Letters to Santa - 1981

Letters to Santa programs were a staple of the Christmas season at WJMA. Beginning about 1964 the letters were read by "Santa Claus" Bill Little Sr, but beginning in 1973 the letters were read by Mr. Postmaster and Miss Priority Message in Santa's Orange post office. Arch Harrison was the Postmaster and Ann Harrison was Miss Message. They read letters each Christmas season until 1980 when Miss Message went away to school. The Postmaster continued through Christmas 1983 assisted by Sparky the Wonder Elf.

Many of the Letters to Santa programs have been preserved. Unfortunately the 1977 collection is not complete and some days are missing. Beginning with the December 12 program, stories written by Grymes School students were included in the program.

Mary Thompson is the announcer who begins and ends each program. The programs were sponsord by Virginia Federal Savings & Loan.

Enjoy!

Video of Arch Harrison talking about Letters to Santa

You may also enjoy hearing again:
WJMA Monday At One program featuring the carols of Alfred Burt or
A Christmas Carol with Lionel Barrymore broadcast for many years on Christmas Eve.

Monday, November 30, 1981 (5:08)
Tuesday, December 1, 1981 (5:52)
Wednesday, December 2, 1981 (4:57)
Thursday, December 3, 1981 (7:43)
Friday, December 4, 1981 (9:32)

Monday, December 7, 1981 (6:58)
Tuesday, December 8, 1981 (6:20)
Wednesday, December 9, 1981 (6:24)
Thursday, December 10, 1981 (6:27)
Friday, December 11, 1981 (8:05)

Monday, December 14, 1981 (9:29)
Tuesday, December 15, 1981 (6:48)
Wednesday, December 16, 1981 (7:23)
Thursday, December 17, 1981 (9:56)
Friday, December 18, 1981 (9:57)

Monday, December 21, 1981 (9:17) -- Miss Message guest appearance
Tuesday, December 22, 1981 (6:51)
Wednesday, December 23, 1981 (10:06)
Thursday, December 24, 1981--missing
Christmas Eve Letters to Santa from 1976 (13:17)

The 1981 Christmas contest on WJMA was Home for the Holidays. There were 24 audio clues from 22 places across the county named Orange, Madison, Greene, Louisa, or Culpeper. This recording is all 24 clues (two places had two clues).

Here are the locations included:

WJMA Home for the Holidays Contest, December 1981

1. Preston Small WYTH radio, Madison GA
2. Irv Lash, WRXV radio, Greene ME
3. Steve White 1, Courier Herald City Editor, Madison IN
4. Steve White 2, Courier Herald City Editor, Madison IN
5. Ray Friday, WCNH radio, Orange FL
6. Vanessa Wing, WQMR radio, Madison ME
7. Rhoda Ross, Literary Review, Madison NJ
8. Charlie Seebeck WWBB radio GM, Madison WV 1:28 (Charles E Seebeck b. 9/13/1919 d. 9/4/1989
9. Amy Marshall Chenango American Weekly, Greene NY
10. Elsa McNamera The Banner, Madison MD
11. Cheryl Archibald, The News Orange MA
12. Terri Mungent WECM radio Orange NH
13. Jean White WSNO radio Orange VT
14. Fred Holker The Recorder editor, Greene IA
15. Andi Boone KGFL Culpeper AR
16. Mrs Robert Kise, Louisa KY Big Sandy News
17. Sara Zimmerman, Chamber of Commerce Louisa LA
18. Jerry Emerson Renville County Farmer, Greene ND
19. Rene Bestman, Chamber of Commerce, Madison SD
20. Lolly Hernandez, The Democrat, Madison CA
21. Joe Flack 1, The Star Mail editor, Madison NE
22. Joe Flack 2, The Star Mail editor, Madison NE
23. Wade Praker, Madison County Herald, Madison MS
24. Bob Axelson, The Leader City Editor, Orange TX


 


 

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