The year was 1948. I had just turned 5 years old and started Kindergarten that previous September. At that time, Kindergarten was held in the basement of the Police Department building on Park Avenue.
The author and Santa, wit the school
principal looking on
On this day, Santa came to visit our class. Never having left home before attending Kindergarten, I was extremely shy. Our chairs were placed in rows in front of Santa and I was at the far end of the first row. My teacher ordered me to go up to "see Santa" first. I was terrified! The local newspaper was there to capture this moment and print it for the world to see. I was clutching onto my homemade dress (made from a used chicken feed sack) for dear life! I had no idea what I uttered to this hulking figure when asked what I wanted for Christmas that year. The principal was looking on in the background, making me even more nervous. But as you can tell, I survived, 65 years later!
My mother, Lois Best, kept the photo and the article. It is now with me and I have it in a frame to display each Christmas for my family.
- Nancy B. Bates
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