It was the custom to have several plays, a half-dozen songs and a number of recitations, depending on the number of students in each of the eight grades. The success of the program either raised or lowered the social status of the teacher – even more than her performance in the classroom.

Christmas window displays remain one of the most talked about and fondly remembered aspects of a great department store. In the late fall, stores with big first floor windows would be covered to conceal the work going on behind them. The beautiful windows would be unveiled on Thanksgiving morning at many department stores, including some of the iconic spots in Manitowoc County’s downtown areas. Entire families would come to see the Christmas magic that would unfold behind the window glass.

The story of the Rouse Simmons, also known as the Christmas Tree Ship, has been told countless times over the last century. It’s a tale of working on a Great Lakes Schooner, bringing holiday cheer, and most importantly family. On November 23, 1912 the schooner carrying Christmas trees vanished off the coast of Two Rivers. Captain Herman Schuenemann and his 17 man crew were making their yearly voyage to Chicago to deliver the trees when the harsh November waters proved to be too much for the schooner and crew.

On December 27, 1932 area women joined to take part in the Junior Service League's 4th Annual Charity Ball. The ball, which was held at the Manitowoc Elk's Club, was a project of the Junior Service League, which began in Manitowoc and Two Rivers in 1928.

Can you picture a 400-foot balloon train parading down Washington Street in Two Rivers? That’s exactly what occurred during the 1951 holiday parade held on November 21.

On Tuesday evening, December 22, 1942 hundred of children and adults filled the Town Hall meeting room at WOMT Radio, located on Washington Street in Manitowoc. The party, created for children whose families resided in the Custerdale defense housing, was sponsored by the Custerdale Citizens' Club. The entertainment included the crowning of Florence Teegarden as "queen of the festivities" and a visit from Santa Claus who distributed a present to each child. Part of the Christmas party program was broadcast over WOMT.

A letter, written and addressed to the Manitowoc City Council on  March 11, 1888, states the following: “…I hereby tender this $1,000 dollars to the City of Manitowoc for the benefit of the poor in the following condition:

1.      That the Board of Poor Commissioners or their successors shall be the trustees of said fund to be known as the “Christmas Fund”.

2.      That they shall loan such amount on first lien security.

3.      That the income of said fund shall be expended and distributed by them in presents of any kind or nature each Christmas among the city poor; or if found more preferable the selection and distribution of presents may be left to any aid society…”

The man who signed this letter was John Schuette.