By Brian G. Schommer

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Both are appropriate phrases of greeting at this time of year. I respect the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas and, that those who do have their own different ways to celebrate the season. If your traditions are more aimed towards Santa Claus, presents under the tree or the Nativity and the Star of the Christian faith traditional beliefs… or both… or neither and something completely different, no matter who you are, most people of all races and beliefs find this time of the year to be celebratory in nature and, even though this year has been a bugger and a half, we still have plenty to celebrate. Traditions are a big thing for many at this time of the year, including yours truly. As I get longer in the tooth, I find myself going back in time with my thoughts and lately, I have been thinking about “Christmas Breaks” when I was a kid. In a Charles Dickens kind of way, I have been receiving visits from the “Ghost of Christmas Breaks Past” and, opposite Dickens, the memories are quite pleasant.

I remember one Christmas Break when Joe Caturia, John Langenfeld and I got together and went out to Henry Schaar’s farm, near Schaar’s Bluff, to hunt pheasants. We were probably in 8th or 9th grade because I recall none of us had a driver’s license. We got dropped off and told, you need to be back here at a “such and such” a time or, you are walking home. If a parent said that back then, there was no doubt that if we were not back in time, we most certainly would have been walking. “Such and such” a time is translated into, “too old to remember all of the exacts.” I got permission over the phone with Mr. Schaar but when we got there, he pointed out where we could and could not go. We had no dogs so we knew there would be plenty of kicking piles with hopes to find a rooster or two. We walked, and walked and walked, coming up as empty as could be. I remember a lot of laughing, joking around and talking about girls, but more important, I remember feeling very proud as we were being trusted to hunt without adult supervision. This reminds me how different the times were. There are still a few parents who might put this much trust in their kids, I am guessing it is fewer and farther between. Firearms are looked upon much differently now, even though they are still the same as they were back then. We were able to keep our shotguns in our lockers if we have a note from our parents. What has changed… the times, or is it more than that?

Another common activity during “Christmas Breaks Past” including playing hockey at either Kennedy or Wilson Park pretty much from sun-up to sundown. Growing up, it was about the same distance to either location; the level of the game was also similar. You had the kids like me who did not participate in organized hockey, a few that did and some older brothers who were out of school. To make sure the shenanigans were lessened, we also had a few dads “coaching” while trying to remember the times of their youth… I get that now. Some of the kids who never had the opportunity to play organized hockey were as good or better than some of the ones who did. It was fun and a great way to get some incredible exercise. Neither of those locations have outdoor rinks or warming houses any longer. The population of Hastings was maybe 12,000 back then and there were at least 8-10 parks with a recreational rink. Most had at least one hockey rink in addition to the rec rink. It was always fun to get the dander of the warming house attendant up a bit but skating on the rec rink while holding a hockey stick. THAT was a big “no-no” as there was absolutely NO HOCKEY on that rink. Over time, the usage of these rinks went down, and the cost of upkeep, staffing and heating costs for the shacks went up. Kids began choosing to stay inside more or do more indoor activities, like sit in their bedroom and play video games as time went on. Times certainly have changed… I mean, who wouldn’t rather blow things up in a fictional scenario that you can simply turn off and on as you wish instead of going outside, interacting with others and playing a game that has actual health benefits, unless you sprain your ankle real bad like I did one year.

If we were not skating around at one of the local parks, we were playing Evel Knievel, only on sleds going over icy jumps at any number or hills by us. The “junior high” hill, which to many was the hill behind what was the middle school but, before that the junior high and even before that, the high school and is now the area of Schoolhouse Square, had numerous runs from straight down the hill to the “wall,” down the middle with the jump between the two big trees and the “bobsled” run that maneuvered down the steps out onto Ramsey Street. For those of us who went to the Parochial School, now SEAS but then Hastings Parochial and before that, St. Boniface and Guardian Angels, you may remember riding your book bag down the hill. I know for fact that I certainly was not the only one. My personal favorite was the jump between the two big trees because, if you got off track even a little bit, you had to bail or you were hitting one of the trees and I can tell you, sadly from more than one experience, THAT hurt. Fool me once, shame on you… Fool me twice, shame on me. Kennedy had some nice runs as did the middle school, which was the high school, off of Highway 55, the ponding basin on the other side of Highway 55 that runs down towards Lions Park and the hill behind Haven Homes, which is now Augusta- na. On any given day, these hills and the hill out by the Government Center was loaded with kids. No matter where you are… in Hastings, Prescott, Cottage Grove, there are “sledding” hills and there still seems to be (when we have snow), kids out there. When our kids were younger, this was a tradition that we passed on to them and I think we still may even have a few of those red plastic vehicles of potential disaster in the garage. Seeing the area hills filled with kids during breaks (when we have snow) is a great reminder of the past, but it also helps me have hope that not all is lost. Yes, times have changed and, in my opinion, not always for the best.

For myself, something as simple as a hill full of kids and adults sliding on their butts on a plastic sled down snow packed hills reminds me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The outdoors is there for all of us to enjoy and it is up to us to utilize the wonderful resources we have at our disposal. How they got there is certainly up to debate and, is a debate you won’t find in this column. Your beliefs and opinions are respected here even if they are not the same as mine. Hopefully, we will get some snow for those who LOVE it and LIVE for it… and for those who do not, enjoy your indoor fun as you cozy up on the couch with that warm beverage. For everyone, may you realize the blessings that you have been given and have a wonderful, safe Christmas/ Holidays. Enjoy the great outdoors!!

P.S. Congratulations to the Badger Fans on keeping “The Axe” another year. It was a great game that could have gone EITHER way but in true Minnesota fashion, it went just wide. I am pretty sure every Minnesota football fan has added “A kicker who can kick field goals” to their Christmas List. Maybe next year.