Season's Greetings Infused with a Dash of History

Russell Minehart used this bamboo stick with a hoop to hand messages to the train engineer. Picture it: the engineer way up high on the train engine, never having the time to step off as it rolled through towns. Russell played double duty as the depot agent and telegrapher. His Morse code mastery was top-notch; back then, it was imperative to communicate essential messages in real time.

The clip on that stick? It held crucial messages about what to expect at the next stop. Fast forward to Janette, who decided to give the message stick a holiday makeover. Proudly displayed near the dining room in her condo, it became a festive nod to the days when Russell was a loving father and a skilled worker.

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Here is a quote from Janette about her childhood Christmases:

“We had Dad’s undivided attention on Christmas and New Year’s. Dad still had to work on Christmas and New Year’s, but he went to the depot on Christmas only while the train was there — a very short time. Christmas was a happy time.”

Now, since Janette's passing, I've held onto that message hoop, but I've never decorated it like she did. It's become a quiet relic, hanging around as a reminder of history.

But this year, as I anticipate publishing my manuscript, it is the perfect time to decorate the message stick to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! And a happy holiday season.

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