Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

As the following actual letters from 1928 will attest, the third graders at Grand Avenue School were convinced that there was a Santa. The only question was what to ask for. “Dear S. Claus, North Pole.  It is a whole year since I have written to you. It is time

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Being a Kid … in the “Old Days”

Today’s kids have cell phones, iPads, iPods, Laptops, and HDTV to occupy their free time. But, how did Western Springs children entertain themselves in the early years? While you won’t find any donkeys in Western Springs these days, a hundred years ago they were considered just another animal … almost

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