Merry Christmas! 2002

from The Odebolt History Pages
 - Bonnie Ekse & Barb Horak 

CHRISTMAS PAST IN ODEBOLT
1883 to 1933

Odebolt Reporter
 Vol. VII, No. 7, December 28, 1883

Christmas in Odebolt.

The "Christmas ship" in Wright's Hall was something new to the people of Odebolt, and the Hall was crowded. The exercises opened with a short speech by Rev. Mr. Thompson, followed by singing and then speeches by Rev. Mr. Brown and Rev. R. S. Fysh. The boat was arranged on rollers, behind the scenes, and at the proper time was launched out upon the stage, loaded with presents for everybody. Mr. Frank Hoyt took the part of Santa Claus. The receipts were over $24, which is very good, considering the number who were admitted as "Sunday-school scholars."

The services at the Christmas tree in the Methodist church, Christmas eve, commenced at about 6:30, in order to give those who wished an opportunity to be present at the exercises in the Hall.

The musicale given by the choir of the Presbyterian church on the evening of Christmas Day, was, in its way, one of the best entertainments ever given to an Odebolt audience, and the public will be glad to know that in a pecuniary sense it was abundantly successful. The principal piece was a cantata in which the characters, though numerous and diversified were well sustained throughout. The principal parts in the cantata were taken by the Presbyterian choir, ably assisted by members of the M. E. choir and others. The former was composed of Mrs. C. S. Lee, Mrs. Hiram McFall, Miss Blanche Dockstader and Messrs. John Hueston and F. W. Bennett. Those assisting were Misses Laura North, Flora Fox, Laura Gray and Fred A. Bennett, of the M. E. choir, and Misses Beckman, Mattes and McFall. Besides these were various other participants--representing Santa Claus, fairies, children, frost king, etc., etc.--in all these parts the characters were sustained with a vim and naturalness that partook of the hilarity and joyousness of the Christmas season. Especially in the scene where the children awake on Christmas morning and rush for their well-filled stockings, there was a touch of nature that made the audience roar with laughter. But why particularize? We might mention as of especial excellence the singing of Mrs. McFall which is always excellent; the fairies, waving their somnolent wands over the sleeping children; the performance of Mrs. Hueston at the piano; the assistance of Mr. F. P. Motie in the closing chorus, and the fine orchestrial [sic] accompaniment given by the "Big M Quartette" composed of Messrs. Motie, Matthews, Mattes and Matthews. The entertainment as a whole was excellent, and so numerous in its characters and personnel that it is a wonder that its managers made its presentation run so smoothly. The proceeds are to be applied to the purchase of a library for the Presbyterian Sunday school.

Married

     At the residence of John Wright, Esq. at 8:00 P.M. on Dec. 24th , 1883, by the Rev. W. O. Thompson, Mr. Charles R. Nowels and Mrs. Bessie Bruce, both of Odebolt.
     The young couple are both well and favorably known in this community, and all will join the REPORTER in wishing them a long, pleasant and prosperous married life.

AMONG THE Christmas jokes told on the fellows about town, is a good one on Ed. and Walt. Matthews. Their mother, who had risen some time near midnight on Christmas eve to adjust the draught of her parlor base burner happened to look out and perceived a bright light from the windows of the M. E. church. She immediately awoke the boys with the alarm of fire, who jerked on their paraphrenalia [sic] and broke for the scene of the conflagration. Arrived at the church they found it occupied by a pious throng quietly pursuing their devotions. It wasn't the kind of a fire the boys came to extinguish, and they returned home at a more moderate pace, as the story books say wiser if not better boys.

The children of Odebolt's poor should be remembered in the way of Christmas gifts. If the ladies will call a meeting and appoint committees to solicit funds and purchase gifts the CHRONICLE will do its best to aid them. Don't let it be said that Santa Claus failed to visit a single family home.

The old chestnut about the girl in the next town getting a ton of coal in her stocking will soon appear in many of our esteemed contemporaries. Coal is so high this winter that we don't look for anything of that kind; but there is no doubt that many an Odebolt girl will get a calf--and a big one, too--in her stocking on Christmas morning.

Large audiences were present at the various churches in Odebolt last Thursday and Friday evenings [December 24 and 25] when programs were rendered which were appropriate to the season and the old reliable Christmas tree made its appearance to delight the children.

The Presbyterian Sunday School was in charge of the program in that edifice and a distribution of candy and fruit followed the program.

At the Methodist church the leading feature of the program was a cantata in which Paul Schulz assumed the role of Santa Claus. His impression that the children of today were more difficult to please than the children of by-gone days was eventually dispelled after a long list of youngsters had striven hard to remove it through the employment of song, verse and dialogue. A distribution of candy and fruit followed the passing out of a large number of Christmas gifts.

The Swedish Mission church had a long program of entertainment at its Christmas tree festival and the Swedish Lutheran church also held a large audience when its turn came on Friday evening.

Taking it all around it proved a very enjoyable holiday for the major portion of the people of the community and if there were any children who failed to enjoy gifts of sweets at least it must have been their own fault.

