Of all the small segments of days during the year I don’t think there is any one period more anticipated or fulfilling as the one we are currently living in.
The days between Christmas and Thanksgiving seem to be full of promises for almost everyone, young and old alike. We see so many individuals and groups dust off their traditions and mores and place them on display one more time for the enjoyment of all.
One of these is the Historical Museum. Last Sunday we saw the launch of its latest offering, the annual Magi Exhibit.
It was five years ago that Harris Teller first proposed to the museum staff his idea for exhibiting his collection, he told everyone of the time he was a hospital corpsman on board a Navy vessel during the Korean War.
The ship was in Pusan Harbor and he wanted to do something for those lying ill in the ship’s dispensary. He went ashore and there in one of the markets he found a crèche complete with Magi. He brought them back on board and this was the beginning of a collection that was to grow immensely in the years that followed.
On exhibit at the museum are more than 700 sets of the Magi. They range in size from three feet high to the size of a finger. The material ranges from porcelain to paper mache. Many of those are gifts that have been given to Teller. He was in the Sweetwater Union High School District for 30 years and students and colleagues alike have swelled his collection. The exhibit will remain up until January.
And here are a couple of good dates to visit. On Thursday, Dec. 4, the museum staff in conjunction with the Bonita Garden Club will hold their annual tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.
Choral groups from the Valley and others will be in attendance singing to the accompaniment of the museum’s own Hammond organ. There will also be refreshments and, we are told, a surprise. I am not sure but I think the surprise will be a visit from old Santa himself.
On Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. there will be another get together. This time we will hear “Stories from Christmas Past.” The assembly will (be) informal with various folks talking about Christmases that they remember.
There will be a wartime Christmas, a Christmas in Emgland, Christmas in Bonita and a young by just recently arrived from his native Italy seeing his first Chirstmas on American soil. Others in the audience may add to this.
One week from today on the evening of Dec. 6, Chula Vista will hold its annual Starlight Yule Parade. This event, more or less, ushers on the Christmas season in Chula Vista. There will be dozens of marching units, floats, and big brass bands right up Third Avenue.
We have mail from other organizations telling us about their seasons deeds. All the service clubs, for example, got out
Thanksgiving baskets to people needing them and will do something similar at Christmas time.
It is also a time for the schools to shine. Bonita Vista Middle School just recently completed a drive featuring a pumpkin decorating contest. This was spearheaded by the school’s builder’s club. Naoko Kozuki, a spokesperson for the club, reports hat the money raised was to assist in fighting iodine deficiency in children.
