The Mail-Journal, Volume 15, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 20 December 1978 — Page 17

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< j By Genevieve Millet Landau Director Hasbro Center tor Child Development and Education

As Christmas approaches, many wellmeaning parents spend anxious hours worrying it they should tell their believing children that there is no Santa Claus? 'Reality-oriented" parents wonder if such a belie! will slow a youngster's intellectual progress. Can it be harmful to cling to the con-

U Sleigh bells. Carols. © Holly wreaths. Snowflakes. y | And goodwill to men. Smith Electric Bob Smith 513 N. Huntington 457-3303 Syracuse

Henschen Oil Inc. Jobber Supplying Customers Jobber ViV. With S <| D^ D Standard Oil Products smwpi Products For 40 Years Products Syracuse 457-2872 MiHord

lr IflHr ■r Hr#/ t tor J />■ \. ,/ jWß&flfeA'' /v T ®F fc, ji H / - :»ci< Wishing you all of the blessings of the Holiday Season to you and your loved ones. We hope that you will aways find Peace and Contentment, guided by that everlasting light that leads the shepherds in the fields to the manger. Have a happy and holy Christmas season. Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. Fine Quality Ducklings — Serenade Foods Plant And General Offices — Sales & Administration (219)658-4121 Milford, Ind.

WHAT’S REALLY IN SANTA’S PACK?

viction that fairy tales and fantasy creatures are real? Parents should let common sense be their guide. If a preschooler believes in Santa Claus, there is no harm in letting him enjoy that illusion. Belief in Santa can be a satisfying, even strengthening idea to a child. The real world — its complexity, size, all of

its unknowns — is far beyond a child's awareness, let alone his capacity to make sense of it. Santa is a simple, lovely notion that makes children happy. Santa embodies many virtues and caring qualities, and a belief in him, and therefore in the existence of these virtues, can be reassuring to a child. What about the problem raised by the multiple Santa Clauses who are seen indoors and out around holiday time? Every store has its own Santa; dozens more appear on TV, in stores and on street corners. Everywhere you turn, there are red-coated, whitewhiskered gentlemen. How do you explain this to the child who believes in the one and only Santa Claus? You might say that Santa is so busy getting his pack ready that he sends out helpers before Christmas who listen to the children and tell him what gifts they are hoping to receive. These helpers aren't the

real Santa: they are people dressed up as Santa, who help him in his work. Or. to the child who seems ready to accept reality, you might say that Santa is in fact an imaginary >eing, and these street-corner Santas are our way of showing our faith in that lovely idea. It is never a good idea to hold the threat of Santa's non-appearance over a child's head with the idea of exacting his or her good behavior. All that can lead to is mistrust on the child’s part, even dishonesty in his or her behavior. Goodness should be encouraged for its own sake, not because it may be rewarded with presents. By ROSALYN JONES Christmas is almost upon us! We wish to thank the SyracuseWawasee Garden Club for the additional Christmas decorations on our Christmas tree in the children’s department. The ladies in the club have added a few new' decorations each Christmas, so our tree is really beautiful Also, the adult department has a lovely arrangement of Christmas greens, with red floral accents, surrounding a beautiful sculpture of the Madonna Following is a small list of good Christmas reading: Van Dvke: STORY OF THE OTHER WISE MAN Davies: MIRACLE ON 34th STREET Sibley: ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS Swarthout: THE MELODEON The library recently began a new adult program of book discussions. We were pleased to have an enthusiastic turn-out for our first program November 29. Mrs. Evelyn Culp gave excerpts regarding Christmas from Erma Bombeck and Jean Kerr: a real delight. Our next program will be January 17 at 10 a.m.

