Page 2 Brightly colored lights, red and silver bells, and garlands of greens have appeared on most of the main streets of commun- ities in the Back Mountain area and Yuletide decorations are making their appearance on the outside of many homes. Most thoughts turn to the holi- day season and the many plans and preparations being made. To find out just how friends and neighbors observe the Christ- mas season, the Post asked var- jous individuals the question, “What do you do at Christ- » mas?’ Certainly, it should be comparatively easy as well as interesting to learn how the dif- ferent ethnic groups celebrate the day of Christ's birth. It is not that simple...for each nation- ality has injected individual flavor into what at one time was a more or less similar obser- vance of this important day. A friend whose ancestors emigrated to this country from the Ukraine described their ob- servance of Christmas Eve. The day before Christmas, he ex- plained, is a day of fasting. That evening 12 different foods are served (to represent the 12 di- sciples). In the center of the table is placed hay indicative of Christ’s birth in the manger and in the middle of the hay is ~ placed a large candle, ‘the Star of Bethlehem’. Among the foods from which they partake are peas, mush- rooms, salt (for wealth), garlic (health), sauerkraut, perogis, honey (sweetness), prunes, barley, poppyseed, wine, bread, and fish. He reminded us of the story of Christ feeding the mul- titude with the loaves of bread and fish. First is said the evening prayer, then all share the wafers (blessed and received from church), before eating. Head of the household blows out the candle; if the smoke hovers over the table it means a wedding, if it goes out the door, it foretells a death in the family. And always, there is an extra plate and an empty chair for the uninvited guest, to assure “there is room at the inn.” Then comes decorating the tree and the exchange of gifts before going to midnight Mass. Christmas Day, they do no "work, even the broom rests, and before the family eats their fes- tive dinner, the cattle are fed in remembrance of Christ’s birth in a manger. The Slovak and Polish people’s Christmas Eve obser- vance was quite similar and many residents in the area con- tinue to practice the traditions brought with their families from Europe. There are slight variations—some hold hands while saying grace; others share wine from the same large goblet which stands in in the center of the table, while still others first bless themselves with honey before eating their evening meal. In most of the Slovak and Polish homes, the door is usually locked at the time of their Christmas Eve meal for it is considered a very private family observance. An Italian friend related the * ok % MAKE SHOPPING FUN — many large stores and shopping areas plan special events — such as Santa's arrival, puppet shows —all during the gifts season. By taking advantage of these specials you can entertain the children with a festive “one day shopping holiday.” Look Your Lovliest This Holidy Season Visit KAY'S BEAUTY SHOP Catherine Dobson, Prop. OMPLETE BEAUTY SERVICE Distinctive Hair Styling Permanent Waving Hair Tinting and Coloring 60 Lake DIs........ :.675-1900 If No Answer Call Dis. 67-3000 way in which her people spent Christmas Eve. The eldest woman in the family dressed to represent Befano, the old woman in Italy, who, because she missed seeing the Wise Men on their way to visit the Baby Jesus, refused to leave her home in order that she might see them on their return. Un- known to her, they returned home by a different route and since that time, Befano has be- come the influence who watches over children. Years ago, this was cele- brated Jan. 6, the day of Epiphany, but in their home, it has been moved to Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, as observed in America. Following an evening meals of five or six varieties of fish, broccoli, macaroni with a sauce of walnuts, sugar and cinna- mon, and wine, members of the family go to church After returning home, the children hang their stockings, then go to bed waiting for the coming of Befano to fill them with goodies if they have been bad; ashes if they have misbe- haved during the year. From this comes the American cus- tom of filling stockings of naughty children with stones or coal. A German family who still re- tain family and ethnic tradi- tions keep their Christmas Eve strictly a family affair. Follow- ing an