While reading through the business section of the newspaper, I was amazed to see an article headed, “Some businesses are on a death watch!” The heading did not surprise me, as much as, the name of one of the companies on the list. That name was Sears (officially Sears, Roebuck & Company). It is a chain of American department stores founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck. It began as a mail order catalog company, and began opening retail locations in 1925.

At the start

Like many businesses, the beginning of Sears was more happenstance than planned. Richard Warren Sears was a railroad station agent in North Redwood, Minnesota, when he received, from a Chicago jeweler, an impressive shipment of watches, which were unwanted by a local jeweler. Sears purchased them, then sold the watches for a considerable profit to other station agents, then ordered more for resale. Soon he started a business selling watches through mail order catalogs.

The next year, he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he met Alvah C. Roebuck, who joined him in the business.

In those days farmers did business in small rural towns. Before the Sears catalog, farmers typically bought supplies (often at high prices and on credit) from local general stores with narrow selections of goods. Prices were negotiated (by the man of the family), and depended on the storekeeper's estimate of a customer's credit worthiness.

Sears took advantage of this by publishing catalogs offering customers a wider selection of products at clearly stated prices.

The business grew quickly

The first Sears catalog was published in 1888. In 1893, Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck renamed their watch company Sears, Roebuck & Company and began to diversify. By 1894, the Sears catalog had grown to 322 pages, featuring sewing machines, bicycles, sporting goods, automobiles, dolls, stoves, and groceries.

 By 1906, the Sears catalog had become known in the industry as "the Consumers' Bible".

In 1933, Sears issued the first of its famous Christmas catalogs known as the Sears Wishbook, a catalog featuring toys and gifts, separate from the annual Christmas catalog. The catalog also became known, particularly to rural dwellers, as a euphemism for toilet paper. From 1908 to 1940, the catalog even included ready-to-assemble kit houses.

A change of pace

Until a recent visit took me west to Minnesota, I had never been in the state or knew much about the state. However, Richard Warren Sears came from that state. 

I was already fond of one of the families from there who entered our home each week. I looked forward to sitting in our living room and anticipating the soulful music, which preceded a favorite television series. I could close my eyes and picture a rough Midwest region countryside with sparse vegetation that was home to the Ingalls family during the late 19th Century.

“Little House on the Prairie” became a regular show that was eagerly anticipated because of its wholesome quality.

The Little House series was based on decades-old memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood in the midwest region of the United States during the late 19th Century.

The books have remained continuously in print since their initial publication by Harper & Brothers. They are considered classics of American children's literature and remain widely read.

The characters

I can still picture “Little House on the Prairie's” cast starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, and Karen Grassle living on their farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the 1870s and 1880s.

The central characters were Charles Ingalls (farmer and mill worker), his wife Caroline, and their four daughters, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and Grace. Later in another season, they adopted three children, Albert, Cassandra, and James.

Each week, we would get to know other cast members: they included the Olson family: Nels, proprietor of the town's general store, Olson's Mercantile; his malicious, gossiping wife, Harriet; and their two spoiled children, Nellie and Willie, and later, their adopted daughter, Nancy; Isaiah Edwards, Grace Snider Edwards and their three adopted children; the Garvey family, Jonathan, Alice, and Andy; Rev. Robert Alden; Lars Hanson, the town's founder and proprietor of the town's mill; and Dr. Hiram Baker, the town's physician.

In a later season, Mary Ingalls meets teacher-turned-husband, Adam Kendall.

“Little House” storylines explored many themes. Adoption, alcoholism, racism, and blindness were portrayed. Some plots also include subjects such as drug addiction, leukemia, prejudice, and even rape. Although predominantly a drama, the program even had some humorous moments.

In retrospect

We need to remember that if we are flipping through the pages of a Sears Wishbook or relaxing in our living room with the Ingalls family, we are enjoying a part of our history.

As the old saying goes, “Today is tomorrow’s history.” Make sure that your history is filled with a lot of happiness.                                                      This weekend

    The 13th annual Victorian Holidays will take place this weekend in the village of Altamont., and you the general public are invited to enjoy the scheduled holiday events.

On Sunday, the Altamont Masonic Hall will be open from noon until 4 p.m. There you will be able to view the decorated Christmas trees sponsored by Altamont Country Values and the First National Bank of Scotia.

While at the hall view the many wreaths on display and have the opportunity to participate in the silent auction from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The lucky winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m.   

While at the Masonic Hall you will be able to purchase goodies made by members of Helderberg Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, while children have the fun of being entertained by Macintosh, the clown from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. And, don't miss the gingerbread houses constructed by the children. 

Holiday house tours

Interested guests can climb aboard the "Holiday Trolley" and travel for free through the village of Altamont and visit the Victorian and period  homes. Tickets are $10 for adults and can be purchased at the Masonic Hall from noon to 3:15 p.m. Children 10 and under can ride free. SEFCU is the sponsor of this event.

And be sure that you stop over on Lincoln Avenue at the Altamont Reformed Church to view the "Living Nativity".

All are invited to be on hand for the lighting of the Christmas tree in Orsini Park (corner of Main and Park Street) at 5 p.m.   And, of course, you do not want to miss Santa Claus who will arrive by train. This event is sponsored by SMS Lines.

All are invited to walk around the center of the village where you will find lots of family fun and holiday cheer.  And be sure that you do not miss the Altamont Winter Market where you will find gift items such as homemade jams, jewelry, bakeware, ornaments, wood carvings, scarves and the list goes on.

Thank you to all of the members of ACT for their efforts for planning and orchestrating all of the events for all of our community and neighbors to enjoy.

Noah Lodge

Members of Noah Lodge and their guests enjoyed a holiday dinner and party on Tuesday, Dec. 9.  The social affair was held held at the Altamont Masonic Hall on Maple Avenue.

Make A Wish

Students at the Farnsworth Middle School are now selling  "Star's" through Dec. 19. Student stars are $1 and adult stars are $3. Stars will be sold every morning in Mohawk/Hiawatha, Tawasentha and Seneca buildings.

Proceeds from this event will go to Make A Wish.  The Northeast NY Chapter serves 15 counties that include the 518 area code and grant 90 plus wishes for local children with threatening medical conditions with the attempt to enrich their lives with hope, strength, and joy.

Because students at FMS "care about these children", they are asking the community to support them in this project. 

Senior class photo

Seniors at the Guilderland High School are reminded that the class picture will be taken on Wednesday, Dec. 17.  It  will be taken in the new west gym at 7:20 a.m.

A representative from Life Touch will be on hand to take orders for this picture. Students interested in ordering the class photo are advised to pick up the order form. Forms will be available in the West and East offices, and in Mrs. Tierman’s room 303 and Mrs. McConaghy’s room 111. The forms can also be found on the senior bulletin board.

Anniversaries

Happy-anniversary wishes are extended to Mary Ann and Ted Northrup who celebrate their special day today, Dec. 11. 

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to the following:

— Tessa Buckey and Denise Winter on Dec. 12;

— Linda Adams, Jennifer Boyce, Lois Kahkonan, Margaret Ann Keogh, and  Randy Thomas on Dec. 13;

— Alan Jacklet, Jackie McClintock, Bryan Peters, Tim Wilford, and Jessica Schadow on Dec. 14; 

— Jim Lynch and Jack Pickering on Dec. 15;    

— Chris Suriano on Dec. 16;   

— Hannah Buckey and Heather neé Linendoll Rivertone on Dec. 17; and

— Natalie Bernardi, Shirley Johnson, Brian Kowalski, John Kowalski, Veronica Liegeot , and Adam James Templeton  on Dec. 18.