Splaine: Memories of Portsmouth's past holidays
Thanks to 7-year-old first-grader Cody Bureau, downtown Portsmouth is brightened with colorful lights on the holiday tree. As he flipped the light switch he reminded us that sometimes change can start new traditions and restore old ones at the same time.
A fond memory growing up was seeing a colorful downtown during the holiday season. There were strips of colored lights strung across Congress Street and on poles. There was something special about it, and living in the North End as a pup, it matched the diverse religious traditions my neighbors celebrated this time of year.
Cody reminds us that change is often good and that it may not always be "new," just different. Cody wins one for Portsmouth!
Having lived 76% of a century here, I have some other wonderful memories of holidays-past.
Meeting the real Santa. As a little boy, mom took me to Newberry's to meet Santa Claus. His red clothes contrasted neatly with his white beard. He asked me if I had been nice. I said yes (this was long before I got involved in politics). He gave me a truck. I know he was the real Santa because my mom told me so.
Television. We got our first talking tube when I was 7. It was another 10 years before I used a remote. The first Christmas morning we had it I snuck down early while everyone was sleeping so I could shake packages under the tree. I turned the TV on. All I saw was a strange pattern. Readers can Google that if they don't know what it was.
All I want is. When I was 10 my wish was "All I want for Christmas is an electric train and an electric car." I got the electric train, but no electric car. I'm still waiting. Wish I still had that train because I could put it on eBay and buy the car.
The big snowstorm. One Christmas morning when I was about 12, Portsmouth was covered with over a foot of snow. Our neighborhood wasn't plowed so mom, dad and I had to walk to my sister Betty's home where we had hot chocolate and opened presents. It was only four blocks away but took us 10 minutes, slipping in the wet slush. That hot chocolate was the best I ever had.
Cold and exhausted. When I was 19, a hiking trip sounded better than being home with the family, so a friend and I ventured to Mt. Moosilauke in the White Mountains. Snow was falling in the morning but we climbed anyway.
We wanted to get to the top of the 4,810-foot mountain and stay the night in the summit cabin. Near the top we lost the trail in a heavy snowstorm. Exhausted, we took shelter from the wind behind rocks and opened a can of spaghetti and meatballs. I thought for sure we would die. I was about to give up.
The spaghetti and meatballs was the best lunch I've ever had, and it gave us renewed energy. My friend, more experienced than me, pushed us on to find the trail down. As darkness came we got to the bottom. We slept that night in the open, shivering in sleeping bags. Thank you, Jim Perras. Ever since, remembering that night gives me some insight into what homeless people face.
During these holidays, whether we're alone or with family or friends, each of us makes lasting memories not only for ourselves but for those with us. The holidays aren't just about the "me." They're about the "we."
Today's quote: "All I want for Christmas is for every person reading this to feel valued, supported, loved, happy and at peace." − from cherished Portsmouth Public Works Department member Franny Noel on his Facebook page.
Today's thought: As family and friends join to celebrate, take 10 minutes to write letters to put into the Portsmouth 2123 Time Capsule. Bring them to the public library by Dec. 30. In a hundred years they'll be read by our descendants. They'll enjoy hearing from beloved ancestors who were here long before them!
Next time: Sunday, Dec. 31, 1noon − sealing the time capsule. Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been Portsmouth assistant mayor for six terms, Police Commission and School Board member, as well as New Hampshire state senator for six years and representative for 24 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: Memories of Portsmouth's past holidays
