(bright music) (projector whirring) - [Announcer] Have you ever wondered where the television signal you are watching is coming from?

(projector whirring) - Welcome to "True North".

(bright music) (synth music) - Good evening and welcome to "Maine One".

(projector whirring) - Welcome to "From the Vault", a celebration of 60 years of Maine public television.

Well, this week we continue our holiday fair with part two of a "Pine Tree Christmas".

Now, part one was on last week's episode.

Here we have the exciting conclusion as Bernie Rosetti is still at the Blaine House, still introducing us to Maine artists with songs, music, and spoken word.

Reminder, you can watch full episodes of all the shows you see on "From the Vault" by going to our YouTube channel, that's youtube.com/mainepublic.

So let's have our final visit from a ghost of Christmas past with 1984's "A Pine Tree Christmas".

(foghorn blaring) ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪ ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪ Fa la la, la la la, la la la - [Announcer] On behalf of the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, welcome to the Blaine House in Augusta for "A Pine Tree Christmas" with your host Bernie Rosetti.

(pool balls clattering) - Oh, hello.

Welcome back.

Thought I'd pop into the game room and try my hand at billiards.

This game room and the other rooms featured in this program are all open for public tours during visiting hours.

We would like to thank Governor Brennan and Olive Ross, and the rest of the Blaine House staff for making our work here so pleasant.

Obviously a lot of care has been taken to decorate the Blaine House for Christmas.

This year, the work was done by the Kennebec Valley Garden Club.

As you can see, they've made excellent use of traditional Christmas greenery.

The custom of decorating the home on festival days is worldwide and evergreens have always been used, first because they were often the only things available during the winter season, and secondly, because from ancient times, the evergreens have been symbolic of eternal life.

Mistletoe, holly and ivy were all symbols of pagan religious festivals that were gradually adopted for Christmas celebrations.

The poinsettia is a more recent New World addition to the Christmas celebration.

The people of Mexico call the poinsettia the flower of the holy night, because the flaming star formed by its red petals resembles the star of Bethlehem.

A Mexican legend explains the origin of the poinsettia.

"On Christmas Eve long ago, a poor little boy went to church with great sadness, as he had no gift to offer the holy child.

He knelt down on the ground and prayed to Jesus, telling him how much he desired to offer him a lovely present, but had no money to buy such a gift.

When he rose from his knees, he saw springing up at his feet a green plant with dazzling red blooms.

He broke some of the beautiful twigs from the plant and joyously went into the church to lay his gift at the feet of the Christ child.

Since then the poinsettia has spread all over the country, blooming at Christmastime to fill the world with holiday spirit."

That legend and others like it begin to explain the joy of gift giving at Christmastime.

One of the most joyous gifts to a loved one is the gift of self, and the time spent to make something that will be forever cherished.

In the late 1800s, composer Franz Liszt gave such a gift to his granddaughter, 12 short pieces of Christmas music entitled "The Christmas Tree."

Frank Glazer of Kezar Falls, pianist for the New England Piano Quartet, perform two of the Liszt pieces for us.

The first is "Shepherds at the Manger", based on the famous old German carol "In Dulci Jubilo", in sweet jubilation, which is 600 years old.

The second is called "Old Provincial Christmas Carol".

(bright piano music) (bouncy piano music) A couple of years ago, a gentleman in Southern Maine thought of a unique gift for his wife.

His hobby was cars.

And though thanks to him his family never had trouble with their automobile, it sometimes seemed to his wife Marty that her husband loved his cars more than his mate.

For Christmas that year, the auto buff husband asked Mike Noble from Gorham to compose a singing telegram to his wife, expressing his love.

Mike wrote "Good morning, Marty".

