, Jeff Pollock, and Kelly Williams made final adjustments. On Thursday evening Bill Schwoebel and Jim Personti fired up the Model K, and with the car’s rear wheels jacked up, tested the engine in place before making a short drive to return it to the museum. This week, they plan a road test. Meanwhile, Jerry Lucas and Art Wallace drained gasoline from the Models CX and EX in preparation for winter. Tom and Butch removed the main burner forks from the Model 735 and made modifications to improve fuel flow and burner performance. Bob Jordan and Ted Kamen continued working on the Model 607 restoration project, prepping more parts for the paint shop.
STILL TIME to Join the Lantern Light Fun
We are proud to be introducing Auburn Heights by Lantern Light in just a few days and have openings on our volunteer schedule for Dec. 10 & 11 as well as for Dec. 27 & 28. If you can help, please e-mail Susan (srandolph@auburnheights.org) or Anne Cleary (clearyak@verizon.net)
Enjoy a Full Year of Steamin’ Fun
Thanks to the high Interest in our Marshall Steam Museum calendar, additional copies are on the way. If you’d like a copy, please contact Susan (srandolph@auburnheights.org) asap, to have your copy reserved from this final order of the year. Copies are $15 each ($5 shipping for first 2 copies, plus $1 for each additional copy). These are high-quality calendars on heavy-weight, coated stock with excellent color printing. You will not be disappointed!
Also available at FAHP online Gift Shop
• Auburn Heights note cards
• 6-Packs of Adult or Child Steamin’ Day Tickets for 2011 (4-color tickets, suitable for gift giving)
• Authentic Auburn Valley Railroad Coal (for the naughty on Santa’s list)
