Fruitcake Now or in 100 yrs

Draper's Acres, Saskatchewan, Nov 2018

Did you see Susanne's lovely post, Too Early to Decorate For Christmas? a couple days ago? I know how she feels because it seems that this year Christmas is starting early. Up here on the Canadian prairies, we have an inch or so of snow covering the landscape which heightens the sense that Christmas is on its way.

This really helps because snow in November inspires me to start my Christmas baking with those goodies like fruitcake that need time for their flavors to meld. And yes, we do love fruitcake in our house. Instead of a large cake or loaf, however, I usually make 4-6 small, personal-size loaves. Wrapped in a clear holiday-themed cellophane bag, they make nice gifts for seniors, get-togethers, as well as sending in "care packages" to distant loved ones. And of course, we eat some.

Fruitcake made by Anita Mae Draper, Dec 2013

We don't drink alcohol in our house, so it's always interesting when I go to the store and buy a bottle of brandy for the fruitcake, both to add to the recipe, and then to soak the cheesecloth in before it's wrapped around the loaves, which are then wrapped in tin foil set in the fridge. They'll be unwrapped, soaked and rewrapped every week or two for at least 3 weeks, until needed. If I'm short of time, I'll use my Robin Hood Fabulous Fruitcake recipe which is non-alcoholic and only needs a couple weeks in the fridge to taste wonderful.

Robin Hood Fabulous Fruitcake made by Anita Mae Draper, Dec 2013

Fruitcakes are notorious for their long life. It's one of the reasons so many were sent from the home front to loved ones fighting overseas. In a letter from my husband's grandfather, a WW1 sailor, he wrote that he hadn't received any letters from home since setting out on his current "cruise", but that he was still portioning out part of the last fruitcake he'd received months earlier.

Fruitcakes last because they contain preserved foods like dry and candied fruit, and nuts that help to keep bacteria from developing, as does the alcohol and cold storage.

How long does it last under optimum conditions? Well, that's hard to say, but it could be decades. Really. Of course, the quality will diminish over extremely long periods, but you could eat it.

Did you hear about the 106-year-old fruitcake that was found by members of the Antarctic Heritage Trust? Yep. They found it in a hut and although the container was rusted, it was still wrapped in paper and appeared edible. It is believed to have been left behind by the Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott and his team back in 1911. Here's the video about it:





So I have my fruitcake recipe at the ready and will begin baking this week. As mentioned in the comments of Susanne's post, I stored my Christmas CD's somewhere safe about five years ago and haven't found them since, so I'm listening to a holiday music channel on our satellite TV.

But with snow on the ground, holiday music in my ears, and recipe in hand, mouth-watering aromas will soon be escaping from my kitchen.

Thanksgiving Blessings going out to all my American friends wherever you are.

Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's contemporary short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, found in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume 4, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

It's A-Wassailing not A-Waffling

by Anita Mae Draper

Let's watch videos today! Since I'm still promoting my A Cup of Christmas Cheer story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, I figured we may as well have fun with it in all it's musical varieties. Before I start though, I wanted to bring your attention to a special post written by our very own, Susanne Dietze who guest posted for me on the Heroes, Heroines, & History blog on November 5th with a post on the origins of Wassailing, including photos and a wassail recipe. Thank you, Susie, your post contains a wealth of great historical detail.

The wassailing in my story isn't a true version of wassailing, but a way to explain my heroine picking up people along the way home where a large bowl or steaming mug of wassail may--or may not be--waiting. Somehow, wassailing just fits.

Back in October when I was searching for videos about Here We Come A-Wassailing to add to my story board on Pinterest, I found an exquisite version from the 1949 movie, Little Women. My only complaint is that it is too short! What makes this version adorable to me is the off-key singing of Wassailing We Will Go. I laugh every time I hear it. Check it out and see what emotion it strikes in you...




I wondered what wassailing might mean to other people and so went searching the net.

Christmas with the Chipmunks Vol. 2, album cover, 1963
Courtesy of Wikipedia

Would you believe the Chipmunks recorded a version back in 1963? It was hard to track down, but I believe I've successfully got it going below, otherwise click here to go to the site.
 

Now if you're familiar with the early Nintendo and Atari games, you might find this next video fun. Otherwise, you'll find it childish, boring, and wonder what I see in it. Well, it made me laugh... what about you?

 


I have to admit I do not know the characters in this next video, but I eat waffles, and the way they sing Here We Come A-Waffling sounds like a fence-sitting party to me. Take a look and let me know if I'm missing anything by not knowing who they are or what they represent...

