December 12, 2012

Windows reflect Christmas, Pearl Harbor Day

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

A snow-covered, brightly-lighted Christmas tree, planted firmly in the window corner, accompanied by a colorful fireplace mural, complete with "stockings hung by the chimney with care," set the scene for the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum's December window display. A bright red, mega book frontispiece painting with the season's accents and appropriately titled "The Night Before Christmas" promises a traditional reading of the Clement Moore poem, also called "A Visit from St. Nicholas."

An oversized, painted portrait of an approving St. Claus overlooks the quiet scene of expectation of the old gent's visit, including a sleeping puppy and a snoozing cat. Twinkling lights embedded in greenery frame the window, enhancing the holiday mood.

An enlarged sign with the patriotic sentiment, "Home of the Free Because of the Brave," surrounded by military service flags, caps, and United States flags, in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day, claimed the center of attention for the veterans' window. A red holiday garland, encircling the window, and a single poinsettia served as holiday greetings for all veterans, past and present.

The society's museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Admission is free.

December 04, 2012

Christmas shopping in Valley Falls, 1940

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Three dozen oranges for 35 cents were among the grocery items advertised by the Star Grocery in the Dec. 11, 1940, issue of the Valley Falls Vindicator. A few other items included franks, all meat, 2 lbs., 27 cents; and angel food cakes, 25 cents each. Competitor, Beaman's Grocery and Market, featured pork roast, 14 cents per lb.; spaghetti, 2 lbs., 25 cents; pure grape jam, 2-lb. jar, 19 cents; with Saturday special Folger's Coffee, 25 cents a lb.

G.W. Morrell's Corner Drug Store listed billfolds, 50 cents to $5; flashlights, 29 cents to $1.65; cigarette cases, 50 cents to $2; with cigarette lighters from 50 cents to $12.

Lott's Variety Store's Christmas specials included a lunch cloth and four napkins, hand embroidered, a 98-cent value for 79 cents; and Saturday special, mixed candy, 10 cents per lb.

Waite's Confectionery specials for Christmas were a complete stock of cameras for prices ranging from 98 cents up to $2; five-pound boxes of candy were priced 98 cents, $2.30, and $2.50.

Hatfields's Penslar Store stated "Hundreds of items too numerous to mention." However, a lengthy list of remedies, especially priced for the holidays, special soap prices, and bargains included: 75-cent Bayer Aspirin, now 59 cents; 35-cent Vicks Vapor Rub, now 29 cents; 60-cent Alka Seltzer, now 49 cents; large size Oxydol, 19 cents, or a giant-size, 54 cents; 75-cent bottle Lucky Tiger Tonic and 75-cent shampoo, both for 69 cents.

Gillispie Hardware's gift specials were: electric iron, $1.50; ironing board, $1.25; ice skates, $1; roller skates, $1.25; and pocket pen watch, $1.50.

Stewart's Hardware offered brand new 1941 Jamson Card Tables for $2.98, including two new coaster ash trays that "can't fall off."

Dial Baking Company's Saturday special was orange cake for 8 cents square or two for 15 cents. The Coffee Cup Cafe, Ray and Josephine Gray, prop., Sunday dinner, Dec. 15, was a choice of roast turkey and dressing or Virginia baked ham with mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, creamed cauliflower, combination salad, hot rolls, jelly, Meyer's ice cream, pie, coffee, milk, or hot tea. No price listed, however, undoubtedly within the same price range of Pat's Cafe's Sunday dinner menu consisting of a choice of roast young turkey or roast of fresh pork with cream whipped potatoes, giblet gravy, dressing, buttered peas, cranberry salad, celery, hot rolls, jelly, hot mince pie, coffee, tea, or milk. Choice of dinners, 25 to 45 cents.

For entertainment, the Rio Theater priced Saturday matinee tickets, 5 and 11 cents, eve. 10 and 15 cents; with Sunday matinee, 10 and 15 cents.

The society's museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Hours are being extended for the Hometown Christmas celebration.