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Fowlerville News Online, Fowlerville, MI (2026)

12/25/2025

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES & OTHER THOUGHTS
By Steve Horton

December 25, 2025
A newspaper columnist writing a holiday message is a time-honored tradition. I remember growing up and reading such offerings in the Detroit Free Press.

Later, having taken up the mantle of journalism, I tried my hand at this custom off and on over the years. Perpetuating the idea of ‘hope’ and using the metaphor of a guiding light shining in the dark night has been an oft-used tool of the trade; after all, that’s part of the original Christmas Story, along with the overarching theme of salvation from sin and the promise of redemption. “Death where is thy sting?”

As I said in a column written years ago, my mental pictute of Christmas was formed from long-ago images and feelings that are tied to having grown up on a dairy farm in rural Michigan and the myriad of traditions and routines I experienced as a youngster.

They range from the chores done in the warmth of the barn on Christmas Eve to visiting our great-grandparents’ home earlier in the week to watching the children’s Nativity play to spending Christmas afternoon at Grandpa & Grandma Horton’s home—also a farm—joined by aunts, uncles, cousins, and Great-Grandpa Bement (Grandma Horton’s father).

I began this long-ago composition by noting that “On Christmas Eve we would hurry about with the milking, needing to finish up so we could get to church for the early service. The string of musical carols played on the radio; the songs were intermingled with the mooing Holsteins and accompanied by the steady beat of the milk pump.”

I recalled my great-grandmother’s small artificial tree she had on a stand in their living room (only it was colored pink rather than the normal green), my Grandpa Lloyd regaling us with his stories as we awaited the holiday feast, my impatience (shared by us kids) as the dishes were washed and put away before we could open the presents (no paper plates and cups or plastic tableware in those days), and the burning logs in the fireplace that added to the ambiance of the decorated room.

The column ended with this sentiment:

“The once vivid images those long-ago Christmases have now blurred into a pleasant, slow-spinning kaleidoscope of recollection. They help generate an internal light which reignites as each Christmas returns. I have little doubt that the spark that first ignited this personal light, our particular and special feeling about December 25th, originates from those tender years. How we experience Christmas as a young child—what we’re taught, what we see and sense—will determine our feelings about it in later adulthood.

“This internal light is perhaps the balance needed to offset the seeming chaos of all the external yuletide trappings. Without this counter influence, or with too little of it the season can turn into mere clutter and noise. But this inner light, when illuminated by all of the other symbols and messages of true meaning available to us, combine to give Christmas a radiant glow.

“The customs, traditions, and habits of our family are special to us, but probably pretty similar to what others did. We were farmers and lived in the country. For me, this upbringing and background will always be the prevailing image of Christmas.

“When I was young and still only saw the trees and not the forest, those annual seasons of celebration seemed to stretch out in an endless line of past and future. The inevitable differences that come from growing older never seemed to affect the core. But time did alter it; ever so gradually at first and then, seemingly in the blink of any eye, forever. Family members died, and the rest of us moved up a rung on the generational ladder. A way of life and pattern of routine that seemed enduring was, alas, fleeting and fragile. Now, as adults, the Christmas celebration centers on our children. Hopefully, the light being sparked within them will be as precious as the one first ignited within us.

“Of all the gifts under the Christmas tree, none match the gift of memory… the remembrances of those times we shared together. We’ll share some more again this Christmas—and add to our bounty.”

* * *

Well, time passes as they say. I now have the title of grandpa and even great-grandpa at our holiday gatherings—one of them held this past Christmas Eve and the other this Christmas afternoon. I don’t know that the younger set will be overly interested in any stories I might wish to share but I’ll acknowledge that they welcome my presence; that Dawn and I are part of their image of this holiday and that we comprise some of their memories of Christmases Past.

And this is as it should be. We are part of the continuum, the custodians of tradition and observance; the torchbearers of the light…a light shining forth from original glow that pierces the darkness, our duty being to keep in glowing… a gift of life and all its possibilities given to us as babes in the crib, carried forth, and now being handed to a new generation.

The message of Christmas, its true meaning, will be passed on as long as we believe in and embrace the ‘light of hope’.

12/24/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #9
As told by Steve Horton

Well, it’s Christmas Eve and my Snowman stories have come to an end. I gathered them together for this group photo.

After New Year’s Day they’ll be gone and I’ll have the place to myself again. Always a little bittersweet when the holidays end, but this season wouldn’t be special if it lasted too long.

Tonight they, like many others, will go to church or gather with family and friends or maybe watch a holiday movie or listen to carols on the radio. Or some combination of those activities.