 


While we're on the subject of unknown characters, I wouldn't admit to knowing anyone in this next video even I did know them...well, that's not true because then it would be a lie... but you get the picture. I stand firmly here before you and say I do not condone the action on this video at all. Well, I guess since God made us all, I have to admit it's a natural function, but nothing to laugh at. Having said that, run and get your kids for this one, especially if you have boys, because they're the sole reason I'm posting it here. I love hearing children laugh. However, if you think this video is in poor taste, please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

 


And speaking of children, this next one came about when grandparents took 5 grandkids out caroling. Here's how it went down...
"We took five of the grandkids out caroling in the neighborhood last night. They were a little nervous at first but after getting lots of applause and thanks and even cookies at one place, they were pretty happy about it. They started hamming it up. :) I love them. There. They have experienced an old-fashioned Christmas tradition."

And forward we go. This next one is Here We Come A-Wassailing synced with 75,000 lights. It's nice, but looking from the close-up to the wide version below it had my eyes bouncing,


.


 As you can see, there are all sorts of ways to go Wassailing, but the main ingredient is PEOPLE. It doesn't matter if you're going door-to-door caroling, laughing at someone's silly vintage video, or putting 75,000 Christmas bulbs on your house to entertain your neighbors... it's the reaching out to someone else and making a connection. And that's what my wassailing story is about.

My story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, is available in  A Cup of Christmas Cheer Vol 4 Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present through Guideposts Books. If you read my story, drop me a line and tell me how my version of wassailing made you feel.

What are your thoughts on these videos? Any particular one touch you? If you share them with someone, tell us who you chose and what their reaction was. I'd love to know. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their 4 kids. She writes cowboy stories set in the West, and Edwardian stories set in the East.  Anita Mae's short story, Riding on a Christmas Wish is published in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Tales of Faith and Family, Guideposts Books, October 2013, and a 2nd short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing,  is published in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present, Guideposts Books, October 2014.   Anita Mae is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Management. You can find Anita at   http://www.anitamaedraper.com/

Going home for Christmas - Here We Come A-Wassailing by Anita Mae Draper

Anita Mae Draper has another sweet story published in Guidepost’s Christmas collection for 2014 --A Cup of Christmas Cheer, Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present. Last year, her Riding on a Christmas Wish debuted her delightful skill as a writer and so it was no surprise when they asked her to contribute again.

Here We Come A-Wassailing is a contemporary story with the heart of a historical. Set in cold and snowy North Dakota, the story is set on Christmas Eve. If it was any other night, Joan Rigler would be content to stay off the roads, but it’s the first Christmas since her father died and she’s not about to let her mom spend the holiday alone. With a big, sturdy vehicle, Joan starts out, promising her mother she’ll drive carefully—and trying to convince her not to worry as she waits. A series of coincidences—if you believe in them (wink wink)—has Joan adding passengers along the way.

Rather than give away any more of this story, I’ll just add more about Anita’s writing. A lot of Anita is in this story. I know she’s been on some nasty highways in harsh winter weather. And I know the heart she has for people, and the friendliness she offers. If you’ve met Anita, you know it too. It’s so easy to sink into this story and join them in that wintry drive. The details and the emotions are there, and wrapped around me. The perfect evening read that will leave you with a smile and a warm holiday glow in your heart.

I haven’t had the chance to read the other stories in A Cup of Christmas Cheer, but if they’re anything like Anita’s, this set would make a wonderful purchase for yourself or as a gift. Read it and pass it on, or enjoy the books again next year!

Here We Come A-Wassailing, published in A CUP OF CHRISTMAS CHEER Volume 4, Guideposts Books, available NOW

Riding on a Christmas Wish, published in A CUP OF CHRISTMAS CHEER Volume 1, Guideposts Books, Oct 2013

From Guideposts Publishing:
A Cup of Christmas Cheer

A Cup of Christmas Cheer is a delightful collection of original fiction written just for Guideposts readers and hand-picked by the editors at Guideposts to make your Christmas merry and bright. Each story offers the perfect opportunity to take a short break from your holiday planning and escape into an uplifting adventure. Everything you love in heartwarming Christmas fiction is in A Cup of Christmas Cheer — faith-based plots, captivating writing, lovable characters and hopeful endings that warm you from head to toe. You’ll love the way these stories whisk you away and how each has a heartwarming Christmas message of redemption, forgiveness, hope, and faith.

