The Christmas Tree
In the late 30's Fayetteville was more of
a village than a city. We were like a large family. In the
same manner as we love all the members of our family and
overlook things that are not so lovable, that’s how we
were. Since there were not many of us, the names, the
peculiarities, and the relationships of all the people were
familiar to everyone. There was no place for pretension.
When asked “How are you?”, there really was concern; and
“Y’all come to see us” was a sincere invitation. We cared a
lot for each other.
In this setting Christmas was very special. As I saw it
through a child’s eyes it was like a Norman Rockwell
painting. There was a large tree on the Courthouse lawn
that served as the town’s Christmas tree. The area was
dimly lit by street lights at each corner of the Square. It
was surrounded on all sides by country stores (staying open
late on Christmas Eve), a jail and a hotel that looked as
if they came from an old western movie. Believe it or not,
on Christmas Eve everyone met around this tree and
exchanged gifts.
An elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Rosenblum ran a small
department store on the southwest corner of the square. For
about a month before Christmas they kept a large pickle jar
on the front counter of the store where those wanting to
participate in the gift exchange would write their name on
a slip of paper and deposit it in the jar drawing another
name. There always seemed to be extra names in the jar, but
somehow everyone received a gift. The Rosenblums took pride
in our gift giving. On Christmas Eve Santa read the name
tags on the gifts and called them out. Each person received
only one gift.
I only remember two of these town Christmas trees. World
War II came along and most of the men were away at
Christmas time. After the war many new people moved into
the area and we no longer knew everyone. Things changed.
I’m not sure if they were better or worse, but we never had
another town Christmas tree. I’m sure we never will.