evening supper of potato salad, vegetables and cold cuts (boldgna, liverwurst, etc.) and ‘“grog’’, a hot, homemade wine (currant or cherry), the family trims the Christmas tree. One German family in the area still follows the old tradition of using candles on the tree instead of small electric bulbs. Following the tree decorating, the family goes to church and when they return home after midnight, the children find their presents from Kris Kringle. Christmas Day, they have a full course German dinner in- cluding roast goose, potato dumplings, turnips or rutabaga, red cabbage, and wine. Carols are sung during the afternoon and children enjoy their gifts. Toyland visit Several English and Scotch friends in the Back Mountain bh ) o still observe many of the tradi- 4 lp S C ildre n tional foods served when they were living in the British Isles. select toy s A newcomer to the area ; speaks glowingly of the roast a Jon ney Jol duck, roast pork and beef toroq”this Christmas, par- served for Christmas dinner, ents and children can use plum pudding baked with spirits all the help available to se- and covered with wine sauce lect the right gifts for giv- served while flaming. She also ing and receiving. plans to have mincemeat pie, a fo Fruitoake made with marzipan 103 Mom Dad and fhe : 2 kids to visit the “Toyland.” and covered with a hard icing, There, all of the toys are intricately decorated with holi- on display; many sample day trimmings. In her family models are available for the Christmas gifts are placed demonstrations and “test- in the branches of the tree Dg: : . rather than under, and the This permits the chilgren . 3 : to actually see if the toy children will experience a performs as he thinks and European Christmas receiving if the doll does what she one large gift and items of clo- hopes. thing that are needed. She also mentioned the custom of drop- ping a silver sixpence into the ‘ plum pudding and the person AVOID PARKING PROBLEMS receiving the slice containing —- SPop with friends. the sixpence is expected to have Ohtenue SS hos 01 pom good luck the year round. the same shopping areas as These are but a few of the you, so why not start a ways in which various families shopping car-pool. in the Back Mountain will ob- * kk serve Christmas this year. MERI-DAN RENTALS There are many more—perhaps ati th '® Everything Under the Sun as many variations as there are : families, but whatever they Aree SANTA SUITS might be, most will have a joy- Reserve Now} ous and blessed holiday. 455-7793 3 RT. 309 1 MI. N. OF HAZLETON Help Santa! Select Your Gift From KENDRETH JEWELERS Watches Diamonds Rings Gifts Mans 14 K ic Diamond Stereos. $75 & up Pins Brooches Pearls Bracelets Idents Earrings China Clocks Ladies Charms bi Eng. Ring . 14K Cross $75 & up. $9.95 & up KENDRETH’S JEWELERS 69 E. Main St. Nanticoke, Pa. ‘Open every night andr Christmas Ni = » mors g ~ y Em THE DALLAS POST DEC. 1, 1972 ; = Stamp buffs have a per- fect opportunity to add to their collections every Christmas season. As greeting cards from friends pour in, so do un- usual postage stamps. Some may depict Nativity scenes. There are several special issue stamps commemorat- ing the holidays. The whole family can be on the look-out for these collector’s items. Sometimes even foreign stamps appear in the bundles of Christmas mail. 7 Stamps can be easily re- moved by tearing the corner of the envelope off and soaking in warm water, This makes peeling the stamps from the envelope paper a simple procedure. Then, the stamps should be placed on absorbent pa- per for drying. It may even interest the youngsters enough t#decide to start stamp collecting as a hobby for themselves. FRESH IDEA Baskets of fresh fruit solve “what to bring the holiday hostess” problem. NATURAL MINK HATS NATURAL MINK STOLES NATURAL NATURAL MINK COATS DYED Fur products labeled to ; ; of imported furs. The lighting of candles on a Moravian Advent wreath signifies $20 ,, $98 $198 , $695 $995 fo $1695 PHONE 824-9601 the beginning of the most joyous of Christian holiday seasons. First National Bank is giving you something for next Christmas Christmas Club Ieee 42% Interest a year from date of deposit on completed clubs. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Wilkes-Barre « Dallas» Hanover Township « Kingston « Plains « Mountaintop « White Haven Wyoming « Bloomsburg « Conyngham « Drums « Stroudsburg « Blakeslee « Bushkill RE el
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers