Tears and Joy for Christmas in My Town
By: Katie Michaelson
Tags: Kindness, Friendship, Show Your City, Humanity, Life Lessons

I was honored and pleased when Muhammad Nasrullah Khan invited me to write about my town for his publication, Show Your City.

I’ve lived in many cities large and small and had difficulty deciding which one I’d write about. Muhammad graciously said I could write as many stories as I wanted. I loved that idea.

I’ve enjoyed reading the stories I found in his publication. One thing I noticed is that people from all parts of the world have more things in common than they have differences. That is what I found about people in each town I’ve lived in.

But which city do I start with? I don’t have photos. Oh my, I stayed stuck.

Today I decide to tell a story about one man in my little town. That one man represents the heart of the town and the heart of people in all towns everywhere.

My Little Town

I refer to the town where my home is as my little town. I live in Eldora, a small rural Iowa town of about 2,500 people. How did I get here?

I love to rescue dilapidated old homes and give them a last chance.

Photo of my home after I fixed it up. These big old homes are falling apart and being torn down.

Even though these are cheap homes to purchase, I could not afford one in the cities. So here I am, an hour’s drive from family and friends.

Most townspeople are church-going Christians. I, along with some others, am not. There is no Masque or Synagogue. There is not enough Bahi for a local Feast. Members of all faiths sometimes attend events at the local churches. I do if a young person I know will be singing.

The town celebrates the joys of Christmas together in shared activities for families and youth. I’ve lots of stories to tell, but today I want to tell you about our town Santa, Curt. Our Santa died a few weeks ago at only 58.

Christmases Past

You’d find Curt at work early.

He was part-time manager of the Grand Theater. It’s an old-time theater which was renovated in the 1990s. Admission is $3.00 for 12 years and up, $1.00 for those under 12 and over 59 years. It’s staffed by volunteers who are thanked for their service by a free movie, popcorn, and a soda — and fun.

Photo by Katie Michaelson

I’m a regular volunteer. I’m a ticket-taker, which means I take money, tear up the ticket, and tally customers. It’s fun as I get to chat and joke with folks and cheer up anyone in need of cheering. I worked Thursdays and holidays. After the movie, volunteers cleaned the theater.

Christmases past you’d find Curt decorating for Christmas Thanksgiving day.

A tree would greet moviegoers and those coming in to purchase bags of movie popcorn. He hung garland and had a decorated box for holiday drawings. He would set a guessing game up — you know, the guess how many pennies are in the jar type. He was quite clever in creating fresh versions.

He always put these wooden nutcrackers on the ledge where my cash tray was and the stupid things spent their time falling onto my cash, ticket tally, hand lotion, and chapstick.

As with all holiday seasons, Curt planned raffles, games, and special events. On any movie night, children with big bright eyes might come in with their parents to pick up a prize they’d won.

Last year Curt and the Welcome Center and Railroad Museum sponsored a free showing of The Polar Express. Volunteers dressed in costumes, handed out treat sacks, ushered children to see Santa, and lead interactive activities with the movie. Two ladies dressed in jolly attire held baskets of bells with bows to pass out to the children. I decorated the baskets and tied all the bows to the bells — toot-toot-me-horn.

Curt always worked Christmas.

On Christmas day, after our family gathering, my youngest granddaughter and I would go to the theater to volunteer. The job given to young children is handing out candy and bottled water. As she got older, she advanced to drawing soda from the soda machine. She also got to go to the basement and help bring up ice. Curt showed interest in her activities and was looking forward to giving her a reference for her first job.

Photo by Katie Michaelson

Curt was great with the youth in town. He gave extra attention and guidance to any child in need. ‘Delinquent’ boys, boys causing trouble and engaging in petty crime, were guided into honorable actions. He always saw the good kid wanting to escape the habit of bad behavior.

Most people don’t know that he’d spend his own money to get gifts for youth in need.

Santa

Curt was Santa for the town.

Christmas jingle celebrations found Curt in Santa suit passing gifts. Held in the huge old courthouse families marched up the marble stairs and waited in line munching on homemade cookies while waiting their turn with Santa.

He was Santa for the library.

Every year the Friends of The Library and library staff sponsored many activities for town youth. Homemade cookies, sandwiches, and other treats were served. Local merchants and townspeople donated gifts for the children. Curt donned our tattered Santa suit and entertained the youth. We purchased a new suit for this year. Will he know?

Guardian Angel for Seniors

He was the part-time custodian for Dorothy’s Senior Center and went out of his way to be sure things were clean and ready for any event. He would drive by keeping an eye on things when not working. He went above and beyond providing young muscle for seniors needing help.

Sometimes I’d get a call to change my volunteer day at the theater. Curt would bring residents from senior housing to the theater and wanted me there to assist the ladies when they needed to use the restroom. Oh, they were happy for the night out. I wish I could express their joy.

Just as he watched out for the troubled youth in my little town, he watched out for seniors. There were times I’d be at the theater chatting and laughing with folks as they came in and he’d leave us, the volunteers, in charge as he rushed out the door.

Concern on his face, he’d say he got a call; one of the old folks he checked on had not answered the phone. This meant a fall or diabetic issue and he’d go make sure the ambulance was notified, if needed, and family were called.

Every Day Santa

He was Santa all year for seniors and youth in trouble. Even when not donning his Santa suit, he had a jolly laugh. He told jokes and stories that entertained and inspired young people of all ages.

He did so much more than I’ve mentioned. Everyone liked him. He called me Miss Katie. He called all the ladies Miss — sweet. If you asked folks about him, they’d say:

He never judged,

volunteered a lot,

watched over others,

and had your back.

You just had to call him.

He gave to anyone in need

and was quiet about his faith.

He helped kids

and gave them a chance.

He was there

when you needed him —

always respectful

and wore a smile.

He looked out for others,

made things fun, and

checked on you

to see if you needed anything

He didn’t criticize

and led by example.

Photo by Katie Michaelson

Curt is my little town

At 58 he died young and has left a hole in our hearts. Yet, his spirit is here.

The things I love about my town were in Curt. His attitudes and behaviors mirror those I see in people I greet when I walk about town. That spirit of volunteerism, hard work, generosity, acceptance, kindness, helpfulness, respect, and just plan simple humanity lives in my little town.