SIDESTEPS
The Owatonna High School Christmas Carolers are concluding their 85th season this year – a treat for the community that has spread the joy of peace on earth and good will toward men (and women and children) since its start.
And the idea came from the editor and publisher Carol Marx of The Photo News, a weekly newspaper that was the first to use offset printing (with its much better reproduction of photographs) along with Harry Wenger, its first director, and later founder of the Wenger Corp.
Material from the 50th season and the Caroler reunion organized and produced in 1988 by the Music Boosters of Owatonna provides the story.
Wenger said that Marx called him and asked if he could come to her office to discuss an idea she had for the Christmas season in 1939. She asked about the possibility of some high school choir members caroling on the streets of Owatonna, in business places, for the shut-ins and at the hospital.
“I was interested immediately because in those days we were interested in promotion of the high school music program in any way we could,” said Wenger.
In an editorial for Dec. 19, 1939, Marx wrote:
“In a world distressed by war and the threat of it, with big aggressor nations returning the world to the power of brute force over right and might over good will, with selfishness and the upset economic situation adversely affecting even or own fortunate country – there is a need for the spreading of the good will that is always associated with Christmas today.
“And even in our own community, our state and nation, despite the fact that we are far better blessed by peace and the good things in life than other peoples, there is ample room today for greater happiness and for the enhancement of that happiness by the spreading of the good will,” she wrote.
She went on to tell of the public singing by the “more than capable young singers” nightly from 7:30 to 9 p.m., starting Dec. 19 and ending on Christmas.
This powerful editorial, dear readers three, has the strength of the famous, “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa” often quoted in newspapers that still have editorials expressing the views and thoughts of the institution of a newspaper.
And with this beginning, the germ of the idea of a newspaper editor and publisher, we continue to enjoy Christmas carols presented by members of the Owatonna High School choir. Wenger recalled that the singers went up and down the street singing “Deck the Halls,” “Jingle Bells,” Jolly Old St. Nick” and “Up on the Housetop.” Inside stores and homes they would sing traditional church carols as well. I suspect that anyone who has ever been a Caroler could use the motions, as well as sing the carols. And I am sure that they recall the Caroler “crud” that came with the end of the season.
The glockenspiel was added for the third year of the group’s existence. And starting later but continuing through today is “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and leaving with hugs or a wave of the hand or a handshake.
The spirit of Christmas instituted by Carol Max and Harry Wenger is still here. Never underestimate the power of a newspaper woman and the leader of the music department.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.