As I remember, one of the many good times as a child growing up in Maplewood, during the depression. Our family "The Blacks" got together often but the family was never complete till the Bells of Coatsville arrived on the scene.

I was 9 or 10 and the year was 19xx or 19xx. Christmas was soon to come when I heard that Aunt Mable Bell, and Uncle Ivan and Bill, Bob, and George were coming up from Coatsville to Maplewood for the holiday. The whole family was excited, but none more than I. How I looked forward to seeing them. Coming all the way from Coatsville, which as I remember was about 100 miles, which back then was a long way to drive.

Grandpa Philander, and Grandma Minnie Black were overjoyed, as they missed their oldest daughter Mable, and ached to see her and her family. Grandpa had been superintendent of the Maplewood Ice Company for many a year, before retirement. Back then retirement meant that you quit working because of health or just age problems. There were no Social Security or retirement programs. Whatever you had would have to keep you for the rest of your life. This I have often wondered of as Grandpa always seemed to me at least to be rich. He had a little farm and grew large gardens. His sons all had gardens and they all shared their crops. He would raise a couple of hogs each year and possibly a calf for meat for the family. He also had chickens, which were the sole ownership of Grandma. She took care of, gathered the eggs and when she had extra would sell eggs or a chicken to the cottagers who had places on the lake, this was her money. This was a very happy house, and almost every weekend one or more of their children and families would gather there.

Guy, was the eldest son, his wife, Martha along with Sheldon, Marion and Raymond lived less than a mile away from Grandpa. Guy worked for Maplewood Ice for a long time and later became Superintendent, but by then the company was on its way out. Sheldon, who I feel I was the closest to, Marion and Raymond were all a few years older than I. I tried to keep up with them and sometimes got the worst of it, but always went back for more.

Next in line was Mabel, who I referred to in the beginning, and this story is all about the Bells and the Blacks Christmas.

Russell was next, and although he never married seemed happy with staying at home with his mother and father and taking care of the house. He worked as a handyman for the Cusicks, who had an estate on Lake Henry, and owned several breweries and funeral directories in and around Scranton, Pa. Russell was always at hand when anyone needed something done. He was a jack of all trades, as he could paint, paper, do electric work, and designed and built many a house in the area, one of them being brother Walter's home and General Store. Russell was a prince of a man with many friends.

My father Dermont, was the next, married my mother Ann Morgan who was an immigrant from Wales. Ann had followed her two brothers over after they were settled in their jobs as miners. Mining was all they knew as they started in the mines of Wales when they were 13 years old. I, Dermont Guy (Monty) was born of them in 19xx, David John was born of them 12 years later in 19xx. Dad also worked for the ice plant when he was needed and did anything he could find during the 30's to keep his family fed and clothed. It must have been difficult, and without the rest of his family probably would not have survived.

Walter, who was the youngest boy had married Marjorie Hallock, a young widow with a young daughter Marian, who was also having a rough time of it after her husband died so young. He took over the store operation, which must have been very difficult for him with no experience, and very little education. But he made a nice living from it although it was not easy and called for many an hour of work. Walter also ran the school bus, and would work on the ice when it was harvested in the winter.

And last but not least was Celia. Celia was a wonderful person who was born handicapped mentally. She would never progress mentally to be more than eight years old, and had very little schooling. Celia was an important part of the family. All looked out for Celia, and Celia looked out for all her family also. She was a very loving, caring person and I feel I am a better person for knowing and living with and near her.

Chapter II.

The day finally arrived when the Bells would arrive. I went up to Grandpa's early in the day to be sure I would be there to greet them. Grandma advised me that they probably would not be there until later in the afternoon, but I stayed and watched down the road for them. The morning passed, afternoon was in the three o'clock hour when finally a car pulled into their driveway. It was them. We all spilled out the back door to greet them. Much conversation and laughter followed of which I do not remember what was said, but everyone was so happy.

That night, being Christmas Eve all went to the little church and watched the children of the church perform as was the custom. A sermon was preached by Reverend Mattor about the birth of Christ, and we all went to our homes and awaited Santa's arrival. I was more interested in the next day and being with the Bell boys, and the rest of the family at dinner.

The women of the family had been preparing for days for the feast. All had their specialties, which were prepared with love and care. All the women gathered in grandma's kitchen early Christmas morning, the last of the dinner was prepared. As I remember Reverend Matter and his wife, along with their two young sons were also there for dinner. What a gang, as I remember there were 25 that sat for dinner. What a feast!

After dinner, the men retired to the living room, and we kids went outside. There had been a big snowstorm a few days prior and there was a large snowdrift, possibly 20 feet piled up on the hill behind the house. Bill, Bob, George and I immediately decided to dig a cave. This we did as I remember we had dug about 10 feet in, and then dug out a room about 10 X 10 with a high ceiling. What a piece of work it was. Of course, we saw no danger in it collapsing and smothering us, but this did not happen. We spent hours playing in the snow.

Uncle Ivan always seemed to bring something of interest. This time he had brought a movie projector. I was in awe of this and had him show the same movies over and over. We in Maplewood saw very few movies and this was such a treat.

The couple of days that they spent with us in Maplewood went by so fast, and as much to my anguish the next morning they were leaving on the long trip home. We said our goodbyes the night before at Grandpa's and went home. I got up real early and watched for them to go by on their way. I watched with tears in my eyes as their car vanished down the road.

THE END

END OF THIS STORY, BUT NOT THE END OF OUR

"GOOD TIMES"

Back to Top