The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 24 December 1968 — Page 20

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Page 8 Section Two

The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Indiana

Tuesday, December 24, 196 8

Little Towns of Bethlehem Santa’s evil’ celebrate Christmas-time helper now

Several states, all over the United States, can boast of having their very own little town of Bethlehem. In New England, for example, there’s a place named Bethlehem in New Hampshire, and another In Connecticut. Moving across country. Bethlehems are found In Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana and Iowa. People from nearby communities and neighboring states flock to Bethlehem, Conn., every Christmas to have their greeting card envelopes imprinted with a special seasonal message, then mailed from the town post office. Last year, due to the demand, there were ten different greeting designs available for Christmas card senders. Creche Is Constructed Also contributing to the holiday atmosphere in Connecticut’s semi-official Christmas town, is the creche constructed by nuns at a nearby Benedictine monastery. - In the creche, which emphasizes the primitive simplicity of the Nativity, are lifesized figures of the Virgin and Joseph, dressed in peasant garb, and a crib with the Christ Child, covered by a bright patchwork quilt. At Christmas, the nuns also make, and offer for sale, litur-gically-inspired tree ornaments.

Each Christmas, Bethlehem Pa., is the scene of ah impressive candlelight carol and communion service. Traditional Since 1741 Celebrated, complete with organ and orchestral music, in the Central Moravian Church, it has been a tradition since 1741, when Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf, holding a lighted candle, led his people into a cabin and named their settlement Bethlehem in honor of the Christ Child. Decorated trees also play an important part during Bethlehem’s nationally famous Christmas festival on the Hill-to-Hill bridge connecting various parts of the city. Every Christmas since 1951, a 60-foot star erected by townspeople has guided visittors to Bethlehem, Georgia. On Christmas night, a carol service is held beneath the star. 'SPECIAL TREATS' FOE CHILDREN French children get their presents, mostly practical ones, at the New Year. Years ago, in Scotland, the most prized treats were oranges, currants and watered-down porter ale. Today their gifts are more prosaic. Italian children usually receive their presents on January 6, the last day of the holiday season.

‘reformed’ Santa Claus has many loyal helpers all over the world and as a rule, they are just as jolly and lovable as or St. Nick himself — but in Germany he has a not-so-jolly henchman. . He goes by the name of Rupprecht and is a strict disciplinarian who spanks naughty boys and girls with a birch rod. What’s more, according to ugly rumor, he thinks nothing of carrying off especially bad children in a sack and disposing of them in ways too horrible to imagine.

Our Best W ishes

Rockwell Insurance Agency Byron Snyder, Agent Cloverdale, Ind.

May you have the best Christmas ever!

MOORE’S SHOES West Side of the Square

AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THE HOLY INFANT ... AND MAY

THAT PEACE REMAIN WITH US EVER AFTER. From all the staff at

Donelson’s Pharmacy

N. L. Donelson Barbara Haltom Anne Moore Pat Blose Steve Foxx

Joe Moore Judy Stewart Ruth Donelson Terre Wood John Perkins Debbie Donelson

Evergreen tree is still the undisputed favorite among Christmas selections

In Christmas trees, it’s the spirit that counts. Almost anything can be — and is — a Christmas tree. In Minneopolis, Minn., they even make trees out of water pipes, fastened like spokes to a telephone pole, and appropriately decorated. In Wilmington, N. C., a live oak more than 300 years old

Is adorned at the Yule tide with colorful ornaments and electric lights. In Indianapolis, they decorate the 246-foot soldiers and Sailors Monument with electric candles and stars. The U.S. National Christmas Tree, officially designated In 1926, is not an evergreen but a giant redwood, located in

Kings Canyon National Park, Calif. This unusual Christmas tree, called the “General Grant,” is 3,500 years old. Many families prefer the “permanent” Christmas tree, often made of aluminum. Despite all this, the timetested favorite tree Is still the evergreen. Most people, if

asked, would probably vote for the “fir tree.” Actually, there are nearly 40 species of the popular “fir tree,” found in the mountainous regions of Central and Southern Europe, Asia north. of the Himalayas and North America. A frequently-seen Christmas

tree variety is the “balsam fir,” also called “Canada, balsam” or "Balm of Gilead,” according to the Encyclopedia Americana. This is one of the most common trees of eastern North America, extending from Virginia and West Virginia in the United States to Labrador and Newfoundland. The balsam fir may grow to 40 or 50 feet tall. The southerr. fir is of about the same height and is found in the mountaini of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Other American firs are essent! ally Western.

-S NATURE SPARKLES IN HER NEW WHITE RAIMENT, OUR THOUGHTS TURN TO THOSE WHO HAVE GLADDENED THE PAST SEASONS FOR US. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU! From LONE STAR CEMENT CORPORATION And All Of The Employees

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