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From Our Founder
by Robert J. Wichlinski Our family hoists our Christmas tree (traditional Fresh Fraser Fir) and begins decorating our home as soon as our Thanksgiving feast concludes and our guests clear. Our family calendar quickly fills with pageants, school programs, open houses, and holiday events. Lynn puts her kitchen in “full bakery mode” and proceeds to crank out some of the best confections and baked goods this side of Lake Michigan. Believe me… you want to be on Lynn’s Christmas plate list and you want to try everything on it! Between her mom, my mom, siblings, friends, neighbors, and publications; my wife has assembled a catalog of recipes to envy. What I think is so special is the way she includes our children in the process, passing down the tips, tricks, techniques and secrets to every “family favorite.” Our kitchen becomes both bakery and classroom. We make it a point to catch as many television Christmas specials as possible in the weeks leading up to Christmas (I even catch the ones on Public Broadcasting... Bing Crosby last night). I have most of the classics on DVD or VHS (Frosty, Charlie Brown, Grinch, White Christmas, Christmas Story, Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th, Christmas Vacation), but there’s something about a Norelco dashing through the snow at commercial time that adds to the ritual. I would not Tivo the shows even if I could. Crowds are to the Christmas shopping experience as commercials are to the television Christmas Specials. I really don’t mind shopping. The Internet has actually made it kind of an adventure for me. I truly do “let my fingers do the walking.” I have been told by my children that I am a decent present wrapper… I find the activity really fun and creative. As I cut, and fold, and tape and pen out a tag; I imagine the reaction of the recipient when the gift emerges from its wrapping. Was the gift as exciting, or appropriate, or “perfect” as I thought it was when I selected it? Of course, shopping, selecting & wrapping contribute to the anticipation of the “Big Day.” No matter how familiar I am with the rituals of our “Polish Christmas” celebration, I love to chronicle them for folks who hazard to inquire (we celebrate it every Christmas on Don & Barb’s Farm where Lynn grew up… nearly 20 years I have been married to their daughter and I look forward to it every year). With that I am off to water the tree, dim the lights and call it a “good night.” Visions of sugarplums await as I head to my covers for a long winter’s nap (smile). All of us in the 219.com family wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas…and “all the best” in the coming New Year. I wish for you warm, loving memories that will last your lifetime. Don’t forget to remember… it’s the best part of Christmas. As always, I can be reached via e-mail at b@219.com |
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