Fallon County Times (Baker, Mont.) 1916-current, December 18, 2015, Image 1

II FALL ounty VOLUME 99 ISSUE 51 • ? .abeiro1:1115. 004111,11r i t t A ' fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344 BAKER, MONTANA 59313 $1.00 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 Hometown Christmas memories - Baker in the 1960s By Sherry Vogel Christmas back in the early 60s around the second oilfield boom era of Baker is a treasured memory of many. WWII and early boomers - read ahead to learn just what those kids of yours were thinking during 'the most wonderful time of the year'. Boomers and tail -enders - read on and relive that Christ- mas season of your early childhood during the early 1960s when 'you saw mommy kissing . Santa Claus'. Gen X and Ys, you may relate as your Boomer parents probably passed on to you some of the same holiday traditions their parents passed on to them. The Millennials and younger might not totally get it. Instead, even come to believe that children back then were poverty-stricken and must have been bored out of their minds. In the early 1960s, many families still lived on farina. Town dwellers inhabited much smaller homes often times only one- two bedroom houses built in the late 1940s after the war. It was common that families had three to six kids sharing the same bedrooms, often times even sharing the same bed. Millennials don't feel sorry for them - it was really a big comfort to have a sister or brother nearby in case that monster under the bed tried to grab a foot (hopefully theirs). Many a pillow fight was made possible after moms and dads were out of sight. They made do with one telephone, which was mounted on the wall or on an end table connected by a long cord to the wall. Hence, no privacy to speak of. Often times not only other fam- ily members gathered around to listen to the conversation, but if you were on a country line more often than not many neigh- bors listened in, too. Back then, if the phone rang and nobody was in the house. no problem. If it was important they would call back. Those lucky enough to own a television got one channel: KXGN channel 8 Glendive and laterKDIX channel 2 Dickin- son. The television was not just 'turned on' but needed to be 'tuned in'. Tall rabbit ears on the top of the set needed adjust- ment if one didn't have a towering antennae on top of the house picking up broadcast signals. In the 60s, the TV was rarely on during the daytime. The six o'clock news with Walter Cronkite was watched by fathers coming home from work and listened to by mothers as they rushed to get the families' supper on the table. Then shut off while the family ate their supper together. After the supper dishes were washed, the entire family would sit down together to enjoy a family Christmas variety show. Christmas time was the best time of year to watch TV because of the special Christmas programs. Perry Como, Andy Williams and Bing Cosby crooned such tunes as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, A Holly Jolly Christmas, White Merry Christmas Baker! By Pastor Mike Davis, Lakeview Baptist Church As we consider Christmas this year I would like to encourage all of us to re member why we celebrate. The presents are fun, the decorations are beautiful, and the food is delicious; and the time we spend with family and friends can't be replaced. But is that what Christmas is all about? Why is it that December seems to bring with it a fair amount of stress? I would like to answer my questions with a simple answer. God on this day of- fered mankind a gift. It didn't come in a fancy box with a bow on it, and it wasn't found under a tree. It didn't come from Santa, or a_stoze..it carte from heaven. God manifested Himself in the form of a baby to fulfill tglible prophesy that a savior would be born of a virgin so that those who would believe in Him (Jesus) would be saved. Now through the birth of Jesus we have Hope. Joy, Peace, Love and Assurance of eternal life. If we were to remember that we are to love those around us, and love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, it might just help us to enjoy this Christmas a lot more. Trusting in Jesus gives us eternal life. Focusing on that day will help us to keep what is important important, and will make this Christmas a day we will never forget. Getting and giving presents is not a bad thing, unless it's the most important thing. God loves each one of us and wants us to have life and have it abundantly. But without Jesus there is no abundant life. Please don't let the blessings of Jesus pass you by because you are more focused on the commercial end of Christmas than the spiritual. The birth of Jesus is one of the most significant days in the history of man second only to the creation of mankind. Thank you God for your gift of eternal life Jesus Christ.! pray for each person on this earth that this Christmas would take on a new meaning. One with Jesus being the center of attention. Amen. TAKE NOTE . . . Fallon County Times closed The Fallon County Times will be closed Friday, December 25, for Christ- mas. Deadline for the December 25 issue is Thesday, December 22, at 2 p.m. The Times Office will close at noon Thursday, December 24. Gwen Miller winner of Baker Chamber promotion The second winner of the Be A Winner! Shop In Baker! promotion, spon- sored by the Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, was Gwen Miller of Baker. She received $100 in Baker Bucks. Christmas, and A Winter Wonderland. The Lawrence Welk Show was extra special as beautiful, young talented men and women were dressed in elaborate hol- iday costumes singing new and old Christmas carols as cham- pagne bubbles floated through the air. Even Christmas commercials were exciting to watch as a puppet Santa might suddenly appear riding a 'Noel -co\ shaver across the nine inch screen of the television as jingle bells jin- gled in the background. Coke commercials were classic as a jolly, rosy checked, rotund Santa might be viewed enjoying an eight ounce 'bottle' of cola, the only serving size back then. A bottle of soda or pop, as it was often called, was a treat. A child might get two or three bottles a year on a special occasion. Some children had a bottle of pop high on their Santa wish list. With today's modem technology enabled by the internet and fancy devices like iPad, iPhone and laptop computers the 'in- formation highway' might have been considered an inference to some long two-way state road connecting two towns to- gether. Christmas shopping trips out of town were rare. People shopped at home. They shopped Baker stores with names like Samsel's, Eilek's, Russell's, Ben Franklin, Red Owl Store. Super Valu, L. Price Co., Economy Grocery, Morrow Coast to SEE MEMORIES, PAGE 3 Three year old, Blakely LaCroix, had a twinkle in her eye as she sat qui- etly on Santa's lap. Santa made a quick stop in Baker Dec. 9 so he could see all the children and listen to what they wanted for Christmas. Blakely is the daughter of Justin and LeighAnn LaCroix of Baker. Lakeview Baptist- Shepherds watching their flocks by night. Russell's atothing er, Monta - Stop in for Last Minute GIFTS for everyone on your list! Baker's Christmas Parade of Lights By Sherry Vogel Weather conditions Dec. 9 couldn't have been more favorable for lining up the floats entered in Baker's Christmas Parade of Lights. It was unusually warm for a Montana winter's night and the sky was clear. The Fallon Medical Complex parking lot was abuzz as shepherds dressed, angels sprouted halos and wings, three wisemen mounted their steeds, and Joseph helped Mary upon a donkey. As generators kicked on, every float was aglow. Preschoolers, Cub Scouts. Santa and elves took their places under the watchful eye of some very well dressed mannequins. The entourage cruised out of the parking lot led by a convoy of law enforcement vehicles and fire trucks as the sky spit small drops of rain, and the night air began to dance. As the glistening group advanced up Third Street and turned the corner onto Railroad Ave., strong gusts of wind propelled them forward onto Main Street where enthusiastic crowds awaited. Ten organizations participated this year, many of them gifting the children with candy. They were Lakeview Baptist Church, Changed for Life Church, Baker Assembly of God Church, Medicine Rocks Church, Baker Rec Department, Brightside Day Care, Eastern Montana Community Health Center, WBI Energy Resources, Faith Home Schooling Group, and Boy Scout Troop #256. This enjoyable parade was the grand finale of a very busy 'Countdown to Christmas' day of celebration. JEWELRY • BLANKETS BAGGALLINI BAGS SMARTWOOL SOCKS THE NORTH FACE UNDER ARMOUR Visit ur Website at www.FallonCotintyExtra.com