Deep in December it’s nice to remember, although you know the snow will follow. Deep in December it’s nice to remember, without a hurt, the heart is hollow.
— A stanza from the song “Try to Remember”
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| Bethany Lutheran Church at 2308 West Third Street. (Image: Google) |
Before I do that, though, I want to note that this is my final monthly column for Zenith City Online, as it shifts to a more relaxed publishing schedule. I’ve been Zenith City’s western Duluth correspondent since the beginning, designated that because it is the neighborhood of my childhood and youth, my upbringing and education. I’m a Denfeld Boy.
It’s been an interesting ride, writing monthly about some aspect of western Duluth over the years, the columns weighted heavily to the West End, the actual neighborhood of my past. Duluthians of today know the West End is now officially called Lincoln Park, and, to some, West Duluth is known as Spirit Valley.
I’ve learned some things I didn’t know about the history of the neighborhood where I spent the formative years of my life…many things, come to think of it. But today I will revert to a bit of personal history with a reminiscence of the Christmas season in the West End church in which I grew up.
The West End and West Duluth are replete with churches of most Christian denominations. Each one, I know, had Christmas traditions fondly recalled by those who experienced them as children.
What follows here is my own reminiscence of Christmas in the West End’s Bethany Lutheran, 23rd Avenue West and Third Street, where my family worshiped. This column first ran in the Duluth News Tribune in 2001, and was included in the book of 52 of my newspaper columns, Cooler Near the Lake, published in 2008. (You can find the book here.)
Before attaching that column, let me say I’ve enjoyed writing for Zenith City Online these past several years, and appreciate having been included. I continue to operate a blog—jimheffernan.org—on which I write on a variety of subjects from time to time.
Now, here is that column, titled “A Light That Will Never Fail.”
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(The previous writing was my introduction to my final monthly post on Zenith City Online.
Read "The Light that will Never Fail" HERE and in my book.)
3 comments:
I'm happy to see you will at least be continuing your blog.
Even tho I was a Park Point - Duluth Central kid, I have enjoyed your reminiscing about Denfeld and West Duluth....a part of town I almost never visited, and really didn't know much about.
I look forward to more of the same!
The Christmas memories from my childhood seem to flood back vividly this time of year. Like Christmas eve midnight church services. The church beautifully decorated for the Holidays. Me in the Pew, sitting with mom and dad, brother and sister, listening to the soaring soprano soloist. She was an impressive lady who's colora toured all over the map but rarely hit a note head on. Still makes me giggle 60 some years on.
Very pleased to hear you’ll keep posting to your blog.
Warm holiday wishes for you and your family.
Erick H
Very much appreciate these responses. It's been fun to recall past days in the western Duluth neighborhoods and gratifying when readers like you respond. Yes, I'll continue to post from time to time on the blog, probably expanding at times to other parts of the city...or country...or wherever. Thanks again. -- Jim
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