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About The Big Timber Pioneer (Big Timber, Mont.) 1983-current | View This Issue
The Big Timber Pioneer (Big Timber, Mont.), 19 Dec. 2003, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/sn83002511/2003-12-19/ed-1/seq-11/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
Week of December 19-25, 2003 — BIG TIMBER (MT) PIONEER — Page 11 Christmas is a neighborly T o S a n t a event at Anderson nome By JOAN SHURTLIFF Melville is a close knit commu nity with many Christmas traditions. Lucille Anderson has lived in the community for fifty years and par ticipated in many of the gatherings. Besides Christmas Day church services and school programs, there are open houses and dances to spread the festive spirit. School Christmas programs are always of interest. The Melville area at one time had four schools— Melville, Settlement, Basin, and Wheeler Butte. Lucille talked about how the Christmas program was handled in Melville for awhile. “They all had their Christmas programs, with their Christmas tree and their Santa Claus For several years, Melville used to go up to Allman Hall and have our program because it was larger. After that we would have a potluck suppet and sometimes even dance.\ The Tronrud Orchestra would play at many area dances. Mrs. Anderson said members included George Senior, his daughter, and Victor Tronrud played the banjo. For a short time in the forties there were potluck dinners at the bar (hat Stanley Hanson built called the Stockman’s Bar. Mrs. Anderson said, “It was short lived. It burned down about four years after it was built.” One of the most memorable Christmas programs at the Melville Lutheran church was the one presented last year. The students went to the Two Dot ranch with its old buildings and produced a slide production of the Christmas story that was presented at the scliool. Most of the school Christmas programs were little plays and recitations. Lucille described one that stood out in her mind. “The teacher wasn't much on music, that wasn’t her main thing The plays were very good. I had never attend ed a Christmas program where they could sing all the songs on one note, but they did that year.\ Christmas has been a family time for the Andcrsons. Lucille has had Christmas Eve observance in her home for 43 years for all the Andcrsons. She has had up to 70 people for a traditional Norwegian Christmas Eve dinner of lutcfisk, lefsa, meatballs and potatoes, along with the Christmas tree, and (hen end the evening with singing. The community used to have Church on Christmas morning, but it doesn’t do that anymore. Everyone goes to church on Christmas Eve. Lucille described the Christmas week activities of the past. “During the week we had one day that was for the kids. There would be a skat ing party and sloppy joes or some thing like that. Then the men would have one day of skating. “In the evening, the Van Clove’s always had a.party for everyone in the community. There would be a dinner and then we would roll up the rugs in their house and dance until dawn. Anyone that could play the piano or fiddle, Johnny Johnson played the riddle, did and wc would dance like anything. “The Bose Ranch, now it’s the Donald Ranch, always had an open house during the holidays. We all went there. Then when the bar was in Melville, one night there would be a potluck supper there and we’d dance until daylight. It was some thing going all the time.” Lucille concluded by saying, “It was a busy time and it was a fun time and it was an inexpensive time. We had a lot of fun just visiting with each other without it being too elaborate. It was just the fun o f being with everybody.” Reprinted from the Decem ber 21, 1988 issue o f the Big Timber Pioneer. Where is Santa? By WANDA MYRSTOL Grade 8, Bridge Scliool Five days before Christmas. Santa got the flu. He was very sick. He was so ill he was hot on one side and cold on the other. He pulled a great handful of hair out of his beard. He kicked and hit bis bed with his feet and waved Ins hands all the time Mrs Claus got a little worried so she thought she would call Dr. Hoggrolf, but decided to call Dr. Schinittcnhammcr instead. Dr. S. was a hair specialist, and Santa’s beard looked worse than he did. Mrs. Claus called his office, but his secretary said he was on a cruise giving \cruise cuts\ to the passen gers. So Mrs. Claus sent u telegram to him. She sent it by Carrier Snowbird. The Dr. got the telegram right away. He read it to himself and then cried out, \Captain we must turn buck, Santa Claus is sick!