More Christmas Cheer Giveaways

More copies of 

A Cup of Christmas Cheer 

Volume 3 & 4

 available to win!

Yes, we picked a winner for Anita Mae Draper's A Cup of Christmas Cheer Release Party, but there are more copies available to win ...

goodreads Book Giveaway 

A Cup of Christmas Cheer (volumes 3 & 4)

Release date: Oct 2014

A Cup of Christmas Cheer, volumes 3 & 4, from Guideposts Books. 

Each winner will receive:

 one copy of Volume Three: Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Past; and 

one copy of Volume Four: Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present, 

for a total of two books.

Enter to win

Giveaway dates: Oct 14 - Nov 14, 2014
5 copies available
Countries available: US and CA 

Check the CoCC blog

for the story behind the story

and details of the giveaways.

A new Author posts every Mon, Wed, and Friday.

The CoCC Giveaway page shows

all current CoCC giveaways

so check back often

or Follow the CoCC blog

and keep informed because rumor has it 

that one of the prizes could contain 

all 4 CoCC volumes published this far... 

Finally, check out the 
More from Our Authors page of the CoCC blog
for more posts and giveaways 
as the CoCC authors roam cyberspace

Happy Hunting!

#cupofchristmascheer         @guideposts

A Tale of Two Story Forms

We’re celebrating the release of Anita Mae Draper’s short story “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” available as part of Guidepost Books’ A Cup ofChristmas Cheer collection. Despite its compact size, HWCA-W packs two story forms into its pages: the road story (or road trip story) with the cabin (often called “closed circle” in mysteries) story. In honor of Anita’s new story, I thought I’d look at the structure of these two fiction types.

Road stories chronicle a character’s journey from one point to another. It sounds simple enough, but in true story fashion, there are obstacles along the way that impede the journey. Fortunately the character will frequently gather allies who assist him (or her) in overcoming the obstacles. These allies and obstacles cause the main character to grow, so that the character has changed in some fundamental way by the time he reaches his destination.

Take for example, The Wizard of Oz. Protagonist Dorothy  (along with her dog Toto) lives a rather dull and boring life on her aunt and uncle’s Kansas farm. But when she is suddenly whisked away to the magical land of Oz, she needs to figure out how to travel home. The journey is both concrete (Dorothy has to physically walk down the yellow brick road) and symbolic (Dorothy is also on a journey of self-discovery). She makes allies (Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man) and encounters obstacles (the Wicked Witch of the West and a wizard who isn’t really a wizard). The story ends when Dorothy returns to Kansas, newly appreciative of her life and family.

Some other famous road stories are Voyage of the Dawn Treader (C.S. Lewis), Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jules Verne), and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour starred in a series of road story movies, conveniently named Road to ___. (In short, if the book or movie has “voyage,” or “journey,” or “road” in the title, there’s a good chance it’s a road story!)

The cabin or closed circle story seems to be the opposite of a road story. Two or more people find themselves trapped together by circumstances. They may be detained in a hotel during a storm or trapped on a deserted island without a way of returning to civilization. While the setting of a road story is ever-changing, these cabin/closed circle stories take place in a single setting. The fun (or danger) comes from the unlikely combination of characters.

For instance, the famous TV show Gilligan’s Island has seven very different people stuck on an island together: the bossy Skipper, goofy Gilligan, rich and aloof Mr. and Mrs. Howell, elegant Ginger, brainy Professor and girl-next-doorish Mary Ann. Despite their disparate backgrounds and personalities, they have to find ways to work together.

What happens in the cabin (or hotel or country house or train or space ship) depends on who is stranded there. When the story is a closed circle mystery, it’s quite possible one of the characters is a murderer. The other characters need to figure out the identity of the murderer before they, too, fall victim. In a cabin romance, the forced proximity offers an unlikely couple the chance to get to know each other. Many survival movies (and countless Star Trek episodes) also utilize the concept of people (or people and aliens) stranded in a single location where they are forced to work together in order to survive.

For example, Beauty and the Beast is at heart a cabin romance. The beast confines himself to the castle because of his hideous appearance and Belle is trapped because of her promise to remain. Alone with only singing household furnishings for company, a peculiar pair forms a unique bond. Some other examples of this type of story are Murder on the Orient Express (set on a train), Key Largo (set on the island of Key Largo during a hurricane), and Apollo 13 (set in a space ship).

