Looking Back: Christmas in the Valley

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

     Today is Thanksgiving and while it is a day to be with family and remember all for which we are thankful, it is also the official start of the Christmas season. In Grain Valley that includes many traditions both old and new.
     “The holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s produces some of life’s favorite memories.” This quote comes from an insert in The Pointe published on December 15, 2004. It was part of an article written by Ray Gurney, the minister at Cross Creek Baptist Mission.
     Titled “A Grain Valley Christmas,” the insert included a letter from the North Pole, letters from city officials, photographs of the annual tree lighting ceremony, the historical society homes tour, and the Santa Bus.
     It was the center page of the insert that I found most entertaining. “Letters to Santa were shared from 3rd and 4th graders at Matthews Elementary. Today these young students would be at least 25 years old. I wonder if they got their wish?
     (I apologize in advance if the misspelled words embarrass any of the former students! They are shared with you as written.)
 
Dear Santa,
I’m glade that you are coming to my house because you are going to deliver presents. I hope you have a great tripe. Are you taking care of your reindeer.
Sincerely,
Cody Hughes
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Dear Santa,
For Christmas I want a puppy, a fold out chair, a nutcracker, tokeo brat, CD’s, regaler brat, earrings, PJ’s, books, boots and shoes, and an American gurl doll.
Love Alissa Spradley
 
Dear Santa,
I’v been wanting a dog all my life. I wanted to know if you could bring one for me. If not, could you bring me some ideas. I would also like a hamster, mine died. I would like a black bear hamster. I would like a lot of stuff but my room is clean, so not that much.
Sincerely,
Danelle Picars
 
Dear Santa,
How is Rudolph? How many presents do you give to children? What does the North Pole look like? How many houses do you have to go to? How is Mrs. Claus? Do you get cold up there? It snowed a little here to. I’m from Missouri.
Sincerely,
Michael Pellham
 
Dear Santa,
I have been good this year. I have been great and I did what they asked me to do. I think of others first. Santa, all I want for Christmas is my family and a white Christmas.
Love,
Jessica Ault
 
     I will conclude with a quote from an article in the same insert written by David Hackett, former minister at Faith United Methodist Church,  “Christmas is a time for dreaming and for children.”