(gentle piano music) ♪ Good mornin', Marty ♪ Here's a Christmas song for you ♪ ♪ I thought I'd take some time ♪ To send this rhyme your way ♪ It's almost Christmas ♪ There's a feeling in the air ♪ That makes me wanna say ♪ I really care ♪ And although I know I've taken you for granted ♪ ♪ If I hurt you, love, I swear I never planned it ♪ ♪ So, Marty ♪ I'm really sorry ♪ When it seems I'd rather sleep ♪ ♪ With my Subaru than you ♪ But pretty woman ♪ Please believe me ♪ A brand-new four-wheel drive ♪ Don't do a thing for me ♪ Compared with the way you smile ♪ ♪ When I say I love you ♪ Or the way my heart goes wild ♪ ♪ When we have a good time (gentle piano music) ♪ So, Marty ♪ Have a Merry Christmas ♪ With mistletoe and a ho-ho-ho ♪ ♪ And candy canes ♪ And in the new year ♪ We can have a party ♪ Just huggin' on the nearly long ♪ ♪ Down memory lane ♪ We can give our thanks for children ♪ ♪ And a healthy life ♪ And I'll feel so good and happy ♪ ♪ That you are my wife (gentle piano music) ♪ Oh, Marty ♪ Have a Merry Christmas ♪ I love you, Marty - Many of Mike's satirical songs have been heard on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered".

The topics Mike has chosen to write about range from the moose hunt to house husbands.

Mike is also the composer of many commercial jingles in Maine and of a growing repertoire of songs about family life in today's busy world.

The topic of Mike's next number, "Children's Dreams", was expressed as well in Senator George Mitchell's Christmas greeting to Maine.

- My fondest Christmas memory is of Christmas 1965, the first time I'd experienced a Christmas with a child of my own.

Christmas is a time for joy among all people, but especially for children.

I hope very much that this Christmas season we will, to the extent possible, make it a joyous one for all our children, and that we will, witnessing the terrible tragedy of famine in Africa, in which hundreds of thousands of children are dying from starvation, will recall our good fortune and thank God for the blessings that we've received by living in this, the most free, the most open, the most just, the most prosperous society in all of human history, the United States.

We must do all we can to enable others to receive the blessings we have received.

That is the message of Jesus Christ.

I hope that will be the message of this Christmas in the year of his birth, 1984.

(gentle piano music) ♪ A child's dreams are a song of joy ♪ ♪ A prayer for every girl and boy ♪ ♪ To live a life that is safe and free ♪ ♪ Each day bringing a brighter hope ♪ ♪ That love will shine on the world ♪ ♪ But children wake on a troubled morn ♪ ♪ Where cold winds herald a coming storm ♪ ♪ All God's people should sing, it seems ♪ ♪ A Christmas carol for children's dreams ♪ ♪ A Christmas prayer for peace (gentle piano music) ♪ The bells of the world are crying ♪ ♪ The sorrows of humankind ♪ And the guns of the world still roar on high ♪ ♪ The hatred flies and the children cry ♪ ♪ Oh, God, I know it was not your plan ♪ ♪ That man should war on his fellow man ♪ ♪ Please show your love as you help us sing ♪ ♪ A Christmas carol for children's dreams ♪ ♪ A Christmas prayer for peace (gentle piano music) ♪ Please show your love as you help us sing ♪ ♪ A Christmas carol for children's dreams ♪ ♪ A Christmas prayer for peace (gentle piano music) - The ancient Celtic and Teutonic solstice festivals celebrated the turning of the wheel of time, which was called Yule.

Part of that festival consisted of the blessing and burning of a Yule log, which was lit by a fagot saved from the log of the previous year.

Years later in Christian England, as the massive Yule log was lit, the host would proclaim the Yule log burns.

It destroys old hatreds and misunderstandings.

Let your envies banish and let the spirit of good fellowship reign supreme for this season and through all the year.

Today, that good fellowship during the Christmas season is evident as we visit with friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

Often the first social visits of the holidays occur at special Christmas performances.

We gather to hear our five-year-old sing "Silent Night", and we meet old friends at Christmas concerts and performances of the Messiah.

MPBN visited Belfast a few weeks ago to hear the First Church Bellringers Christmas concert.

Under the direction of Linda Hazzard, they performed "Silver Bells", "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

and "Little Drummer Boy".

("Silver Bells") (congregation applauding) (child laughing and cooing) ("Do You Hear What I Hear?")

(congregation applauding) ("Little Drummer Boy") (congregation applauding) As Christmas nears and we finish our shopping, decorate the tree and begin preparations for our Christmas holiday feasts, it becomes more and more a time for family.

Senator William Cohen best expresses that sentiment in his Christmas greeting to Maine.

- During this holiday season, I wish to extend my warmest Christmas and New Year greetings to each and every Mainer.

Christmas holidays are always a special time in Maine, a time to get together with family and friends, renew old acquaintances, share the joy with those around us.

It's also a time that brings back years of Christmas memories, a time for all of us to look back on past holiday celebrations, remembering those first Christmases spent in Maine.

