Babsie's Story
Babs & an 8’ PINK Evergleam!
Babsie
My dad was Selmer Allen Bundy, Sam to those who knew him. He was the self-proclaimed “big Norwegian” in Manitowoc and he loved to drive! Sam packed five kids into the car to go for a drive pretty often. Many of those rides happened when the weather prohibited us from playing outside…Sam Bundy always found a silver lining when there were clouds. Driving with dad was simple entertainment. It was educational too. He’d point out things, delivering math and trivia problems to us. No matter the season, or how cloudy the day, off we’d go! When I think of those rides, my heart warms and I am supremely grateful that Sam Bundy was my dad.
Back in the 60’s, when snow was softly falling and Santa’s bells jingled in the distance, my dad would load us all into the car to see the Christmas lights. Many times, we’d scream, “go around the block! We want to see it again!” Our dad would do just that…patiently waiting until we had our dose of the holiday’s, colorful lights. What a magical sight it was! A scene out of Frank Capra ‘s It’s A Wonderful Life!
Those good old days are being rekindled these days. Seeing families reconnect during this pandemic is…perhaps…one of the most important developments of 2020. Decades of teaching has me keenly aware of the importance parental involvement is on the success of children. Simple activities mean a lot to every child, especially when YOU are involved.
This Holiday season may be different than what you are used to, BUT the warmth of those holiday lights will still offer families a festive treat! Consider this…
The Manitowoc Public Library and downtown shops will once again host Evergleams on Eighth, a sparkling display featuring the twinkling glitter of Aluminum Specialty’s Evergleam Christmas tree. Color wheels that turn and tinted spotlights will create a magical glow that will make your mouths drop…even behind a face mask.
We are going to travel back to a time when designing an affordable, portable and easy to assemble aluminum tree was BIG news for our town. Historical guests like: Peacock, Blue Frost, Bow-Tip, Fountain, Goldie and Pinkie (my favorite) will entertain you with magical sparkle!
Share the sights with your family…when you load them in the car…after dark to drive downtown and past the library for a grand dose of Christmas magic. It’ll be a moment frozen in your family’s mind for years to come. A family tradition! The silver lining in a cloudy year. I guarantee your whole family will warmly remember the magic of this year’s drive for decades to come. Almost like a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life!