Delta County Historical Society photo From the Delta County Historical Archives, when Santa arrived in Escanaba by boat in December of 1966. The Connie J, a fishing tug, was owned from 1948 to 1969 by Harold Olson of Escanaba.

ESCANABA — Cold noses, red cheeks and the glow of street lights; laughter and chatter in frosty breaths hang in the December air.

Excitement crackled in the cold wet world when Santa came to town back in the 1950s.

Everyone has a special childhood memory of the simpler pre-Christmas days in downtown Escanaba.

Maybe it was going for a ride to town in Dad’s old station wagon. Siblings were all bundled up in hats, mittens and scarves. Mom and Dad were in the front seat with the baby between them.

Every family photo album has a version of the same photo of all the kids and Santa.

When I was in grade school my brothers and sister and I got one evening of Christmas shopping in downtown Escanaba. It was so awesome and such a “grown up thing” to do.

Dad dropped us off by the Penney’s time and temperature sign. Mom didn’t drive back then, so a pick up time was arranged before the green Ford pulled away.

We were free to roam the stores in search of a gift for Mom and Dad a gift for our cousins name exchange. We felt rich with our paper route money and babysitting money in tow.

One of the very first gifts I recall buying for my mom was a set of wooden coasters from upstairs in the Fair Store. Those coasters graced her coffee table for many years.

Dad’s gifts were a practical things like work hankies, socks or overalls. Sometimes we kids would go together buy him a new pipe (it had to have a stem that screwed in the bowl — not a push in stem) from the Gust Asp Store. (Boy times have changed.)

After completing shopping as young teens, we’d often stop at the Big Boy for warm drink and a small snack.

Santa Claus has always been given a warm-wonderful hometown welcoming in Escanaba over the years.

Whether he arrived by horse drawn carriage, fire truck or by boat, this saintly gent made his annual appearances.

There was more a sense of awe about Santa back in the olden days. Kids weren’t bombarded by him for many weeks on the TV, computer and every shopping mall and store.

The glossy covered Sears and Ward’s Christmas wish catalog arrived in the mailbox right after Thanksgiving. Each family member had their favorite section well thumbed through. I so recall all those pages of baby dolls and the Christmas fashions with mother and daughter matching dresses.

It is the magic of those memories that made Christmas so special. And that is still very true today. Christmas isn’t about what you buy, or give or get. It is about the time you spend with loved ones.

Welcome the spirit of St. Nicholas into your home with all the excitement of a child.

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Karen (Rose) Wils is a lifelong north Escanaba resident. Her folksy columns appear weekly in Lifestyles.