Greeley Daily Tribune from Greeley, Colorado • Page 31

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1958 GltEELEY TIUHUNE 19A Pagan Ancestors Cave U.S. Many Christmas Traditions On Christmas day we'honor the birth of Christ with hymns and prayers. But many of the traditional customs of this holiday--the greenery, gaiety, fine foods and gifts--derive from our pagan ancestors. Behind all of our cuslonu lie legends, some predating thy Na- tivily.

tn the clatter that 'frequently accompanies Christmns today, these stories which come from many lands are a forgotten. Here are some of them: Christmas Day: The exact day of Christ's birth is not known, perhaps because no one thought of cclebialing it i 4 0 0 years after He died. The Christians decided on Dec. 25 lo counteract the revelries of the Human-celebration of Saturnalia, which extended from Dec 17 to 24. The Saturnalia, which originated the birlh of Christ, honored the god Saturn, the sower.

II was a lime of uproarious feasting, dancing and games which the Christians detested because they considered Christinas a time of religion. Santa Claus evalves from the legendary St. Nicholas, a 4th Century bishop of Asia Minor who went from door to i door on white leaving gilts for the good i a switches for the bad. Changed by continents and generations, Nicholas has assumed many names and such at Father mas in Finland, Pcrc Noel in France, a witch'named BcFana in Italy ami Kriss Kringle'. Germany.

America's Claus was first pictured as a old fellow by. the cartoonist Thpm- as Nast in the late 19lh Century. Clement Clark Moore's famous poem, "The Night Before Christ-' mas," helped perpetuate this picture. The Creche: St. Francis of Assist is believed to have arranged the first Nativity scene, selling il up in a church in Greccio, Italy, in 1223.

He used live callle and donkeys and life-size immrges of the Christ Child, Joseph and Mary. Soon, the use of small figurines to represent the Nativity swept the Christian world. Mistletoe: In ancient Gaul and Britain, mistletoe was worshipped by Ihe Druids, a religious society lhat existed 200 years CJirist. i winter celebrations, a Druid priest i a tree where mistletoe grew and cut it with a golden sickle, allowing il lo fall into a while cloth so it would not touch the ground. Two white oxen then were sacrificed and the mistletoe was distributed to the people to be hung in their homes.

Mistletoe was considered a symbol of peace and good fortune and whenever enemies met beneath it they dropped Iheir weapons and embraced. Gift-Giving was a popular custom of Ihe Romans during Saturnalia. The most common gifts of this time were statuettes made in the likeness of a god. Bells: The Romans also used bells to discourage evil spirits. In early -and in some parts of Europe today rvbclls were rung for an hour Christmas Eve to a ti the death of the Then at great joyous peals signaled, the birth of Christ.

Carols: We also (race the origi- "Pres" The Presser Says A Merry Christmas To All" Strubel Gleaners 1716 9lh St. EL 2-0289 Each year we look forward to this occasion with eagerness and a sincere desire to remember and thank our many friends for their fine patronage. LOTT AGENCY Charles Lott Bob Loubhan Carol Wostcnberg Pauline Schrcibc. 1 Janet Oliver. nal Christmas carols to St.

Francis of Asslii. Hymns were a part of Ihe early Christian ceremonies, but St. 'Francis believed in moderate Christmas gaiety and introduced sprightly carols which were modeled on the chorale, French form of song and dance, Candles derive from an old Irish custom of putting a lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve to light the- Huly.Family's way; The candles denote a house where Ihe Holy FariliJy would have been wel- not turned away as at the inns in Bethlehem. Holly and Evergreen also come from the Roman Saturnalia. By trimming their homes with Ibis greenery, the Romans believed they could keep out evil spirits.

The Christians at first rejected Ihe custom, but later adopted il re. luctantly because an untrimmed house marked them as Christians and next in line for the gladiator. Christmas Tree: There are many stories about the origin of the Christmas tree. The one most frequently heard is that Martin Luther lighted the first Christmas tree in Germany about 1530 to memorialize the beauty of winter starlight. Christmas C--ds were first published commercially in London in 1846 at the request of Sir Henry Cole, owner of an art shop.

