Christmas on the Road

There were two Christmas parties each year at CSYM that Jack Madison remembered, both recorded for broadcast later, one on Christmas Eve, the other on Christmas Day. One was the staff party, at which everyone was required to perform, and at which, one year, Gavin Stone managed to secrete a cache of cocktails around the hotel mezzanine, in planters, behind settees, under curtains.

The other party, significantly less boisterous, was at the Orange Benevolent Home, a boys' orphanage in the countryside around Wellesley. In mid-December, Jack and a crew would drive there with a troupe of musicians and singers from the Beaver Lumber Barndance show, perform for the children, hand out treats and gifts, and conduct interviews.

On one particularly cold afternoon Jack was riding in the station car, which, unfortunately, had a back door that would not close. It was held in place by a rope tied across the seat, from one handle to the other. Gilbert Favely, from the promotion department, was driving. Hughie, the engineer, was beside him. Jack sat in the back with Hughie's equipment, shivering, cursing, and wishing he had gone in the Barndance bus. Hughie had been reluctant to go--probably missing a real party, thought Jack--but Leo, who usually made the trip, had cracked a leg in a beer league hockey game.

They arrived around two, lugged equipment and instruments through the snow, and were met by the supervisor and her staff. The boys were arranged in orderly lines, all wearing white shirts and black ties, and expressions that were a mix of fear and anticipation. It looked, thought Jack, like a scene out of "Oliver Twist."

"Boys," the supervisor called out, "our guests from the radio station are with us. I expect you to be on your best behavior and not embarrass us."

I better loosen this up, thought Jack. "Hey, guys," he said, "we're back! I'm Jack, the guy with the sack!" He shook the bag of toys. "And don't worry about your behavior--we're here to have fun! Right, Andy?"

"Right, Jack," said Andy, leading the Barndance band, and the Sunshine Trio swung into "Frosty the Snowman."

The afternoon went well, although the boys were hesitant in their interviews, conscious of the supervisor behind them. During one of the Barndance numbers, Jack said to Gilbert, "Do me a favor, will you, pal? When I start the next round of interviews get Miss Grinch into a conversation and drag her away from me."

On the trip back to Wellesley, Jack said, "Gilbert? This time I drive. You get the air conditioning in the back."

Gilbert was dropped off at his apartment, and Jack drove Hughie and the equipment to the station. "What do you think, Hughie?" said Jack. "Decent show?"

"Pretty good, Jack. Nice break for the kids. Although when the tape's played, the supervisor may not like some of the interviews."

"Well, tough for her."

"No, tough for them if she gets mad. Maybe you should edit some of that stuff."

Hughie was quiet for a time, and then said, "You know, Jack, they're not all orphans. Some are from messed up families, or poor families with too many kids. But however they get there, it's a lonely life."

Jack pulled up in front of the hotel, and said, "I'll help you carry this stuff upstairs."

"It's alright, Jack. I've got it."

"Hughie, you've been awfully quiet tonight. Anything wrong?"

"No, I'm okay."

"I know you didn't really want this gig. Something upset you there?"

"Memories, maybe."

"Memories?"

"Yeah, a lot of memories. I lived in that place until I was fourteen.

"Merry Christmas, Jack."