But most of all, the Christmas season gives us the perfect opportunity to spend time with those that we love, letting them know how much we care, simply saying best wishes for the new year.

I'm grateful for this opportunity to wish you health, success and good fortune in the new year, and I hope every Mainer has a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

- According to German legend, in the eighth century, Saint Boniface dedicated the fir tree to the holy child, saying, "You are the light of the world, a tree ever green."

Supposedly Martin Luther cut down the first Christmas tree and decorated its branches with candles to imitate the stormy sky of Bethlehem, and arranged a creche with figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and various animals.

The tree symbols spread to France, England and America.

And in 1856, Franklin Pierce was the first president to have a tree at the White House.

The tree, holly, Yule log and Christmas carols all originated in parts of Europe and gradually traveled to America, evolving into traditions we still continue today.

Our contribution to the Christmas celebration has been to arrive at the definitive answer to the question of what Santa Claus looks like.

The most well-known and loved description of St. Nick was composed by Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, professor of divinity at New York Theological Seminary.

On the night of December 22nd, 1822, as he read the story of St. Nick to his children, an astonished visitor copied down the words and sent them to her local newspaper.

The poem was published a year later in the Troy Sentinel with the words, "We know not to whom we are indebted for the description of that unwary patron of children, but from whomever it may have come, we give thanks for it."

Dr. Moore did not claim authorship of the poem until 1844.

Since then it's been translated into many foreign languages, and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the visit of Saint Nicholas, interpreted for us tonight by Abrahms and Anderson.

(crowd talking excitedly) - So, every year it's the same story.

- Are you telling about Uncle Clem?

- Yeah, how every year, year after year, he always told the story about the time he met Santa Claus.

- The funny part was he always told the story the exact same way.

Do you remember how it started?

- No.

Oh yeah, yeah.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house.

- Not a creature was stirring.

- [Both] Not even a mouse.

- The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

- The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

- And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

(wind howling) (man snoring) - When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

- Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and through up the sash.

- The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of midday to objects below.

(bells jingling) - When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

And a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

- More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name!

- [Santa] Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!

- As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the courser they flew, with the sleigh full of toys.

- And St. Nicholas, too!

- [Santa] Whoa!

- And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound!

- [Santa] Ho!

(Santa crashing) (Santa coughing) He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot.

- And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

- A bundle of toys was flung on his back.

- And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

- His eyes, how they twinkled!

His dimples, how merry.

- His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.

- His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.

- And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

- The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth.

- And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

- He had a broad face, and a little round belly.

- That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

(both laughing) - [Santa] Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!

- He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

But a wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings.

- Then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod... - Up the chimney he rose.

- He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew, like the down of a thistle.

- But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight.

- [Santa] Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

- Oh, uh, hi.

I just thought I'd make sure...

Uh, well, we certainly want to thank Leslie Abrahms and Tom Anderson for their visit from St. Nick.

Leslie and Tom live in Portland and perform their own brand of improvisational humor throughout the state and around the country.

Now, you know, one of the ways Santa has been kept alive in children's hearts is through the generosity of thousands of Santa's helpers who sit for days each year, listening to what each tyke wants for Christmas.

Noel Paul Stookey has written a new Christmas song about such a man, and Tim Sample agreed to perform it for us this year at the Portland Performing Arts Center.

