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ce -------------- g 12 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 5, 2000 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" by Paul Arculus Sketches of Scugog is a historical column written by local resident and historian Paul Arculus and published | in the Port Perry Star each month. Christmas, as the feast of the Nativity, has been cel- ebrated on December 25 since the 4th century. Yet Christmas as we know it today, is a relatively recent phenomenon. Charles Dickens did as much as anyone to firmly entrench the tradi- tions we associate with Christmas Day. Those who enjoy his "A Christmas Carol" will be aware that Christmas Day was only just begin- ning to be accepted as a full holiday when Dickens wrote the story. "A Christmas Carol" was written in the fall of 1843. Bob Cratchit went to work on Christmas Eve hoping that his uncle Scrooge would grant him a holiday the next day. "'A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!" said Scrooge buttoning his great coat to the chin ' but sup- pose you must have the whole day. Be here all the more earlier next morning!" Many stores and businesses remained open on Christmas Day. The Bank Holiday Act of 1871 was passed in England stipulating that banks should be closed on Christmas Day. Canada and the U.S.A. followed suit within two years. This event sig- naled the official acceptance of Christmas Day as a legal holiday. However, as recently as 1900, some workers putin a ten hour day six days a week, all without a vacation, even on Christmas Day The same was true for the citizens of Scugog. Stores were open and newspapers were published on Christmas Day well into the twentieth century. During its first year of publication, The Ontario Observer of December 25, 1857 made no reference to the celebration of Christmas Day. That issue was devoted entirely to the results of the local and national elec- tions. Joseph Gould of Uxbridge was re-elected as the representative for the district of the North Riding of the County of Ontario. The owner of the first news- paper in this region was James Holden. He established the Ontario Observer in Prince Albert on December 12, 1857. Throughout the period of his own- ership (1857-1865) Holden paid little attention to the celebration of Christmas other than a brief account of local community or church events. His reports were factual and without any editorialization. He did this without any words of support, encour- agement or comment. JAMES HOLDEN Local, regional, national and inter- national politics filled the pages of Holden's newspaper. Henry Parsons took over the news- paper in 1865. The following year James Baird became editor of the paper and joined Henry Parsons in its ownership. Baird and Parsons changed the nature of the reporting in the Observer. Both were extremely interested in the community's social, cultural and spiritual affairs. Baird gives us a detailed impres- sion of our community through his news on local events such as concerts and public lectures. He wrote elab- orate accounts of the results of the local school examinations and school picnics. Church events such as reports of the local sermons and Sunday School outings received par- ticular emphasis. His coverage of these events in a positive manner gave encourage- ment and support to them. Baird painted a busy picture of Christmas Day in Scugog in 1880. In his December 30th issue he gave the following account: " The Christmas of 1880 has been : r decidedly a M e rr ry Christmas and what is no less desirable the mirth has been of that nature which don't require to be repented of - people go in for real rational enjoyment HENRY PARSONS -- sO --_-- DD ------ The Methodist Episcopal Church, Port Perry, was located at the corner of Queen and Caleb St. CHRISTMAS - Past and Present - becoming of an intelligent communi- ty.... The Church of England here, had two services on Christmas Day both interesting, appropriate and enjoy- able. The Methodist Episcopal Church had a grand and prof- itable entertain- ment in their church in the evening, a gen- uine Christmas tree with all its desirable fruit and its interest- ing surroundings, brief but choice addresses, pleasing music and last but not least, a thoroughly filled church made up in part by a host of intelligent children whose laughing eyes and beaming countenances .... The Christian Methodist Church held their entertainment in the Town Hall. This too was a grand affair. This fine hall was filled with an apprecia- tive gathering of adults no less than children.... The Christian Methodist Church, Utica, held a grand social entertain- ment... The Presbyterian Church, Greenbank had a tea and lecture..." JAMES BAIRD Through Baird we get a clear impression of a happy and active community with his accounts of the High School Christmas concerts held in the Town Hall. James Baird, frequently embel- lished his newspaper with colourful and flowery essays. For the December 25, 1873 edition of his newspaper he gave a poetic message which remains timeless and appro- priate: "And while we enjoy our holiday cheer let's remember those for whom nothing is prepared. Let's bid the hungry orphan be, by our abundance, blessed. Let's invite the wanderer to our gate and for him spread the couch of rest. Let him who pines in piercing cold, by us be warmed and clad, be ours the blissful task to make the downcast mourner glad." The perfect gift for almost any occasion: If you're having a hard time thinking of a special gift, for a special person... here it is! SCUGOG: THE EARLY YEARS This book is the latest in a series of local history books exploring the fascinating past of Port Perry and Scugog Township. It's available now at The Port Perry Star or Books Galore and More for only $35. I --------