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.)