"Christmas Memories from Rockdale, Cameron" by Joy Graham

Christmas memories from Rockdale, Cameron

by Joy Graham

Rockdale Reporter - December 13, 2012

Christmas is special to all, but is remembered by those of us who are now in our senior

years.

Milam County is richly blessed with different cultures and nationalities.

My paternal side of the family is German and maternal side is English/French. Childhood

memories have changed over the years, but I share my memories with you in the late

1930’s.

My paternal grandparents lived on a farm north of Rockdale and traded both in Cameron

and Rockdale.

My grandmother raised 2,000 white leghorn chickens and sold fertile eggs to Fuchs

Hatchery in Cameron.

My papa had a model-T truck that he used to deliver the eggs to Fuchs Hatchery.

After we unloaded the eggs, we went to downtown Cameron for my papa to tend to

business. That is where my most treasured Christmas memory occurred.

Citizens National Bank, was where my grandparents did their business. From the eyes of

a child that bank had the most fascinating Santa Claus in the north end of the lobby

above the first floor.

Soft Christmas music filled the lobby as Santa dressed in his red velvet suit, Sleigh

and reindeer were animated while soft Christmas music filled the lobby.

Several years ago, I stopped in to chat with an employee there and ask if there might

be a picture of that Christmas scene I had remembered.

And sure enough, she brought out a black and white picture of the exact Citizens

Christmas Santa Scene.

Fast forward about 10 years, when I was employed during the Christmas season at

Stricker’s Variety Store in Rockdale.

That building is now occupied by The Rockdale Reporter. Mr. (M.N.) Stricker was good to

employ local people, young and old.

I manned the candy counter, which had a large glass divided case that separated hard

and soft candy.

I got to weigh out the candy using a scale putting the candy in a white sack. Lola

Belle Rae trained me to do my job.

Mr. Stricker gave us presents at Christmas. I got a pair of flourscent green socks,

which I saved all these years.

maryjoygraham@yahoo.com

"Milam History"

by Mary Joy Graham

All credit for these articles goes to Joy Graham

and any references mentioned in the articles.

Published in the Rockdale Reporter