L. S. Ayres' Cherub Arrives in Indianapolis for Christmas 2013 Season

Below is the tale of the famous L.S. Ayres cherub, which arrives annually to oversee shoppers during the holiday season. No one ever sees the cherub arrive, but, just like Santa Claus, you can depend on catching sight of him every year.

It was 1946. World War II had just ended and thousands returned home from military service. Among them, Virginia Holmes--a prize-winning commercial artist--came back to Indianapolis and started her career in the advertising department at L.S. Ayres, a downtown department store. When it came time to compose the 1946 holiday catalog, merchandise was still in short supply, so Holmes created whimsical cherubs to fill the somewhat empty pages. The cherubs captured hearts and began an Indianapolis holiday tradition that continues today.

Customer response to the cherubs was so great, Ayres perpetuated their appearance in its 1947 holiday advertising. It was Ayres’ 75th Anniversary, and that called for a special addition to their holiday celebration plans. Ayres commissioned nationally recognized Indianapolis sculptor and Herron School of Art instructor, David Rubins to create a bronze cherub for the store’s landmark clock, located on the outside of their building on the corner of Washington and Meridian streets.

Cherub Keeps WatchAs the story is told, the whimsical Cherub mysteriously appeared atop the clock on Thanksgiving Eve 1947 to keep a watchful eye on the holiday shoppers (beginning Thursday, Nov. 28) until Santa took over on Christmas Eve. In the 66 years since, thousands have had the pleasure of seeing the Cherub perched atop the famous clock each holiday season. This powerful tradition lives in the hearts and minds and memories of a city and its grateful citizens.

The May Department Store Co. purchased L.S. Ayres in 1986 and, in 1992, moved the Cherub to its headquarters in St. Louis. There was tremendous public outcry when the Cherub did not appear that holiday season. So May donated the Cherub to the City of Indianapolis and in 1994 Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. became the Cherub’s legal guardian.

So keep an eye out… the Cherub will be appearing downtown very soon ~

Visit the Indiana State Museum gift shop for replica Cherub pins.

Click here for Circle of Lights information.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Circle of Lights includes Santa's Mailbox

One of my favorite memories from Christmases of long is writing to Santa Claus. Positive he (or at the very least one of his trusty elves) would pen a reply.To be honest, I can't remember if he ever did.

What I do remember, however, is the trip to take the letter to the post office. The excitement of getting the letter just right, decorating the envelope to the point the address was almost indecipherable, and the satisfaction when I dropped the letter in the slot.

To this day one of my must-watch holidays movies annually is "The Christmas List." Starring Mimi Rogers. The film (1997) reiterates the feeling that goodness brings happiness when the main character mails her grown-up Christmas wish list letter to Santa Claus. This feeling spills over from another favorite, Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which instills the warm-fuzzies with the knowledge that human kindness can break down any barrier and mean people can be rehabilitated.

So how do the children in your life get this over-the-top feeling this holiday season? Encourage them to write (cursive if possible, please), decorate and mail a letter to the jolly old elf ~ personally.

Where? 

Santa Claus (or maybe his helpers) has installed an official mailbox at the Circle of Lights location ~ Soldiers and Sailors Monument ~ in downtown Indianapolis. Accepting letters to Father Christmas through December 12, the mailbox is decorated with Santa and reindeer likenesses. Sitting on the east side of Monument Circle, the box faces Market Street, but I encourage you to make it an event. Park the car (much like my father), and enjoy the lights, sip hot chocolate and create lifetime memories for the tots.

Each year, this holiday mailbox is installed for children of all ages to drop off their letters addressed to Santa. And to every child’s delight, Santa himself personally answers each letter that has a return address. In 2012, more than 5,000 letters were sent to Santa.

*** Letters must have a return address for Santa to reply. (A self-addressed, stamped envelope is appreciated)

**Special Note** The lighting ceremony of Circle of Lights is presented by the wonderful folks known as Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW #481. These people work hard annually, selflessly giving of their time in the cold weather to make this happen for all of us to enjoy. The official lighting ceremony will take place Friday evening, Nov. 29 on Monument Circle. More than 100,000 holiday enthusiasts are expected to attend Indiana’s largest, annual, FREE public gathering now in its 51st year.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.