As winter brought shorter days and colder nights, Encinitas families pulled canned goods from their pantries and surely shared excess with those less fortunate. They shared their culture through holiday treats, and folks like the Eckes helped put the community on the map with their poinsettias.

Some people lament the merging of the holidays into one long shopping spree. It’s hard to imagine a time when there was no such thing as “Black Friday.” But once upon a time ... Back before Cardiff...