WOODMAN, WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE

A familiar line? I think it continues with "chop not a single bough."

What brings this to mind is the birthday of our first president, George Washington and the myth of his chopping down a cherry tree and confessing to the same.

When I was a youngster, the birthdays of presidents Abraham Lincoln and Washington were school holidays. Preceding each holiday there was a school play depicting each president's life. For President Lincoln, it was usually about his honesty as a storekeeper. For President Washington it was the tree myth or the Crossing of the Delaware. I'm not sure how school children today observe these days, or if they do so at all. The merger of the two dates now as one federal holiday seems to diminish interest in the history.

At home, Mother always had a cherry pie for dinner dessert and we each received a gift of a tube-shaped cardboard axe filled with cherry candies. It was a small gift, but it was always received with delight.

Another event that always took place in our neighborhood on February 22nd (it had nothing to do with President George), was in the home of my friend Joe. His family dismantled their CHRISTMAS TREE! Why they had it in that place for so long, I don't know (neither did Joe), and I'm sure it wasn't because they were a Polish family. However, it's a secret that will be locked away forever!

More, later.