Milford's Main Street

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IN THOSE days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled , each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to $515 damages in passing accident Syracuse police investigated a two-vehicle mishap at 6:10 p.m on Sunday at Chicago and Huntington Streets in Syracuse resulting in $515 in damages. A.M. Gingerich, 39, Syracuse and driver of a 1973 Ford was reported as having a left turn signal on and started a right turn instead, at the same time as Sandra Brandon, 42, 707 Medusa. Syracuse, attempted to pass the Ford on the right side. There was S9O damage to the Ford with $425 to the 1978 Buick driven by Mrs. Brandon. The fastest speed at which a giant tortoise can crawl is about five yards a minute. If it could travel five times as fast, it would, be going at almost one mile per hour.

her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke2:l-7 RSV .This then is why we celebrate Christmas ... the birthday of the Christ Child. —O'SHARING THE December 25 birthdate are Rev. Everett Owens of the United Methodist Church and Amy Bucher. Today is the birthday of Ruth Ann Stork, Lois Scott, Marshall Miller, Daniel Martin. Kara Zimmerman and Elmer Haab. , Saturday is the birthday of Diane Keiser and Sunday is the birthday of Floyd Yoder. -O’NOTE FOR the week: "A good many things go around in the dark besides Santa Claus." —O’BACK TO the old horse show book. Members of the committee were as follows: Show committee: Joseph J. Griffith, president: John Augsburger: Glenn Stookey: and Marshall Estep Treasurer: Dr. Hugh C. Snyder Decorating: Roman Slabaugh. Wade Mishler and Albert Graff Shute master: Plomer Michael, Earl Wolferman. Raymond Pinkerton and Wayne Bucher Official host: Delbert Dippon Parking and grounds: Milford firemen and Milford police Ticket sales: Randall Dewart and Glen Treesh Publicity and programs. P. G Kern, A. R. Hollar, Lark Becker and A. C. Scott Food: Merle Campbell, Arthur Baumgartner and James Fuller. Jr. Soft drinks and ice cream:

x3Jr v \ x\ fc w ' ii 11 aESfeMJHI I llFMJfttk / '*/ Seace / I It's the greatest gift of all. On this special holiday, may you all enjoy the warmth and love that Christmas brings. We thank you for your support.

Wed., December 20,1978— THE MAIL-JOURNAL

Harry Beer, Arlo Beiswanger and Robert Bushong . —o— IN DENMARK the benevolent little man of the attic, “JulNisse,” is the essence of Christmas. Before they go to bed on Christmas Eve, the children place porridge and a pitcher of milk in front of the attic door. The food disappears during the night. —O— The yule log is a tradition on Christmas Eve in England where religious services predominate Christmas celebrations Tiny candles decorate the altar and shine in windows in the homes in Finland while in France a miniature nativity scene, called a “Creche.” is arranged by the children and placed in the living room. Most readers will remember the Christmas tree comes to us from Germany as does “Silent Night,’’ the immortal carol. From Greece comes a time for family reunions, parties and merry-making. Saint Nick leaves surprises in Holland on Christmas Eve. Candles are placed in every window of an Irish home and an open door is the symbol of welcomed hospitality, assuring the Irish people that no couple seeking shelter for a Baby who is the Son of God will be homeless. The candles burn all night and can only be snuffed by those having the name of Mary. Festivals in Italy honor the

/ Slant a Greetings and Best Wishes for a wonderful Christmas Season. May you find peace and contentment throughout the years to come. Dr. Wendel R. Shank Optometrist, Inc. Syracuse

Virgin Mary The pinata is a part of the Mexican Christmas. And, in Norway the children must wait until Christmas Eve to begin their celebrations. It comes as no surprise that members of all denominations gather at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem — directly above the birthplace of the Holv Child. Colorful wreaths and chains, made of brilliant tropical flowers, are worn by the Filipino children as they parade after mass. The traditional Christmas in Poland centers around the songs which are a combination of the religious and secular sentiments of the people, sung in memory of the Saviour's birth. A roast pig is the principal food of the Christmas, dinner in Rumania. Tradition there is a dramatic remembrance of Christ s birth. Many Russian Christmas customs have been lost and forgotten but family reunions and parties still remain. And. in America, the melting pot of the world, one finds a mixture of all of these customs for a special blend for the holidays!

COURIER ROUTE DRIVERS Males Or Females To Drive Courier Routes CALL 457-4988

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