I hope there are some pictures, letters, or stories those of you near and far can enjoy in this week’s edition of the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. We have some reminiscing on our pages for sure. This is the final alumni edition of 2008, sent to you compliments of Peabody Main Street. As always we hope there is something in the newsletter to stir your interest in your hometown. We would love to have you send us your memories of the community, pictures of the time you spent here, or (better yet) come and visit.
The holidays always are a time for remembering days gone by and we hope that as you read this issue you will remember those Christmases you spent right here. We all have thoughts of loved ones, holiday events, and the joy of being a part of our community that bring us hope and anticipation of the future. Childhood thoughts and recollections are basic to our enjoyment of Christmas.
A number of years ago I was lucky enough to coerce several local citizens to write about their memories of Christmas in the past. It was a treasure trove of wonderful stories of the holidays from the 1930s to the millennium. I should have saved the stories to run every year. That was one of those issues that generated a ton of positive response. (I should always be so lucky!)
Peabody is not so different from wherever it is you currently hang your hat. People come and go, issues rise and fall, and progress sometimes means change. Nor is the present Peabody community so very different from the one in which you grew up.
Susie (Pearce) Schmidt has written an article for this edition about some of our many Santas. Included are pictures of a couple of them. If you are of an age to remember any of them, you likely recall a great volunteer who wanted to give you, your siblings, and your friends a moment to remember.
And haven’t we always had generous folks who wanted nothing more than to brighten the lives of the people around them?
If your memories of Peabody include the holidays, I would love to put out an edition with your thoughts next year. Write them down, e-mail them with your name to susan@peabodykansas.com, fax me at 1-620-983-2700, or send them by regular mail to PO Box 129, Peabody KS 66866. Don’t wait until December 2009 to do this. Do it today and I will keep them on file.
If you don’t share the memories of holidays in your hometown, we will never know. Thank you and we wish you all a Merry Christmas!
— Susan Marshall