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CURRENT NEWSLETTER
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Lindemann Chimney Supply sells wholesale only to the chimney and hearth industry.
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 December 2007
A Christmas to Remember
It was the early 1930’s. Following on the heels of the stock market’s
fall of ’29, the Great Depression was in full swing. Money
was scarce, and times were hard.
My grandfather lived on a small farm in upstate NY, just a couple
of old barns and a small log home. The cabin was three rooms with a loft for sleeping, heated only by the woodstove,
and electricity was provided an hour or two in the evening by an old, one lung generator that made the lights pulse each
time it fired. Grandad worked for the D&H railroad as an engineer, hauling freight behind steam locomotives. He loved
life, and he loved his job, and many a winter night my dad and his siblings would lay in the loft, listening to the call of the
lonesome freight as it climbed the hill out of the yard and into the night.
On Christmas Eve; a fresh blanket of snow had turned the little farm into a picturesque scene from a postcard. Grandad
was doing what folks did in those days, making the best of the situation at hand. With no money to spare, each child’s
only gift was to be hand crafted. He and his wife worked hard to bring the joy of Christmas to their four children. For each
a single gift would appear under the tiny tree, decorated with strings of popcorn and a few old hand made ornaments.
After the kids were asleep, Grandad was off to the roof top, making reindeer and sled marks on the roof, carefully placing
footsteps to the chimney. I can picture him, carefully creating the magic of Christmas on that rooftop, his blue eyes
sparkling in the moonlight with that mischievous grin that even I remember well.
Christmas morning was like Christmas mornings all through time. The kids were up early, filled with anticipation. They
knew, even at their young age, that times were hard, and although they were told there probably would be no gifts, they
excitedly ran to the tree. Under it was a gift for each of them. My dad sat down, his excitement turned to tears. His gift
was two tin cans, half full of sand, painted bright red. Not understanding this gift, he sat in silence. He had hoped no,
dreamed, of having a toy train. Something to capture the intrigue and mystery of the giant locomotives his dad ran. But
all he got were two red cans.
My granddad saw his displeasure. "Son, don’t you like your gift?" he asked. "What is it, Dad?" was all he could reply. "It’s
what you asked for son" Grandad answered, "It’s your steam engine!"
At that he took the cans, one in each hand, and he began to shake them. First one then the other. Chug went the sand
as it shook in the can. Chug, chug, chug.
My dad’s eyes grew wide with understanding. It was a train... and he the engineer that made it run. That engine pulled
freight all over the farm, chugging furiously as my dad ran across the fields, chugging heavily as he climbed the hills, just
like the ones he so often heard on those cold winter nights.
My dad relayed this story to me many times as I was a child, how he played with those two old cans until the sand finally
wore a hole through. The gift was creativity and imagination, one that was never forgotten. May this Holiday season bring
you as much joy as this simple gift of two tin cans.
The Hy-C Company
Alan Hisey founded HY-C COMPANY in 1947 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Our first product was an aluminum
chimney cover manufactured in Mr. Hisey’s garage. HY-C is still owned by the family; currently the third and
fourth generations are active in the business. Today the facilities have expanded from the garage to an entire
city block just north of downtown Saint Louis, plus 2 auxiliary warehouses in the St. Louis area.
Today, HY-C manufactures Chimney Covers made from Copper, 304 Stainless Steel, Black Painted Galvanized
and Aluminum, in a variety of Styles in Stock and Custom-Made Sizes. We also produce Stoveboards,
Firewood Storage Racks, Smoke Guards & Fireplace Grates. HY-C is a market leader in all
the product lines that we manufacture. We take pride in the quality of our products and the
breadth of selection within our product lines.
Mr. Hisey was a Charter member of and a vital financial resource in the founding of the
National Chimney Sweep Guild. HY-C is still a member of the NCSG and has continued to
support this organization financially. HY-C is also a member of the
Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association, the American Hardware Manufacturers
Association, and several state and local business organizations.
HY-C is also involved with local nonprofit organizations.
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BACK ISSUES OF OUR NEWSLETTERS
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
Jan/Feb 2007
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November 2006
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August 2006
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December 2003
November 2003
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June 2003
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