Bonnie and Paul Wilson

( Submitted photo / December 23, 2012 )

The ornament reads De Vono's, the name of a past fine men's store in Hagerstown at Long Meadow. My now husband and I had been dating for three months that Christmas of 1969. He was a very handsome and very nicely dressed man. Before the "age of electronics," buying gifts for a man was not an easy thing. I thought a gift certificate for some more nice clothing would be perfect. His gift certificate came rolled up and stuck into this bright, red shiny ball. This was the start of a tradition of collecting one special ornament each year. When this extensive collection was retired in favor of our granddaughter's ornament collection, the De Vono's ball was placed with hers and still holds the place of honor for longevity at the top of the tree. It has remained treasured and displayed on the Wilson tree for 43 seasons. ¿ By Bonnie and Paul Wilson, Martinsburg, W.Va.