Newspapers / Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.) / Dec. 5, 1946, edition 1 / Page 15
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I ^yji^tfetoe c+L)istin ct ^4 A ljufe ^t^ecora I ion Mistletoe, that distinctive Christ mat green so common tn many parts ct America, is usually thought of as merely good holiday decoration or as a creator of open season on ladies fair for otherwise bashful swains. Mistletoe did not always bold this position in our lives. The Druids 'called it "all-heal." and thought it held many miraculous virtues. The Scandinavians dedicated it to their goddess of love, Frlga. Probably this goddess of love is responsible for the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. The power to heal, to protect against sickness, to perform magic deeds ? all these and more are the qualities ascribed to this plant In legends, traditions and even in an cient histories and literature. Mistletoe is a parasite, which In fests branches of various trees of both hardwood and conifers, but mainly on hardwoods. One species la found exclusively, however, on eonifers. . Among the Celts and others mis tletoe which grew from the oak was 4tMkiered to have peculiar magical JPMuts not possessed by that from other trees. Some evei^con jjr*? ? 1 It so rare as to be only cut ?Itti a gold knife. ? Another old tradition is that the mistletoe supplied the wood for the holy cross, as previous to that time It was a forest tree but after the crucifixion was condemned to exist only as a dwarf parasite. Mistletoe was taken over into the Christian tradition In due cousse and dedicated to the Christ Child. An old rhyme reads: ' The mistletoe bough At our Christmas board Shall hang to the honor Of Christ our Lord. A Suggestion to Buyers of Country Hams Aak II the Ha have bttn | ed from br CHAMBERS' ANTI-SKIPPER COMPOUND Bos 44) N. J. BODOIE Dnriw, N. C. 3. CHRISTMAS IN MIDDLE AMERICA . . . While the Christmas customs vary In the ten Middle America republics, bells play an Important part In every country. This belfry In chorch tower at Panama City plays a Mr P>rt In their holiday celebration. Minus a Santa Ctofjgj Do you believe in Santa Claus? rhe children o( Middle America never heard of ole Saint Nick, even though their holiday celebration compare* happily and merrily to our own. Picnics and outdoor excursions are traditional events of the day, (or Christmas comes in mid-cum mer weather there. Weeks before the holiday, families in El Salva dor, Mexico and Panama prepare tiny clay or wooden figures for the creche which most homes dis play during the universal holiday. In Guatemala, Costa Rica and Cuba. Images of the Virgin are carried through the streets. Christmas celebrations and cus toms vary In the ten republics which comprise Middle America ? Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras. Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Firework! climax the festival in most of these republics and mar imba bands play in bunting bedecked parks while whole fam ilies trek from farm to village, vis iting relatives or joining in the pub lic merrymaking. Mexican families string their patios with colored lanterns and | hang the pinata. a large clay Jar j shaped like a bird or animal and filled with fruits, nuts and candies purchased at the picturesque Christ mas stalls in the markets. The children are blindfolded and armed with long sticks. They reach for the pinata until one child breaks the Jar and the sweets tumble out to be shared by all. Despite the various forms of ob serving the Christmas holidays Middle America is united in its cele bration of peace with its bright hope for inter-American interde pendence. I Edible Manger In Ukraine Rituals In the Ukraine an elaborate ( Christmas Eve supper break* a 39 - ' day fast during which no meat has { been eaten. Twelve courses are served, one for each of the twchre . Apostles: buckwheat and mushroom ' soup, pancakes in (lax, prunes, | Ssh, bread, and nuts are included \ in the menu. An additional course of honey and ! porridge is also served: called Kou- | tla, the dish represents the holy | crib: the porridge represents the straw? as in the manger? and the Holy Infant Is symbolized by honey ; and fruit: the honey is also consld- , ered symbolic of the spirit and blood at the Saviour. Step up to Canada Dry Quality w As usual, Smithey's Store is headquarters for Christmas Gifts, and we invite you to visit our big Ready-to-Wear Department during the early days of the shopping sea son, while our selections are complete. GLOVES Ladies' All-Wool Gloves v $1.69 Ladies' Fur-back Leather Gloves, red and brown $2.98 Children's Gloves 29c to 69c HOUSE COATS AND ROBES Ladies' House Coats and Robes, Rayon and Chenille $4.95 to $5.95 Dolls, Teddy Bears and Toys for the Children Ladies' and Men's Toilet Sets Children's Snow Suits $4.95 to $5.95 A Nice Selection of ' Men's Ties Scarfs, Caps and Sweaters for the whole family. A gift worthwhile Smithey's Store The Great Bargain Givers Boone, N. C. I OF DISTINCTION OUR LINE OF GIFT ITEMS is by far the most comprehensive we have had since before the war . . . but we urge you to buy early, since many of our lines may be depleted early in the shopping season. BbONE DRUG COMPANY G. K. Moose, Owner The REXALL Store Boone, North Carolina As has been the case for the past twenty-six years, your REXALL Drug Store is headquarters for a wide variety of useful and appreciated gift items. A few suggestions will be of value to you in solving your gift problems: ? CARA NOME SETS ? EVENING IN PARIS SETS ? DuBARRY SETS ? TOILET WATER ? PERFUME ? SEAFORTH FOR MEN ? SPORTSMAN FOR MEN ? YARDLEY ? CITY ? REVLON SETS ? CHEN-YU SETS ? PARKER "51" PENS ? LARGE LINE GIFT STATIONERY ? BILL FOLDS ? FITTED CASES ? ? COMB AND BRUSH SETS ? SHAVING BOWLS ? D & P PIPES ? EVERSHARP PENS, PENCILS Sets up to $64.00 ? GREETING CARDS ? GIFT SOAP PACKAGES ? DOLLS / . _ . ??, ? STUFFED ANIMALS ? OVERSEAS BOXES
Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.)
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Dec. 5, 1946, edition 1
15
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