The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-11-20
THIS THANKSGIVING

not one of the most Joyous we
have known. but still there is
much on the pleasant side TO off
set the gloom of the future. We
still live better than any nation,
our average of intelligence,
health. span of life Is tops. We
aren't being bombed. We
haven't long casualty lists to
bring sadness into our homes.
We are still free to meet and de-
bate and worship as we choose.
On next Thanksgiving day
we may not be able to say as
much. We hope we can. but
today it is good to live in the
present. Something unforeseen
NAV happen to change the trend
toward war that now seems so
certain.
Instead Of looking today in
the distant future il is more
pleasant to look ahead just a
month. Then comes Christmas.
the one day in which the Chris
tisn people in all nations Join III
holy celebration. The immediate
thought is of happiness to others
that comes through the little
remembrances we send to let
them know we think of them
and want them to think of Us.
Today we give thanks for DIR
blessings. tomorrow we start the
annual pleasure trips from
store to store in guest OF the
gifts we shall send for Christmas
day. In Ypsilanti the stage is
we'll set. For evidence Of the
shopping adventures here Just
read the store news in this Issue
of the Daily Press. II tells you
in detail lust how ready Ypsi-
lanti merchants are to serve you.
Later there will be more to
say about the big parade plan
ned for the kiddies this year.
and there will be more about
the new merchandise in Ypsi-
anti stores. but in this paper
alone there are gifts enough for
the people of this community -
good gifts properly priced.
This early announcement en-
phasizes the advantages Of early
shopping. Now is the time to
shop at ease, avoid the crowds
that will be in the stores later
and profit by the fine selections
afforded in newly replenished
stocks.
In making this early announ-
cement merchants of YpsilanH
realize the need this year for
extra effort to pack every pos
sible bit of 10y into this Christ
mas observance in order that
we may erase for the time being
the thoughts of war. Their eff
forts are in keeping with the
general feeling of which there
are many encouraging examples.
We cite one-the Santa Claus
school announced in Albion, N.
Y. by Charles w. Howard. A
veteran Santa himself, who be-
lieves this years St. Nicks have
a bigger Job than ever. he says
it is up to Old Santa to instill in
Youngsters minds that Peace on
earth. goodwill to man still
exists. He established his train
ing course in 1887 and has five
students studying for his "B. S.
c. degree. Bachelor of Santa
Claus. He feels the average
Santas are faulty so he has set
about making improvements.
Diplomas are awarded to
Howard-trained Santas only af-
ter they have served in a store
and show they understand the
lob. Extra training and addi-
tional research leads to the-B.
S. c. degree.
A first-class Santa, Howard
saws, must be able to answer the
thousands of questions put to
him by inquisitive children
After all. Santa should know
the names of his reindeer" he
ehuckles. and he Is right. Santa
should know these names. and
children's names and their de-
sires. There are a lot Of things
q good Santa should know.
What Mr.. Howard is doing
should find nationwide en-
eouragement. A man to repre-
sent the greatest character in
the child's fancy should be COM
petent to do a good Job. If those
we have in Ypsilanti are as en-
thusiastic this year as the mer-
chants who employ them, they
will pretty we'll fulfill the B. S.
c. requirements. 1t is going to
be a good Christmas season in