The Progress-Index from Petersburg, Virginia • Page 18

The Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, Virginia, Sunday, December 16, 1956 EDITORIAL COMMENT--A flag with the Nazi swastika flies outside the gate of the Laclede Gas Co. in St. Louis, Mo. The banner symbolizes worker reaction to the state's seizure ot the strike-bound utility plant ordered by Governor Phil Donnelly. U.

S. Christmas Costumes Popular In Latin America WASHINGTON Santa a Spanish. He has to, be-, cause he is getting more and more mai! addressed to the "Polo Norte." Children of Latin America traditionally send their letters to "Baby Jesus, Heaven, Care of St. Peter." But North American symbols of Christmas Santa Glaus, the tinseled tree, wreaths, a greeting cards are becoming familiar in the cities of several neighboring countries, a Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The Latin Christmas, however, remains richly rooted in the Nativity, ihe National Geographic Society says.

The humblest home has its crib, or creche, Tnounted with love and care whether the figures are cardboard cutouts or beautifully carved figures of folk a Not even the classic tableau of the Holy Family, Shepherds, and Magi has entirely escaped incursion of modern times. In Brazil, where families give it lavish attention, children often add a touch of the 20th century. It is not uncommon to see an electric train racketing around the stable while a toy jet plane hovers nearby. In the lands of Central and South America, the Christinas festival reaches its zenith with the celebration of the Misa del Gallo (Mass of the Cock) at midnight Christmas Eve. This traditionally is the hour at which Christ was born.

The name itself stems from Christian Rome's early practice of holding the first service when the cock crew. Christmas feasts follow the midnight service, and delicacies vary according to the country. While roast pig is Latin America's holiday favorite, turkey dominates ta- bies in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Gift-giving has always been closely Jinked to the Nativity. The youngsters of many lands look to the Christ Child for presents.

In certain countries, including Mexico and Puerto Rico, tots impatiently await Epiphany, January 6, and a visit from the Three Wise Men. Santa Claus adds, for the parents, an expensive complication. Exchange of gifts takes an unusual turn in Colombia. Merrymakers in masauerade mill through the streets on Christmas Eve Whenever a friend detects another's identity, he claims a reward In Mexico, during the nine days before Christmas, candlelight pro cessions are formed each night Called Posadas, which literally mean "lodging." the ritual re-en acts the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem and its difficulty in find ing a place to stay. At a prear ranged household," the marchers are barred at first, then ad milled with rejoicing.

Children can scarcely await Ihe breaking of ihe pinatn. A fragile earthen jar, lavishly decorated in the guise of an a i a or othe form, 4s suspended in a a room or ratio. Each guest is blind folded, spun around, and allowed a whack at it with a stick. When the pinata is finally smashed, al hands rush for the shower of can dies and toys. The poinsetti is Latin America's traditional Christmas decoration and its contribution to North Am erica's Yiiletkle.

The shrub wit! flaming-red bracts was brought to the United States in 1829 by Dr Joel Roberts Potnsett, a minister to Mexico, and given his name. It has been estimated that 2,500 different makes of autos have been manufactured in Ihe United States MARTIN APPLIANCES HAS THE Amazing New G-E Portable TV 40 square inches of viewable area--Model 9T001. weighs less than 13 pounds! Works anywhere a console will work! Full-performance chassis for extra-sharp picture! 6 Take it with you--anywhere! Cho'ice of two beautiful finishes! 1.95 Only EASY TERMS See li Tomorrow At SALES and SERVICE "It Pays To Deal With A Servicing Dealer" Open Evenings 9 --Dial RE 2-9222 107 Pickwick Colonial Heighfs STILL PUNCHING BETHLEHEM. Pa. (NBA) uard Guido Rinaldi of the football Lehigh Engineers worked as an assistant railroad conductor throughoul last summer.

The Incas never adopted a of writing. sys- Virginia Music Lovers Rally Save Norfolk Station To NORFOLK, Va. W) Classical music devotees and Hi-Fi bugs have joined with three young Virginians to. save one of the state's unique a enterprises WRVC-FM, "Tidewater's high fidelity good music station WRYC-FM, formerly operated in Norfolk by Larus and Bro. of Richmond, now Is the property of the Virginia Good Music Corp.

which has been running It as an independent station since Nov. 1. The static-free frequency modulation station, a outgrowth of WRVA's old Norfolk studios, went on a "good music policy" in July, 1954, broadcasting primarily recorded classical music with the exception of a few specialty pro grams and 11 dally newscasts. Larus and Bro. decided to discontinue WHVC-FM Oct.

31. but the announcement in the newspapers brought such a flood of protests that two members of the staff decided to find some way to keep the station on the air. Norman C. Willcox, a Marine veteran and the station's sales manager, and Charles G. Massie formerly of Lynchburg, the program director, took the problem to a friend, John Rogers I I I a Richmond attorney, and the three ot them came up with the Virginia Music Corp.

which the station' from Larus and Bro. with the financial help of thousands of listeners who rallied to the cause. Warm water evaporates faster than cold water. Alberts WATCHES our IAD! NEWEST BIRTHSTONE RING ANSON i rr JEWELRY SET A Olt EXPANSION WATCHBANDS A Week TOASTMASTER ELECTRIC IRON jQ A Week DIAMOND SET EARRINGS 5 A Week Reg. ST5 -Voiv $37.50 si.on a Itcfr.

ffOYldina Oyital, ond Crewn Ximoln Inloct and Oiamonijj fnlontd Shaw GENERAL ELECTRIC FOOD MIXER A Week 148 N. SYCAMORE ST..