One would think that following the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, the Christmas holidays might have been highly subdued or somber around Oneonta.
Certainly, for those who had a son or loved one headed to Europe that month or in the near future, there were worries.
However, spirits were reportedly quite good just after Thanksgiving.
As reported by The Oneonta Star of Monday, Nov. 24, 1941, "Christmas cheer will not be lessened this year in Oneonta because of the defense program and priorities, according to local merchants, for many have reported that sufficient gifts and toys are on hand to fill stockings."
"Neither will prices rise to exorbitant heights, since stocks purchased months ago by various merchants, will not drain the purses of Oneonta shoppers. Taxes added to articles, particularly cosmetics, toiletries and jewelry, will be the greatest reflection of the price increase during the past year."
"Shoppers are doing little complaining over taxes," one Oneonta clerk said, —¦ because they know it's necessary."
The mood after Pearl Harbor and by Christmas Eve was still upbeat, according to the Star.
"Young and old have been instilled with a spirit of Yuletide gayety, and the emergence of the country from the depression has given everyone an urge to give freely. Gayly decorated shops and window displays and brightly lighted Main street have enhanced the festive spirit."
While many indulged in gift giving, our residents didn't forget the more needy families in the city and surrounding area, as churches, civic organizations and others pitched in to help.
"River Street, Chestnut Street, Center Street and East End pupils have assisted the Salvation Army with donations of food. The baskets will be given out today following a service at 2:30," it was reported on Wednesday, Dec. 24.
One tradition of Christmas had to be put aside for a few years. In a Star newspaper ad, New York Telephone asked customers to "forego the pleasure on Christmas Eve and Day of exchanging greetings by telephone with relatives and friends," because long distance lines needed to be open for the "Government and National Defense Organizations … since there will be no truce over the holidays."
Christmas Day was still somewhat merry, as reported on Friday, Dec. 26.
"Yes, it was a solemn Christmas, but still it was Christmas, and old and young paused to heed its message and follow its age-old customs, even as the country's war plans were going forward."
"Gifts reflected the trend of the times, and even children of tender years enthusiastically bought defense stamps as presents, and were thrilled at receiving such stamps themselves until there were enough to be exchanged for defense bonds. Toys included army trucks, tanks, anti-aircraft guns, soldiers, cannon and warships, as well as the ever-popular dolls, skates, games, books, and other seasonal standbys."
"For several young couples of Oneonta and vicinity who chose Christmas eve or Christmas for their wedding day, the season marked the beginning of a new chapter in life."
"But with all the happiness of the day, there was one big disappointment for the boys and girls. There was no snow on Christmas. A few flakes did drift through the air late in the day but they did no good. The landscape didn't look 'Christmasy.'"
It had been 57 degrees on Christmas Eve. It was tough luck for those wanting to try out the new skis, skates or sleds.
Next weekend, as The Daily Star will not be published Monday: An outlook into the new year, 1927.
City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column usually focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or email him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian. com. His columns can be found at www. thedailystar.com/marksimonson.
Columns
1941 Christmas, despite a new war, was still upbeat locally
- Big Chuck D'Imperio
- Cary Brunswick
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Some wisdom is best passed down through books
I was visiting a friend out-of-town recently and the subject of providing a "reading list" to young people came up in conversation. He said years ago he had asked a respected acquaintance in Oneonta to compile such a list for his teenage daughter, to help her be better prepared for life, culture, education, politics and people.
Continued ... - Let pragmatism, not politics, determine birth control debate
- As Center Street Elementary goes, so goes Center City
- U.S. intervention in Syria's uprising would be a gamble
- Santorum, Obama both got it wrong on Honduras
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- Chuck Pinkey
- Guest Column
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If we don’t develop a sustainable system, who will?
In Otsego County’s local elections last fall, a number of candidates — most of them on the independent Sustainable Otsego line — ran on an anti-fracking, pro-sustainability platform. They recognized that our current way of life — dependent on increasingly scarce, costly and polluting fossil fuels — cannot continue.
Continued ... - Time to get off the bus and on the computer
- Cuomo's Machiavellian maneuvers are a danger
- Home rule laws aren't a radical idea
- Sustainable shouldn't be a dirty word
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If we don’t develop a sustainable system, who will?
- Lisa Miller
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Being a parent is a constant learning process
I am sitting cross-legged on the floor in the dressing room, waiting for Allie's dance number to be called. The cave girl costume has been donned, the jazz shoes double-tied, the hair pulled back, the requisite dab of lipstick applied.
Continued ... - Healthy doesn't have to mean expensive
- A family era ends with close of Potter series
- Independent stores make up for loss of Borders
- Untethered from the cable box
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Being a parent is a constant learning process
- Mark Simonson
- Rick Brockway
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Climbing is one thing, but skydiving?
OUTDOORS COLUMN BY RICK BROCKWAY ... Last week, my friend George and I returned to the Gunks for another rock-climbing adventure. After last week's column, I asked about the rattlesnakes and was told not to worry. Rattlers are usually quite timid and will avoid people as much as possible. It's the copperheads that'll give you trouble. They're aggressive and will stand their ground to defend it. Oh great!!
- Rattlesnakes may be closer than you think, so pay attention
- Spring is here, so fishing should pick up soon
- Sneaky fox may be the next animal looking to horse around
- Pass down the rush of turkey hunting to your kids this weekend
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Climbing is one thing, but skydiving?
- Sam Pollak
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I'm happy with our kids to a certain degree
It was several years ago, and I was in the kitchen, telling my eldest daughter and my then-teenaged son about the person who was taking over as publisher at The Daily Star.
Continued ... - I get by with a little help from my 'friends'
- It’s not easy for a politics junkie to get off the stuff
- The Encyclopaedia Britannica in print, unmourned by me
- Angelo Dundee was always a good man to have in your corner
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- William Masters
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Time for lawmakers who put needs of society first
Richard Lugar, after six terms as a Republican senator -- known for his middle of the road rationality and his foreign policy finesse -- has been ousted by a Tea Party extremist backed by outside right-wing funding.
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War not worth gambling with lives of soldiers
Are you not tired of our war in Afghanistan? It had a point, once, after 9/11. Bush couldn't distinguish his myopic personal agendas from the nation's needs and let Osama escape, dropping the ball entirely, causing many deaths.
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Titanic was a microcosm of U.S. economic disparity
Haunting reminders of the Titanic tragedy have wafted over us with the centenary of its sinking. The maiden voyage of an impressive, state of the art vessel, was a little like that of the Challenger space shuttle, at the cutting edge of developing technology. But the shuttle carried our pride in science and space exploration, not hundreds and hundreds of people.
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William Masters: Nation stands divided between 'us' and 'them'
In February, Trayvon Martin was shot dead as "suspicious" by a volunteer neighborhood watch man. The case has aroused community reaction in Sanford, Fla., and is still echoing across the country.
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A quarterback can't win the game alone
What is the relationship between democracy and wealth? Democracy is a political system, while wealth relates to economics. We have equal political rights, but we don't all have money. Extreme differences destroy the continuity of community solidarity.
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Time for lawmakers who put needs of society first