Some Swedish articles will be on display. 
You are heartily welcome to come and enter into the Christmas spirit with us.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CHURCHES
Committees Work Hard as Time for Programs Nears

All of the churches in Odebolt and vicinity will observe Christmas with appropriate programs, trees, and gifts for the children, as is the custom.

At the Odebolt Lutheran church there will be early services at 6:00 o'clock Christmas morning, in the American language, with a sermonette in the Swedish. At 7:00 o'clock Christmas night the annual Christmas program will be presented, and there will be a tree. Miss Helen Lindquist, Mrs. N. E. Blumgren, and O. E. Huglin are in charge of the program. Tuesday morning a second day Christmas service in Swedish will be held.

At the Methodist church the tree and program will be Sunday evening, Christmas eve, at 7:30 o'clock. The children of the Sunday school will give the program which is a play, and is under the direction of Mrs. J. B. Hatch, Mrs. Verne Paul, and Mrs. John F. Buehler. An early morning service will be held at 6:00 o/clock Christmas morning.

The Presbyterian Sunday school and church will give their program on Sunday evening also, and will have a tree as usual. Miss Alice Umbarger, Miss Helen Wagner, and Mrs. J. H. Feldhans are in charge of the exercises at this church.

The Evangelical Mission church will have their program and tree at the church on Monday evening, Christmas night, at 7:30 o'clock. Misses Elaine Erickson, Harriett Lindskoog, and Gladyce Carlson have this program in charge.

Rev. Father A. G. Schaefer will celebrate solemn high mass at 6:00 o'clock Christmas morning, and there will be a short sermon by the pastor. There will be special singing during this service. This will be followed by mass at 7:00 o'clock, and again at 9:00 o'clock. These will constitute the special Christmas services of the day.

The Cook Lutheran church will hold their special Christmas program with a tree at 7:30 o'clock Sunday evening, which will be given by the Sunday school with the following committee in charge: Ernest Schramm, Lawrence Oxendale, Eugene Wetzstein, Opal and Ruth Hansen. There will be a Christmas service at the church at 10:30 o'clock Christmas morning, with the pastor in charge.

At the Richland Methodist church the Christmas service will be held at 7:30 o'clock Sunday evening, Christmas eve, when the Sunday school will give the program, and the tree will be there. Those in charge of the program will be Mrs. D. W. Meyer, Mrs. B. I. Hubbard, and Misses Ellen Buehler and Bernice Siebrecht.

A candle lighting service will be held at the Arthur Baptist church at 5:30 o'clock Christmas morning, and at 7:30 o'clock that evening the Christmas exercises will be given, which will include the tree.

This is the season when the spirit of the Christ should enter every heart, and these churches will welcome any who desire to attend these services.

Young People's Club Enjoy Christmas Party

The young people in the home of Mr. And Mr. I. J. Jones were the hosts for the Young People's club of St. Martin's church Friday evening in a Christmas party. Games were played and other entertainment enjoyed, which included a Christmas tree, and an exchange of gifts. The gifts were to be simple gifts, and were to be packed and sent to the church orphanage in Sioux City for Christmas. Holiday decorations were used. Refreshments were served with six boys in charge of the serving. Fifty-one were present.

Pleasant Christmas Party by D. M. C. Club

Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Hotchkiss were the hosts for the annual Christmas party of the D. M. C. club Friday evening when the ladies entertained their husbands and families. A covered dish dinner was served at 7 o'clock for 35. Following the serving a Christmas program was presented, largely by the children, which was much enjoyed. The numbers were: Vocal duet, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," Wayne Carlson and Stuart Currie; reading, Mary Jean Currie; vocal solo, Dorothy Carlson; piano duet, "Grand Valse Brilliantte [sic]," Mrs. Charles Teaquist and daughter Ruth; piano solo, "Christmas Chimes," Margaret Currie; reading, "Gwendolyn Meets the Dentist," Ruth Teaquist; song, "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," Betty Rabe; piano solo, "Bachelor's Button," Ruth Teaquist; piano solo, Arlene Huldeen; comic song, "Joker Roddy," Wayne Carlson and Arlene Huldeen; "Song Upon the Housetops," group of girls. A social hour was enjoyed and the gifts distributed at the close of the program. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Else of Battle Creek were out of town guests.

THE CHRONICLE
VOLUME FORTY-SIX, Number 49, DECEMBER 28, 1933

Friday evening the pupils of Cook No. 7 school, Miss Pauline Kelly, teacher, gave a very interesting Christmas program. Following the program tickets were sold on two live geese. J. H. Hansen and Leonard Engle held the lucky numbers. Cook No. 6, Miss Lois Dannenberg, teacher, had their Christmas program Thursday afternoon. Richland No. 1, Miss Elizabeth Haughie, teacher, Richland No. 6, Miss Lucille Smith, and Cook No. 9, Miss Esther Olson, had their programs Friday afternoon. At Richland No. 3, Miss Helen Dannenberg, teacher, the program was enjoyed by a large crowd Friday evening.