(mellow guitar music) ♪ It's Christmas Eve in the city ♪ ♪ In a downtown department store ♪ ♪ And a man in white whiskers ♪ And a red flannel suit ♪ Takes a nip from the bottle by the door ♪ ♪ It's the end of a sweet situation ♪ ♪ Two weeks in this soft velvet chair ♪ ♪ But it's quarter past nine ♪ And the last girl in line ♪ Steps forward to sit with him there ♪ ♪ Well, he's heard hundreds ♪ Of sweet, little stories ♪ And he wishes each one could come true ♪ ♪ A football for Jimmy ♪ A new doll for Minnie ♪ Now what can Santa bring you ♪ She said I want my daddy for Christmas ♪ ♪ And no other present will do ♪ Last night I talked to Jesus ♪ And tonight I'm askin' you ♪ She was dressed in some hand-me-down sweater ♪ ♪ And her hair was gold and her eyes were so blue ♪ ♪ And for some crazy reason ♪ All he could think of was leavin' ♪ ♪ His wife before the baby turned two ♪ ♪ Then a woman stepped out from the shadow ♪ ♪ Into the light where he could see ♪ ♪ That if she was the mother ♪ Then he was the father ♪ Of a girl who now sat on his knee ♪ ♪ And she kept sayin' ♪ I want my daddy for Christmas ♪ ♪ Oh, and she just said it again and again ♪ ♪ Oh, please bring me my daddy for Christmas ♪ ♪ Now Santa, I just know that you can ♪ (mellow guitar music) ♪ Well, he remembered his reason for leavin' ♪ ♪ Well, they had seemed so important back then ♪ ♪ He remembered his reasons for startin' and drinkin' ♪ ♪ And he knew what a fool he had been ♪ ♪ Well, his wife, she didn't know he was hiding ♪ ♪ Oh, behind old Santa's disguise ♪ ♪ But as he looked here the chin of the little girl ♪ ♪ She grinned as he told her with tears in his eyes ♪ ♪ Oh, yes, honey, your daddy will be home for Christmas ♪ ♪ You can tell Mommy that Santa said so ♪ ♪ And tonight in your prayer ♪ When you daddy is there ♪ You can thank God for bringin' him home ♪ (mellow guitar music) (audience applauding) - We have enjoyed being here.

This is the Honorable Joseph E. Brennan, governor of the state of Maine.

And we would like to thank him for having MPBN in his house for the past hour and a half, as well as you.

And, Governor, we really enjoyed being here, and we want to thank you very much for allowing us into the house.

- Well, Brandon, we're delighted you're here.

It's a special place.

It's really the people's house, and it's really special during the holiday season.

- I think our carolers are here.

I hear them out in the hallway.

Come on in.

This is the caroling group known as Tymbrel, and they're gonna sing a couple of traditional carols for us.

Go right ahead.

- Thank you.

Would like to sing a folk carol from Cornwall, England for you now, entitled "Sound, Sound, Your Instruments of Joy".

♪ Sound, sound your instruments of joy ♪ ♪ Sound, sound your instruments of joy ♪ ♪ Sound your instruments of joy ♪ ♪ Sound, sound your instruments of joy ♪ ♪ To triumph shake each string ♪ To triumph shake each string ♪ Let shouts of universal joy ♪ Universal joy, universal joy ♪ Welcome ♪ Welcome ♪ Welcome ♪ The new born King ♪ See, see the gladdening dawn appears ♪ ♪ See, see the gladdening dawn appears ♪ ♪ See the gladdening dawn appears ♪ ♪ See, see the gladdening dawn appears ♪ ♪ Bright angels deck the morn ♪ Bright angels deck the morn ♪ Behold the great I Am is here ♪ ♪ Great I Am is here, great I Am is here ♪ ♪ The ♪ King ♪ The ♪ King ♪ The ♪ King of glory's born ♪ Surprising scenes, stupendous love ♪ ♪ Surprising scenes, stupendous love ♪ ♪ Surprising scenes, stupendous love ♪ ♪ Surprising scenes, stupendous love ♪ ♪ The Lord of life descends ♪ The Lord of life descends ♪ He left his glorious clouds on high ♪ ♪ Glorious clouds on high, glorious clouds on high ♪ ♪ To ♪ Be ♪ To ♪ Be ♪ To ♪ Be the sinner's friend ♪ Let Heaven and earth and sea proclaim ♪ ♪ Let Heaven and earth and sea proclaim ♪ ♪ Let Heaven and earth and sea proclaim ♪ ♪ Let Heaven and earth and sea proclaim ♪ ♪ The wondrous love of God ♪ The wondrous love of God ♪ And all the universal frame ♪ Universal frame, universal frame ♪ ♪ Sing ♪ Praise ♪ Sing ♪ Praise ♪ Sing ♪ Praises to our God (men clapping) - Very nice.

- Thank you.

- Would like to sing a Christmas hymn written by William Billings around the year 1790.

It's entitled "Boston".

