American Legacies Organization, Inc.

Cora Culp

The photo above was purchased by U.S. Legacies in Huntingburg, Indiana. The following comments are written on the back. Cora Matlieny Culp B July 18, 1867. Property of Lucille Randolph, RR 2 Oblong, IL 62449.

Inside a young couple’s log home in Estill County, Kentucky. c. late 19th century.

Photograph by Coley Ogg.

Thanks to Jimmy Nickels.

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore... So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'

Rebecca - age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.

' Karl - age 5

An old boy was fumblin around one day

In a women’s clothing store

He’d found his wife a Christmas coat

And was headed for the door

When he bumped into a little boy

That looked like he was lost.

And he said “Mister can you help me

Find out how much something costs?

Here it is almost Christmas

And the nights are gettin cold

Winter time is on us

And my mom don’t have a coat.

I’ve been workin for the neighbors

And saving for a time”

And in his tiny outstretched hand

About a week before Christmas a family bought a new nativity scene. When they unpacked it they found 2 figures of the Baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have 2."

I was born in the 1940’s and as you can see in the image we were able to SEE Santa Claus in the comfort of our own home.

I later learned that my Uncle Clyde Hostetter did the wonderful performance of Santa Claus for us.

***Christmas***Letter from the Editor

By Franklin T Wike, Jr.

What makes Christmas special for you?

As young children, our interest in Christmas leaned more towards getting gifts than giving them.

Mario Ruiz // Getty Images

Holiday Gift Crazes And Fads Of The Past Century

The holidays are about family, friends, feasting, and yes, if we're being honest, presents. Overall, holiday spending is expected to reach record levels in the 2023 season, up to $966.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's holiday forecast. (That's $37 billion more than in 2022.) The number is inclusive of gifts, food, decor, and other holiday-related purchases, but there's no doubt the first category is a hefty portion of the total spending.

A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took
Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied: "They couldn't get
a baby sitter."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her
five and six year-olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy
father and thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches
us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one
little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

Rex K. Williams // Shutterstock

Top Holiday Toys From The Year You Were Born

Growing up, kids who celebrated Christmas always had that one toy they were hoping to see under the tree on Dec. 25—the one that they whispered about in Santa's ear, wondering if he and his trusty reindeer would come through.