\ So the captain turned back. They arrived at the harbor in record time. When Dr. S. got off the Ship he rented a car and drove as far as he could. He took a dog sled the rest of the way to Santa’s house. When he knocked at the door. Mrs. Claus answered it. She asked him to come in Uhd look at Santa. He examined Santa and said he had a case of Chrisomasses. The Dr. said Santa had to stay in bed for 4 1 12 or 5 days. Santa looked sad. for he had to deliver presents in four days. Then Santa asked Mrs. Claus if she would replace him this Christmas. “Me, me. why me. Can’t you get someone else, please, please not me?’ But Santa would not have anyone else but her. So Mrs. Claus didn’t argue anymore. Time went by slowly for Santa. But then finally there were only two days till Christmas. Santa felt so much belter he got up and went to the workshop. There was no one there, so he went up to the living room. There he found the elves watching TV. “What’s this may I ask?\ said Santa. The elves looked up and shouted with joy. “Santa, you’re not sick any more so there will be a Christmas this year after all! Santa looked up and asked. “Why wasn’t there not going to be a Christmas this year?\ “Because Mrs Claus goi the flu too and we couldn't find anyone else to take her place.\ So the elves went back down io die workshop and got ready for Christmas. Soon they set off for that niahl was Christinas Eve. Reprinted from the December 21, 1977 issue of the Big Timber Pioneer. By BRIAN ENGLE Grade 6, Bridge School. [Editor’s Note- Mac is teacher Jane Grosrield| I’m going to make you a seven Day Diary o f how good I was. Dec. 21. 1975 I knocked over the school Xmas tree when it was half way decorated and I never got to finish decorating the tree. Dec. 22. 1975 It was one of the best days of December. I wouldn't say my lines right so I got m trouble and Mac blew her top. Dec. 23. 1975 Tonight is the Xmas play 1 threw the masking tape at a girl and she got mad and started to chase me. Wc aren't supposed to run around in the schoolhousc. I got my head bashed m when she caught me, I hud to stand in the corner for a half an hour. Dec. 24. 1975 Wc had to clean up today. When I was taking the stage curtains I dropped them on the same girl as yesterday The next year Dec. 20. 1976 Wc put the Xmas tree up this morning and I dropped the tree lights on the floor. I broke the whole string except three. Dec. 21. 1976 When 1 was putting stage lights up I put them on wrong and they burnt a big hole in one curtain. When I was putting them back up I fell off the ladder and fell on them and broke the wire. Tonight is our play and I'm mad. Dec. 22. 1976 Wc had to clean up the school housc alter last night. There was a half a case of pop left over anti I had to carry it out to the bus. I dumped it and all (he cans broke. I want a skateboard, some rollerskates, a unicycle, and a girl friend MeBc PS. My Granpa made me so nice and Mac blew her top every Day and il you don't find a girl friend. foigci it. Reprinted from the December 21, 1977 issue o f the Big Timber Pioneer. Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas! BIG TIMBER VETERINARY CLINIC BN, Evelyn. BNy 4 Ben 4 Jennifer C h r i s t m a s D r e a m s Sincere hopes that our Christmas wish for peace and joy comes true for you! Jerry’s Artie Cat (¡finishing you a Happy anci 4 Healthy Holiday Season from all of us at * little Timber Quilts 8 Homespun Hollow machine Quitting Happy Holidays and Best Wishes during this wonderful season from R U E ’ S T V & A P P L I A N C E Harold, Jane, Ron and Jules W i s h i n g Y b u A n d \ b u r s A H A P P Y H O L I D A Y ! O I E M O T O R S P R O P A N E S A L E S & S E R V I C E Have a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON and a prosperous NEW YEAR! T H E F O R T Jeff, Laura & Crew Dr. D a le Schlehuber, DDS D e b , V icki & Pam Serving Big Tim b e r on W ednesday & Friday 110 South H a rt • Big Timber • 932-5176 G R E E T I N G S A A ‘ A A A A A A A c s H R I S T M A S A L E B ig T im b e r A ce H ardware Up To 50% OFF ALL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND LIGHTS IN STOCK For your shopping convenience; we will be open on Sunday, December 21, noon-4pm Happy Holidays! from the staff at Acc Hardware Wc thank you for your patronage and support ip 2009 'Mike & Elaine Cbul.vak
