The Chistmass Pageant 1960.
The Grange Hall in Corralitos was used for the School Christmass Pageant and many other School events in the late 50's and early 60's. I remember a cold fall night when I was 5. All dressed up in my Angel outfit with wings and a somewhat askew Halo. The Grange was glowing in Christmass lights and decorations. It smelled of evergreen and hot cinnamon cider. Childern ran in and out into the darkness hooting with delight. The old boards creaked beneath our feet and and the sound system crackeled. I remember us waiting for our cue in a large group on the porch while our teacher hushed us in the darkness. We filed in thru the crowd of patents. I vaguely remember a boy angel being hoisted into the painted clouds by a somewhat nosey pulley and the parents cheering. Latter I got lost in the crowd and an old man and his wife picked me up and gave me ribbon candy untill my Dad came into view and I fell into his arms. I remember putting my face into his neck as he tried to dry my tears. His whiskers prickled my face and he smelled of Old Spice. I slept in my Moms lap in the old Studibaker as my Dad drove us back down to 1 Blake. Last week I went by the old building and saw it was still in use and in good repair. I stopped and went in during a senior event. The boards still creaked beneath my feet and a faint smell of evergreen filled my memory. Thank you Corralitos for saving it.
My Sister Gretchen tells me that my Dad, Bob Briley, built a Manger for Corralitos School in the late Fifties that was used then and for a number of Christmass pagents the School had at that time.