(Since we're beginning our Christmas celebrations early here on Inkwell, I suppose I might as well confess that after years and years of annual It's a Wonderful Life watching, I have trouble picturing Lionel Barrymore as anyone other than the meanest, richest man in Bedford Falls.)

As to how Anita’s story combines elements of both these story forms…well, for that, you’ll have to read it yourself. Just leave a comment with a “safe” version of your email addy (i.e., name at provider dot com/net) by 11:59 Monday, October 20 for your chance to win a free copy.

And be sure to share your favorite road stories, cabin romances, or closed circle mysteries.

After leaving the corporate world to stay home with her children, C.J. Chase quickly learned she did not possess the housekeeping gene. She decided writing might provide the perfect excuse for letting the dust bunnies accumulate under the furniture. Her procrastination, er, hard work paid off in 2010 when she won the Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Manuscript and sold the novel to Love Inspired Historicals. You can visit C.J.'s cyber-home (where the floors are always clean) at www.cjchasebooks.com

  

New Release Marketing Plan

by Anita Mae Draper

Forgive the lopsided banner on this post, but I used a cropped version of my Facebook Author page since I want to show you all the marketing involved in my new release, A Cup of Christmas Cheer.

I am so very honored that Guideposts Books chose Here We Come A-Wassailing for their 2014 edition of A Cup of Christmas Cheer (CoCC) Volume 4 Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present. Last year if you recall, I made my publishing debut with the short story, Riding on a Christmas Wish which Guideposts published in CoCC Volume 1 Tales of Faith and Family for the Holidays. 

For the record, Guideposts Books (GB) does not require their authors to promote their books as they have an excellent marketing team for that purpose, so you might be surprised by this post on our marketing efforts, but we're so excited about our stories that we can't help promoting it.

Last year when CoCC Vol 1 & 2 was nearing release, some of us authors banded together on a private Facebook page and decided on a hosting a blog hop. We offered prizes at each stop of the hop, and then a grand prize worth about $120. This was on top of our personal blogging, tweeting and facebooking as we promoted our 2-volume set which for several of us, was our debut publishing credit. We were rewarded when the books sold so well that GB ordered a second printing.

Here we are in Oct 2014 and again, the authors are working together for promotion. Some of us were published in Vol 1&2, but many are new to these sweet little books. Once again we have a private Facebook page where we discuss ideas which one of the authors, Keli Gwyn, works as our liaison with our editor, Jon Woodhams, who in turn checks with the GB marketing team.

From this arrangement, we have developed some great promotional tools including a CoCC blog where each of us has scheduled a day to post about our stories. The blog has been live for over a week and includes posts from editor Jon Woodhams about the inspiration behind the CoCC books, and an interview about how he and his team chose the different stories.

Included with the CoCC blog are the following pages which are being continually updated:
- Stories - describes all 4 CoCC volumes
- Authors - links to online appearances
- Giveaways - some fabulous draws are in the works
- Pinterest - links to the authors' story boards

One final thought on the blog... if you want to keep up with the posts, giveaways, etc, you can Follow the Blog via Email. The details are on the blog's right sidebar.

The following promotional tools allow GB to see us on Twitter and Facebook where they retweet us for greater exposure

- #cupofchristmascheer 

- @GuidepostsBooks 

Just when I thought we were doing everything we could, Keli gave us some more good news in that we now have an official public Facebook page. If you LIKE it, you can choose to receive notifications of giveaways, blogposts, etc. 

Keli has added A Cup of Christmas Cheer to goodreads where GB is giving away 5 sets of CoCC Volume 3&4 in a draw that ends Nov 14, 2014.

GB has donated several more book sets to be given away on the CoCC blog and at our Facebook party which is tentatively scheduled for Nov 6. 

We've been assigned a special link to the ShopGuideposts page which allows GB to keep track of which orders are being made on behalf of the promotional efforts of the authors. Yes, if you're going to order, please use this one: https://www.shopguideposts.org/christmascheerblog

Or click on this button which I've already linked to the Shop Guideposts page. 

This is so exciting!

Before I close off, I might as well give you the links to my social media hangouts:

Website

Twitter

Facebook Author Page

Pinterest boards including Christmas and Fall/Thanksgiving

Here We Come A-Wassailing CoCC story board

Don't forget about my Giveaway here at the Inkwell where I'm giving away a copy of A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume 3 & 4 to one randomly-chosen commenter. Be sure to leave a comment with a way to contact you to be entered! The drawing ends Monday, Oct 20, 11:59 EDT.

