Cleveland Christmas Memories book GIVEAWAY!

Cleveland Christmas Memories book giveaway
by Joanna Wilson


Cleveland Christmas Memories is a brand-new book by author Gail Ghetia Bellamy, published by Gray & Company.  It's a nostalgic guide to the Christmas experience for the Boomer Generation living in Northeast Ohio.  The book reminds readers of holiday shopping downtown at Higbee's and Halle's, visiting Mr. Jingeling at Halle's, holiday concerts at Severance Hall, performances of "The Christmas Carol" at the Cleveland Play House, and much more.

However, the book may have an interest to those beyond Northeast Ohio residents from the 1940s to the 1980s.  It documents Christmas culture with many color photos and personal stories and recollections about popular toys, Christmas tree decorations, and the traditions of families common to many during that time period.  The many photos in this book will stir Christmas memories whether you've ever lived in Cleveland or not!

Readers younger than Boomers and living outside of Cleveland may also enjoy reading about the filming of the 1983 movie A Christmas Story and the museum that now exists.  It is also interesting to read about the Cleveland resident, Pastor Schwan, who is said to have been responsible the first publicly lit Christmas tree in America, in 1851.  He was buried in Lake View Cemetery and his grave site includes a tree that is decorated each year for Christmas by members from a local church. 

The publisher Gray & Company has given me a copy to give away to one of our loyal readers.  To qualify for the book giveaway:

--leave a comment below with the book's title "Cleveland Christmas Memories."  You can enter again on Facebook and Twitter by commenting with the words "Cleveland Christmas Memories" once at each of the following locations:

twitter: @AkronEmpire
facebook page: Akron Empire

 

So you could enter up to three times by leaving the correct comment at all three locations.  This giveaway is for North American residents only.  This runs from today, Friday December 14 to Sunday, December 16, noon (ET).  On Dec. 16th at noon, I'll use random.org to generate a number from the total number of qualifying entries to select a winner. I'll drop it in the mail ASAP after receiving the winner's mailing address--so you can have it by Christmas.  I'm also giving away another copy of this book on my blog Christmas TV History.  You are welcome to enter that giveaway as well.

This would make a great gift for any Boomer but especially one that lives or has lived in Cleveland during the 1940s, 50s and 60s.  It is also currently available for purchase in bookstores throughout Northeast Ohio, on Amazon, and at the publisher's website.  Merry Christmas and Good Luck!