“It’s Etched in Stone:” Missing Christmas traditions of yore

By RALPH STONE
For the MVI

It was at the Monessen Thanksgiving parade of 1940, just a few weeks prior to my 7th birthday, that my youthful vision of Santa Claus was completely shattered. As I excitedly watched the entire parade, I became especially anxious over its closing number. None other than that jolly old man himself was perched atop a fire truck as he waved and tossed candy to the many children lining the street. As I joyfully began to play an active role in this scene, an older girl standing near me said, “Do you still believe in Santa?” The very thought of no Santa was crushing to me!
The possibility of him not being real followed me from downtown Monessen to my home on Oneida Street.

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