THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412200141
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: Long : 143 lines
Colored lights, midnight Mass and stores filled with toys all combined to make Christmas in Norfolk a special time of the year for Paul Fraim.
``I guess one of things I remember most is that my mother would take my twin sister and I to see all of the toys and Santa Claus at the old Center Shops on 21st Street. They had a Santa Claus in there who was looked real and perfect to a child.
``I also remember Granby Street and all of the stores downtown. That was special trip going down there. It was always well-decorated and well-lit. For a young child it was very magical. That's where the shopping was.
``We also all went to midnight Mass together. There were five kids and my mother. She was our family matriarch, and she was everything, and Christmas revolved around her.''
Fraim said his mother still is very much a part of Christmas celebrations. The holiday, he said, is an important time for families to gather.
``We had a house full of kids when I was growing up. Christmas still means children and family and in that regard it's stayed the same.
On Christmas Eve, all of my family comes to my house for a party, and that's become a special tradition. And Christmas morning with the kids is important and very special.'' Sam Barfield Norfolk's commissioner of revenue
The setting was the island of Saipan in 1944. It was the second Christmas Sam Barfield had spent at war and away from home, but it was also one his most memorable.
``On Christmas Eve I had patrol duty. On that night, I was sitting on the side of the mountain looking down on our camp, and I heard singing.
``The fellows had slit the leaves of a tree, took a peach can for a star and made stars out of beer cans. (They took) some red long johns for ribbons and bows. They were singing `Silent Night.' You just had to know these fellows - the meanest, roughest, toughest Marines in the corps singing `Silent Night.' I joined in their crying. It was a very lonesome time.''
Barfield, whose family was in Norfolk at the time, said he spent three Christmases away from home.
``It was a very touching thing, and it made you realize these kids were away from home. There was something that moved them deeply . . . something that brought everyone closer together. Being away three years made it kind of rough. You ought to be home for Christmas.'' Jerrauld Jones State delegate from the 89th District
Jerrauld Jones is a firm believer of traditions. As a proud father, he's trying to link the experiences of his youth to his son today.
``We always had two trees. One was the boys' tree and one was the family tree where you get an icky sweater, the family-to-family gifts.
``But we did not lose sight that Jesus was the reason for the season. In the past my father went out of the way to ensure we understood the Christmas season. We always celebrated at my church every Christmas morning.
``A tradition that I intend to duplicate, my father would always gather us around and read the Holy Gospel of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. It was probably one of the most striking memories of my childhood. Any time my mind might reflect to that time, it's a warm, loving wonderful memory.''
``It's different a little for me now. Christmas has a different kind of feel. It's a wonderful thing to be a parent now and have a child to help bring the Christmas spirit to my home.
``It's a tradition to buy the biggest Christmas tree in the world . . . and my responsibility as dad to get all the decorations for the house. We collect the ornaments from year to year that connotes a year of our marriage.
``Something about doing that every year . . . you're drawn to it. It symbolizes a human ritual and celebrates the real meaning of Christmas.'' Beatrice Jennings Olde Huntersville Development Corporation co-founder
When Beatrice Jennings was 5, she lived in Olde Huntersville in a two-story turn-of-the-century home. That Christmas Eve, she said, is one she'll never forget.
``It was a very cold night and you always slept with the long flannel gowns on. On Christmas Eve, my father came in my bedroom just before daylight. I was half-asleep.
``I remember him waking me up and he said: `I think Santa Claus has been here.' I'm rubbing my eyes, half-frightened. I was tiptoeing down the steps behind him. He got to the first floor before I did, and he told me to wait.''
Her father then told her that Santa had not yet left, and that she had to hurry back upstairs.
``I starting rushing. It was an excitable fright. I just knew Santa had already gone up the chimney.
``I'm 66 now. To me, as a kid, that was one of the most pleasant surprises, that Santa really came.''
However, Jennings says this year is just as memorable as Christmases past.
``All of my children live within walking distance or short driving distance. They all live within the neighborhood. We're very strong and family oriented. We have a good support system.'' Margaret Elinski Director, Hunter House Victorian Museum
Many people agree that putting up the decorations is a true sign that Christmas has arrived. For Margaret Elinski, this activity conjures up rich childhood memories.
``Usually in our house we didn't decorate until Christmas Eve. It was quite a flurry of activity. Mama would trim the holly and spray it gold and just go to town with holly and green. We also had a choir of little golden angels on the mantle.''
Elinski said she now has two trees in her home - one for the family and a smaller one for children's dolls.
``We've tried to keep the same decorations. We had a (miniature) manger, and my job was to set out baby Jesus. I can remember playing with those little pieces. We still put that manger out first.''
Elinski said her childhood holidays also were filled with memorable gifts and revelations about Santa.
``My most wonderful Christmas present was a Thumbelina doll that would wind up and the head would move. It's about 35 years old, and she's moved with me everywhere I moved. She's still with me. She probably is my most prized gift.
``When I was a young girl, my father . . . played Santa (for the office Christmas party). I discovered that Santa Claus wore the same watch as my father. I began to question the idea of all those Santas running around. I must've been 8 years old.
``My youngest just asked me why some of the Christmas presents were `made in Taiwan.' But I still believe in Santa.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Mayor Paul Fraim and his family are ready for Christmas. To his left
is daughter Annie and wife Beth, and in the front are, from left,
daughter Katie and sons Richard and David.
Graphic
ABOUT THIS PACKAGE
The color cover photo of Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim was taken by
photographer Gary C. Knapp.
The Christmas recollections were compiled by staff writer Larry W.
Brown.
by CNB