The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-01-11
BELIEVE IN OLD CHRISTMAS

l went to the Old Christmas eel
ebration at Rodanthe Saturday
night. believe in Old Christmas
for it's opportunity for old friends
and neighbors to meet. 1t is fine
to have occasions of this kind.
There is something extra fine in
the Christmas spirit, and we need
more Christmases and less of some
other occasions.
/ like old Christmas, because it
was faithfully observed by the old
er heads many years ago. Who
knows that it is not just as well
founded as any other Christmas ?
My father always took note of it
when l was small boy, and many
boys in my neighborhood were de-
lighted with the opportunity it
gave them to hang their stockings
for a second time. Old Christmas
was very real, and my father had
gotten the idea from his father;
his great-grandfather lived near
Rodanthe, and was one of the big
men of his day in that region. 1t
was from Roger and his forepar-
ents, that the Meekins family
spread out into North and South
Carolina.
l like Old Christmas, it was an
occasion to meet again in the hos
pitiable circle of Capt. Levene Mid
gett, man who can't ever do
enough for his friends. He fed us
well, and fine oysters were enjoy
ed. We saw many old acquain-
tances we had not seen in a long
time before.
Children as we'll as people much
older were there in abundance.
When a man the age Of Brad
Payne leaves Wanchese with his
ancient drum, and travels to Ro-
danthe, the scene of his boyhood,
to spend half the night in the fes-
tivities, something of the hold that
Old Christmas has is indicated.
There were people present from
Hatteras, Elizabeth City, Norfolk,
Raleigh, some coming back home
from as far away as New York.
There was fiddling and dancing
and speaking and piano playing,
and fun and laughter, and finally
Old Buck, that monstrosity made
of a steers head, a horses tail
many blankets and some boys, was
brought into the room. Old Buck
has always roamed at Rodanthe
on Old Christmas and l hope he
always will. Next year if that last
piece of road is finally finished, we
hope a greater celebration will be
arranged, with some weeks put
forth in the effort to work up a
big program, with ample seating
provided, and more of everything
for the bigger crowd that will
surely come down to the Outer
Banks Observance of Old Christ
mas is one of numerous historical
features that serve well to adver-
tise our coastland and attract at
tention to Hatteras Island, a re-
gion that will soon reap a rich
harvest in tourist trade.
| Scotty Gibson, who owns the fine
Atlantic View Hotel at Hatteras,
did at Christmastime what few
hotel men dare to do. He locked
his doors Christmas day and with
his family took off for a weeks
drive to Florida. He got back just
in time to start in business with
the New Year. No doubt there are
many of US who wish to do that
same thing.
| We had more rain; didn't have
time to>visit. Returning home Sun
day morning, saw Capt. Unaka
Jennette's family and Dave Vests
at Buxton. Almost got stuck at
some places where maintenance on
the road is neglected. Northeasters
blow lots of san don the pavement,
and the forces are little slow
getting it off. Caught the 1920
ferry back home over Oregon In
let. We certainly do miss the smil-
ing face of Capt. Tobey Tillett who
for 25 years day in and day out,
served this facility which he found
ed, and nursed through thick and
thin.