We have the spirit right here at home

A few weeks ago at Rotary, someone’s program didn’t show up and that Rotarian asked Dr. Jim Archer to substitute and present the program. Dr. Archer is a very knowledgeable man and can substitute with no notice. But I kind of held my breath, because he tends to lose me when he talks about world history and chemistry, not to mention that he’s an Aggie. Obviously, it’s me, not him, who finds those subjects not very interesting and I have the old report cards to prove it. But this time was different. I was mesmerized with his story because it was about good people in a small community, the good old days and the spirit of Christmas.

Dr. Archer grew up in a little town called Kerens, south of Pittsburg and on the way to Austin. Today, as you’re driving through, you might not notice the small community if you blink unless you get pulled over for speeding.

The time was in the late 1940s, and he told how that small little town came together under the leadership of one man, a very dynamic chamber of commerce director who talked to some of the creative townspeople, (mainly welders and contractors) in building the world’s largest Santa Claus. Dr. Archer told how it was quite the spectacle and how the entire town would gather around the Santa Claus on Christmas Eve for a special drawing. Back then, they would sell tickets and raffle off a car and an assortment of other things. He explained that was a big deal for a small town the size of Kerens. Everyone participated in the town by buying a ticket and they would gather at the newly built Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. I can only imagine the excitement and the singing of Christmas carols by the townspeople and how the merchants would be open selling their goods.

 

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