They pictured a happy family enjoying a Christmas drink. Chrislmas Slocking: The origin of this tradition is not known, bul there is a story lhat St. Nicholas once accidentally dropped gold coins down a chimney and they fell in a stocking hung up to dry. Christmas Seals were conceived in 1904 by a Danish postal clerk, Einar Holbooll, lo raise money for a tubercular children's hospital The custom of selling sols to raise money for anti-TB measures is now world-wide. All Eyes "Are on I960 By JACK BELL WASHINGTON Demo- crals lake over lop-heavy command of Congress in January for a year of decision likely to have heavy bearing on their chances for regaining the While House in 1960.

Disorganized i a squeezed into their smallest minority corner since Ihe days of the New Deal, face a sharp uphill The sweeping Democratic election victories presented the parly with some new responsibilities and accented some old problems. With majorities approaching 2-1 in both houses, the Democrats are likely to find the average voter is going to hold them much more responsible than in the past for the condition in which the country finds itself in 1960. The Democrats will be writing their record for 1960 at a time when their serious party division over civil rights has been spotlighted by the election of liberals likely to be much more demanding of action than some of those (hey defealcd. This adds up to additions! diffi- cullies for Senate Democratic Leader Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, who is among those being mentioned as a possible candidate for (he parly's presidential nomination two years hence.

Johnson has said he doesn't see any need for new civil rights measures now. Other Democratic senators who are viewed as potential presidential prvice presidential timber: Kennedy of Massachusetts, Symington of Missouri, Humphrey of and Gore Kefauver of a ''fcouii-essionai lovsr Robert B. Meyner of New Jersey G. Mennen Williams of. Michigan and Edmund Brown of California can be expected to find plenty of opportunities on the job.

and elsewhere to. advance' their possible candidacies: On the Republican side, Vice President Nixon leads the much more abbreviated field available for the GOP's top nomination. Because of his handsome victory in New York against the general Democratic tide, Net A. 'Rockefeller his been elevated Into the ranks of those who might be for top I on the Republican "1 A PARTY Simple holiday decorations make a gala event of any meal in Ihe exciting days before Chrislmas. Make Party Table Cay AP Nawsfeatures Christmas is a liine for children, when every small treat, toy or decoration becomes a magic thing, to be cherished and remembered.

It's a time lo plan children's parties, and to make them as gay and memorable as you can. The parly table is, of course, the foc.il point, and it's c-asy to decorate it with festive homemade ornaments, made from such simple things as paper plates and hard candies. Choose paper plates in red. green and while. Cut out a Christ- Holiday Feasts At Fort Lupton FORT LUPTON--Dinner puesls on Christmas at the home of Mr.

and Mrs. Ray McClavc will bo Mr. and -Mrs. H. B.

Allcsbrook of Boulder, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Cole and Springs.

George Philip of Denver and Leonard McDonald of Genoa. Supf. and Mrs. Leo William Butler will host a dinner on Christmas for members of their a i who are near. Included will be Mr.

and Mrs. George Walts of Boulder, Mary Butler of Denver and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Butler and tiny daughter, Beverly. Mrs.

Minnie Mavfiold will iiave a family dinner on Christmas attended by Mr. and Mrs. William Mayficld and Mr. and Mrs. Barrett Brown and Vicki.

Christmas guests of Mr. and Mrs. Chant Haas and Jcanctte wi be Mr. and Mrs. Harold Scalf of Aurora.

Mr. and Mrs. Waller Jennings and Mr. and Mrs. John Neslroff of Fort Lupton will drive into Denver where they will have dinner on Christmas with their chiklrcn, Mr.

and Mrs. Homer Jennings. Mrs. Jennings is the former Miss Thelma-Neslroff. Mr.

and Mrs. Arlhur Bishop and triplet daughters, Paula, Pauline ind Pauletle, and their litler sis- er, Ardielh Michelle of Denver, were guests of Mrs. Bishop's Mr. and Mrs. Myron Kcelon at a pre-Christmas dinner Monday evening.

The dinner was held early as the Keeton's went to California spend "the holidays. They will visit.his mother, Mary Hunl, at arid her mother, Mrs. Bess 1 at Riverside. The "Frank Ottesens are enjoying visit and, Mr; and Mrs. Wil-' liam Penfold and Byron, from who arrived by phne on Kridjy.