So, have I fired you up enough to click one of the links? I wasn't a fan of Pinterest boards at the beginning, but now they are my go-to place for images and recipes. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their 4 kids. She writes cowboy stories set in the Old West, and Edwardian stories set in the East. Anita Mae's short story, Riding on a Christmas Wish is published in A Christmas Cup of Cheer, Guideposts Books, October 2013. She is honored that Guideposts Books has chosen a second short story, Here We Come A-wassailing, for inclusion in the 2014 A Cup of Christmas Cheer Vol 3&4 book set. Anita Mae is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Management. You can find Anita at 

http://www.anitamaedraper.com/

Edwardian Christmas Advertising

by Anita Mae Draper

Pssst - this isn't an official 12 Days of Inkies post but I wanted a Christmas header so I'm pretending - shhhhh...

Seems like I can't peruse a historical newspaper these days without coming across ads for Christmas goodies - with good cause since it's December and Christmas is coming in a couple short weeks.

My main interest in these newspapers is the Edwardian period due to the 1911 Courtship Letters I post on my Author Memories blog each week. Also -- blatant promotion coming up -- it's Christmas 1911 in my first published story, Riding on a Christmas Wish found in A Cup of Christmas Cheer pictured on the right.

Truth be told, I've been looking for an excuse to post these ads and this seems like the ideal time, basically for historical reasons to see what was available back then, or what certain items were called. The ads look blurry here, but if you click on them they should enlarge on a new screen.

The Newmarket Era, Newmarket, Ontario. December 18, 1908

The Newmarket Era, Newmarket, Ontario. December 9, 1910 

This following ad was hard to read originally, but I'm including it here because it's the only one I found for sleds (called coasters) and ice skates.

The Newmarket Era, Newmarket, Ontario. December 10, 1909

The Newmarket Era, Newmarket, Ontario. December 6, 1912

The Kingsville Reporter. December 14, 1911

While the above ads were all from Ontario in the East, these next ones are from The Morning Leader out of Regina, Saskatchewan - where I go if I want a Tim Horton's or Starbucks coffee or anything close to fast food.

The Morning Leader, Regina, Saskatchewan - Dec 9, 1910 

The Morning Leader, Regina, Saskatchewan - Dec 9, 1910 

The Morning Leader - Dec 20, 1911

The Morning Leader - Dec 14, 1911

The Morning Leader - Dec 23, 1911 

The Morning Leader, Regina, Saskatchewan - Dec 23, 1911

Late 19th century advertising card. Courtesy of Toronto Public Library, Baldwin Room

I've tried to show a variety of Christmas ads snipped from 1908-1912 newspapers from Ontario and Saskatchewan. I specifically stayed with the 2 provinces covered through my 1911 Courtship Letters and although the prices are in Canadian dollars, the difference between Cdn and US currency is usually within 15% of par either way at any time.

One thing I noticed was the lack of Christian images, carolers, etc but then, there wasn't many images at all to speak of - possibly because of the cost of lithographs? Whenever an actual photograph is included, the image is usually too dark to make out so perhaps that's why they didn't bother adding them. The Newmarket Era was a weekly, labor intensive production whereas The Morning Leader was a daily that needed to be out in a hurry.

Do you have any ideas why there aren't many images? Did anything catch your attention here - anything that made you wonder and think? 

________________________

Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their 4 kids. She writes cowboy stories set in the Old West, and Edwardian stories set in the East.  Anita Mae  semi-finaled in the ACFW's 2011 Genesis contest, and finaled in the Daphne du Maurier, Fool for Love, Duel on the Delta and the Linda Howard Award of Excellence contests.  Anita Mae's short story, "Riding on a Christmas Wish" is published in A Christmas Cup of Cheer, Guideposts Books, October 2013.  Anita Mae is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Agency. You can find Anita at   http://www.anitamaedraper.com/

Historic Santa Claus/Thanksgiving Parades

by Anita Mae Draper

Sunday, November 17th was the 109th edition of  Toronto's Santa Claus Parade, one of the biggest annual parades in the world, and it happened right in York County - the same county where my Guideposts' A Cup of Christmas Cheer story, Riding on a Christmas Wish, is set. My story takes place in December 1911 and by then, the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade was already in its 6th year.

Like other Christmas/Thanksgiving parades, Toronto's Santa Claus Parade was a department store promotion to show everyone that Santa Claus had arrived in T. Eaton's huge downtown store.

