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Orono Weekly 'limes, Wednesday, November 18. 1998 - 13 Poi-nsettia parle'y You know the doors to the other world are closed for another year, when poinset- tias replace pumpklns as the floral choice of the season. This ornamental, native to Mextco, is more commori than the Christmas tree as a festive decoratiori. .Strangely enough, an anclent Greek mythological creature bhas a rather odd connection with our most revered Christmas plant, the poinsettta. The Greek crea- ture, called a chimera, was a fire-breathing creature with the bead of a lion, -body of a goat and bail of a serpent. Many of the new and unusu- ally coloured poinsettias that we see today are the result of naturally occurring muta- tions that are often referred to as cl-imeras. POINSEYIIAS DATE BACK TO ME-XICAN AZTECS: The poinsettia (botanical name: Eupborbia pulcherri- ma) is the quintessential Christmas flower, wbose leg- end of purity dates back to Mexican Aztecs. One native story traces its origin to a lit- dIe Mexican girl who wanted more than anytbing to give a fine present to the Christ cbild at tbe cburcb service one Christmas Eve long ago. But ber faxily was very poor and couldn't afford a gift. So Pepita gathered a.bouquet of commor i wldflowers from tbe roadside and lenlered the churcli. Wben sbe placed tbem at the feet of tbe Christ Ciùld tbey burst mbt brilliant scarlet, sbar-sbaped blooms. The flower was called Flor de la Nocbe Buena (flower oif the boly nighb) and soon became known as Mexico's Christmas gifi to the world. COMMERCIALLY PRO- DUCED POINSETTIAS ARE ONE 0F THE TOP FIVE POT- TED FLOWERING PLANTS. In 1825, Dr. Joel Robert Poinsetl, tbe fi-st American ambassador to Mexico, sent cuttlngs borne to bis green- bouse in Soutb Caroliria, set- tlng tbe stage of commercial production and bis name being immortalized in a swirl of coloured modified leaves called bracts. The modern poinsettia bas cbanged great- ly since tbe early 1900's, wben it was grown in the Hollywood Hilîs as a cut flow- er for local markets. Today, poirisettias are sold almost exclusively as potted plants, altbougb some florists still cut them for Christmas arrangements. Poins ettias account for 10% of Ontario greeribouse potted plant pro- duction. Almost baîf of Ibat is exported to tbe US mar-ket annually. "As cut flowers, poinsettias are cballenging, considering tbat most of our arrange- ments must lasb several days, says Janet McLeod, of East City Flower Shop, in Peterborough, Ontario. "The white stickey liquid that flows the minute you cut a stem can clog water uptake, caus- ing the flower to wlb. We soak poinsettia cuts in warm water f'or days before using tbem in a bouquet." But the professional toucli is obvious i the way that florists package potted poin- settias according to Anri Mus selman, of Personally Yours Flowers, in Port Dover, Ontario. "I buy quality plants in différent sizes and group a number of varieties ti beau- tiful baskets or ceramic con- tainers. I often add fresh ever- greens and dried materials like ting ting or curly willow to my poïnsettia planter gar- dens." POINSETTIAS ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO COLD. Wben transporting the plants home, protect them from temperatures below 10 degrees C (50 degrees,-F) because cbilling encouraged leaf shedding. Place the plant ti a roomn where there is suf- ficlent natural light to read fine pitnt. Potted poinsettias must have at least six hours of brtght Indirect light to thrive. Water plants thor- oughly when the soil feels dry but neyer allow the plants to sit ti water. Fertilize witbin several days of purchase, especially if you intend to keep the plant longer than the Christmas season. TIP FROM THE PROFES- SIONALS. If a potted poinsettia stem breaks during transport, apply a littie of the soil to the cut to stop the flow of sap. You cari revitalize a wilted poinsettia cutting first in warma water followed by an hour or two of refrigeration to hasten the firming process. Fashion Show DESSERT & TEA featîn îng gairmentsfroni Mon ica Rose & The Bidai Path at Kendal United Church