Podcast Summary:

Harold's Old Time Radio – The Cinnamon Bear #37: "The Wintergreen Witch"
Air Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Description:
A classic serialized children’s radio adventure from the golden age, following Judy, Jimmy, the Cinnamon Bear, and their friends as they seek the magical Silver Star for their Christmas tree—a magical quest filled with whimsical characters, perils, and clever twists. In this episode, the group confronts the Wintergreen Witch in hopes of reclaiming the stolen star.

Episode Overview

This episode is a pivotal chapter in the Cinnamon Bear saga. Jimmy, Judy, Crazy Quilt Dragon, and the Cinnamon Bear—accompanied by their gentle giant friend Fifo—make a daring attempt to retrieve the magical Silver Star from the powerful and unpredictable Wintergreen Witch. The adventure is filled with magical mishaps, clever escapes, and a twist ending that leaves our heroes with a new dilemma.

Key Discussion Points & Story Developments

1. The Whistle Mishap & Fifo's Rescue

[02:08–05:49]

• The group remains lost in the Magic Forest after Crazy Quilt accidentally swallows the whistle meant to summon Fifo the Giant.
• Every time Crazy Quilt gets the hiccups, the whistle sounds, eventually summoning Fifo by accident.
  • Quote:

    Judy: "Now we'll just have to walk and walk and maybe we'll never be able to get out of this old forest." (02:50)

  • Memorable moment:

    Cinnamon Bear: "He's got the hiccups. And every time he hiccups, it blows the whistle." (02:59)

• Fifo arrives, amused, and retrieves the whistle from Crazy Quilt with a gentle pat on the back, then offers the group a ride back to the witch's house.
  • Quote:

    Fifo the Gentle Giant: "I'd be glad to. Only I'm sorry to see you leave the Magic Forest. It's awful lonesome here. Maybe you can come back and see me again, huh?" (04:47)

• The team says a bittersweet goodbye to Fifo after a rapid, giant-sized walk.

2. Confrontation With the Wintergreen Witch

[05:55–10:15]

• The party sneaks into the witch's house, only to be caught by the Wintergreen Witch, who proves as formidable as her reputation.
  • Quote:

    Wintergreen Witch: "Thought I wasn't here, eh?" (06:56)

• She demonstrates her magical prowess by literally making it "rain cats and dogs."
  • Memorable moment:

    Wintergreen Witch: "You've heard of it raining cats and dogs, haven't you? Now you've not only heard, but seen it." (09:18, 09:22)

  • The group is both impressed and frightened by her powers.
• The Witch announces her intention to keep the Silver Star for her own magical purposes:
  • Quote:

    Wintergreen Witch: "I want it for my magic forest. That's something I've never had before. I'm going to hang it in the sky over the black lake." (08:03)

3. Clever Escape – Outwitting the Witch

[10:15–11:13]

• As the Witch prepares to transform the children and their friends into household items (white mice, a pincushion, a doormat), Judy bravely offers her a shiny looking glass, knowing witches can't bear their own reflection.
  • Quote:

    Judy: "I have something much nicer than the Silver Star for you. And it's ever so much shinier. Look." (10:34)

  • Memorable moment:

    Wintergreen Witch (frightened): "Take it away. Take it away... I'll do anything you ask. Anything." (10:42, 10:51)

• In exchange for hiding the mirror, the Witch agrees to release them unharmed and return the Silver Star.
  • Quote:

    Jimmy: "And you've got to give us back our Silver star. Oh, even that. Here." (11:01)

4. Triumphant Return—And Surprise Disaster

[11:13–13:10]

• The group rushes to cross the Rootbeer Ocean, with Crazy Quilt offering the safest spot for the Silver Star—his waterproof, zippered hind pocket.
  • Quote:

    Crazy Quilt Dragon: "Pardon the suggestion, but I've an ideal place for it. My hind pocket... It's waterproof and has a zipper." (11:41)

• After a strenuous "swim" across the Ocean, they reach dry land, only to discover a devastating accident:
  • Memorable moment:

    Crazy Quilt Dragon (in shock): "Oh, I fear. Oh, my friends. Oh, I'm blushing red. I... behold the star." (12:40)

  • The Silver Star is shattered to pieces.
  • Quote:

    Judy: "It's busted in a dozen pieces." (13:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Crazy Quilt's hiccup whistle:
  Cinnamon Bear: "He's got the hiccups. And every time he hiccups, it blows the whistle." (02:59)
• Wintergreen Witch on color magic:
  Crazy Quilt Dragon: "She changed from green to purple to red." (04:20) Fifo: "That's bad. When she's all right, she stays green. But when she gets an ocean to practice magic, she goes all sorts of colors." (04:25)
• Jimmy's patriotism:
  Jimmy: "Well, I bet you can't do anything to Judy and me. Cause we belong to the USA. And I bet you can't magic any American citizens, so there." (08:24)
• The Witch is bested by her own reflection:
  Wintergreen Witch (panicked): "Take it away. Take it away... I'll do anything you ask. Anything." (10:42–10:51)
• Bittersweet triumph:
  Judy: "Oh, Jimmy, at last we've got it back." (11:07) Judy (moments later): "It's busted in a dozen pieces." (13:03)

Structurally Important Timestamps

• [02:08–05:49]: Whistle mishap, rescue by Fifo, farewell.
• [05:55–06:56]: Entering the witch's house; confrontation begins.
• [07:26–09:22]: Wintergreen Witch shows her powers; “raining cats and dogs.”
• [10:22–11:13]: Judy offers mirror, group escapes, and retrieves star.
• [11:41–13:10]: Safe transport across Rootbeer Ocean; discovery of the broken star.

Episode Tone & Style

Whimsical, fast-paced, and bursting with old-fashioned radio drama charm. The characters speak with warmth, humor, and a touch of melodrama, and the episode maintains a playful, suspenseful pace throughout, suitable for children and nostalgic adult listeners alike.

Conclusion

A classic adventure episode packed with supernatural antics, clever trickery, and a dramatic cliffhanger. Our heroes win back the Silver Star with wits and courage—only to face a new heartache as it shatters in the final moments. Listeners are left waiting eagerly for the next chapter in Judy, Jimmy, and the Cinnamon Bear's enchanting Christmas quest.