When future historians look back on today, they may well call this “the age of the screen.” Certainly, our screens have made life easier in many ways, but we’ve also lost a sense of an actual shared community. On one hand, it’s easier to watch even new movies on our home screens, but that means we may never experience that moment during a scary movie when the whole theater gasps as one or sighs together during a romantic interlude of a love story.
One of the great things about belonging to the Rochester (or any) Historical Society is the chance to step back to the days of joining together to sing carols, tell stories brought to mind by the songs, eat Christmas cookies and enjoy a sense of community. Those who attended our holiday organ concert on December 14 were able to do just that on a day that even came with snow. Sheila Perry played our Vocalion organ, and Tom Perry led the group in singing along to well-loved carols.
Mack Phinney, who attended the East Rochester Congregational Church (now our museum), remembered practicing “Away in a Manger” in the church basement and then performing with the other children during the Christmas service. At the end of the night, Santa Claus arrived with a small gift for each child. He said that it wasn’t until much later that he realized Santa had been his own father. Good job, Santa.
I have to confess that I was in junior high before I got the joke inherent in the line, “If Daddy had only known that Mommy was kissing Santa Claus.” I was always a believer, and in later years when one of my third graders sidled up to say that he thought he was the only one in the class who believed in Santa Claus, I was able to reassure him that he was not alone. I too believed.
Best Wishes for a happy holiday season, and may Santa Claus be good to you.
By Connie Eshbach
