State Street by Robert P. Ledermann

Author:Robert P. Ledermann [Ledermann, Robert P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, State & Local, General, Biography & Autobiography, Self-Help, Motivational & Inspirational
ISBN: 9780738519722
Google: bgadaf-Xr3kC
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Published: 2002-01-15T04:56:31+00:00

To the right is a set of Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly figures used in the Field’s windows from 1970s on. These were made of hard rubber with hand-made felt clothing. Previously, hand-made Mistletoes were constructed of paper mache. The buttons were the three different Mistletoe buttons. The Kindness Club button on the left was mailed to children, the middle button was handed out by Santa and the right button was the special 1980s version used in the “Christmas Surprise” windows and is quite rare (note the “K” in “Klub” on this button). Photo © Robert P. Ledermann.

On the show, children met new puppet friends, including Otto the Elephant, Humphrey the Mouse, Michael O’Hara the Rabbit and Obadiah Pig. Doris Larson signed on after Jennifer left in 1951. She was called the “Look Out Lady.” At the beginning of each program, she would pretend to be looking through a magic looking glass and would talk with Uncle Mistletoe about the past and the upcoming events of the day. Then, in 1952, the show moved over to WGN-TV Channel 9 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. More puppet friends were added—among them Polly Dolly, Molio, Olio, Private Pepper and Aunt Holly—but the show only lasted a brief thirteen weeks.

Through his popularity, Marshall Fields sponsored a children’s club called the Kindness Club. Children were encouraged to write to the club about their good deeds, and in return, they would receive a Kindness Club button, a copy of the song and a little note from Uncle Mistletoe. Field’s used Uncle Mistletoe in seasonal newspaper ads that began traditionally on Thanksgiving Day. These ads would promote Uncle Mistletoe and at the same time advise and inform readers of the new supply of colorful Christmas gift boxes, gift certificates, trim-a-tree items, cards, wrapping paper and ornaments ready for purchase.

In the fall on 1982, I wrote an article for the Chicago Historical Society (today’s Chicago History Museum) magazine, Chicago History, entitled “Uncle Mistletoe: A Chicago Christmas Tradition.” I received a surprise phone call from Margo Moss, the daughter of John Moss, who succeeded Arthur Fraser as vice-president and design director at Marshall Field’s. She was a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Latin School and a member of the Women’s Board of Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Junior League of Chicago and the Junior Governing Board of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She was so delighted to read my kind words about her dad that she wanted to meet with me for lunch at the Casino Club.

In remembrance of both Margo and her father, I’m including the song she received upon becoming a member of the Kindness Club:

The Kindness Club Song

Uncle Mistletoe, says he, wants the boys and girls to be

In his Kindness Club to stay, if they’re kind and good each day

Not just one day, not just two, but be kind the whole year through

Oh…

Do a kind deed, say a kind thing, smile a big smile, everyone sing,

Feel the wind of kindness blowing,

Watch

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