Of course, there are those for whom this Christmas is not a happy or joyful occasion. Maybe they’ve lost a loved one, or face financial challenges, or suffer an illness, or are just plain ‘blue.’ We’re mindful of our friends and neighbors, and others, dealing with such hard times or a difficult situation, and pray the coming days will offer a better outlook or soothe the pain or sorrow.

I’ve enjoyed telling these stories and appreciate those who clicked the ‘like’ icon or took the time to comment. I hope they brought back pleasant memories of bygone days or reminded you of people, past or present, who have been part of your life. I hope the stories also had a message for our current times and for the younger set.

May each and all of you have a nice time this evening and tomorrow. May your day be merry and bright.

That said, the Snow folks and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Take care.

12/23/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #8
As told by Steve Horton

The snow men and women I’ve been conversing with are used to a ‘White Christmas’ and this year, at least where we live, will be no exception. In fact, there was a little too much of the fluffy stuff that fell earlier today, and this couple has been busy clearing their driveway.

At the moment they’re resting from their labor. In their 50’s, they tell me they’re not as young as they once were. “Welcome to the club,” I reply.

The snow lady shows me a holiday card they got from their daughter who lives in a neighboring state, with a photo of their three grandkids. The daughter, their son-in-law, and the grandkids are driving here for Christmas. The couple expects them to arrive tomorrow by mid-afternoon (Christmas Eve day), which is why the driveway is being shoveled.

They’re worried about their loved ones traveling in the snowy weather but eager to see them again. “Home for the Holidays’ is the song that comes to mind. Many of us feel that longing when this special holiday comes round.

The ties of family, the memories of yesteryears, and the emotional warmth of the season are a potent mixture… one which stirs the human heart.

I wish them well and have a sudden urge to head home.

12/22/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #7
As told by Steve Horton

Been watching this snow lady and these snow kids rehearse for the special program they’re part of, and will be putting on Christmas Eve at the church. Their event will be at 7pm, with the Candlelight Service at 1lpm.

The lady is the Youth Choir Director, and has been for 22 years. Her day job is working at the music store in the mall in the nearby city, selling instruments. The store does a lot of business with school band programs, so she’s busy.

Three of the older kids are in another room, practicing the narration they’ll recite—the story of the first Christmas. These younger kids will sing songs at key intervals—‘Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’, ‘Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing’, ‘We Three Kings, and ‘Joy to the World’.

The program will end with ‘Silent Night’, with the audience invited to sing along.

The lady says this year’s performance is not much different than all of the earlier programs she has directed, but the participants are ever changing. "The kids come in the first time all excited and nervous, become experienced hands, and then, when older, they play the parts of shepherds, the Wise Men, Joseph and Mary, or the narrators," she tells me.

Finally, they leave. Always a sad occasion, she admits; however, a new group of kids is arriving, while others are progressing through the ranks. “The show must go on” if you will.

She tells her friends and family that the kids are what make it worthwhile, adding that while the message of the program may be familiar, it still seems fresh and always moving.

I tell a couple of the snow kids that when I was a little boy, I took part in a similar program at the church my family attended. “I was one of the shepherds,” I told them.

“Did you sing in the choir?” one of them asks me.

“No,” I replied. “I sounded too much like the donkey that Mary rode on.”

They pause, then one of them starts hee-hawing and there’s laughter. It’s the kind of tomfoolery I and the other guys I hung with were known to be guilty of at that age.

But a little later, when they rehearse ‘Silent Night’, I sing softly along. And I’ll do so on Christmas Eve, in the dark church, holding the candle with a flickering flame, surrounded by dozens of others doing the same.

The lyrics and the scene may be familiar, yet they still seem fresh and always moving. A song of heavenly peace and hope.

I’m looking forward to the snow kids performance, and holding that candle once again.

12/21/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES # 6
As told by Steve Horton

These five posed for a photo as they watched the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree at the request of the newspaper reporter covering the event. They are siblings. Starting from the left is the oldest sister, the oldest brother, the next oldest sister and brother, and the youngest sister. They’re 12 years apart, from the eldest to the baby in the family.

Growing up, the girls shared one room and the boys the other. It was not a large home and was located near the railroad tracks on the south side of the village. They learned to sleep despite the blowing of the train’s whistle as it passed by at night.

Their father bounced from job to job and spent a lot of his spare time at the tavern, or beer garden as their mother referred to the place. One saving grace, she would say, was that he got even friendlier after a few drinks rather than mean like some men.

Their mother was and still is a no-nonsense lady, not given to sentiment or displays of emotion. She worked various jobs when they were young to supplement the income. As a result, the oldest daughter became a sort of surrogate mother to the three youngest and did much of the cooking and housework. The oldest boy was seldom home, working at the different jobs he held after school and during the summer as he grew up.

