Traditionally Speaking by Pat Larsen - 18 December 2023

Still My Favorite Season

I thought after the last column when I lamented over “autumn leaves”, I’d mix it up with some trips down memory lane that were fun filled ones to conjure up only the best of those memories of late Autumn.

Starting with my giddiness after seeing the very first ad of the season for “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” that was produced in 1965.

This classic TV movie version was the genius of Charles Schultz that starts it all off for me with its symbolism regarding the duality of having strong faith and foolish faith at odds. I always believed Linus and Snoopy would be visited by the Great Pumpkin. Believers see stuff those non believers never could.

Which one are you?

Next on my list of late FAll favorites has to be BABES IN TOYLAND, the 1933 version with Laurel and Hardy, then followed by “MIRACLE on THIRTY FOURTH STREET” produced in 1934 often featured after the Thanksgiving Day Parade. By the way, I still get all choked up to this day. I bet you still do the kick line with the Rockettes during the parade as well. Am I right? I knew it!

I was glued to the tv set until I SAW “him” with my own eyes and got all excited knowing Christmas was about to begin.

Although the newer version in 1997 has its merits too. These were tried and true classics of the time that were televised regularly on my parents 12x12 black and white tv that we watched when I was 10.

Finally, later in the evening after the pumpkin pie was eaten, I concluded with a final showing that night of KING KONG shown on the Million Dollar Movies. This was also the original version from 1933. I have to admit I never miss a showing of this movie even now when it's streamed on Netflix. A true fan of King Kong always watches all the versions, by the way.

Did you know that the theme song of Million Dollar Movie was from Gone with the Wind? Neither did I until recently.

Moving on during the holiday viewing season, A Charlie Brown Christmas, I found myself making fresh JiffyPop on the stovetop and then sitting almost nose to nose in front of the TV with my sister, Lisa, singing along with Peppermint Patty (my name sake) and the gang.

Ahhh, those were the days that my memories were made of.

Holiday favorites are and will always remain a deeply personal choice for sure. It’s the stuff childhoods are made of and belief systems are then built upon to then pass onto our children and kids of all ages.

Of course, TV screens are bigger now and sound bars allow for rhythms of the seasons to drift into every corner of our homes. It’s still a great opportunity to spend time reflecting and recollect the joys that to this day make the holidays so very special.

Pat Larsen is a Fitness Instructor who brings music and movement to Seniors and Baby Boomers weekly at Shamrock House in East Durham. Classes are mornings.

Home by lunch and naps.

Her recent endeavor, AGING WITH GRACE…growing wiser as we age, has been promoting “non exercise based” programs to the community to educate and inspire learning and relevance. Please contact Pat for more details and to sign up for class. 518-275-8686