The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 24, 1952, Page 11

®& -Echoes From C bristmases Past ~ i CHRISTMAS 1922 The Salvation Army was active in Key West, giving out 145 bas- kets containing material for Christ- mas dinners for the needy. A Christmas tree for the poor chil- dren of the city was. held at Harris School auditorium, “Christmas passed quietly and the fact is emphasized in the fact that no arrests were made by the police or sheriff's forces during the celebration. . . “No fires were reported by the department. The ringing of the alarm. . .caused many to think it was a eall, but investigation showed it only to be the usual Monday testing of the apparatus.” “A great Christmas feast was enjoyed by the firemen and their families at headquarters Sunday night,” “The Christmas celebration at the Army Barracks. . .was one of the most successful of the season.” The Carolina Syncopators played for one of the “largest and most enjoyable” events of the season in Waite’s Hall. A three-night cabaret started at the Cuba Club; and a_ holiday dance was held at the Athletic Club. Musie was furnished by the new club orchestra under the direction of Professor Cecil Car- bonell. Twenty-six states were represent- ed by visitors who registered in various hotels throughout the city on the 23rd of December, leading The Citizen to make the prediction, “Key West’s fame as a winter resort will be spread to every part of the union.” xk * CHRISTMAS 1927 Toys of 1927, said The Citizen, must be lifelike. “The sweet dolls —. CARISTMAS" TIME ty BALDWIN'S happiness thet comes to the young NURSERY | 1101 SIMONTON ST, . Ve to be yours this Christmas \ ,_ lead to a very happy New Year, Simonton ST. Body Works 121 Simonton St. ° Dial 2-3951 M)., all the excitement and pleasure of Christmas morning remain with you long after this glorious Holiday Season ‘has passed, To all dur friends we wish « very Merry Christmas and » Happy New Year. WILSON'S 13¢4 SIMONTON ST. AUTO TRIM SHOP DIAL 23951 of yesterday have given way to rouged flapper dolls.” The Christmas Eve issue of The Citizen for that year carried a rotogravure section, evidently spon- sored by “The Key West Founda- tion Company.” The back pages told of “arriving in Key West on the Over-Sea Highway, after mo- toring 115 miles over the keys with great stretches of ocean on both sides of the road -- after several hours of delightful ferry trip across the big gaps.” It goes on to say that Key West is one of the finest winter residential sections in the tropics, and that as the city expands, more and more people will seek a home in a “frost free land under pleasant living conditions.” Christmas Eve film offering at one theater was Lon Chaney in “London After Midnight.” A squib on the editorial page read, “Key West, 60 degrees; Miami, 40; Jacksonville, 38. A whole sermon, that.” x xk CHRISTMAS 1932 The Key West Electric Com pany’s tenth annual Christmas| tree event was held in the Ameri- can Legion Hall. Twenty-six chil-' dren of the company’s employees under the age of 13 were provided with gifts. ; A grand festival for the benefit of the poor and needy was given at the Coral Isle Casino under the auspices of the pro-Cuba com- mittee, “Christmas trees with their ac-' companying gifts” were a part of the Christmas cheer for disabled veterans at the Marine Hospital. At Christmas time that year President Herbert Hoover, Mrs. Hoover and a group of guests were cruising on the U. S. Sequoia and fishing in the waters off the Georgia coast. Seven and a half pages of tax notices appeared in the Christmas Eve edition of the paper in 1932, a cheering note for the season. x« * * CHRISTMAS 1937 An editorial was headlined “Hard times cannot kill opportunities.” The Casa Marina announced its formal opening for. Christmas Day that year, Charles Taylor was president of Rotary Club then and presented gifts to the club’s Boy Scout Troop which attended the pre-Christmas sultant shortage of help in civi- lian jobs, The Citizen was unable to publish a special Christmas edition in 1942. At that time con- ditions were so bad “the proprie- tor has been obliged to work on the presses end _linotype machines.” The government’s ban on greet- ing telegr: for Christmas was put in effect that year, and the Western Union company expressed gratitude for the public’s coopera- tion in accepting the ban. In the Christmas following note appeared; “Informa- tion was received here today that the former Captain W. Curry Har- ris, U. S. Army, has received his appointment as major. He is sta- tioned at Ft. Bliss, Texas, com- manding an anti-aircraft battalion. He is the son of Mrs. W. Hunt Harris of 425 Caroline Street.” Word was also received of a commendation given to Lt. Robert A. Dopp, stationed at Ft. Ogle- thrope, Ga., for the manner in which he conducted himself follow- ing a train wreck at Valdosta, Ga. + CHRISTMAS 1947 “The patients of the U. S. Naval Hospital will all receive presents Christmas Day as a result of the thoughtfulness of the Lions, Elks, Woman’s Club, Rotary Club and the Jaycees.” Classified ads at that time cover- ed only a part of two columns on page 2. “Alberto Camero, county prison guard, took charge of delivery of the Christmas presents to the in- digent Key West families as sup- plied by the Community Fund. Captain Ralph Spalding, retired Naval officer, was announced as having been chosen as City Mana- ger. A Maitland Adams was Mayor at that time. | 1899 SEATON ST. (Greetings at ; Christmas Santa's smiling comntenance lights up the world on this gay and festive Holiday. We join Santa in wishing one andalla ; Very Merry Christmas end a Hos OVERSEAS UYCLE Si0RE Yearl DIAL 24015 j ‘ i i — ¥ Geasor's reetings - To all our friends and patrons, we extend our warmest greetings for @ joyous Holiday Season, THE TWINS GARAGE 1130 DUVAL ST. A i MESSAGE May your Yuletide pleasure be a blend of the hearty, warm spirit of yesteryear and the joyous, thrilling, enjoyment of today. Merry Christmas and Hayy New Year to fll ROY'S . KEY WEST AUTO PARTS Greetings May the wondrous spirit of Christmas bring you a special note of joy that will continue with you throughout the coming New Year! KEY WEST: ELECTRIC REPAIR CO. €11 FRONT ST. DIAL 26131 NIZ AK JOYOUS CHRISTMAS Let us stand again with the wise men, in eager wonder beside the manger 4 «s.to witness hy ont ~ great joy & N in His presence Pro’ and His divine a love for all. FRANCES BEAUTY SALON 1010 GRINNELL ST. DIAL 23741 AD 4 2 Sx Christmas be one of resounding joy and food cheer for you and all those dear to you... and may your Holiday happiness continue throug, every day of the New Year, WULSEG CHEVROLET. co DIAL 2.4743 “HEVROLET BUICK KEY WEST, FLA. OLDSMOBILE - PONTLAC - CADILLAC