Tues., November 24 e 7 p.m. Tickets $5 Each Available from: The Bridai Path (Bow.) 623-0351 -Apple Blossom Shop (Orono) 983-9155 - or Laura Savage (Kendal ) at 983-9547 IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE 0OR0%NO WEEKLY TIMES 983-5301 The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Boar d invites applications for the position of Teacher for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (Primary/Junior Qualifications) at Courtice- North Public School. Duties to commence immediately. Candidates must be certified as a Teacher of Deaf (Specialist preferred) and be able to communicate using Signed English and A.S.L. at an intermediate to advanced level. Candidates must be prepared 10 use a Total Communication (ie oral & signing) approach and team teach in a combined English and Deaf environrnent. A Police Records Check will be required of ail individuals hired by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board as a condition of employment. Please apply in writing by fax or e-mail before 4:00 p.m. Wednesday 25 November 1998 stating qualifications and experience tb: KAWAFrTHA PINE RIDGE DSTRICT SCIHOOL BOARD Sherry Summersides, Principal of Special Services Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board 834 D'Arcy Street North, P.O. Box 470 Cobourg, ON K9A- 4L2 Fax No. (905) 372-2717 Initemiet: summnersidess@occ.ncboard.edu.on.ca The Kawartha Pine, Ridge District School Board is an equal opportunity employer. We thank ail who apply but advise that only applications to be intervïewed will be contacted. Personal information is collected under the Education Act, S.171 (3), c.E.2. and will be used for employmient purposes only. J. Armstrong R. (Dick) T. Malowney e* I Il 6a The Good Old Daàys by Mabel Vanstone Ubsdell, 1 enjoyed reading Dan Banting's articles a Ifew weeks ago very much. It brought back many happy memories. Back in 1952 when 1 was married, 1 was driven to the chureh in a 1927 Model 'A' Ford. We moved into a two- room shaek with no luxuries-- flot even plumbing. 1 carried water from the well which was a few feet from the house and heated it on a woodstove to do dishies, laundry, etc. and hung clothes out on the line--winter and summer. 1 even bathed my kids in a rinse tub perched over two chairs in the middle of the kitehen. No one was ever sick. We did our duty in the 11111e brown house out back--lots of fresh air! 1 remember a 11111e ditty my mother used 10 say, it went like this: "Who took me from my warm, warm cot and sat me on a cold, cold pot." My mother!! Whatever happened t0 the good old days? 1 guess lime inoves on and we have to persevere progress, as those days are gone forever. What a pity! I also remember when milk was delivered by horse and buggy. We got our meat fresh-- with no preservatives while eggs were fresh from the farrn where the chiekens ran free. It's no wonder so many people are sick today. Nolhing is fresh anymore. We used to grow our own vegetables and canned themn for winter. There's 100 many subdivisions for that to ever happen again. So, 1 guess we move on 10 the future and hope for the best... and remem- ber the good old days. Welve bad a marvelous response to our "You've Got the Last Word" column and thank ail those who bave made contributions. If you've got something to say, or to share with our readersbip, this is your forumi to do so' Keep those articles corningt *Complete Car & Truck Repairs. *Diesel En gifles e Cummins, Detroit & Cat a a Radio Dis patched Tow Trucks , eMobile Mechanical Service Truck a ~ i rono4 Miles North R.R1,Oon (905) 983_9151 of Hwy 401on LOB 1 MoHwy 35/115 a -9 item 1 z E o Call me to buy or sell...' Orono and area's real estate representative.. - Krystyna Jones 983-60%13 Reoàltf- Net ASSOCIATES (DURHAM)Inc. 1050 Simcoe St. N., #103, Oshawa TEL: (905) 721-2112 RATES ARE GREAT! Move up.... move down. Let mie show you. how eis'y it is!!1 Hooper's Jewellers... Antique Pockct Watches & Modern Watch Repairs Core in and see oui 'collection of Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks Sales and Service Hoopr'sJewellers 39 King Street West, Bowmanville * 623-5747