Here is what you might have read in the December 21, 1916 edition of the Ridgeway Journal, just a few months before the United States entered World War I:
There were three little articles on the front page celebrating the Christmas season. The first was a little poem in the shape of a Christmas tree; under the tree was an editorial “Get the Meaning of Christmas” reminding readers that Christmas is more than just a day off, but a “holiday, a time for rejoicing, for merry-making and for remembering the whole world.”.
Another item titled “Christmas Greetings” written by William Marion Reedy urged readers to “let yourself surrender to the season” and “don’t let the horror and misery of the great ware oppress you. “
A number of business, including the Ridgeway Journal, were requesting that their customers come in to pay their bills. The Journal even asked that people come in before receiving the statement of account due “but save us that postage, as we are going to try to save you an additional fifty cents a year—do as much for us by saving us the price of a stamp and together we will keep down the ‘high cost of reading’.”
A “Tin and Linen” shower was given as a surprise to Miss Erma Black, who was married a few days later to Payton Hull of Leon, IA. Another surprise party was thrown for the “Twin Triplets”: Lee and Lela Triplet for their 18th birthday.
