There’s nothing like featuring a fairly famous relative as a part of a special section in the Tribune. That’s the reaction I had when I submitted the three postcards used with the Thanksgiving article in the Nov. 27 issue.

This particular very distant relative, mentioned in the top postcard, was J.G. Whittier (1807-1892). The J was for John, his first name, and the G was for his middle name of Greenleaf. Anyway, he’s related on my mother’s side of the family tree through an New England Quaker connection.

Whittier is best known as a poet. One of his real gems is one with a very timely title, “Snow- Bound.” This poem, written in 1866, “tells of a family marooned in their farmhouse during a blizzard. Whittier’s affectionate descriptions of Quaker life, combined with his simple style and organization, made ‘Snow-Bound’ extremely popular,” according to an encyclopedia biographical entry.

Right about here we have room to feature two Christmas poems written by area citizens. They were recently given to me by Kevin Savick, local historical researcher.

The first one, published in the Dec. 12, 1928, issue of the Tribune, was by Elna Andersen who then lived at 806 Jefferson Ave.

“Christmas”

While sheep grazed on the hilltops,

And shepherds watched close by

A brilliant light from heaven

Illumined the earth and sky.

They lingered long and listened,

When suddenly a star,

From the far east horizon,

Sent forth its beams afar.

“What does this mean?” the shepherds

To one another said.

And straight-away, full of terror,

They to the wise men fled.

Now you’ve all heard the story

About the Christ Child’s birth

How, in a lowly manger,

He came unto the earth.

This is how our Christmas,

With its gladness, came about.

We’ll have a joyous, happy time.

Of that, there is no doubt.

And so, down through the ages,

We’ll celebrate his birth,

Wish folks a “Merry Christmas.”

And peace to men on earth.

There’s no further information available about Elna. However, there are a few more facts about the author of the second Christmas poem. It was created by Raymond Reed, age 9, of Geneva. His poem was sent to Albert Lea Tommy (Tribune Editor Burt May) by the Geneva correspondent and published in the Dec. 17, 1925, edition.

“Christmas”

The Christmas bells are ringing

Upon this Christmas night.

The children are singing

It is a joysome sight.

“Merry Christmas,” all are saying

Santa will soon be here.

’While within the church they’re praying

Outside there reigns good cheer.

Santa Claus is coming

O’re the drifted snow,

Bringing things for kiddies,

Oranges and nuts we know.

Now ’tis Christmas morning

Everybody’s glad

All received their presents

No one is sad.

So let the Christmas bells ring,

And let us have good cheer.

For Santa Claus and Christmas

Comes but once a year.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. Now, looking ahead to the very near future, here’s my salutation for a happy New Year.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.