The Ot- tesens met them in Denver and during (he holidays (here will be a number of dinners and gct-to- galhers of the Otfescns olher children including the Frank Glenn Ottesens of Brighton and Mr. and Mrs. David Wafers and children of Denver. The Pcnfolds will also visit his Dell Penfoids and Iheir other children. Tenfold is In service.

In case Ihc eastern airlines strike is not settled by Thursday the Penfolds will be forced to go to Washington, D.C. by bus and by plane from there. They will be here ten days. Mrs. Penfold, a graduate of CSC, is inns tree from the green plate, a snowman fr.om the white one, Christmas bells from the red one.

Trim (he tree and decorate the snowman and the bells with bright colored tiny hard candies. Then mount each on another paper plate, or paste to a small base of stiff cardboard to make them stand erect. For the parly dessert servo ice cream clowns. Just lurn an ice cone upside down on a paper plate and make a raisin face on the ice cream. teaching in the Fayettcvillc city schools.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dunn will gp to Arvada for Chrislmas dinner with their son-in-law and daughter and family, the Lcighlon Wyscav- ers. Gucsls of the B. F.

Schaihlc family in Denver on Christmas will be Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ixxlercr. Christmas houseguesls at Ihc Our Sincere "Best ora Happy to Each of Ton! Simplot Soil-Builders Greeley, Colorado II 2-5252 Gordon Vetter and en of Colorado Springs. Fort Lupton friends of Mrs.

Lucv Hurt of I.os Angeles, formerly o'f Fort Lupton, will be interested lo lo-arn she sailed on Dec. 17 for Honolulu to spend the Christmas holidays. Also going from Las Angeles are two former Frt Lupin folks, Mr. and Mrs. George Bulklcy.

Bnlklcy was manager of Ihe Colorado Condensed Milk company, during- thoir residence here. Mrs. Burl's husband, the late, Frank Burl was a veteran meal I market man and builder of one of the prominent Fort Lupton business houses. Her son, the late Frank Professional Santa Ciaus Has Occupational Hazard By HUGH A. MULLIGAN AP Ntwsfiilures Mommy's kissing Santa Claus more lhan ever this year.

And for Lucky S. Squire a pro- fcssional Santa Claus with a root- long growth of real beard, lhat constitutes an occupational hazard. "When 1 go to a parly," he confesses, "all the women like lo sec if il tickles when Mommy kisses Santa Claus. Lipsick smears are tough to got out of my beard, bul 1 always oblige them Santa has Lo be jolly and loveablc, and besides I never got so many kisses when 1 was a young fellow without a beard." In the Santa Claus season, which lasts roughly from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, Squire attends an average three parties a nighl, in addition to playing Santa Claus at Gimbcl's department store in New York city, posing for magazine advertising, visiting hospitals, appearing on television and participating in publicity stunts. How It's Done "Next week I'm gong up to New Haven lo accompany a Irainload of women shoppers down to New York," he said, flipping through a crowded appointment calendar.

"The ladies will be a little reserved at first, but by Ihc lime we pull through Stamford they'll be singing 'Jingle Bells' and maybe dancing in Iho aisles. The (rick is lo find a live group, gel them going and all the rest will join in. "ll's Ihc same way at parties. offered me S50.000 lo shave off my beard, but fortunately the idea was never carried out." In his role as Sanla Claus, Squire has dropped into Pittsburgh twice by hclicoper, appeared in a tcchiucolor movie, been guest of honor at numerous Thanksgiving parades, plugged everything from chocolates lo precious jewels -in magazine ads, received Ihe keys to dozens of cilics, been, rescued by police from a leen-age mob bent on determining if his beard were real. Plays Stock Market In (he off season, when parties and professional dales are scarce, he loses an average 45 pounds bul manages Ion pick up odd jobs pos- 1 ing as an old sea captain, Biljlica! characters like Moses and Elias, and an occasional Santa Claiis assignment for a color ad or at summer resort lhat has a children's village.

His main hobby is playing the Burt past who summer, died during wrote many the dio flnd TV scripts. His, Restless Guns, series is now being run on TV. Fort Lupton friends have received Christmas greetings from Mr. and -Mrs. E.

E. Caldwcll, formerly of Fort Luplon and more recently of Halfield, Ark. The Caldwells arc at Bakersfield, at the home of Ihcir son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilson.

