One story that came right to mind was setting
up the tree before the big day. An old 5 gallon bucket from the strippings, wrapped in
holiday wrapping paper and filled w/coal and water was the tree stand. No muss, no fuss,
and enough water for the season.In Shamokin in the
1940's you could go out caroling, and sing Christmas carols on the street corners. It was
extra effective if there was about a foot of snow on the ground. If the neighbors liked
it, you might be invited into the house to sing some particular favorites. If your singing
was found agreeable, you could be rewarded with a small (very small) sum of money. Eric
In Shamokin in the 1950's and early 1960's, the Catholic
school kids would sing Christmas carols at all the houses of the priests and nuns and
usually some selected teachers. In return for wich we received some candy, an apple, or
eggnog. Midnight Mass was a very big thing for the Catholic community. Not even standing
room could be found if you came to services too late.
By the late 1960's, the death of the coal mining industry was obvious, with the Glen Burn
(Cameron) Colliery cutting back more and more. Christmas was not nearly as happy with all
the old coalminers looking for work. Bill
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