The Christmas Season CULMINATED WITH HECKAMAN CHRISTMAS, THE FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT HER HOME.

Each year, when Linda’s parents were alive, she and her family and the families of her three brothers would descend on her parents home each Christmas Eve for an evening full of food, family, presents and merriment. After the passing of Motz and Pete, the families children were getting older and it became difficult to get together on Christmas Eve, so Linda moved the annual tradition to the Friday evening before Christmas. Over the years, this tradition happened every year, without fail. Some years, we would have fewer people major the journey to Syracuse and other years, the house would be brimming.

Linda’s chocolate and peacan fudge, her peanut butter fudge, her Swedish peacans and her buckeyes were the hits of the show and treats that everyone looked forward to each year. Each family had their staple items they would bring - Aunt Janet would bring her cheesy potatoes and a Texas sheet cake, Kim & Melinda would bring dips, spreads and salad and Diane would bring her cream puffs. But… what everyone waited for were the two or three giant beef tenderloins we would grill up each year, just for this evening, served with bernaise sauce and accompanied by her famous wild rice casserole.

With Linda no longer with us, we are hoping to continue this tradition. Sadly, due to COVID-19, we are unable to have the gathering this year we would like, but know that Linda would understand. But come Christmas 2021, this tradition will live on!