The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1904-01-22
HOLIDAY SEASON IN CALIFORNIA
A Country Where the Weather is Like
Nebraska June and People
Picnic on New Years,

Picnic on New Years.
The following article descriptive of
the holiday season in southern Cali
fornia, is furnished by r. s. Requa,
formerly of this place but now living
at San Diego, Cal, who is manager of
the American Educational Entertain
ment company. Mr.. Requa writes that
he expects to make trip through the
east next fall and will visit his old
Norfolk home. He says he hopes the
article will give some conception of
the wonderful climate of southern Cal
ifornia:
Perhaps there is no event in South
ern California that seems more incon-
gruous with surroundings to people
who have spent the greater portion of
their lives in cold winter cline, than
the holiday season.
1t is sometimes necessary to refer to
the calendar to convince one of the
time of year but to this new order of
things the average easterner quickly
and joyfully adapts himself except
when the festivities at the close of
the old year must be carried out in
summer atmosphere with trees and
plants in flower and fruitage, then he
| realizes something is wrong.
The shortening of the days, the turn
ing of the leaves on the deciduous
trees and the occasional shower,
warns him of the approach of another
season, but otherwise things remain
unchanged.
Anon and the enlivening business
with it's accompanying joys for the
merchants, the familiar face to Santa
Claus and the attractive display of toys
and sweet meats in the shop windows
remind him that the great information
al holiday is not far distant.
Another week and rows of evergreen
boughs are displayed for sale in va
cant lots, the vender in shirt sleeves
and barefooted, if lad, finds ready
sale for them as Christmas trees.
AT last the eventful day arrives,
dawning bright and clear, the perfume
of roses and other fragrant flowers
are waited in the open window by the
gentle breeze, the sweet notes of the
song birds are heard on every hand,
the little creatures being privileged
to share with us the joys of this glad
some day. The scene calls to mind
the soft warm days of June with
brilliant month of green.
After the juvenile members of the
family have explored the recesses of
their Christmas stocking and the
morning meal has been partaken, in
stead of donning heavy wraps, mits
and overshoes in preparation for a
sleigh ride over snow covered roads
as was the former custom, we fill the
lunch boxes, gather up our parasols
and some simple means of entertain
ment for ourselves and the children,
and sally forth to grove or park to
spend the day in true picnic style. or
take the cars for nearby beach where
the cool ocean breezes and the musical
rhythm of the waves as they beat un-
ceasingly on the white sands tend to
Danish our cares and troubles and
prepare us anew for the battles of life.
Thus passes the anniversary of our
Savior's birth as well as the opening
day of the new year.
Probably the eve before this last
event we watch the dying year out at
a lawn or flower social with aught but
the perfect California skies above and
| every evidence of summers evening
about us.
1t is the custom every New Years
morning for the members of the row.
ing clubs at this place to take a
plunge nj the quiet waters of San Di-
ego bay. This is indeed novel sight
and usually attracts a crowd of spec
tators of our tourist visitors.
Is it wonder in such an unusual en-
vironment, that newcomers find diff
ficulty in adapting themselves to these
strange conditions? But with all these
inconsistencies and uncommon occur
rences there is little dissatisfaction
expressed and it would be a great in
ducement indeed that would tempt
them to again endure the rigor and
discomforts of the eastern winter.