Image provided by: Charlotte Berkham; Portland, OR
About The Grantonian (Portland, Ore.) 19??-???? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1966)
6 THE GRANTONIAN December 16, 1966 Portland's Christmas scenes Kind, gentle Santa Claus radiates happiness to all by Barbara Earnest In the midst of a jumble of crowding, complaining, weary Christmas shoppers, it is possible to find a small corner where the traditional happiness of the holi day is still apparent. This oasis of pleasure is nothing less than the realm of the roly-poly, happy, kind and gentle man in the red and white suit—Santa Claus. Into his spacious lap climb youngsters of every age and from every background, but sud denly they are all equal, they are all believers. The small, shy, thumb bucking boy who is coaxed by mother and that strange man to go to him; the older, aggressive, saucy girl so proud of her new dress; all receive the same warm and enthusiastic welcome from their hero. Small hands grabbing their prize—little plastic boats, a tin green car, a baby doll—are loved as much as the hands that wind their way around Santa’s neck. The tense faces of the tired mothers relax into a glowing, adoring smile as they watch “their baby” tell Santa about Christmas. A flicker of worry passes over the parent’s face as she realizes that her child has again changed his mind about what he wants for Christmas, after she has just spent a large portion of her money for the gift he had so longed for before. Likewise, the child glances warily at his mother when he assures Santa that he has been a very good boy all year long, and he always helps his mommy. The sense of peace and secur ity reaches out to enthrall the passer-by. The hurried shopper finds enough time to pause and watch a toddler whisper into Santa’s ear. They turn away with smiles, reminiscent, anticipating, or simply peaceful. To the believer, this jolly and sincere man is indeed a marvel ous person. Yet even the “en lightened” person who considers everything a fairy tale must agree that Santa Claus has a wonderful quality — the ability to radiate the happiness that was meant to accompany this day. shininq heanr of Illustration by Daniel Rhodes Music, art, candy canes, tree Life-size nativity bring students into holiday spirit impresses visitors by Cynthia Froom The halls are alive with the spirit of Christmas. Everywhere we can overhear students saying, “Hey, what do you want for Christmas?” The appearance of bright smiles on students’ faces let you know that Christmas va cation will soon be here. Teachers may have a gripe about the Christmas season and for a very good reason. Students’ visions change from math tests and English papers, to Christmas pres ents and holiday parties. Strolls past the choir room also prove that a change is present. The “Sound of Music” has been replaced by “The Hallelujah Chorus.” “Louie-Louie,” a song that is constantly heard through the halls, is substituted by “Jolly Old Saint Nick.” After school sales change from the traditional licorice whip to candy canes and chocolate snowmen. Art projects, formerly featuring drawings of bottles, chairs and portraits, now illustrate snowy winter Christmas scenes. Students can be overheard cancelling plans for week-end skiing trips to the mountains, for a trip to the mountains to select their Christmas tree. Dating is slowed down to allow time for staying home and trimming the tree. Christmas banners and posters in the halls and Christmas deco rations in the classrooms turn the formerly dingy building into a bright, cheery Christmas set ting. The Christmas season changes Grant into a veritable wonder land.. at shopping center by Marilyn Best Santa Claus, live deer, carol ers, a life-sized nativity, Ameri ca’s most spectacular Christmas lighting display—this and much more is Christmas at Lloyd Cen ter. Thousands of people, young and old, come and join in the Christmas rush, but take time to admire the spectacular decora tions. The 85-foot Douglas fir Christmas tree in the plaza bears 15,000 lights and stands higher than the Christmas tree at the White House. It is this tree and the nativity scene, a setting designed to con vey the atmosphere of ancient Palestine by the use of life-sized Biblical figures and animals de picting the Christmas story, that cause the shoppers to pause and gaze at the spectacular and re ligious display. Sights, sounds, people representative of holiday season in downtown area by Bonnie Brown Headlights, glistening on steaming pavement, Traffic lights, blinking reds and greens; Street lights, glowing amid their holiday decoration, A neon sign, reflecting time and temperature. Hundreds of windows winking up and up—a star, twinkling. We take pride in our Christmas collection of religious jewelry. Honking horns and screeching tires, A shuffling of feet as a light flashes. Salvation Army volunteers — their bells ting-tinging, Friendly greetings, Door hissing close. Ringing registers, chattering shoppers, crying laughing children. Church chimes, echoing. At this most joyous season, won’t you consider the special pleasure such a gift will give to some one you love? One of the West's Finest Jewelers —Illustration by Paulette Cerruti Impatient taxi drivers, giggling girls, pointing. Customers inquiring; little folk, wondering; Sales clerks, hoping; husbands, pondering. Everyone hurrying, hurrying... Christmas sings in downtown Portland. tfar seniors ^reetin Ï DIVIDED PAYMENTS Open Mon., Thurs., & Fri. No Interest or ’til 9 P.M. Carrying Charges Jewelers if Silversmiths Lloyd Center (West Mall) AT 4-2103; Salem 364-2224 Associated with Hardy’e Inc, 511 Pine St., Seattle 1, Washington 1 you a MERRY CHRISTMAS
