Decembers past, 75 years ago.

From the LaGrange Daily News, 1940.

Front Page News

Christmas Season Reaches Dramatic Climax Tonight — One of the grandest and most exciting holiday seasons ever staged by the people of LaGrange will reach a dramatic climax tonight (Christmas Eve) when clocks all over the city strike out the 12 most joyful notes of the year — a cue for old Kris Kringle to spread the magic wand of happiness over the world.

Over most of the civilized world people have thoughts of fear that detract from their happiness on the day of “peace on earth, good will toward men.” There are thoughts of bombings and invasion, but in LaGrange people are celebrating the birth of Christ with no one to retard joy.

Some of the activities laying the foundation for this celebration have been the Southwest LaGrange Choral Cantata, the Junior Chamber of Commerce “Empty Stocking Drive,” the Community Christmas tree at Calumet, the candlelight service at LaGrange College, Sunday school carollers and many other church-related events.

Red Cross Workers Ship Box Of Clothing — Volunteer service workers of the local chapter of the American Red Cross under the leadership of Mrs. Charles Geer, volunteer chairman, last week packed and shipped the finale shipment of sweaters and clothing made for war sufferers in Britain and Finland.

Included in the shipment were 60 wool skirts made by the girls employed by the local office of the National Youth Administration, 47 dresses for children and women, 17 bathrobes, 31 hospital gowns and 52 sweaters.

Two afghans made by the pupils of Unity School under the direction of Miss Marie Gaines and of Harwell Avenue School under the leadership of Miss Elizabeth Dozier, were included in a box packed and shipped last week to the American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Several weeks earlier, members of the Junior section of the LaGrange Women’s Club shipped 50 layettes members of the section made during the fall months.

Girl Scouts Sponsoring Collection Wool Yarn — Local Girl Scouts are sponsoring the collection of scraps of woolen yarn, which will be used by the Scouts and members of the Junior Red Cross in knitting 6-inch squares to be made into covers. They have placed boxed in different sections of the city in which the yarn can be deposited.

The Girl Scouts are also asking for the contributions of kid gloves, which will be sent to the British Relief Society to be used in lining the helmets of men in the air force.

Callaway Gets Navy Contract — The Callaway Mills of LaGrange has been awarded a contract for cotton canvas for the navy in the amount of $33,785, it was learned today following the announcement by the Navy Department.

LaGrange Unit Of Kiwanis International Organized — A large group of interested LaGrange men met in the parlor of the Terrace Hotel here last night in an organizational meeting of the first LaGrange chapter of the Kiwanis International civic organization.

The formation of the local chapters follows a thorough investigation of the city in determining its suitability for a Kiwanis Club.

The Newnan Kiwanis Club will be the sponsor for the new chapter, one of over 2,110 clubs in communities in Canada and the United States.

LaGrange Policemen Hold Annual Ball at Elks’s Club Tonight — “Rug cutters,” “he pacts” and all the “jitterbugs” of LaGrange will join with the “straight” dancers tonight and swing to the music of Bill Manley and his orchestra at the annual Policemen’s Ball.

This year’s “coppers’ frolic” is expected to be attended by one of the largest crowds in the history of the event.

Proceeds from the ball will go to charity, and everyone is urged to be present at the gala affair.

LaGrange Cotillion Club to Entertain at Christmas Dance Wednesday at Highland Country Club — Highlighting the social calendar for the college and younger married sets this week will be the Christmas dance to be given Wednesday evening by the LaGrange Cotillion Club from 9 until 1 o’clock at the Highland Country Club.

At this time six new members of the organization will be introduced, including Miss Emily Guinness, Miss Carolyn Sue Hadaway, Miss Lotis Freeman, Miss Harriet Callaway, Miss Sara Hutchinson and Miss Helen Lehmann.

A large number of visitors and former LaGrange residents who are at home for the holidays will be present at the dance.