♪ Mmm ♪ Me thinks I see ♪ A heavenly host ♪ Of angels on the wing ♪ Me thinks I hear ♪ Their cheerful notes ♪ So merrily they sing ♪ Let all your fears be banished ♪ ♪ Hence glad tidings we proclaim ♪ ♪ For there's a savior born today ♪ ♪ And Jesus is his name ♪ Oh, can this be ♪ The very hour ♪ The prophets did foretell ♪ When God would send ♪ His only son ♪ To earth with men to dwell ♪ Let all your fears be banished ♪ ♪ Hence glad tidings we proclaim ♪ ♪ For there's a savior born today ♪ ♪ And Jesus is his name ♪ What have I done ♪ In all my life ♪ To gain such aimless surprise ♪ ♪ Oh, angels come, unstop my ears ♪ ♪ And wipe my blinded eyes ♪ Let all your fears be banished ♪ ♪ Hence glad tidings we proclaim ♪ ♪ For there's a savior born today ♪ ♪ And Jesus is his name ♪ Let all your fears be banished ♪ ♪ Hence glad tidings we proclaim ♪ ♪ For there's a savior born today ♪ ♪ And Jesus is his name - Beautiful, beautiful.

(men clapping) - Well, Governor, that's one of the old traditions of the holiday season.

Another one is, of course, the wassel.

- Certainly, a beautiful tradition.

- And the toast.

The first toast of the holiday season.

And there you go.

- Well, it certainly is appropriate during this holiday season, for we who are fortunate enough to live in Maine, in America, to offer our prayers for those who are starving in Ethiopia, and our hopes that the new year will bring a year of peace throughout the world.

- I'll drink to that, and uh, Tymbrel, would you like to join in?

Have a cup of wassel.

I'll pour for you.

- It's really good.

- There you go.

- [Woman] This is very nice.

- From ancient times to the present, the one common denominator for any winter celebration is the expression of a hope for peace.

Maine's beloved poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, best expressed that hope in a poem he wrote shortly after the battle of Gettysburg.

His own son had been seriously injured in a previous battle, and the nation grew even more anxious as the war dragged on.

Longfellow's eloquent poem that expresses the despair of a nation and ends with a message for hope was put to music in 1872.

Tonight, all of us at MPBN and here in the Blaine House, join in wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.

We leave you with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's message of hope, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", sung in the Longfellow home in Portland by members of the Portland Choral Art Society under the direction of Jim Bishop.

♪ I heard the bells on Christmas day ♪ ♪ Their old, familiar carols play, ♪ ♪ And wild and sweet the words repeat ♪ ♪ Of peace on earth, good-will to men ♪ ♪ I thought how, as the day had come, ♪ ♪ The belfries of all Christendom ♪ ♪ Had rolled along the unbroken song ♪ ♪ Of peace on earth, good-will to men ♪ ♪ And in despair I bowed my head ♪ ♪ There is no peace on earth, I said ♪ ♪ For hate is strong and mocks the song ♪ ♪ Of peace on earth, ♪ Good-will to men ♪ Then pealed the bells more loud and deep ♪ ♪ God is not dead, nor doth He sleep ♪ ♪ The wrong shall fail, the right prevail ♪ ♪ With peace on earth ♪ Good-will to men ♪ Till ringing, singing on its way ♪ ♪ The world revolved from night to day ♪ ♪ A voice, a chime, a chant sublime ♪ ♪ Of peace on earth ♪ Good-will to men (dramatic organ music) ("O Come All Ye Faithful") - [Announcer] You've spent a lot of time watching channel 10 over the last 30 years, and WCVB has become the station you depend on to get the news and information you want.

Our news and public affairs programs have always taken the time to focus deeply and comprehensively on the issues that have shaped Maine, the country and the world.

You've made us the best for 30 years.

- [Announcer] Celebrate the holidays in grand style, as Carnegie Hall rings out with the festive sounds of Christmas.

Joined renowned classical performers Kathleen Battle and Frederica von Stade, jazz trumpet virtuoso Wynton Marsalis, and Andre Previn with the St Luke's Orchestra and a full choir.

It's a joyous holiday treat for the whole family, "A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert", next time on great performances.

(bright orchestral music) - [Announcer] What do these people and places have in common?

Find out with host Andre Previn on a grand tour of Mozart's world.

The journey ends in Vienna's glittering Sch önbrunn Palace with by Maestro Previn, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and soloist Alexander Mozzar, in a performance of Mozart's last concerto.

"Mozart on Tour", here on PBS.

- [Announcer] Tomorrow evening at nine o'clock.

(bright orchestral music) ♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪ Fa la la, la la la, la la la ♪ Troll the ancient Yuletide carol ♪ ♪ Fa la la la, la la la la