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Christmas in McPherson

Created on: 06/13/10 09:13 PM Views: 1511 Replies: 3
Christmas in McPherson
Posted Sunday, June 13, 2010 04:13 PM

 

One of my memories of growing up in McPherson involves Washington elementary school and winter in Kansas. I was either in the fourth or fifth grade when our class practiced singing several assigned Christmas carols. On one nice day I can remember leaving the school and walking with what appeared to be all of the students from Washington, although probably just my class, to the community building to rehearse our carols. Our group was met at the building by similar groups coming in from places like Lincoln school, which I thought was located in Nebraska, and another group of students arriving from far away Roosevelt elementary. That group seemed to outnumber my class by so many students and for the first time in my life I felt like I was in the big city. 
Each school performed their songs and I was so proud of Washington when our teachers applauded our efforts. Then something amazing happened; all the schools sang in unison the songs that we had been taught separately, and the result was beautiful. Our teachers had brought us together to form a community at our young age.  Lincoln had not let us down with any blunders and those foreigners from Roosevelt were equally good. We all retired to our respective schools to reassemble for a Christmas pageant several days later. That evening the theater was packed as the whole town turned out for the event. Main Street was decked out with Christmas lights and the community building as well. Singing the carols together with all the other schools taught me many important things about life beyond just the words of those songs. That evening I was happy for Christmas in McPherson, happy for Washington and pleased to feel a part of something bigger in the world. Today I am grateful for the teachers who brought us together.
It’s a shame that in today’s world children growing up in America cannot experience the same joy of togetherness.  
 
RE: Christmas in McPherson
Posted Monday, June 14, 2010 03:57 PM
 
Nice story, Ron.  I remember being overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.  I mainly remember sitting through the looooong rehearsals in the community building, waiting for long stretches with nothing to do.  If Denny Frederick hadn’t been there to entertain me (and get me into trouble), I don’t think I would have made it. 
 
Edited 06/14/10 03:58 PM
RE: Christmas in McPherson
Posted Monday, June 14, 2010 04:39 PM

 

Lane

Thanks for your comments on the Christmas story and for helping create this wonderful web site.  I'm really enjoying the opportunity of reconnecting with everyone.  Regarding the song rehearsals, you lucked out being able to sit near Denny,  as I remember it I ended up in girl section.  Take Care!  Ron W.

 
RE: Christmas in McPherson
Posted Tuesday, June 15, 2010 06:15 PM

 

It would have been hard to imagine a fate worse than being stuck in the girl section.  That does sound vaguely familiar.  Maybe they separated out the worst offenders after the third or fourth offense. 

 
Edited 06/15/10 06:16 PM
 



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