The result of all this was that they became close knit; protective of and dependent on each other.

While one by one they eventually married and then had their own children and while they have their respective circle of friends, the five have remained fiercely loyal. They like spending time together, Christmas most of all. Their kids, as cousins, are emulating this example.

Their father passed away several years ago. Shortly afterwards they pooled their resources and paid off the mortgage to the small house where they’d grown up. They presented their mother with this news at the family’s annual Christmas party held at the oldest sister’s home.

She looked at the mortgage with the words “paid off” written on it and finally said “thank you.” Nothing more. But the youngest sister said she saw a tear in their mother’s eye. For them, that was gratitude enough.

12/20/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #5
As told by Steve Horton

It’s the start of Christmas Week—a special time to be here on the front porch with the Snowman collection. It’s evening and I’ve been joined by this family. We are listening to holiday songs, humming most of them, but we all sang along in load fashion when ‘Frosty the Snowman’ came on.

The father works as a butcher at the supermarket in town. He started there as a stock boy while in high school, left to serve in the Army, and was offered his present position upon his return.

The mother is a cook at the elementary, taking the job after their son and daughter started school. She figured it was a way of adding to the income and still being at home when the kids got off the bus. And she could be with them during the summer as well.

The daughter loves reading, Nancy Drew mysteries being her favorite. She plays in the junior soccer rec league and takes both piano and dance lessons.

The son loves science and is a member of the school robotics team and competes in Science Olympiad. He plays drums in the school band.

Mom and Dad are saving as much as possible for their children’s college fund. They attend the local Lutheran Church, with the kids being in Sunday School and the Luther League.

At the start of each meal, the mother asks for the Lord’s blessing and their continued health and well-being. And she expresses gratitude for all they’ve been granted.

They are modest in their outlook and approach, but by their deeds and participation they are part of what makes our community a vibrant tapestry. Steadfast and reliable.

12/15/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #4
As told by Steve Horton

This snow lady is part of the Snowman collection who reside on our front porch during the holiday season.

A few of the wags in town say she’s eccentric, but her many friends just smile and reply, “She’s a character.”

She’s put on her fur coat and pearl accessories and is heading to the Christmas party of the Family Study Club, a group she’s belonged to for many years.

It started when she and other young mothers with elementary-aged kids decided to start a Child Study Club. It was a more serious involvement back then, although she had a way of making outlandish comments that got everyone laughing. But also thinking. And she loved showing up in slightly wild outfits.

Eventually the kids grew up; however, the ladies enjoyed each other’s company and so the name of the club was changed, and the discussions became less serious.

Her son and daughter, with their families, live out-of-state, which gives her and her husband an excuse to travel to see them. They’ve visited a lot of places since his retirement from the auto factory a few years ago. They like to take their fifth wheel and head out. Up north in the summer and down south in the winter. These trips afford plenty of opportunities to shop for those colorful outfits and jewelry.

This Christmas everyone’s coming home for the holiday, so it promises to be a busy time. Her grandkids adore her and she them. There's even a pair of toddler great-grandchildren to fuss over. She’ll be baking their favorite cookies, playing holiday music on the piano, and taking the crew to the Candlelight Service at her church on Christmas Eve.

You won’t miss her there. She bought a red dress with a greenish-brown scarf to wear. Oh, and she’ll be accompanying the church choir on the piano and is known to add a little flourish to the arrangement to spice things up.

Quite the character.

12/14/2025

FROM THE SCRAPBOOK--
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES FROM 1976
Given that it's Christmastime, I thought I'd share a couple of photos that were on the front cover of 'The Fowlerville Review' in two December issues of 1976--my first year of working for the then local hometown weekly newspaper.
Hopefully, the people shown here, who would now be in their mid-to-late 50s, won't be embarrassed at these photos of them at a young age. But I figure they were cute enough to spotlight back then, and they remain so.
Amy Jo Call is the girl putting a knitted hat on the Mitten Tree, while the Carolers include Kathy Kent, Brenda Palmer, Christine Hubert, Susie Hansen, Paula Palmer, and Mike Hubert.
The other photo is of the Fowlerville Rotary preparing gift boxes to help needy families in the area. From left were Earl Peckens, Jim Hall, Duane Mosher, and Keith Liverance. The local Rotarians, 49 years later, are still assisting in this effort by providing gifts from a list given to them by the Family Impact Center.
--Steve Horton

12/11/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #3
As told by Steve Horton
(First published in 2021

This family is well respected in community of Snowmen who I’ve been sharing my evenings with this holiday season.
On this night they’re part of a group of Carolers (actually members of their church choir) strolling through a neighborhood in town, singing the well-loved songs—“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” being a favorite. They’ve already had their fill of cookies given by grateful listeners.

