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The observance of Holidays in Andalusia
must have been like most towns in the
U.S. , with the traditional meals , church
services and social gatherings . But
certain local traditions were distinct in
our little town , and it seems most
remember these distinctions when
reminded .
Of course, our best new clothes were
introduced on Easter Sunday and the
church would be as full as it had been
since Christmas. And the community of
churches , all denominations, observed
the Sunrise Service , if the family could
get ready in time.
Thanksgiving meant a school play
involving Pilgrim costumes , a turkey,
and a poem or song to memorize .
We actually knew which
Presidents we honored on
President's Day , and we studied
about their contributions . We
had speakers in school , for
Veterans Day programs , and we
saluted the flag and sang songs
to honor the brave soldiers and
sailors .
We filled the parking spaces at
Blue Lake on the Fourth of July
and exhausted ourselves by
swimming and eating .
Our Labor Days , and Memorial
Days , we spent at Point A , or
Fort Walton . Halloween was
the most active school night
of the year , with every kid
under six feet tall , welcome
to don a costume and fill their
bags with candy.
Thanksgiving afternoon , the
Turkey Bowl was played , in a
time before cell phones were
available to alert everyone.
Christmas was special , beginning
with the annual Parade . And
while the kids searched the Wish
Book for that special toy or game,
the dads were busy scheduling a
delivery from Western Auto at the
last minute.
By nine o'clock on Christmas
morning , every kid knew what
toys Santa had delivered to the
rest of the neighborhood.
The season always officially began when the royally dressed , robotic Santa
appeared in the window of the TP Flower and Gift Shop . It seemed the city
installed their decorations at the same moment , so that the next trip through
town was a magical moment indeed .