The Caldwells made the journey from Arkansas by aulo- mobilc but Mrs. Caldwell's aunt, Mrs. Alclhca Boolon, member of the Caldwcll household, who is of advanced age, went to Bakersfield by plane in advance of the Caldwells. The Caldwells plan to self Iheir farm near Halticld and make Iheir home in California in order to be near their daughter and family. Cut in Pay by Choice NEW YOHK i.fl Peggy McCay, who used to collect annually as a star of television daytime serials, is working now in an off- Broadway stage production for $85 week--deliberately.

"While money is a many splen- dorcd thing," she explains, "it is ali wrong lo make It your goal as an actress. I did soap opera for 'our years and, while I was getting 'ich, I wasn't enjoying being an actress. It was nothing more a daily drudgery." Miss McCay got Ihe slagc bug I wo seasons ago in a production of 'Uncle Vanya." She has returned the same theater now for a part "The Failures." Her sole income, however, docs not come from thcspic work. Her Isle father was president of a large construction company. Since his death Iwo years ago she and her mother have been running the business schools.

as specialists in building FULL BEARD won Squire a seasonal job as Santa and a new life all year long. AH the girls want lo dance wilh Sanla Claus, they're culling in all the time. With my 222 pounds and the fur trimmed costumed, I prefer a simple little wallz, but I usually end up doing Ihe cha-cha and Ihc keep up Ihe limes. It's, expected of him. On the night before Chrislmas, Santa Squire will drop in on couple of posh Park Avenue parties, knocking on Ihe door with a holtlc of champagne, and then hit Ihe exclusive Harwyn Club around mid- nighl.

For (his, he gels from $25 lo $50 an hour, and still can'l gel over il. "I'm always amazed that get paid for going to parties, because nobody enjoys (hem more lhan I do. Now I limit myself to one drink a parly. The pace would he too rough otherwise, and I have my dignity to Ihink of, or Santa's dignity." Christmas Day, he makes his annual trek through the Bowery, distributing turkey drum slicks and meat balls to the a derelicts in the flop houses and rescue missions. For this he gets nothing hut the nward salisfaction that only a Sanla Claus can appreciate.

jive these poor devils lhat same happy greeting that 1 ivc lo my elite customers on Ave. They always gel a big kick out of joining me in singing." Ten years ago Squire, who then used the name M. D. Kremer, was working as a mcsseur on the roof- op of a Miami hotel and his only claim to fame was a luxuriant landlcbar mustache, seven inches ong and gradually turning a ilvery white. On a vacation he encountered a Manhattan department executive who persuaded him grow a beard and apply for the store's Santa Claus job.

"The heard gave me new ic admits, "so 1 treated it wilh care. I gave up smoking because it tended lo Main my mus- ache. A television show sponsored by an elcclric shaver firm once Our Sincere Best Wishes For a Happy Holiday Season investments Company 201 First Nat'l Rank R. E. Derringlon, Resident Manager Phone El, 2-1160 E.

F. Bartels Assisfant Manager slock market, "with fast, Ashing, daring, courageous trading Ihe only way to get any fun out of It." Sfuire spends $100 a year on financial bulletins and market re- porls in order to play his stocks on the basis of the best professional advice. he admits, "it's me that's playing Santa Claus, not Wall Street, so I have to meet them on their own terms." Where Credit Is Due NEW YORK H) The authorship credit has finally been worked out wilh grammatical precision for the smash Broadway comedy, "The Pleasure of His Company." The original billing during the Iryout phase was "By Samuel Taytor and Cornelia Otis Skinner." Jusl before the play opened it was revised lo "By Samuel Taylor i Cornelia Otis Skinner)." A few days later the final alteration was made--the parentheses were dropped and a comma was inserted before "with." USE THE TRIBUNE WANT ADS A JOYEUX NOEL TO OUR MANY GOOD FRIENDS" AND LOYAL CUSTOMERS! from Mr. and Mrs. Fred H.

Werner at KIMBREL MUSIC COMPANY 938-40 Ninth Ave. 1 -v-. May your holiday abound with lasting happiness And your heart be filled with the greatest gladness. GREELEY LOCKER AND MEAT COMPANY 1115 Seventh Avenue.