:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/TQ6VGULLFNFZXMOB2E3RMXHMII.jpg)
The 1960 Presidential election was the closest in 76 years. When the Christmas holidays came round, there was still something of a political cloud lingering over them as the awarding of Illinois’ 27 electoral votes, as well as those of first-time voters in Alaska and Hawaii, were still up for grabs.
Eight states had not yet certified official results by Dec. 9. At that time, Democratic Sen. John F. Kennedy’s lead had dwindled to 144,844, and Republican recount efforts were still pending in Texas and Cook County, Ill., according to the Associated Press.
The Electoral College met on Dec. 19, and, at that time, Kennedy received 300 electoral votes; Vice President Richard M. Nixon, the Republican candidate, 219; and Sen. Harry F. Byrd (D-VA) 15. (Hawaii’s three electoral votes finally ended up in the Kennedy column.)
On Nov. 25, the Christmas holiday season officially kicked off in Newton with the lighting of the Jasper County Courthouse and the opening of the Nativity scene.
The life-size manger scene was purchased and displayed for the first time on the Courthouse lawn on Dec. 1, 1958. It was intended as “a reminder of the Christmas message of ‘Peace on earth, good will toward men.’”
The Nativity scene was sponsored by the Newton Ministerial Association.
Musical programs were provided for the four Monday evenings before Christmas by the Junior High School Band and the Band, Orchestra, and Vocal Departments of the Senior High School.
The programs originated from the lobby of the Newton National Bank Building. Rev. Russell Miller, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical & Reformed Church, was chairman of the Christmas music committee.
In addition, it was announced that Newton stores would be open until 9:00 p. m. on Monday and Friday nights.
Santa Claus arrived in Newton Monday evening, Nov. 28, at 6:30 with a police escort (!). Talk about V. I. P. treatment!
Shoppers from all over Jasper County were eagerly awaiting the Dec. 1 grand opening of the Newton Shopping Center. This was the culmination of several years’ planning and building.
Gov.-elect Norman Erbe, Mayor C. C. Harp, Newton Chamber of Commerce President Collin Fritz, and Ennis McCall, national councilman of the Chamber of Commerce, took part in the opening ceremonies, which 1,700 to 1,800 people attended.
Representatives of Younker Bros., Inc.; Neisner Bros., Inc.; Super Valu, Inc.; and the Newton Shopping Center Inc. responded. Some of the businesses had been open since September.
The Daily News again sponsored a Christmas decorations contest. This was open to residents of Newton and Lambs Grove. The categories to be judged were outdoor tree, decorated window, and overall effect of lighting, E. K. Shaw, publisher of the paper, announced.
The Daily News published a Supplement to its Nov. 28 edition of the paper in the form of a 16-page holiday Gift Guide (“Wondering What To Give This Christmas? Do Your Holiday Gift Shopping in Newton!”).
Each of the following local merchants took out a full page of advertising in the guide: J. C. Penney Co., Coast-to-Coast, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Bang’s Apparel, Dooleys’ Music Store, Perryman Pharmacy, and Wormhoudt’s Clothing.
Also, Helma Cole Style Shoppe, Bond Clothing Co., Iowa Southern Utilities Co., Schmitt’s Jack & Jill Store, Goodyear Service Store, Reliable Dept. Store, Switzer Furniture, and Fashionette.
On Dec. 12, Newton’s Northside Shopping Block took out a full-page ad highlighting “pleasing gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.”
This “gift shopping headquarters” included the following merchants: Tyler Studio, Jack & Jill, Bond Clothing, Perryman Pharmacy, Bang’s, Firestone Store & Gift Shop, and Marshall Hardware.
In the Dec. 15 issue of the paper, Newton’s Hy-Vee, Safeway, and Stockton’s Super Valu stores had full-page ads drawing shoppers’ attention to “A fine variety of holiday foods to help you. . . get ready for Christmas.” Santen’s Food Center followed suit on Dec. 19.
“Early mailing of all Christmas cards and gifts is the biggest single factor in getting all of the mail delivered before Christmas,” Postmaster Dick Steenhoek said. “Post Office facilities have been expanded, extra help will be available, and everything is geared up to handle a record Christmas mail in Newton this year.”
On Dec. 16, the postmaster announced that “effective immediately” and continuing for the rest of the week “there will be two deliveries of mail each day to the residential areas of Newton.”
On Dec. 9, the Kiwanis Club kicked off the Salvation Army’s annual “Tree of Lights” campaign. The Newton Woman’s Club was the newest organization to join the volunteer bell ringers, which included members of Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Soroptimist, American Legion, VFW, and Jaycees.
One of Newton’s Christmas traditions, the annual Senior High School Christmas concert was presented twice, on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Senior High School auditorium. Mrs. Olga Hueser Hoffman was director of vocal music, Leland L. Cook, director of band music, and A. Eugene Burton, orchestra director.
Newton B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 1270 treated nearly 130 underprivileged Newton youngsters to their annual Christmas party Dec. 14. Food and gifts of mittens, head scarves, and toys were furnished by Stockton’s Super Valu while the Elks club members prepared and served the meal.
The heaviest snow of the season – “but still no more than a trace” – fell on Newton Monday morning, Dec. 19. Four days later Newton and Jasper County were “fairly certain” of a white Christmas as snow, expected to reach the 2-inch mark by mid-morning, settled down on the area.