Pag* 6B-KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Tuawlay. D*c*mb*i 22. IMl
KM Woman Brings
Sea ilome For Christmas
Bessie Crawford of 508 West
Gold Street, Kings Mountain,
will have her warm summer
thoughts of the Atlantic Oceam
to keep her warm during the cold
winter days that lie ahead.
Mrs. Crawford has loved the
sea for as long as she can
remember, and for many years
has been a collector of sea shells.
Five years ago, she turned her
hobby into a Christmas tradition
at her home.
Each year, the six-feet high
Christmas tree than stands in the
living room of her and her hus
band, Raymond’s home, is
decorated with sea shells, sand
dollars and a star fish, which is
used for the star.
Since her original idea five
years ago, members of her family
and friends have concrit^i^ to
the hobby by supplying her with
shells and sand dollars qn each
occasion to go to the beach.
Her daughter, Becky At-
ckison, used to live in Myrtle
Beach,and one of her friend’s
father operated a shrimp boat.
He supplied her with a number
The. Legend Of
The Sand Dollar
Upon thii odd shapod sea shell,
A legend grand is told
About the life oi Jesus
The wondrous tale of old.
The center marking plainly shows
The well known Guiding Star
That led to tiny Bethlehem,
The Wise Men from afar.
The Christmas flower, Poinsettia
For His Nativity;
The Resurrection, too, is marked
The Easter l-ily, see-
Five wounds were suffered by our Lord
From noils 8c Roman's spear
When He died for us upon the cross
The wounds show plainly here-
Within the shell, should it be broke-
Five Doves of Peace are found
To emphasize this legend
So may Peace 8c Love abound.
-Author unknown.
of souvenirs for the tree, as well
as a giant sea shell which is also
displayed in her living room.
Another daughter, Ann
Kellar, and her husband have
made numerous fishing trips to
Mexico and have collected sand
dollars to add to the collection.
Her third daughter, Brenda
Hinson, and her son, Danny, her
grandchildren, and a close
friend, Ethel McGinnis, also
contribute.
“When members of my family
go off on vacation, they doni
have to worry about what kind
of souvenir to bring me,” says
Mrs. Crawford. ‘They can just
get me a seashell.”
In addition to her ocean
Christmas tree ornaments, she
has seashell collections, pictures
made from seashells, and other
ocean souvenirs which decorate
her living room the year round.
“I just love the sea,” she said.
‘The gifts I get usually pertain to
the sea. I get kidded a lot about
my seashells, but it’s something
different, and the grandchildren
really like it.”
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Christmas Customs Are Many
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©Christmas is the loveliest
time of the year. Even the most
sophisticated seem to get caught
in the spirit of the season. They
pause to listen to carols, smile at
children whose faces show
wid.e-eyed wonderment when
pressed against festive store
windows, and even drop con
tributions for sidewalk Santas.
All of this often conjures up
pleasant thoughts of Christ
mases past. This is a wonderful
season to ponder the many cus
toms that make the holiday sea
son so special.
There are so many customs,
brought from all over the world
and from all periods of history,
that have become a part of our
Christmas customs.
Music is an important part of
this holiday. One of the most
popular of all the carols is ‘'Si
lent N ight." It was written quite
by accident because an organ
broke down.
Joseph Mohr, a poor parish
priest in the Austrian Tyrol re
gion more than ISO years ago,
was upset when the old organ re
fused to peal when played. He
felt his faithful parishioners
would be keenly disappointed
without music at the traditional
Christmas Eve services.
He sat down and hastily wrote
the words for "Silent Night”
Then he asked his friend, Franz
Gruber, to write the melody. In
just a few hours, these two dedi
cated and humble men wrote a
carol that became world fa
mous. Back in 1818 in the little
church, they sang the carol ac
companied by a guitar.
One of the most popular sym
bols of Christmas is the Christ
mas tree. This is said to date
back to the eighth century. Mar
tin Luther is credited with add
ing lighted candles years later in
his native Germany.
The holly wreath, according
to legend, goes back in time to
the crucifixion. Christ’s crown
of thorns is said to have been
made of holly leaves. The early
Romans omamented their tem
ples and homes with green
boughs, considered a symbol of
peace.
Almost everybody has a spe
cial place where mementoes of
past Christmases are kept.
Sometimes it's an ornament
from childhood, a card, a tiny
toy or a piece of jewelry that had
a significance of love.
While the practical side of
one's nature may say this is the
year to give something useful,
the romantic side will say this is
the year to give something dif
ferent.
Anyone can give a gift cer
tificate, clothing or a book.
With just a little more thought,
there are several really unique
gifts from which to choose.
They are from the wonderful
world of beauty, and are espe
cially appropriate for Christmas
gift giving. Called “Limited
Editions," these gifts have been
specially packaged and de
signed by cosmetic companies.
As the name implies, there is
just a limited number, so it is a
wise idea to shop early. You
avoid the crowds and come
away with stunning, unusual
gifts that will be most welcome
under any tree.
There is a wide price range,
as well as a selection that is tai
lored for any budget. Revlon
has had success with Limited
Editions before. Due to popular
demand, they have designed
some of their most popular
fragrances in items that are mar
velous for Christmas gift giv
ing.
What is more traditional than
the characters from Tchaikov
sky’s Nutcracker Suite? This
perennial favorite is the theme
for the world-famous Charlie
products. The Charlie Christ
mas look embodies the fra
grance as well as matching dust
powder and other items. They
are attractive looking gifts that
will please, and are all moder
ately priced.
The romantic fragrance of
Jontue combines old world en
chantment in a formulation for
today's woman. Fashions this
season place the emphasis on
the soft, romantic look, making
this an ideal choice.
This Christmas season, Jon
tue is offering a special im
ported crystal decanter in a lim
ited edition of 1500 pieces.
Each piece is individually
etched with its number and the_
date.
For the romantic, sentimental
woman, such a bottle would be
come a favorite among her
souvenirs. In addition to the
fragrance. Jontue sachet and
body silk talc make unusual
gifts.
For those who throw caution
to the wind, there is a magnifi
cent Limited Edition from
Borghese. It is a beautiful com
pact designed by the famous
jeweler, Bulgari. The original
was cast in 18 carat gold. This
one is in sterling silver with a
precious stone set in the middle.
For $1,800, you also get a life
lime guarantee.
Photo by Gary Stawort
SAND DOLLAR TREE - Mrs. Raymond Crawford of Kings
Mountain each year decorates this Christmas tree with sand
dollars and a star fish. She began the hobby becouse oi her
love for the ocean, and family ond friends each year con
tribute by bringing her souvenirs from the sea.
^^otNer ANd Child.. • such
A hEAVENly siqhT to bEhold!
Let ThAT FIrst holy NiqhT
fill OUR hEARTS wiTh loVE
ANd AdORATiON This SEASON.
SPECTRUM FIBERS INC.
Kings Mountain, N.C.
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