Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 62, Number 302, Decatur, Adams County, 23 December 1964 — Page 21

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1964

ditto is in England The first Christmas in England is believed to have been observed in the year 521, at the time King Arthur was celebrating his victory marking the recapture of York. Guests, Including the national heroes, were gathered about the famous Round Table where they feasted to the music of wandering minstrels. f PRANG’S CARD The “Father of the American Christmas Card,” is said to be Louis Prang. Prang is believed to have issued the first line of Christmas cards in the United States in 1857. Peasis Great Variety Store is believed to have been the first user of the Amer ican Christmas card.

x & Wk- '■ <l* x iflkSfUF * Voices sing ijgv f .BflßJi iKgl * Ohk f flQfe out our happy fl X wishes ° 1 fl fll yiWk l* • ' for a Christmas ! *• * rich in , ' spiritual >f ' J * oys and V•%. flflhL MpM w ~ 1' MsRIF'ImEMHSH ■> memorable v IBJflfllw Amflrf wlmlh* " 11 fIBfITF J moments i fIWI 7w *A SW for y° u - Auditor - Elect Leland A. (Lee) Neuen

H JOY I HQ at CHRISTMAS g ■■i fIF W 1 Ml BWRH** \ y tL I 7 WrAY " fl f fl Ml L IH ■■ —I l ’ iWßrlfir ' 11 1I ■ i SMi \ Ifli . “ * t/lay the Christmas Star shine anew within your heart with hope rekindled Decatur Ready-Mix Corp. E. OAK & FORNAX STS. DECATUR, IND.

I ffW? Ah Um& (gTOngjflMAg Christopher Columbus, credited with having discovered America, Is also believed to have been re* sponsible for the first Christmas observance in this part of the world. According to the story, the flagship Santa Maria beached on Christmas Eve and Columbus and his men were forced to work Christmas day to free the ship by stripping her of as much gear as possible and taking it aboard the Nina. The Nina, however, was unable to take ail of the men on board and those who remained behind in a fort named the spot Li Navidad, in honor of the Nativity.

What Indeed Is Christmas? What, indeed, is Christmas? Why is Christmas, of all holi days, the most eagerly awaited, the best-remembered? The answer must be that Christ mas is the one holiday that has a special meaning for all mankind, The spirit of Christmas was first reflected in the eyes of wise kings and humble shepherds who had journeyed from far and near to witness a special miracle—the birth of a promised Redeemer. Christmas customs change with the modes and mannerisms of new generations. Yet the real story of Christmas remains forever the same. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. However we choose to celebrate this great holiday, we must find it difficult to ignore that there is in the world about us a spirit of love and goodness, of close communion with God and with mankind. It lives within the heart of all who have recognized the true meaning of Christmas.

“THE CRICKET” Charles Dickens is best remembered for “The Christmas Carol”—but this was not the most popular of his Christmas stories during his lifetime. An instant hit with the public was “The Cricket on the Hearth,” a touching story of a father’s attempts to shield his blind daughter from the realities of life. Shortly after it appeared in 1845, some 12 different theatres in London were presenting dramatic versions of “The Cricket.”

GONE TO WORK Each Christmas week the Geor-. gia Power Company of Valdosta, Georgia, decorates its glass-walled lobby with a beautiful Christmas tree and a Santa who sits by the tree and waves and smiles to all who go by. On Christmas Eva, Santa has disappeared. On the chair ds a sign bearing this mesi sage, "Sorry—this is my busy . night. Santa Claus.” Holiday Greenery Brightens Home Home decorations are not complete without holiday greenery about the house. The best choices linclude spruce, pine, hemlock, j yew and aborvitae. Os these, yew i seems to hold up best. If you use broadleaf evergreens —laurel, andromeda, boxwood, or Japanese holly—for table decorations, keep them in water or the leaves will shrivel and die within a short time. Even though short lasting, broadleaf evergreens are ideal for making wreaths. For this purpose, they may be mixed with holly, balsam or yew. oam HAPPY: | To the very young, Christmas is a time of bright little lights on a tree, of shiny glass ornaments and decorations, of filmy spun glass filaments, and of toys that have sharp, rough edges, and lots of candy, nuts and other rich edibles. All of this is part of Christmas . . . and this is fine—but a few precautions should be taken to insure a safe holiday. Old strings of lights for the Christ Trio* should be examined carefidly. If worn-out bulbs are discarded, they should be put where youngsters can’t get to them. Glass ornaments and glass "angel hair” should be kept out of baby’B reach. The ornaments ' crumble readily into sharp sliv-' ers. Most manufacturers now avoid lead-based paint, but be sure the toys that come into, your home do not bring the threat of lead poisoning when a child chews on the toy. Select toys with a minimum of sharp edges and avoid toys constructed of materials which are quick to burn—and see that the toys ate large enough so that baby can’t swallow them.

THE DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

GREETINGS 1 ©SCW.HtC. W* -wishing a Merry Christmas to all of you good skates! LES SHEETS FRAME and WHEEL ALIGNMENT Itos WEST MONROE ST. , V7/ - +' 4-.. • < K\//z7 • • . y'kSL/-M + , . : • -1\j-.' ■ 'yMk- + * mW fl al W fl fl I ra i<i ,e <H 85 s JJk a SnMt - TWO w - fethlgs Mty the true spiritual meaning of Christmas gladden your holiday and enrich your festivities with deep contentment and warm associations. QUALITY CHEKD

Th* Right You can make holiday shopping much less of a chore with a bit of planning, and the obvious starting point is a complete list of the individuals for whom presents are to be purchased. Once the list is completed, jot down beside each name the categories from which a gift for this individual may be selected. For example, if Uncle Fred is a stamp collector, likes to fish and is interested in Civil War history, note these facts beside his name and then do the same for others on the list. With such a list, you’ll find you can complete your shopping much faster than you would if you marked only a single type of present beside each name. You sate a lot of time looking and hunting for some particular item. And, if you are certain of bies or interests of the intended recipient, your gift is certain to be appreciated. TREE CARE Many efforts have been made to chemically fire-proof the Christmas tree. Such substances as aspirin, sugar and fruit acids in water have been tried—yet nothing has proved as effective as plain water, which keeps the tree naturally moist and thus resistant to flame.

■ • ( '■ ■■ ■BR.; ''' ' F\ 'AI ; ■ BB vl”,w lOk A-Sh »W .. 2i , «•>* IN DISGUISE . . . Cecil, the Seasick Sea Serpent, a TV favorite is featured in a quick-change disguise kit which includes eyeglasses, mustaches, false teeth, lion’s mane, hula skirt and other similar items. THE PERSONAL TOUCH In gift-giving, as in all other things, the “personal touch” is important. Often, the most appreciated gifts are “homemade” and their value is measured by the recipient not in terms of dollars and cents but in recognition of the time and effort that went into preparation of the gift. Few of us, however, have either the time er the talent necessary to “make something” for everyone on our holiday list. And, with the wonderful selection of gifts available in local stores, it just isn’t necessary. But we can still add the personal touch by putting a litUr Sxt'j effort into gift wrapping-

*i. ?■>■**% mi ■ </>/> <: tyf# < '-'\ wSK COUNTRY CHURCH ... Thia painting of a country church was done in 1949 by beauteous film star Jane Wyman for a leading manufacturer of greeting cards. It depicts a ehurch on a country road near the actress’ home town of St. Joseph, Missouri, a scene she remembered from childhood. SEASONAL CHANGE The small town of Hartford, Kentucky is well-remembered by tourists because of a large sign on the outskirts of town. It reads: “Welcome to Hartford, Ky., Home of 2000 Happy People and a Few Soreheads.” Visitors during the Christmas season last year were even more impressed. Above the large sign was an additional sign: “Even the Few Soreheads Wish You a Merry Christmas!”

RM IwO et every heart rejoice ... it’s Christmas! To each and every one of our valued friends, we send our most cordial wishes for a ‘ holiday season abounding in blessings. DAD ' C SEWING and DVD J SERVICE CENTER Authorized & Approved Singer Dealer ACROSS FROM ADAMS THEATER 116 W. Monro* St- D*catur, Ind.

A,* J '■ <a/wEwSlf /l hoKX tBKS z f\ |paih>| \ Mb Kir IB » Twt / y J IEW (SWlngs At Christmastime ... we welcome the opportunity to wish you, our good friends, the happiest of holiday seasons and to extend our heartfelt thanks for your valued patronage. CITIZENS TELEPHONE CO. «h—. —? ■“ 1 g.~r PHONE 3-2135 ? >

PAGE TWENTY-ONE