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“The Christmas spirit is much in evidence,” said the Advocate of December 6, 1944. “Little Johnny and Suzie do not have to be coaxed and threatened to wash behind their ears, wood boxes and cob baskets are being filled as if by magic, and stocks of holiday merchandise are beginning to appear in stores. They are surprisingly good when present conditions are taken into consideration.“ As had been done for a number of years, Laurel merchants began handing out little red tickets with each $.25 purchase. The stubs would then be dropped in collection boxes around town for chances to win prizes in one of the drawings. Drawings were held on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons beginning December 16. This year the prizes would be war bonds and stamps instead of merchandise.
Main Street was decorated with colored lights and tall Christmas trees were placed in each of the three downtown intersections.
Beginning on Monday, Dec. 18, the stores remained open every evening to accommodate Christmas shoppers.
And there were many shoppers. In the days before farms merged into huge collectives, there could be up to four families on every section of land. And before there were birth control pills, there could be lots of children on every farm. And with no television or Internet to keep them occupied, coming to town was great entertainment. During the Christmas season, the downtown sidewalks were filled with people, parking places were scarce, and most of the stores did a thriving business.
Of course gasoline rationing helped keep people from driving to Sioux City to spend their money. In 1944 motorists with “A” ration coupons were limited to 2 gallons of gasoline a week and most cars average 15 miles per gallon or less.
In December the Office of Price Administration (OPA) warned motorist that if they were caught using gasoline coupons for illegal travel to California or other winter resort states they would be in deep trouble. “All cars with out-of-state license plates will be checked by OPA investigators and tourists may find it difficult to drive their cars back home.“ For Christmas gifts, Harper’s store was the place to shop. For women: Jess Harper advertised house slippers for $1.39; house dresses, $1.95; Georgiana dresses, $4.95-$9.75; sweaters, $3.50 – $5.95; and blouses, $1.00-$4.50.
For men: Harper suggested in leather jackets, $14.50-$19.50, shirts, $3.50-$4.25; hats, $1.95$3.75; neckties, $.50-$1.00; and Massagic shoes, $6.50. Incidentally, this writer still has a pair Weyenberg Massagic wingtips bought from Jess Harper in the early 1960s. Real leather, American made, price on the box $17.50.
Perhaps, due to the cold and wintry weather, Editor Allison had cut back on stories about sideroad romances and other alleged affairs. And some of his readers were getting curious. After receiving several letters from servicemen overseas asking what was going on with the couple in the black Ford, Allison replied: “And to you G.I. Joes and Janes, the black Ford is on the loose again but the femme has been changed. The old one has been discarded and a new one is now in the picture. And we must say the new one isn’t as much of an old bag as the last one. If you want to see for yourself go on down to Gospel Avenue (3rd Street) about 10 o’clock on a Wednesday or Saturday night.“
The Advocate of December 20 – the last one before Christmas – had 14 pages, several of which were filled with Christmas greeting ads from the different businesses. The next week had the same number filled with New Year’s greeting ads.
In that same issue, Editor Allison wrote: “It is nearly Christmas and, according to custom, we should shout merry Christmas to all. But this year‘s Christmas will not be as happy as we wish it could be. There is a vacant spot in many homes that represents a man who is offering his all for us back home. Thoughts of him fill our minds to the point where there is a little room for ordinary thoughts of Christmas.”
The Battle of the Bulge began on Dec. 16, 1944, and continued through Jan. 25, 1945. The Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle of the Second World War.
Between Dec. 20 and 26, American forces at Bastogne, France, were surrounded by German panzer units.
On Dec. 22, the German commander sent a demand to surrender. The American commander Gen. Anthony McAuliffe replied, “NUTS!” The battle ended in an American victory, but at a high cost in lives on both sides.
The day after General McAuliffe gave his legendary reply, there were lots of nuts in Laurel.
On Saturday, Dec. 23, Santa Claus made his annual appearance bringing sacks of nuts and candy to the children. “Kiddies here’s a secret just between us and you. Santa will be using a truck because it holds more than his sleigh. So tell dad and mom that you want to be in Laurel that day. He will be expecting you,“ wrote Editor Allison.
A few nights before Christmas, 72 older Cedar County boys received unexpected letters and they weren’t from Santa. Twelve were ordered to report for induction on Dec. 19. Thirty were ordered to report for physical exams the same day. Thirty more were ordered to report for physical exams on December 20. Merry Christmas from your Uncle Sam.
Few were likely to see action. Roosevelt died on April 20, 1945. Benito Mussolini was executed on April 28. Hitler committed suicide on April 30.
The war in Europe ended a week later. Churchill was voted out of office on July 25.
After suffering two atomic bomb attacks, Japan surrendered on Aug. 15.
When Christmas 1945 arrived there would be peace on earth. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last long.
Merry Christmas And Happy New Year To All My Faithful Readers.
— Roger Tryon, Lucinda Tryon, And The Family Pugs Mickey And Ginger.
