By Ray Lenarcic
How could I ever forget Easter in Little Falls during those glorious days in the 1950s? The first memory coming to mind is the coloring of Easter eggs. Mom would get everything ready a week or so before the holy day, and my sister and I would get to work dipping the “gifts of the hens” into pink, yellow, and blue solutions. Then, once dried, we’d carefully place our masterpieces in special Easter baskets, eagerly anticipating that Sunday morning when we’d awaken, run downstairs, and find them filled with a variety of candy delights. My favorite-marshmallow chicks. My wife, Kay, and her brothers and sisters took this tradition a step further by participating in an Easter egg hunt. Her mother would hide the prized baskets in different places in and about the house and, on that special morning, line ‘em up and shout-“Go get’um.”
Secondly, I can never forget because of yearly reminders of the flowers commensurate with the Easter season. For myself, most memorable were the golden daffodils and crocuses, which, when set against a backdrop of budding lilacs, a deep blue sunny sky, and accompanied by a chorus of chirping robins, will always remain a testament to the artistry of Mother Nature. And lest I forget, the arrangement of lilies beautifying our dining room table made the day complete.
Thirdly, until I graduated from high school, Easter meant new, duds-specifically a sport coat, shirt, knit tie, pants, and spit-clean Buster Brown shoes. Freshly washed and newly garbed, I recall proudly walking down the aisle of First Baptist, eagerly anticipating the fire and brimstone sermon by the inimitable Rev. Fred Thorne. His message always resonated and, presented in his special style, would not soon be forgotten. But as impactful as the Reverend was, even more so was his beatific wife, Mary. Her Sunday School lessons, always delivered in a quiet, respectful manner, stressed the importance of caring for others-that by giving just a part of ourselves as volunteers in the community, we’d be making an important, positive difference in the lives of those in some particular need. Her simple message of caring profoundly affected my life.
Fourthly, the season’s music. How can I ever forget cowboy Gene Autry’s Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail or that crooner-supreme Bing Crosby regaling us with Easter Parade? But most memorable to me were the hymns sung by one of the best church choirs ever-hymns, which included “Christ the Lord Is Risen, “Up from the Cross,” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Fifthly, how can I ever forget the smell of freshly baked ham? Easter dinner (at 1 PM) featured Mom’s specially baked meat, scalped taters, creamed corn, buttered green beans, homemade rolls, and most enjoyable -the piece de resistance-a once-in-a-year baked cake with a delectable icing- and we enjoyed it for the next couple of days-right down to the very last crumb.
Finally, I fondly recall after the meal changing into my play clothes and heading down to Furnace Street Park, where my friends and I talked about our experiences at church and the dining table-sharing in a special camaraderie devoid of disagreement or malice. Regardless of the faiths, we lived them, making them a part of our everyday lives-the 10 Commandments being the common denominator. So, in the ways I described, this holiday will always have a special meaning for me. Yupper-Easter in the Falls in the ’50s truly was a glorious time.
I was and still am a Furnace Street park girl and Easter meant so much to me and still does. After 65 years as organist and still going, Easter meant a new outfit, hat included or you wouldn’t walk in church, and the delicious meal mom prepared and all the company, which unfortunately all have either passed or moved out of state. But I will always have the fond memories. I remember going to school with Ray and the good ole years. Keep writing Ray. I love to read your articles especially about “Up The Gut”. Happy Easter Ray and everyone else.
The 1950’s Easter memories that Ray shared were so true for many of us. It centered around family and our praise of Jesus Christ and his teachings. The wonderful, home made meal, often with our close relatives there made the day extra special. My dad would always order a beautiful, orchid coresage for mom and smaller ones for the daughters. The sons wore a carnation. Our day of course, included our Easter baskets and a special small gift.
One thing we used to do on the South Side after church was to go door to door, as in Halloween, with our Easter baskets and all the neighbors would give us candy, coins, or Easter eggs. Many of the eggs were coloured a reddish brown, as in the colour of dried onion skins. That was the Slovak tradition, colouring Easter eggs with boiled onion skins. They taste the same, but had that special Little Falls South Side Slovak meaning to me. I’m guessing others have long forgotten.
Always enjoy Ray Lenarcics articles. Reminds me of the old days. Hearing from former students also great. Mickey Kasner