“Dear Santa, Mama Wants Hat Pins, Papa, One Mule: A Compilation of Letters from the Northfield News, 1902-1945,” the fourth book in the award-winning Northfield History Series, will be released Nov. 19. Copies will be available for sale at the Northfield Historical Society (NHS) Museum Store. Books are also available for online purchase through the museum store at www.northfieldhistory.org.
Jeff Sauve, St. Olaf College Associate Archivist and longtime member of NHS, who compiled the book said, “In her column, Maggie Lee would often reprint letters to Santa. I always enjoyed reading them, so I thought we should compile some of them into a book. They provide a social and historical perspective not often considered. Hopefully this little volume will provide a joyous reflection of Christmases past as well as a richer understanding of a child’s spirit that resides within each of us.”
Notable Northfield names that grace the book’s pages, include: DeMann, Drentlaw, Flaten, Holden, Revier, Roe, Tschan and Zanmiller. Selections were made based on humor or uniqueness. For example, George Ebling wrote, “My dear Santy: Please bring me just pie this Christmas. I love pie and lots of it. Maybe a few nuts and candy. I am your dear little friend, George Ebling. I am 8 years old and mamma’s only boy. I just live a few miles west of Dundas. Good by.”
NHS will hold a book signing Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Museum Store. A signing will also be held Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Northfield Senior Center.
The Northfield History Series continues to be strongly supported by the family of Barbara A. Will, who was a member of the NHS board and past president of the organization.