HAZLETON R.COLLEGIAN • , PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY BY THE STUDENTS OF THE HAZLETON UNDERGRADUATE CENTER CO-EDITORS Literary Editor - - - Bernard Dvorschak Francis Fatsie - Gerald Hassel STAFF WRITERS Sports Editor - - - - - Leon Baden George Demshock, Ralph Kline, June Asst. Sport Editor - - - Raymon Saul - Keinmiller, Jim Fisher, Hugh Close, Feature Editor Daniel Wargo Rcy Phillips, Marguerite Rondish, Guy Society Editor - - - Grace Mcßride Club Reporter Joe Olivia O'Hazza, Anita Goldberg, I. Smith, Staff Photographer - - - Wilson Barto Charles Maurer, E. Kostic. The Christmas season which approaches, is a time for re membering. Ndt the sort of remembering done by people who put away the Christmas spirit with the tree ornaments, but rather the sincere earnest recollection of people, little and confused per haps, who sometimes lose their way, but are always looking . . always trying. Many of us here have many things to remember,.... promises we made, thoughts that we had. We remember all too well the lonely, sick feeling of Christmas away from home and loved ones. We are rather reluctant to admit to the almost-shed tears that were close when a thin voiced tenor would sing "White Christmas" when we were miles away from home. We remember those who will never be honie for Christmas. We don't talk of those things often, but we have not forgotten. Christmas is the noblest thing that man can know. Unselfish ness and faith, -lova nod...kindness, are a part of Christmas, and Christmas has become a part of marl. Men died and will die be cause someone forgets Christmas. If we remember the simple words that nineteen hundred and .forty seven years couldn't make trite, "Peace on earth, good will to men" then war and hate will vanish, ~for war and hate are creatures of the dark and cold, and Christmas is warmth and light. The former can't live in hearts that are open to the latter. Let us vow with simplicity and sincerity that we will learn the lesson and remember that Christmas isn't a day or a season, but a way of life. Let us take the hand of our fellow man, not looking at his color or inquiring into his creed. Then those who died because 'someone forgot Christmas, can rest easy in martyred graves, knowing that Christmas will never be forgotten again ! Every Christmas millions of people begin an endless hunt for a perfect gift for someone who is near and dear to them. This national habit is characterized by the largest, and by far the most 'extensive advertising campaign ever promoted by man. Proof of this is found in the fact that too many of us go, through notions merely out of force of habit, with little or no idea of why we are doing so. Some of us are awed by the immensity of the show, when we take time out to consider if others become cynical when they realize that this season of rejuvenated good will is commercialized to such an enormous extent. Yet all of us are spurred on by the hope of finding for our loved ones the ideal present, to participate in this annual event. • There is no gift so wonderful as the one given with sincerity. Indeed, the smallest of gifts given in sincerity and generosity outlives any other by its magnificence in simplicity. But neither simplicity, generosity or sir or in any combi nation—is a formula for the priceless end, the ideal gift. For every ounce of sincerity must be matched with an equivalent of honesty. Possible generosity is realized through work. And sim plicity is achieved in good will. If there were no motive's for our actions very few of us would take trouble to continue these annual expeditions. 'But there are many reasons: Love or gratitude, fancy or attachment, sympathy or habit; all of which are merely immediate inclinations. Still our 4MP 0 CbriZtinas' THE IDEAL GIFT HAZLETON COLLEGIAN 1 BRING YOU TIDINGS OFGOOD CHEER' search is for something more permanent than that dictated by our spontaneous motives. We are all seeking, consciously or not, peace of mind—that 'heavenly gift first given by the Christ Child in Bethlehem to all men. This ideal gift is acceptable to both benefactor and bene ficiary alike. It is only by giving this that we achieve the desired end, one of personal satisfaction—individual peace-a -mind. COLLEGIAN CLEANS HOUSE . . . The staff of the Hazleton Collegian decided at a recent meet ing to eliminate members of the staff who were no _longer active and replace them with capable new members. Freshmen embryo journalists were given assignments in line with the new Col legian policy of training first-year men to replace the staff mem bers that will leave for the campus in the near future. Mr. Seibel, who is faculty advisor, for the school publication, asked each •staff member to..bring one person, interested in be coming a Collegian member, to the next meeting. INQUIRING QUESTION: From your observa tion of Christmas' in a foreign land, what custom (different from ours) is outstanding in your memory? JOHN PE RNA : "Polynesian natives in the Gil berts, Makin Atoll, jubilant over their liberation, sang Christmas car ols and attended religious services officiated by their octogenarian French missionary." PETER PARNELL: "There were no Christmas decora tions or gift exchanges. It was just another day in the stores. The near est some natives came to a Chiistmas celebration was a Red Cross party at which the G.l.'s were admitted free if they brought an Italian child as their guest." KEITH WHITMIRE: "At Milne Bay, New Guinea, there was no observation at Christmas be cause they were not familiar with the holiday. At Aitabe, the natives reci ted the Lord's Prayer and a hymn in unison as their devotion of the day." REPORTER LAWRENCE MEHALIC "In Switzerland, Christmas as we know it, is observed on St. Nicholas Day (December 6) with fireworks all day long. Their version of gift-giv ing is portrayed by a man dressed entirely in brown who goes about stuffing buns and gingerbread into the mouths of the villagers." MICHAEL RITZ: "The celebration in the Marianas Islands was highlighted with church services, as missionaries had been in the islands for several years." JOHN SHAWARKO: Rome, Italy "Creole rhythm beat out on old tin cans and calabashes fills the alleys on Christmas Eve in Trinidad, 8.W.1. as the natives do the "Bamboo" (part conga and part snake dance). Christmas Day starts "Carnival Week", a Caribbean version of the Mardi Gras with street dancing and gaudy masquerading. This is also `Boling Week", the local name for the horse-racing season." (John has spent Christmas in many different lands; this will be his first at home in eight years.)
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