v3aNTA CLAUS rode in on a sharp winter’s
wind, to keep his December 17 appointment with
the almost 2,000 children of Firestone households
in the Gastonia area. Wrappings and tinsel—and
many of the gifts—have come and gone. But for
the youngsters who were honored guests at the
company’s annual Yule parties here, the bagsful of
merriment were sufficient to keep memory as
green as pine and holly all the way across the
1961 calendar.
The parties at the Webb and Palace theatres
honored children through 13 years of age. Festive
ON RECORD—Main performer at all three shows
was the legendary Man with the Gifts. After listing
things she'd like to have, Sandra Keenum wondered;
"Shouldn't you be writing all this down?" Paulette
Hughes (standing) knew Santa had a good memory.
doings, lavishly trundled into two parties at the
Webb and one at the Palace, emptied mountains
of Nice Things into the arms of more than 1,500
children who came for the shows. And those who
didn’t make it to the theatres received their gifts
from the Industrial Relations department at the
plant.
At all performances there was a program of
sparkling entertainment on the screen—cartoons,
short-length comedy and other features—some of
high adventure and intrigue.
As usual, there was a talk on pedestrian safety
by police captain Roy Short at the Webb shows.
Taking the center of interest at all parties was
The Good Cheer Visitor himself, stopping on his
world travels to supervise distribution of gifts
according to children’s age groups.
Pictures on this page are samplings of activities
at all three parties.
INTO THE RECORD
The Gift-Bringer
Came—And M^e
All Had Fun
Tiire^fone
JANUARY, 1961
Page 3
IN BETWEEN—On the Webb screen, cats chased
mice, and funnymen Moe and Joe got into repeated
predicaments. But it was time out for refreshment for
Vandy Lanier (left) and Lonnie Baker at the lobby
concession counter.
MAIN FEATURE—Top attraction of all three pro
grams was the handout of gifts under the big Yule
trees set up by the Mechanical department at both
theatres. Among first at the Webb (from left): Sharon
Guffey. Paula Ledwell and Linda Beddingfield.
HELPING HAND—The big Yule tree at both the
atres was bedecked in the prettiest of glitter and such.
Catherine Sanders, one of Santa's volunteer assistants,
handed gifts to Johnnie Ferguson (left) and Patricia
Ann Reynolds at the Webb.
FITTING CLIMAX—"A good time was had by all"—
and the big moment came tucked inside the colorful
gift packages distributed by Santa's helpers, who were
members of Firestone employee families. Taking a
look were (from left): Charles Turner, Gary Wall,
Larry Wall.
A LESSON—Sherry Neely (left) and Vernon Neely
were concerned about the geography of Santa's home
land. So, the obliging Visitor did the best he could
with a map of Canada, and pointed to a place still
further North.
SHOW HOW—At the Palace, projectionist Bobby
Miller and ticket salesgirl Mildred Shanks talked
about how movie film makes a picture on the screen.
The hurried lesson was all for the benefit of Ronald
Ozell Neely and Chenita Neely.
SCREEN FUN—At both theatres were lively doings
on film, while the children waited for their gifts. At
the Palace, watching a funny cartoon were (from left);
Olando Alexander, Beverly Alexander, Gail Davis,
Willette Alexander, Belinda Alexander.
INSIDE STUFF—In deference to all the anxiety, the
last-scheduled movie cartoon was cut short so gifts
could be distributed. And making no delay to look
under the wrappings were (from left); Marshall Cham
bers, Vernette, James, Shirley and Sylvania Wilkes.
PARTING TOUCH—Charles Young Jr. stroked the
fluffy texture of St. Nick's whiskers, then decided to
groom it for the Jolly One's thousands of more miles
of travel during the holiday season. Melvin and Dar
lene Young wondered about the whole business.