It was 1967. My sixth-grade classmates and I were in our final year of elementary school. Junior high loomed on the horizon. Margaret Weagley and Ruth Johnson, both longtime educators at Laurel Elementary, were no doubt looking forward to the holiday break as much we were.
On the last day of class before our extended Christmas vacation, the last couple of hours of the school day were dedicated to a Christmas party. The girls wore their best dresses, boys were encouraged to wear ties and two classes would be gathered together. Cookies and punch would be served, and we were allowed to mingle. It all seemed so very grown up.
Just before class was dismissed we were asked to quiet down. The teachers had something to tell us. We were expecting a short speech about having a good holiday, when Mrs. Johnson dropped a bombshell. At least it was for me. "I just wanted to make sure," she said, "that you all understand that there is no Santa Claus. He is a legend, a myth," she explained. "Your parents are responsible for all the good things under your tree."
There was a knot in my stomach the size of my fist.
I'd suspected it for a couple of years. Having it confirmed by someone I respected was unsettling. I had picked up on the fact that everything I'd seen at the old Acme store on Main Street made it into my pile of gifts. The fact that they were there was good enough for me.
A lot of things changed in that moment. I'm not sure I fully trusted anyone again. Christmases were never as merry. The journey toward becoming an adult began that day. I'm still making the trek.
St. Mary of the Mills Church has rescheduled its Christmas Bingo for Jan. 20. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the games beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, pre-paid. Admission at the door is $18. Contact Val to make a reservation at 301-498-1433, Ext. 557 or vmakarsky@stmaryofthemills.org. The church is located at 114 St. Mary's Place.
St. Vincent Pallotti Prep High School, 113 St. Mary's Place, is holding an E-Cycle event at the school on Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a great way to properly dispose of old and unwanted electronics. Items that will be accepted include televisions, microwaves, cell phones, fax machines, computer equipment and other electronics.
There is a small fee required for disposal of your unwanted items. Fifty percent of the fee will be donated to the school's baseball team, for a planned trip to Disney World in the spring.
If you are unsure about disposing of an item, call 240-529-1010, or go to http://www.eendusa.com for more details.
Old Town resident Jack Witmer, along with Henry Baldwin, Larry Barkman, Gracie Stanton and other members of Laurel High School's class of 1954, recently met to mark the 57th year since graduation. The impromptu gathering of classmates at the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department was attended by about 30 graduates. Most of the attendees are well into their seventies and show no signs of slowing down. The plans are in the works for a 60th reunion party.