Newspaper employees share family traditions

Christmas is a time to celebrate. A time to celebrate Christ’s birth, first and foremost of course, but also a time to celebrate and spend time with family, friends and co-workers.

Christmas is also filled with tradition. Churches present their Christmas programs depicting the nativity. Carols are sung. At home and at work presents are exchanged, parties are planned and given, and elaborate Christmas dinners are consumed.

And for most of us, decorating is a big part of the season. Some people go all out with complex and intricate outdoor Christmas displays utilizing literally thousands of lights that can take several days to set up. Others concentrate on the interior of their homes.

In any case, over the years families develop their own traditions for Christmas, and it’s no different here at the Southern Standard. So we thought it would be fun to talk with some of the employees here at the paper to find out what their traditions are and what Christmas means to them. Their replies were as varied and original as the people themselves.

Advertising representative Pam Cantrell, for instance, must have good memories of making snowmen when she was a kid. She has an entire tree filled with snowmen, snowmen of all shapes and sizes. Why snowmen?

“They are so happy,” says Pam, “who cannot love them?”

The redoubtable Pam has a bit of a reputation around the Standard office for being late on occasion, so she feels the snowman tree is perfect for her.

“Snowman trees are for procrastinators like me,” she says.

Fellow advertising employee Brinda Buckner’s Christmas tree is usually filled with her children Cain and Sara’s ornaments, but this year is different. She and Sara discussed the tree situation and decided it was a perfect time for a Barbie tree. Brinda has collected them for many years and Sara is following in her footsteps, so this year the family tree is filled with an assortment of Barbie ornaments.

“We thought it would not bother 3-year-old Cain too much this year if we did it, so we have pink bead garland and a Barbie tree topper,” said Brinda.

Advertising manager Sharon Patrick has been a long-time collector of raccoon ornaments and figurines and has received many of these charming pieces from family and friends, including hand-made versions her son made when he was a child, and now from her two grandsons.

“When people find out you collect something they often pick them up for you when they are out and about,” Sharon says.

Needless to say, her tree sports a wide variety of raccoon ornaments, including one from Hawaii and several hand carved ones. Her love for the cute masked critter came about because her father, Elvin Curtis and her son Jason enjoy hunting the furry creatures.

Donna Woodlee, advertising representative, wants to keep the magic in Christmas.

“I just love the holidays and I want it to be magical for my children,” Donna says. Her children, Micah, 10, and Keaton, 6, help decorate the family tree and get to pick out a dated ornament each year. They also have trees in their own rooms with ornaments of their choosing.

Standard advertising designer Nolan Esparza is experiencing the holiday excitement all over again with his 1-year-old daughter Aleya.

“She is very excited this year,” Nolan said. “Last year she kept getting into the tree, but this year she has not messed it up one time. My parents always let me pick out holiday ornaments, so that is something I do, and plan to do with her; let her pick out an ornament each year.”

Fellow advertising designer Kyle Ward and his wife Stephanie have been married for three years and are still working on building traditions for their family. Stephanie is a year-round shopper, but Kyle has a tendency to wait until the last minute.

“We have multiple Christmas gatherings and functions to attend, and that’s nice,” says Kyle, “but I sometimes wish we could slow down and get back to family things. I would like to see the goodwill and good deeds all year long.”

Lauren Zechman has many childhood memories of Christmas, but the traditional cutting of the tree stands out for her.

“My favorite memory is that we would often to out in the fields near my grandparents house and cut down our family Christmas tree,” Lauren said. “It was always an experience.”

Lauren’s mom, Pat, the Standard’s mainstay, says Christmas is a time to get creative.

“Grouping ornaments on the respective trees in our house is one of my favorite holiday routines,” Pat says. “My granddaughter Bliss has her own tree filled with trinkets and mementos from her 11 years. But my favorite tree is the one filled with old-fashioned ornaments, primarily with frills and a feminine touch.”

Phyllis Vanetta and her 16-year-old son Jared have a tradition all their own. No matter what time Jared wakes up on Christmas day they open presents.

“We opened gifts one time at 3 a.m.,” Phyllis said. “But it seems as he gets older, he sleeps later.”

Circulation secretary Nancy Higginbotham enjoys decorating and her home shows it.

“I have a wonderful Hoosier cabinet decorated with greenery, poinsettias and lemons,” Nancy said. “I have my mantle decorated with white lights and red candles, but I always leave my two grandson’s pictures up there. I just put some greenery on them.”

Editorial composing supervisor Seth Wright says the tradition he and his parents, retired teacher and teacher’s aid Joe and Patricia Wright, are known for is the 10 foot Christmas light star on the side of their home on Smithville Highway.

“It’s been up for around 15 years or so at least,” Seth says. “In ’94 we did it as a Dallas Cowboys tribute, but it’s always been a Wright family tradition. Most people who know us know about that star.”

Star Wars’ Yoda, wearing a Santa suit, is perched atop the editiorial department’s Christmas tree. Each employee has a personalized stocking and each person has contributed an ornament reflecting their personality. Mini Standard editor Margaret Hobbs makes adjustments to one of her miniature houses. At left, editor James Clark’s sons, from left, Owen and Benjamin have a hard time staying out of the presents under the tree. James, wife Devona, and the kids exchange gifts Christmas morning. The tree features ornaments made by Devona when she was a kid. Circulation director Bill Cathcart opted for an old-fashioned cedar tree at the home of his grandfather, Will. H. Cathcart. At right, Mitzi Grizzle and 14-month-old son Trad put up Christmas stockings while Kevin works on printing the newspaper.

Standard district manager Vickie Scott’s Christmas tree is topped off with a red bow. The traditional tree holds red ornaments, angels and snowflakes. The wall hanging at the back of the tree reflects the family’s love of horses. Below: Pat Zechman’s tree holds predominately white ornaments. The white bird was a gift from a lady at the craft show and takes a special spot on the tree. One of Pam Cantrell’s snowmen ornaments is nestled in her holiday tree. Below, Holly Cantrell’s sons, from left, Trey and Tucker play in their outdoor display.