The Independent-News, Volume 98, Number 29, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 23 December 1971 — Page 3

YES VIRGINIA... What is perhaps the nation's most reprinted editorial was written in the year 1897, in response to a school girl’s simple question about the validity of the Santa Clause legend. Virginia O’Hanlon, then eight years •Id, sent this question to the editor of the New York Sun: “Dear. Editor: Some of my little frien Is say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "lif you sec it in the Sun it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?” The answer to this question, penned by an editorial writer name 4 Francis Pharcellus Church has become an American classic. Here it is in full: Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skeptical age. rhe.A do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia whether they be men’s or children s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere nsect, an ant, in his boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capade of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Smta Claus, He exists as cerunly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and vou kn >w that they abound and give to your life its highest b'-iuty and joy. Alas. h<w dreary would this world be if

* ** * w**SiSiSiSi Si Si Si Si Si Si Si Si Si «Si Si a ■> r, | ■wiTl M riqiitl HRHbI HIMI s * ^ ay evcry ^ eart warm >; to the radiance of the |H J £ ^ tar '’ ‘ an d H ,s £ d lor y today and always, IwJI £ ; IliliE fl BW * :♦ \ J i \ I I ■JSr>w \ * S i \ S I i W- ■ \ • » IC* % v * w r 77 £ , - > * Jr t 8 • z z - - « i MAHONEY- M« CHEyBLET- f OLDSMOBILE COMPANY, Inc. i R Walkerton £ R —- - x

there were no Vjrgiinas. There would be no childlike 7th then, no poetry, no romance t\j make tolerable tuis existence. e should have no enjoyment, except in senco and sight. The et-nwil light with which childh<AK firs the world would be extinguished. Not bel’eve in Santa Claus! You might as well n)t believe in tarries. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve t\» catch Santa Claus but, even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Os course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the m>ise inside, but there is a veil the united strength of all the covering the unseen w rid which not the strongest man, nor even the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, love, p.ietrv, romance, can push aside the curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else more real

and abiding. No Santa Clause! Thank God! He lives and he lives toiever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now ue wai continue to make glad the n uu of chiidhood.” v uice Os Ihe People I, too, share the “puzzled parents" concern over the lack of playground equipment i s very expensive (example: one heavy diAy swing set with eight swings costs over $300.(K) and one heavy duty merry go round co ts $299.00). We will attempt to add playground equipment if funds are avilable. I agree that it is very badly needed. Last week’s writer stated “children are sent, out in all kinds of weather.” Thi s is not true. If ft is ra ning the children stay inside or play out under the front entryway. We do atempt to allow the pupils to play out-ide at recess as much as possible because the fresh a r is good for them if pupiL will come irropeily dies cd. Rece s periods are only fifteen m nut s long <o the pup.ls are not outside for long periods. We att nipt to use our best judgement in deeding whether children play inside or out. Parents are always welcome to discuss these matter- with me. I appreciate the ; r concern over matters that bother them. By work,ng togeaher we (par ems and teachers) can make

23, IW _ IHE independknt-nf.wb .

our elementary £C hool Ute ^est in this area. Walk< rten Elementary School Dan K.ngery, Principal Chiislir.as Evs Candlelight Stivics A candlel'ght Christmas Eve service will he held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church, Walkerton. Anyon“ invited to come. There will I« special music by the choirs of the church a short sermon carol singing and the lighting of the candles.

j We hope you have a happy holiday! Dr. and Mrs. G. R. Hsishbergsr IZ) n f jaaHaaaaaaag®^ L «aflHiaseHßßßii&aaßnaKaiHr *< I ■ f “g . v —g " —s » IA/IrP 1I [1 lAjO : ■ * ■ * z^/1 Z ‘X(% • ■ ■ * k • ■ “ 7 ■ : : 1 ' v " 1 ■ 1 : To our friends and patrons ... ■ we wish you the best during the ■ coming Christmas and New Year " ■ N ■ i ■ ■ Guy Rizek : Plumbing & Hesting : B North I. berty ■ a-a s a"a a a a a » a.^

□ - Q 11081 IT A L N(»t E S □ ADMITTED To STREET DIVISION, UiPORTE Mrs. Nd-on Salyor and Wdfied Reinhardt, both ui Walkerton. ADMITTED TO PINE LAKE i U VISION, L iPORTE Edward Grace and Mrs, Thom, as McWhinney, both of Walkerton. ADMITTED TO PARKVIEW. PLYMOUTH David Sherwood, Walkerton.

3