Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1953-12-25
THEY MADE CHRISTMAS MERRIER
BY VINCENT EDWARDS

nara tnlS year 10 catcn your snare
of Christmas cheer and having ra-
ther hard go of it, you may vel
come the chance to read about
some folks who entered quite un-
restrainedly into the spirit of the
season. Each, in his own way, it
will be noted, made notable con-
tribution to the pleasure of the
Yuletide for later generations
Which leads to the conclusion that
anybody who can read these dos
siers" without experiencing some
faint inner glow of heart will be
definitely missing out on what
Christmas really means to this
mad, money-chaSing materialistic-
minded old world!
Christmas Greefer
On a December evening in the
year 1845, an English artist sat
down to write a greeting to a
friend. Racking his brain, he
could not frame up the neatly
worded sentiment he had in mind,
so he took his pen and tried
something different. Quickly he
divided a small piece of cardboard
into three panels. In each of these
he sketched appropriate Christmas
scenes-a family party in the cen
ter, and poor folk receiving gifts
on each side. When the artist was
done, he attached brief greeting
and then mailed off the card to his
friend The latter admired it and
showed it to many people But w
c. Dobson, who became one of
England's distinguished painters,
never realized what he had start
ed. He had designed something
that was to become an important
part of seasonal good will and
friendly remembrance the
worlds first Christmas card!
Music Master
Of all the sacred music Handel
ever wrote, the oratorio "The Mes
siah" is unquestionably the finest.
Leading organists and musicians
seem to be agreed that it was an
inspired work. And so it must
have been--if one is to believe
the record. One day, when Han
dePs servant went to his study, he
found his master with tears in his
eyes, and on his face an enraptur-
ed far-off look. In awe the compo-
ser spoke aloud, II did think | did
see all Heaven before me. and the
Great God HIMSELF" Handel had
just finished writing the most sub
lime part of his great work-the
'Hallelujah Chorus! When he
started composing this oratorio,
his fortunes were at their lowest
ebb. His money was gone, his
London court friends had deserted
him, and even his health had been
affected. But then overnight, with
the presentation of "The Messiah
he found himself lifted into a
blaze of glory In order to hear
the new work, high-born ladies and
gentlemen crowded breathlessly
int the London concert halls
narrow standing room. The new
work drew allout praise, and Han
del once more became the lion of
the hour.
Stamp Men
Believe it or not, a humble Dan
ish postal clerk originated the
worlds most popular Christmas
| charity. AS Einar Holboll was
sorting Christmas mail in the Co
penhagen post office in the year
1903, he had a sudden inspiration
Into his imagination there flashed
picture of all those letters and
packages carrying a special Yule-
tide seal, which was sold to raise
money for children sick with III.
berculosis. He told others of his
idea and Immediately they became
enthusiastic. Denmark's leading
citizens backed it up and King
Christian gave it his official en-
dorsement. In 1904, the first year
the Christmas seal appeared. more
than four million were sold. A
] total of $41,00 was raised for the
aid of tuberculosis victims. From
Denmark, the plan spread to Swe.
den and Norway, and in 1907 the
scheme was taken up in the Unit
ed States. Today forty-five coun-
tries use the Christmas seal for
this life-saving charity, with re.
ceiptS running into the millions of
dollars.