The gentleman is having fun. He wears his hat a bit to the side, presenting a carefree look. In his younger years, when he worked at the bank, he would have worn it in a proper fashion. But he has his own insurance agency now and has a more self-assured view of life.

The lady is more conscious of their status and seeks to conduct herself in an acceptable fashion. She teaches a Sunday School class, volunteers at school, was Den Mother when her son was in Cub Scouts, and is a Friend of the local library.

Before marriage, she was an administrative assistant to the bank president. Which is where she met her husband-to-be. When their son is older, she plans to resume her career.

Speaking of the son, he is their pride and joy. Now in junior high, he does well in school—math being his favorite subject. He plays soccer and basketball, is a trumpet player in the school band, enjoys reading mysteries and likes playing video games. There’s a young lady, a fellow junior higher, that he’s fond of. And she seems to have a similar regard for him.

This trio reminds me of all those families of classmates I grew up with and all of the families we’ve had the pleasure to know and be friends with over these many years. They’ve helped make life special.

I realize that the past—especially at Christmastime—can have a warm glow that was not actually ‘the way it was.’ Still, while there are those darker shadows from bygone days that lurk in the corners of our memories and while not every family has had or is having a wonderful life, you’ll forgive me for harboring the fonder memories and casting them in that more tender light.

So, I wish this Snowman family a “A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” ... and the same to all those friends from years past and all those in this present day.

I’d join the choir to express this holiday sentiment, but my singing voice is a bit flat.

12/07/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES #2
As told by Steve Horton
(First published in 2021)

This couple are also part of my wife Dawn’s Snowman collection that keeps me company on these December evenings and are part of our Christmas celebration.

They are not ‘snowman’ in their appearance but rather, as you can see, they are snow mice. Not always welcomed, but part of God’s creation. “Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight.”

I’m guessing there might have been a few of their ancestors in the stable on that first Christmas.

Recently married, they are watching the holiday parade as it moves along the Main Street of town. It’s a cold evening, so they hug each other tight to keep warm.

The evening is extra special because this is their first Christmas as newlyweds. They went out and cut down a tree, decorated it, put up a few lights outside, and have indulged in the cookies she baked. They attended a performance of the school choir, picturing that one day they’ll have children who will be singing the same Carols.

They have the rest of their lives ahead of them. There’ll be bumps and bruises along the way, a few tears, but I pray all those hopes and dreams they now harbor together will be realized--aspirations bound in love that are, at this moment, as fresh as the soft snow that drifts gently downward from heaven above.

Still, all of that--the possible and the unknowable--is in the future. On this winter night they enjoy the passing parade and the wonder of the love they share.

And I like his hat.

12/04/2025

It’s beginning to look a lot like Fowlerville’s Christmas in the Ville— this Saturday, Dec 6th… “Small Town, Big Dreams”
Photos from 2023 Parade by Steve Horton

12/01/2025

SNOWMAN STORIES
As told by Steve Horton
(First published in 2021)

This Snow Lady, with her granddaughter who's holding a doll, are part of the Snowman collection that my wife Dawn has once again assembled in our enclosed front porch. I've decorated the room with colored lights, there's a heater, so it offers a warm and festive atmosphere.

The Snow men and ladies have been keeping me company each holiday season for a number of years, and we've gotten to know each other. Being a curious reporter, I've asked a few questions and watched them as they go about their assorted activities. They're an interesting bunch; in fact, I feel as if I've known them (or people like them) all my life.

That said, I decided to share a few of their stories which will be appear twice a week up to the final one on Christmas Eve. Hope you'll enjoy reading them.

On this early December evening the Snow Lady and her granddaughter are watching the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree in the village square. The special event, shared with their fellow townspeople, brings a joyful response. Her hat and scarf are evidence of her free spirit. Her smile conveys a warm and caring soul. And she's fun to be around.

I've learned that she bakes molasses and sugar cookies, tells stories of the old days when she was a girl, loves her assorted keepsakes and has a way of making you feel special. She's comfortable to be around and you're a better person whenever you're in her company. She's a blessing to her family, especially the younger set, as well as her many friends. Most of all, she's a faithful practitioner of that old-time religion.

I tell the Snow Lady that she reminds me of my great-grandmother, Blanche, who had many of those same qualities, and was also a great cookie-maker. She's been gone now for over 50 years but still remembered with much warmth and affection.

I smile when I see the granddaughter with her doll, knowing this shared time together with her grandmother will one day be a memory for her, shining as bright as that star atop the Community Christmas Tree.

Fowlerville News Online

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