The Mail-Journal, Volume 5, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 November 1968 — Page 20

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., Nov. 27, 1968

Santa, Popular Fellow, Has Long History, Big Job

What’s the mystery of Mr. Claus? Why is this rather stout, long - bearded gentleman, always adorned in red, so eagerly awaited? Just ask any child who has been “good as gold” all year. Santa’s traditional arrival on his super - sleigh, filled with the goodies requested, is the big moment of that year. But what about adults? Is Christmas only for kids? Complaints to the contrary, adults enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. The sounds of carols and bells, the scents of trees and greens, the sight of glowing lights and gailywrapped gifts more than balance the time and effort it takes to come up with the just - right gift for everyone on the list. Planning, preparing, shopping for Christmas may sometimes be tiring — but it’s also inspiring. And that’s because of this fellow, Santa! Today, Santa is a symbol, very much alive in the minds and hearts of children and grown-ups alike. He is a symbol of unity, gaiety and, most of all, generous giving. The idea of Santa is a happy and light - hearted one, but because giving at Christmas represents the giving of one’s self thru gifts, the Santa - symbol is linked too, to the deeper spiritualmeaning of Christmas. Santa’s gifts carry with them special messages of love and friendship. But where did Santa come from? The legend of Santa may vary according to country, but history says the first Santa was St. Nicholas, a bishop in Asia Minor, in the fifth century A.D. The story goes that the generous bishop wanted to help three daughters of a poor man, by giving them dowries so they might marry. In order to bestow his gifts anonymously, he threw bags of gold down their chimney each Christmas Eve for three years till all the daughters were married. On the third Christmas the father caught St. Nicholas in the act of tossing the gold down the chimney, and in turn told everyone of the kind generosity of this saint. As the years passed, St. Nich-

In Canister Sets | Canister | Carousel

s I Hardware Items

HUSKY | 3/8” | DRILL

UAlipC Open Saturday Nights til 8:30 from Nov. 30 til Dec. 21 nUUndZ Open Each Nite til 8:30, Dec. 7 til Christmas

olas became known as the patron saint of children. He traveled on horseback, adorned in his bishop’s robes, delivering gifts to all the good children on the eve of his day, December 6. The story of St. Nicholas was brought to America by the Dutch and gradually evolved into the image known today as Santa Claus. Thank heavens for Santa and all the Santas of the world, who by giving add to the happiness and well being of that world. Pythian Club Elects Officers At the regular pot - luck dinner meeting held Thursday in the home of Mrs. Artie Long, the Pythian club members elected the following officers for the coming year: President — Mrs. Herbert Blue Vice president — Mrs. Zerola Zook Secretary — Mrs. Mary Brown Assistant secretary and reporter — Mrs. Doris Mohler Flower chairman — Mrs. Ethel Grubb There were 14 members, one guest and two children present. Mrs. Lily Rodibaugh won the door prize. The January meeting will be with Mrs. Mary Brown. Miss Susan Brooks of Goshen will spend Wednesday night and Thursday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Brooks, at Milford.

•wCI IF ITS MAGIC YOU WANT K Call 457-3298 V Nelson Auer 300 East Carroll Syracuse, Indiana

SPICE RACK With 12 Spice Jars

HANDY SABRE SAW

WSCS Calvary Church Holds November Meetings The Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Calvary United Methodist church at Syracuse held its circle meeting on November 20. The theme for November was “(fratiture - Responsibility”. The Martha circle met in the home of. Mrs. Jessie Weingart. Mrs. Max Workman gave the lesson. There were 10 members present. The circle held a white elephant sale. Hostesses- were Mrs. Weingart and Mrs. I.- J. Byland. The Lois circle met in the church. Mrs. Workman gave the lesson. There were 16 members present. Mrs. 0. G. Hom and Mrs. C. H. Ott were the hostesses. The Harmony circle met in the church. Mrs. Delos Smith gave the lesson. There were 12 members present. Hostesses were Mrs. George Pippenger and Mrs. Lyle Kell. The Naomi circle met in the home of Mrs. Merrill Geible. Mrs. Workamn gave the lesson. There were 11 members present. Mrs. James Hershberger and Mrs. Geible were the hostesses. CHRISTMAS IN FINLAND Straw is piled upon the floor in the homes of Finland and is reminiscent of the Christ Child, the children sleep in a manger-like bed.