Eaton Christmas Catalogue, 1897
T. Eaton Co. fonds
Reference Code: F 229-231-0-1
Archives of Ontario 

The Ask.com website describes the occasion on December 2, 1905 this way: "In 1905, the Toronto Santa Claus Parade premiered when a single float carrying Santa Claus arrived at Toronto Union Station and made its way to the downtown Eaton's department store where Santa shook hands with Timothy Eaton."

1905 image of Santa Claus making his way to Eaton's 

The above photo is a screenshot from the History of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade Part 1 video available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/_whj_sJ1Evc where you can find the following parts as well. Lots of information, historic and current photos, and archival footage.

According to an internet article at www.citynew.ca  "The parade was the longest in both distance and duration from 1910 to 1912 when the jolly old elf started his journey downtown from Newmarket on a Friday afternoon, stopping overnight in York Mills and then heading down Yonge Street on Saturday afternoon."  Newmarket is 26 miles north of Toronto. Another 12 miles further north and the parade would have started in Keswick where my story is set. 

Toronto Santa Claus Parade, 1918, from the Archives of Ontario

The Archives of Ontario has an online exhibit, Eaton's Santa Clause Parade with images, archival footage, and even a printable copy of the 1957 Eaton's Christmas coloring book.

I found this Toronto Santa Claus Parade 1927  version to be quite funny, although it is silent. It also has some of the large heads mentioned farther down in this post when talking about the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade.




In 1975 while stationed in Kingston, Ontario, I took the short drive west to Toronto to see the Santa Claus Parade live. After years of watching it on TV, it was both a surreal and eclectic moment in time. The crowds were noisier, the floats bigger, and some of the people were downright strange to my naive eyes, although my friend, a native Torontonian, didn't even spare a glance at the cross-dressers. But to actually be there for the annual event was something I treasured. I believe the people who are in attendance for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or other huge parades know what I felt that day, especially if they watched it on TV for years first.

Macy's Christmas Parade, as it was first called, began in 1924 where "Employees and professional entertainers marched from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy's flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes...At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. At this first parade, however, the Jolly Old Elf was enthroned on the Macy's balcony at the 34th Street store entrance..." (Wikipedia)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1931. Courtesy of nydailynews.com

If you like the above photo, check out more historic photos at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons through the decades: From Mickey Mouse to Dora the Explorer

For me, Macy's is synonymous with the stories-high helium-filled balloon floats. While looking for a video of them, I found this historic look at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 1935 ...

Also in 1924, the J.L. Hudson Company Department Store started a Thanksgiving Day Parade but they put their own twist to it. Wikipedia states, "The idea came from Hudson's display director Charles Wendel after the success of the Canadian Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, Ontario. In addition to the usual floats and bands, Wendel obtained large papier-mâché heads similar to those he saw during a recent trip to Europe. The heads are made in Viareggio, Italy, and remain a fixture of the parade to the present."

The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade, 1961. Courtesy of www.geocaching.com

I Love a Parade has a whole bunch of old photographs like the one above of The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade, also known as America's Thanksgiving Parade.

Finally, the distinction for being the oldest U.S. Thanksgiving Parade goes to the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade, now known as 6abc Dunkin' DonutsThanksgiving Day Parade.

As you can see, the common factor in these parades is that they all began as a way to bring buyers into the stores - a tradition which continues in many cases. One thing that has changed are the safety factors especially where animals and helium balloons are used. The mishap list is fun to read, but also scary when you think of what the consequences could have been. And when you put it in perspective, all that commercialism detracts from the real meaning of Christmas. Having said that...

Have you ever been to a Santa Claus or Thanksgiving parade? Share your memories - or wishes. 

If you'd like to read more about A Cup of Christmas Cheer and Guideposts Books, check out these posts:

• How to Stop Worrying
• Norman Vincent Peale's Legacy of Faith
• 1911 Riding on a Christmas Wish
• Riding on a Christmas Wish by Anita Mae Draper
• Release Party for Anita Mae Draper's Riding on a C...

-----------------------------------------

Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their 4 kids. She writes cowboy stories set in the Old West, and Edwardian stories set in the East.  Anita Mae  semi-finaled in the ACFW's 2011 Genesis contest, and finaled in the Daphne du Maurier, Fool for Love, Duel on the Delta and the Linda Howard Award of Excellence contests.  Anita Mae's short story, Riding on a Christmas Wish is published in A Christmas Cup of Cheer, Guideposts Books, October 2013.  Anita Mae is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Agency. You can find Anita at   http://www.anitamaedraper.com/