Lincoln Discussion Symposium

And if I remember correctly, the invitations went to orphans.

How about this one? Which President used to play Santa Claus in his hometown?

J.F.K?

Sorry, it's an earlier President.

T. Roosevelt?

William Howard Taft?

I am also going to guess William Howard Taft. He would have been stout enough to have played the roll of Santa Claus.

The amazing Eva got it again. It was Teddy Roosevelt, who donned Santa garb in his hometown of Oyster Bay on Long Island, NY. I should say whichever village Sagamore Hill is in since Oyster Bay is more of a composition of little towns and villages...

I just thought with his outward appearance he would have made quite a dignified Santa.

Which First Family celebrated Christmas with this dinner?

There was a long table in the State Dining Room. Lying flat on the entire length of the table was a French, gilded mirror. This mirror represented a lake. It was adorned with banks of roses (from a hothouse) and what was described as a forest of candelabra. There were about 12 guests, and each one had their own waiter or waitress. Among the meals offered were canvasback duck, turkey, or roasted hog.

The Madisons? (Sounds like 19th century and no kids.)

That's who I would guess also. The gilded mirror centerpiece sounds like a Dolley-thing. If not the Madisons, then Jefferson (but he would have had his grandchildren present).

Eva and Laurie, you are both correct. Good job. This was Christmas in the White House in 1811. Dolley was seated at the head of the table, and James was seated in the middle. Dolley was dressed in a purple velvet gown.

Once again my source was the 'Christmas at the White House' article in the December 2008 Surratt Courier.

Darn, I did a really good job with that article, didn't I? Too bad I can't remember the details five years later!

Story goes one US president could write in Greek and Latin with the left and the right hand simultaneously. Who?

Was it Thomas Jefferson?