The Mail-Journal, Volume 15, Number 47, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 December 1978 — Page 20

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 13,1978

20

HOW TO HANDLE HOLIDAY STRESS By Genevieve Millet Landau Director. Hasbro Center for Child Development and Education

The Christmas season is a time of happiness and high excitement for parents and children, but these days can also lead to tension, frustration, even anger. Children are particularly sensitive to changes in the rhythm and pace of their everyday lives. Around Christmas, especially, there are so many special goings-on in town, at school, on the radio and television, at church, in the home that children’s excitement mounts, bringing with it the likelihood of let-down later on. There is the bustle of the streets and shopping centers, highlighted by holiday decorations, store windows full of toys, the piney smell of Christmas trees ready to be carried home, people hurrying, the sounds of music in the streets, and all the rest of the special excitement which means Christmas is coming. Sometimes all of this hub-bub is too much for a child Too much is happening all at once — too many new sensations, too much anticipation. Involving your children in your preparations for Christmas can make the event and their role in it more satisfying and less stressful to them.

Holiday safety tips given

When we think of the holiday season, all of the joy of this time comes to mind: the sharing of gifts, excitement of children, and the beauty of a brightly ornamented tree. Many families, however, have somewhat grimmer holiday memories — brought on by just one unsafe act which caused a needless, tragic accident. To help you have a safe holiday season with good, pleasant memories, the Milford Fire Department and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), a nonprofit organization testing for public safety, offer the following tips: CALLANDER INSURANCE All Forms Os Personal And Business Insurance 155 W. Market Phone 773-4103 Nappanee / * \ I I I INSULATION FOR: BRICK WALLS ED TEUNE- 269-2487 FREE ESTIMATES

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Encouraging them to experience the real meaning of the holidays —a celebration of love and sharing, of doing things for others — helps children develop self-confidence and pride. Even very young children can make cards and gifts for others, and feel the pleasure of giving. And, of course, as soon as children are old enough to help with tree-trimming, baking, and so on, they should be permitted — and expected — to do their share. Even so, as anticipation can be nervewracking for adults, for children, waiting for the big day and their presents, it can be agonizing. Even the basically cheerful child is likely to feel suddenly fatigued and disappointed by the reality of the holiday celebration, itself. That's w hen there may be tears and tantrums. Understanding parents will comfort and soothe their youngsters, and will make an effort to create an oasis of calm, a time for rest and quiet during the day They certainly won't reprimand their children if they appear unhappy or ungrateful, or make them feel guilty for their lack of appreciation of “all we’ve

Purchase only UL listed light strings. For outdoor use, only weather proof cords and lighting should be used. The UL label will indicate light strings suitable for outdoor use. Check all lights carefully. Make certain bulbs are not loose in their sockets. Use rubber light socket gaskets and replace if needed. Selection of a tree, whether natural or artificial, is a crucial matter. Artificial trees should be labeled flame resistant. Never put light strings on a metal tree — this is a shock hazard — use only spot lighting. Natural trees should be fresh — deep green, strong scent, no falling needles and trunk butt sticky with sap. Keep trunk in water, and check it daily. Inspect all wiring. Watch for insulation deterioration, frayed and bare wires, lights with broken or cracked sockets, or loose connections. Unsafe equipment should be discarded immediately. Watch placement of electrical fixtures. Keep them out of children’s reach, and never place them close to flammable material. Never overload circuits. By placing more current on a wire than it was intended to carry, overheating and fire can result. Look for the capacity of the wire and follow manufacturer’s suggested use. Keep the tree and other flammable materials (mantel decorations, wrapping materials, etc.) at a good distance from fireplaces, radiators, and other high heat sources. Also, never block exits with the tree or other decorations. Disconnect all lights when working with them. Never stretch the strings or extension cord wiring. Always turn off decorative lights when leaving home or retiring. A short circuit could cause a fire when you are away. Keep a fully-charged fire extinguisher handy.

done for you.” Nor will they urge them to play with their gifts while everyone is looking on expectantly. Wise parents will let their children simmer down, cool off. and become themselves again. If a child has received a great many presents from friends and relatives. it may be a good idea to put away some of the toys and other gifts and bring them out gradually in the days that follow. Some parents worry about balancing the gifts they give their offspring, making sure everything evens up to avoid jealousy. For example. if Bobby gets a tricycle, what will Jane think if her main present seems much smaller? But gifts should be chosen according to age differences and the children's interests It is unnecessary to try to make everything equal. Citizens want Webster Lake lowered A group of “concerned people” wish to lower the water level of Webster Lake during the winter months. A letter by this group was read at the North Webster Town Board meeting last Wednesday night. Due to continuing efforts at Syracuse to lower the levels of Lakes Wawasee and Syracuse, the group wishes the lake to be lowered because of spring flooding. Since Webster Lake is not within the North Webster town limits, the town has no jurisdiction over it. The control of the lake level is with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, said Robert Reed, town attorney. Clerk-treasurer Eve Payne commented in a telephone interview yesterday morning (Tuesday), “We felt they would have a better opportunity to get something done than the town board. They live in the path of the spring floods. They would have first hand knowledge of the situation.” In its efforts to lower the Syracuse lakes, the Syracuse Town Board has run into some controversy with Joseph D. Cloud, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Cloud is saying the lakes should be kept at* their established legal levels, while the board is saying it has control over the dam. The Legends Os Christmas Christmas brings to all a sense of wonder and admiration. These feelings are kept alive through the beautiful legends explaining many holiday traditions. The story of the poinsettia takes place in Mexico in a little town where the custom was to offer Christmas Eve gifts to the Christ Child. A poor young boy, too shy to go to church without a gift, knelt outside the church window and began to pray. When he rose to his feet, he noticed a beautiful red flower growing in the spot where he had knelt. Suddenly, he realized the lovely blossom was a gift from heaven to answer his prayers! Quickly, he took the flower inside the church and laid it before the altar. To this day, the poinsettia is known in Mexico as the "Flower of the Holy Night.”

