text: A dairy and vegetable farm in this rural region was the setting. The four seasons of the year determined the course of daily events during those Depression years of the 1930's. The scene was a white farm house and dairy barn surrounded by cultivated farm acreage, tucked away in the picturesque rolling Boston hills of western New York. A glimpse over the hills of the western horizon would often display the glistening sunset streaming across the clear Lake Erie waters. That was my childhood homestead. Other farm families were our neighbors and when in need, they were always there! There is so much one remembers from my early childhood days and what a joy it is to share just as glimpse of some of those memories.	
  We were a family of five: Mom, Dad, my older sister and brother; and I was the youngest. We each had our jobs to do and we each helped each other. For the most part, my mother was in charge of the household duties and my Dad managed the farm chores. But, each of the five of us were busy with both house and farm, and there never was a dull moment.	
  Rural electricity had not as yet seen the light of day in our area. Kerosene lamps and lanterns provided light for both house and barn. And wood served as the source of fuel for the kitchen stove and the living room heater. One battery operated radio and one newspaper provided the news, the weather forecast, and the farmers market report. These two media sources, along with "word of mouth" from neighbors served as our chief source of news of the day.	
  Daily milking chores...morning and evening...were done by hand, and milk cooling was in a cold water bath. The farm tools were powered by a team of horses...Doll and Jim...and they were almost a part of the family. In fact, if I could get away with it, I would give each an extra measure of grain over and above their regular portion. Our 500 chickens provided eggs for the family and for market. Cleaning the barn and the chicken house was a daily task.	
  The season of the year determined the daily farm tasks. Spring was fence mending, getting the soil ready for planting, and sowing the seeds. During the summer season there was weeding and cultivating, hay mowing and gathering, and early harvesting season of peas, beans, and cucumbers. The autumn season was the major season for harvesting potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and grain. Winter was major tool repair, sorting potatoes for market, and barn repairs. Of course, for the three family youngsters, attending school at the one room school house was in season, three of the four seasons of the year.	
  Our Mom had a schedule as well, with the various household tasks. Sunday evening water was put into the laundry wash boiler and placed on top of the kitchen stove. Monday was laundry day in the hand pumped washer, with hand ringer and, in fair weather, the laundry was hung on clotheslines in the out of doors. Tuesday was cloths ironing day with the use of flatirons heated on the top of the kitchen stove. Wednesday was sowing and mending day. On Thursdays, major tasks were planned such as painting woodwork, wallpapering, quilt making, curtain cleaning, and rug making. Friday was the day for major house cleaning and Saturdays were always reserved for homemade baking days. During the harvest season...home canning of fruits, vegetables, jam and jelly... was a major undertaking. Much of the food we ate was produced on the farm, and preserved for use during the long winter months.	
  These are just a few of memory glimpses of my early boyhood days. I realize that many things and ways of doing things have changed over the years. But these are memories which are far more than just a passing thought.They are remembrances I take pride in sharing with others. You know, we are here where we are today, because of the many yesterdays which came before us. You see, we are like a lump of clay in the hands of the Creator; we are forever being molded by the many experiences of yesterday. Indeed, memories last a lifetime.	
  This column will appears in print at a time when the day light hours are the shortest and the nighttime hours seem endless; and, the cold wintry season may be acomin' after all. It is a season, when by the calendar, it always arrives on time. For many of us, this is a holiday time. There is the normal hustle and bustle and last minute things to do; but, on the face of it, most of us seem to like it that way. In fact, if we were given more time to get ready, we probably would not do anything much differently. Somehow, most of us seem to manage... just like it is.	
  A season of busy activity is upon us, certainly the postman will sustain that observation. As with the lives of many of our friends and neighbors, young and old, there is the feeling of anticipation and expectation. And then, there are some who at this time of the year who feel a certain loneliness. Many of our readers can empathize with those who are full of anticipation as well as those who feel a bit forgotten. Most of us, if not all of us, have experienced the "ups" and "downs" of what life has to offer. And so, many of us have experiences very much in common: we know the joy of giving and we know the need to receive. We know the pleasure of helping to fulfill the needs of others, as others have done for us. Won't you please join me in our holiday "gift wish" to others, ... so that others may receive the special warmth of attentive giving?	
  To the children, we ask that they be given attentive guidance, kindness, health and safety. But especially, may they feel a special nurturing of love and may they see their dreams as the magic of a falling star that they can catch and hold. For the teenagers in our midst, we ask that they be given a special attention and guidance and a feeling of personal worth and dignity which many of them so desperately seek. And may their hopes for a bright tomorrow be filled with possibility thinking. For the adults in our midst, we ask that they be given strength, patience, perseverance, love and foresight so to be the teachers of our children and young people and to send a message of good will and caring. For those who are grieving, it is our wish that they may find comfort in the memories that their life pathway crossed, if only for a short time. For those who are lonely and feel alone, we ask that they find comfort in giving cheer and hope to others who are sorely in need of both. To those of our neighbors who have suffered the ravages of fire, water, winds and natural disasters, we ask that their lives may be put back together and that their hopes may find enriching fulfillment.	
  To the men and women of our armed forces who sacrificed so much for us, we are supremely thankful. To the men and women of our armed forces who are working now to defend freedom, we ask that they be given a special measurement of encouragement and a special "thank you" from a grateful people. And to the leaders of our Country, we ask that they may be blessed with the insight and discernment of wisdom, so to have the character and the determination to effectively lead a willing, hopeful, and thankful people.	
  To all, it is our wish, that justice may prevail in a world free of terrorism and tyranny. May the year 2016 be filled with joy and may PEACE prevail and freedom ring out for all to hear. And so to all we wish: "Wesolych Swiat," "Felices Fiestas," "Buone Feste," "Frohe Feiertage," "Chag Sameach," "Joyeux Noël," and "Happy Holidays."	
  In closing, I am most appreciative for the many enthusiastic and positive responses I have received from so many of our readers: A genuine "Thank you" to ALL. And, I wish too, to extend grateful appreciation to the Editor and Staff of this newspaper for their kind assistance and helpful cooperation. And so, to ALL ... may the joy of this season warm your heart with joy, peace, and goodwill. Merry Christmas to ALL!