American Legacies Organization, Inc.

Inside a young couple’s log home in Estill County, Kentucky. c. late 19th century.

Photograph by Coley Ogg.

Thanks to Jimmy Nickels.

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore... So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'

Rebecca - age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.

' Karl - age 5

An old boy was fumblin around one day

In a women’s clothing store

He’d found his wife a Christmas coat

And was headed for the door

When he bumped into a little boy

That looked like he was lost.

And he said “Mister can you help me

Find out how much something costs?

Here it is almost Christmas

And the nights are gettin cold

Winter time is on us

And my mom don’t have a coat.

I’ve been workin for the neighbors

And saving for a time”

And in his tiny outstretched hand

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through.

According to Paul Harvey, who retold this parable every Christmas for decades, “the story was originally published by United Press International by Louis Cassels, a longtime friend of mine and colleague. He and I tried for many years to trace the author of these words. We never could and it occurs to me that maybe some things are supposed to be written without credit to any particular individual …”

The Man and the Birds

**"Dear Santa"** letters run the gamut.

"My dad was a soldier in the World War," says one, written in 1939. "He got shot when he was a deputy sheriff by gangsters after he come home. I have a step dad but he is so mean he never buys me anything. Some day I will be a man and I want to be brave. I like books better than anything and I like boxing gloves & foot balls."

Santa's elves sort letters at the Santa Claus, Indiana, post office in 1970.

About a week before Christmas a family bought a new nativity scene. When they unpacked it they found 2 figures of the Baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have 2."

I was born in the 1940’s and as you can see in the image we were able to SEE Santa Claus in the comfort of our own home.

I later learned that my Uncle Clyde Hostetter did the wonderful performance of Santa Claus for us.

***Christmas***Letter from the Editor

By Franklin T Wike, Jr.

What makes Christmas special for you?

As young children, our interest in Christmas leaned more towards getting gifts than giving them.

Mario Ruiz // Getty Images

Holiday Gift Crazes And Fads Of The Past Century

The holidays are about family, friends, feasting, and yes, if we're being honest, presents. Overall, holiday spending is expected to reach record levels in the 2023 season, up to $966.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's holiday forecast. (That's $37 billion more than in 2022.) The number is inclusive of gifts, food, decor, and other holiday-related purchases, but there's no doubt the first category is a hefty portion of the total spending.