"CHRISTMAS"

Yup, it's almost here again! I know why Santa's whiskers are white!.......... He saw the bill Mrs. Clause ran up at the mall buying gifts! He,He Ho,Ho,Ho! Now when I was a youngin,...here we go again, North Adams was a whole different animal. At this time of the year the main street was packed with shoppers. Back then we actually had a main street with two sides, the Sunny Side and I guess you would have to call it the Dark side...and to be realistic it probably was because that's where Bank Street was and we all know what that was famous for! Anyway lets not get off the track here. Besides being packed with shoppers there were lots of colored lights strung over the streets and the big Christmas tree with lots of colored lights. The shops were all spiffied up with ribbons and bows, with Christmas Songs emanating from within, with their show windows chocked full of wondrous toys and gadgets. And yes, Santa himself was here to update his list personally. Oh and the aroma of freshly popped popcorn and fresh roasting peanuts wifting in the air from J.J. Newberrys, mixing with the smell of freshly baked cookies and breads and pies from the bakeries on Main Street. It truly was a Wonderland. You would actually hear people wishing each other a Merry Christmas! There wasn't much you couldn't purchase right here in town. There were clothing stores, music stores, hardware stores, sporting goods stores, specialty shops, and general merchandise stores. But alas... never to be evermore! Thanks to progress....Urban Renewal? I think we are still waiting for the renewal part! So when you are all scurrying around the mall, spending next years income, just take the time to reflect on the season and the true meaning of Christmas...and don't forget to wish each other a "Merry Christmas"