Santa sailed into Steveston a few weeks ago, signalling Christmas spirit is alive and well in Richmond. That spirit has been around for generations — only appearing a little differently years ago.
The Richmond News captured that goodwill of yesteryear when the newspaper began publishing in the late 1970s.
Tapping into the merchants of Shellmont Shopping Centre — a strip mall that used to occupy a corner of Shell and Williams roads — in 1979, readers were given gift ideas: placemats and coasters from Krause Gifts, Christmas cake from Shirley’s Bakeries and, why not, appliance parts from National Electric.
In those days readers were also treated to some Christmas recipes: Easy Spumoni Mould (“sure to dazzle everyone”), Party Cheese Ring (“If you like colourful things, this is certainly it!”) and even Holiday Pressure Cooker Spareribs (“succulent...valuable time savers”).
The News also took the temperature of the community by asking residents their wish to make the world a better place. Opinions were grim. Maria Greczmiel said: “We’re too late. We’re faced with economic problems, war, starvation and crime.”
Stan Tam’s take was similar: “There is nothing to do. There is going to be a third world war sooner or later.”
But balancing those dark thoughts was Lin, a News scribe who only provided a first name for her “Typewriter ribbon” column.
She wrote about happy Christmas traditions and how they don’t always last. But hold on to those memories, she advised:
“Maybe there are lots of things that separate our Christmases from childhood and today. But an imagination at work can help us enjoy Christmases we have had.”
In the Christmas Eve edition of 1980, the News paid tribute to a man dedicated to making Christmas brighter for local children.
Stan LaCroix was Richmond’s volunteer Santa. He entertained children, filled stockings and gave out good cheer all around town, including at a low-income apartment complex.
Columnist Lillian Yttri also showed seasonal spirit by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas — after giving readers her “Lady Punches Man!” report.
Apparently, a male driver forced a female motorist to the side of the Dinsmore Bridge. Both exited their vehicles to hurl insults until “this sweet, pretty, tiny lady then wound up her right arm and smashed the male driver in the nose so hard that it sent him reeling right over the top of his own car.”
The News also didn’t shy away from the Christian message of the season, publishing a story about the birth of Jesus and, deeper in the paper, a full page Merry Christmas message that included a drawing of the three wise men.
The next year, in 1981, the News hit the streets again to ask locals their Christmas opinion — this time on “material expectations...in these tight days.” Maybe it was a leading question.
“I guess I’m not expecting much because of the financial situation,” said Scott Morris.
“I haven’t expected many Christmas gifts for a long time. My parents decided quite a while ago that all that commercial gift-giving stuff was morally unsound. I just like to give personally-made stuff and things like that, so that’s all I expect to get,” added Mike Merriweather.
Richmond has long been known as a caring community. So it was at Christmas time 50 years ago. According to a report in the Richmond Review, schools, businesses and associations donated food and cash to the Christmas Hamper Association, which in turn gave hams, milk, butter, coffee and other food to 300 families in need.
City staff helped with distribution, while firefighters fixed up toys for a “toy shop.” Set up in the old Minoru Pavilion, the toy shop was also packed with new toys donated by the community. One thousand local children benefited.
The Richmond Kinsmen also showed spirit by staging a party in Steveston for children of needy families.
In the final edition before Christmas in 1965, the Review published a front page story with an “exclusive interview” with Santa Claus.
Appearing alongside was a message from the mayor, Henry Anderson, who had encouraging words for a community that recently opened an ice rink, shopping centre and Minoru Boulevard.
“It is my personal hope that even greater gains will come your way in the immediate future and that your personal joys of this bountiful Christmas will be increased a millionfold in the years ahead,” wrote Anderson.
“A most happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to you all.”
