LE ROY PENNYSAVER - DECEMBER 21, 2008 " Comes But Once A Year But When it Does It Brings Good Cheer" by Lynne Belluscio In 1895, Olsen’s Store on Main of ribbon squares and artificial Street headed their . The ingenious design ad with the quotation above and was the work of C.F. Kellogg and Wooding’s Store advertised kid Ollie Tillou. gloves, handkerchiefs, umbrel- The Gazette also ran a very sad las, perfume, neck ties, caps and story about Christmas in Libby stockings, mittens, calico dresses Prison during the Civil War. A and night shirts. Wooding also ad- dying soldier called a friend to vertised “fascinators” which were his side. He wanted to share his (and still are) feathered ornaments memories of past. worn in the hair. And he told of his love for a The LeRoy Gazette also pub- beautiful girl who died while he lished the Christmas wedding of was in the war. But as the soldier Stanley Smith and Orpha Lull sank into delirium, he envisioned who were married at St. Mark’s a Christmas wedding to his long Church on Christmas morning at departed love. As the Christmas 10 am. The church was decorated music rose from the soldiers in with evergreens and holly. The the prison, he quietly passed away bride wore a traveling gown of to join his love on Christmas. “mixed suiting” trimmed with So from joy and sorrow on green velvet and fur and a “har- Christmas, the Gazette also car- monizing hat.” ried an article about “Christ- The Sunday before Christmas masisms”: “The best sauce for LeRoy was hit with a hard thun- a is a good derstorm and everyone expected conscience and the finest dessert cold weather to follow, but by is the memory of kind acts done Wednesday, Christmas day, the in honor of the day.” weather was reported to be more Merry Christmas to all the like April than December. The folks who enjoy reading this Baptist Sunday School held a what a chimney was?) a miniature Ferris Wheel of white column. Don’t be upset if you Christmas party with a visit from The Gazette noted that “F.E. and green, revolving by means don’t receive a fascinator in your and “a chimney will Wooding’s Christmas window is of a spring motor. The wheel is stocking and may you have a fine be the leading feature of the eve- one of the most attractive on Main mounted upon evergreen pillars Christmas dessert. ning’s entertainment.” (Wonder Street. The decorations consist of and is relieved by a background

Living w aters church service “While You Were Sleeping” December 24th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Live nativity inside • see the Animals Candle Light “Silent Night”

Jesus Christ is born! Put Him first this holiday!

30 Main St., LeRoy 768-7570