Special With Any Purchase 42’ Gift | Wrap | Paper |

1 Most Wanted Gift DELUXE S ELECTRIC | KNIFE |

Pretty Gift Wrappings Can Be Saved

Cardboard Castle Is Easy to Make for Holiday Fun

“Too pretty to throw away.” On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, as beau-tifully-wrapped packages are opened, this remark is likely to be often repeated. Though the gift wrappings do indeed seem “too pretty to throw away,” they must usually be consigned to the wastebasket. After all, what can be done with used gift wraps, once Christmas is over? One answer might be: build a castle! Save the most beautiful and colorful of the gift wrappings, find some laundry cardboards, follow a simple plan — and the result is a cardboard castle. Suggested by a manufacturer of gift wrapping papers, this castle-building plan might be a Christmasafternoon project for the children. After the first giftsexchange excitement is over, youngsters may appreciate a quiet pastime, and the cardboard castle offers an extra advantage in that it’s as much fun to take apart as it is to build. The castle can be assembled and reassembled many times. Although the plan is simple, adult guidance may be required — or at least, the adults can pretend that it is, so they can get in on the fun. Scissors, a ruler and rubber cement are the only equipment required, in addition to the gift wraps and cardboards. Begin by cutting 24 pieces of cardboard, each five inches by seven inches. Cement

i — : \WBhL~3! —*—- -< a *^feig^ r • w B feMT # aJL4 r •T ajtMR Ample Supply Os 1969 Chevrolet %x Cars and Trucks „ To Meet Your Holiday Shopping Needs 1961 Chevrolet, 4 dr. _L<. 1955 Dodge, panel W*T» 1955 Plymouth, wagon McCormick-Cutter, Inc. Open Mon., Tues., Thurs« hi. Til 9 p.m. 1001 So. Huntington, Syracuse, Ind.

X * »X a *“ ” |jj j| y CUI Htat * CUT him r ~ ««’ HIM 1,4* k. T'% T CUT* Mill S|Y CUT HIM y « T CMT H,BI n b jii 11—i “A" FO» IACH LtVtl “i* FOR ROOF

SKETCHES SHOW HOW TO PREPARE cardboards, covered with gift wraps, for building a cardboard castle. Follow measurements, cutting slits wherever dotted lines appear. Join Type “A” cards at right angles, occasionally inserting cards horizontally. Type “B’’cards go at top of castle, where slanted notches hold two “A” cards to form roof. Suggested by the Norcross Design Studio.

gift wraps to each side and trim the edges. To make Type “A” cards, cut one and one-quarter inch slits in 22 of the cards. Each card should have six slits, and the slits should be placed as follows: one slit on each five-inch side of the card, at the center or two and onehalf inches from the outer edge; two slits on each seveninch side of the card, with each such slit placed one and a quarter inches from the outer edge. For the remaining two Type “B” cards, the slits can be omitted on the five-inch side. Two slits should be cut as described on one seveninch side of the card. On the

other seven-inch side, the slits should be diagonal — placed two and a quarter inches from the outer edge and cut on a slant to two and one-eighth inch depth. Assemble the castle by joining Type “A” cards at right angles, alternating pairs. At intervals, insert cards horizontally for an interesting, balconied effect. Reserve two Type “A” cards for roof. Use Type “B” cards at top of castle, where the slanted notches will receive the Type “A” roof pieces. See illustrations accompanying this article, for sketched plan, and photograph of completed castle.

|V B. W K KJ a > w *IS IIA mb I ..mBM

CARDBOARD CASTLE, MERRILY COLORFUL, GROWS from left-over Christmas gift wraps and laundry cardboards. Castle, pictured above, can be built from five-by-seven inch pieces of cardboard, to which gift wraps have been rubber-cemented. For directions, see sketches at upper left. Photo courtesy Norcross Design Studio.