Throwback: A look at Midland Christmas of yesteryear

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 1of45Young Betty Cousins isn't too thrilled with Santa Claus at the Midland County Courthouse. November 1975Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 2of45An anxious youngster talks to Santa at the courthouse.

November 1972Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 4of45Members of the Home Builders Association of Midland construct Santa's Workshop on the courthouse grounds. November 1968Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 5of45Susan Kanary, 3, chats with Santa at the Chippewa Nursery School party. December 1978Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 7of45City crews were hanging holiday decorations along Main Street in 69 degree weather.

November 1975 Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 8of45Santa was busy fielding phone calls at the Berryhill American Legion Post, assuring his young friends he would be ready for Christmas Day. December 1978Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 10of45Santa hopped out of a plane and with the aid of a parachute and landed safely at the Circle Mall. December 1976Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 11of45John Dumont, 4, looks up at the giant Santa Claus on the courthouse lawn.

November 1978Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 13of45All eyes were skyward watching Santa parachute from a plane, landing safely at the Circle Mall. December 1976Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 14of45Children wait to talk to Santa on his first stop at the courthouse. November 1976Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 16of45Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were the hot item for Christmas in 1984 as well as 1983.

November 1984Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 17of45Edwin Worthington and his three sons, Greg, Ed and Vince, select and cut their own tree each year at Red Keg Tree Farm. December 1975Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 19of45Microwaves, computers top wish lists in 1983. December 1983Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 20of45The longstanding 17-year tradition of live deer at the courthouse during the holiday season was in jeopardy in 1976.

A spokesman for an anonymous group that funded the display for years, said increasing costs were making it impossible. Feed was at $180 a ton compared to $30 when the display first began. Total cost for transportation, fencing, feed and care was at $1,200 during the season and an additional $1,500 to maintain the herd throughout the year. Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 22of45Daniel Hall, 5, of Midland was one of the first in line to shake Santa's hand at the courthouse.

November 1983Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 23of45Santa arrived at the Circle Mall via the Midland Fire Department. November 1983Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 25of45Midland Mayor Joseph Mann throws the switch to turn on the downtown Christmas lights marking the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. November 1979Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 26of45Christmas decorations at the Midland County Courthouse.

December 1978Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 28of45Video cassettes tapes popular for Christms gifts in 1986 are White Christmas, Jane Fonda's New Workout, Gone with the Wind, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Sleeping BeautyDaily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 29of45The first decoration up was the giant Santa Claus at the courthouse. November 1985Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 31of45The annual display of Christmas decorations at the Midland County Courthouse. December 1984Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 32of45The first decoration up was the giant Santa Claus at the courthouse.

November 1985Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 34of45Roy Post, left, and Jerry Wirbel are up before daybreak to help assemble groceries at the Sanford IGA for distribution to 75 families. The distribution was arranged by the Elks Club, Diana Society, the Diana Eves and the Salvation Army. December 1984Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 35of45Jim Sebring stands next to one of more than 200,000 trees on his property on South Nine Mile Road.

November 1985Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 37of45Part of the Santa Holiday Parade was a character depicting Jay Grosberg, former owner of Jay's Menswear. November 1985Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 38of45Paul Wenglikowski, a maintenance man at the Midland County courthouse, puts up the Nativity scene at the courthouse. November 1986Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 40of45Santa arrives in Midland on a horse-drawn sleigh.

November 1986Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 41of45The Meridian High School Marching Band performs in the Santa Holiday Parade. November 1986Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 43of45Erin Blanck, 5, and Nicholas Blanck, 7, give Santa Claus their wish lists at his Circle Mall post. December 1986Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less 44of45Faces in the crowd at Coleman's Christmas parade.

December 1986Daily News file photoShow MoreShow Less Tree-lighting ceremonies at the Midland County Courthouse have been a part of Midland's tradition since 1967, according to a 1968 Daily News article. The 1968 celebration included a tree decorated by Northwood University students. "The Christmas tree and ceremonies at the courthouse plaza were added for the first time last year," the article stated.

"The tree has become the key piece which ties the unusual display into a harmonious whole. The Santas, live deer, camels, wise men, sheep nested near the manger, Santa's workshop, huge colored candles – all make the display exciting for everyone." More than $40,000 in Christmas decorations were provided over the past 10 years by Midlanders who prefer to remain anonymous, the story stated. Throwback is compiled by former Daily News managing editor, Lori Qualls.

She can be contacted at EMAIL. Written By Lori Qualls Lori Qualls retired as Daily News managing editor in early 2021, after 36 years of employment. She graduated with a journalism major and Earth science minor from Central Michigan University.

She has received numerous writing awards over the years, the latest being a 2020 second place award for feature writing and a 2019 best column award from the Michigan Press Association. She enjoys listening to classic rock on vinyl records and watching the sky, both night and day.