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Festive Fireplace Cookery

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” are a sure sign of holiday times, but the song brings to mind just one of many ways that fireplaces and food go together. Manufacturers of fireplace accessories report the growing popularity of utensils for fireplace cookery, notes the Fireplace Institute. These items make fun additions to the hearth and spark plenty of ideas for holiday entertaining as well as enjoyment throughout the wood-burning season. Fireplace chestnut-roast-ers are long-time favorites, as are popcorn-poppers that look like long-handled baskets, to be held and shaken over the cooler part of the fire. Extender forks for hot dog and marshmallowtoasting turn an ordinary meal into a family treat. To satisfy an after-supper sweet tooth, sandwich some justmelted marshmallows between graham crackers spread with chocolate for “s’more’s”. For festive gatherings, try a fireside fondue of French bread chunks, dipped in cheese sauce, or fruit slices swirled in chocolate, keeping the cheese or chocolate warm in a kettle designed for fireplace use. Or, use a fireplace kettle and crane to simmer a hearty stew, and bring back the atmosphere of cooking over an open fire. Looking for a different menu for holiday dinner guests? Surprise them with a meal that’s been charcoalbroiled over a fireplace barbecue. Special grills for the hearth can be used to cook all the foods you would normally do outdoors, from steaks, chops and chicken, to burgers and franks, to shish kebabs and packets of Latest catalog is for the dogs With the holiday season here, there’s a new catalog out that might help you with those hard-to-find gifts for your furry canine friends. The catalog — known as DuSay’s — is being touted as “the pooch’s Pucci. . . specializing in everything for pampered pets. ” Among the items Du-Say’s boasts for the pet who has everything are the ultimate in four-legged fashions, such as a cowboy suit with matching hat and bandana — or for the leisure dog, the “hawaiian set, — which is — in the catalog's words — “a most informal festive four-piece outfit ... for barbecues, luaus and patio parties. Other items include life jackets and back packs for “pets on the go,” paw print stationery, decorator doggied furniture and doggie treats such as “good boy choc drops” and “pup chips” —a beefhide chew that looks like potato chips. And last, but not least, to keep your doggie’s teeth pearly white and sparkling after the gourmet glut, Du-Say’s offers “doggie dent” beef-flavored toothpaste, which the catalog claims is “developed by a dentist and pet tested.” 5-5 f Cc>ii.e<>e x ' I F E5) I The first American college of pharmacy was established in Philadelphia in 1821.

foil-wrapped vegetables. Even when it’s just the family, why not ignore winter blizzards by throwing a blanket on the floor and enjoying a fireside picnic? Just remember that charcoal cooking in the fireplace requires diligent precautions for wood-burning safety: make sure the damper is open as long as the coals are hot or dying out, and dispose of ashes safely, in a covered metal container. (Or, use the charcoal embers to start a wood fire). By itself, a fireplace means good, relaxing times — and a satisfying meal cooked in the hearth can add an extra dimension to holiday get-togethers.

.MILFORD MERCHANTS & M.A.D. As You Patronize These Businesses, Register To Win . . .

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- USE THESE COUPONS OR REGISTER IN THE STORES - DRAWINGS TO BE HELD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 Merchants Will Notify Their Respective Winners!

Ways to economize

Every year, families try to make the most of the holiday season — and come back to everyday living with a thud, when the bills arrive. In spite of the inflationary times, it is possible to cut down spending during the holiday season. One good way to save money is to make your own greeting cards. This can be a family affair, with youngsters and Mom and Dad all making their “creative” contribution in some way. If you’ve priced holiday ornaments lately, you know that they’re expensive. Why not make your own this year? Use your ingenuity

(plus ideas from your favorite magazines) and top off your creations with strings of popcorn for an old-fash-ioned-looking tree. "A man with big ideas is a hard neighbor to live with." Ebner-Eschenbach

Ray Buhrt GENERAL CONTRACTOR Residential & Commercial Building Phone: 457-3431 Road 13, Syracuse

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"It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." Mark Twain HU Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest every year.