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Deck the halls! The legend of Christmas greenery One of the favorite traditions of Christmas is decorating the home with winter greens. Vases brimming with holly, wreaths made of evergreens and _ door- ways hung with mistletoe can bring the holiday spirit to every room of the house. Filling the home with Christmas greens today is aS easy as a stop at the local florist shop. But the custom is ac- tually older than Christmas itself, dating back 1,000 years before the birth of Christ. Holly has perhaps the most intriguing heritage. Long before Christ, the early Druids were convinced holly's mystical powers could cure colic, worms, smallpox and even dislocated bones. The belief in witches and demons was common by both peasants and aristocracy, and con- tinued as late as the 17th century. Because of holly's sanctity, it was hung over doorways, windows and chimneys lest a witch enter through the openings. Unmarried women were thought the most likely candidates to become witches, so a sprig of holly was tied to their bedposts on Christmas eve to save them from this dreaded fate. The ancient Egyp- tians were the first to use winter greens decoratively. Holly's evergreen leaves and winterberry fruit (symbolic of life) were combined with ivy, fragrant herbs and other evergreens. They were coiled into wreaths and garlands, much as we do today, to decorate the feasting tables at joyful winter events. Because of these early pagan customs, the first fathers of the Christian church strictly forbade the hanging of greenery. But the urge to '"'deck the halls" was strong and soon holly, greens and herbs were used to honor the birth of the Christ child. Christian symbolism was then quickly at- tached to holly and the legends became abundant. One = such legend tells how the Christ child was hidden from Herod's soldiers beneath the barren branches of a_ holly bush. The branches miraculously formed leaves to conceal the babe and wreathed Him in a protective circle of thorns. In thanks, Jesus blessed the holly to be forever green. Other religious mytns retell how the holly berriés, once yellow, were washed with Christ's blood, making them forefer red. And each year on Christmas Eve, Christ was thought to walk on earth again, with young holly plants sprouting from _ his footsteps. Christmas during the Victorian era found ladies . spending hours constructing elaborate holly centrepieces for their dining room tables. This created a great demand for fresh greenery. The _ holly peddler soon emerged to provide this service. Country folk would gather cartloads of holly, mistletoe and evergreens to sell on city street corners. Today the holly peddler no longer barks Dateline North Simcoe Want to buya '6/7 fire truck? Township of Tay plans to advertise in Municipal World for the sale of its 1967 tank truck presently declared as fire department surplus equipment. At Tay council's last meeting, it was also agreed that Fire Chief Tom O'Hara arrange for advertisements in firefighting magazines, as he feels necessary, in an effort to sell the '67 tanker. Area board countdown to demise Midland council was told, Monday night, that once Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing examines the 1982 balance sheet of the now (almost) defunct Tiny-Tay Peninsula Planning Board, clearance will be given by Queen's Park to officially and finally dissolve the area planning board. At that time surplus funds from the board will be distributed appropriately. Surplus funds amount to $22,531. Raffle winners The winners of the Midland-Penetang and District Branch of the Canadian Diabetes his wares on thesstreets, and women need not spend hours creating holly centrepieces. These services are readily available--in the festive atmosphere of your favorite flower shop. Follow these tips from your florist to keep-holly as fresh as possible: 1. Use in water-filled containers, and check water level daily. 2: Keep cool, especially at night, but do not allow to freeze. 3. Avoid furnace drafts. 4. Mist regularly to add humidity and ex- tend life. Want answers to your questions on flowers and plants? Contact your - local professional florist! Christmas Theresa of Association raffle are Dianebe eran "Penetanguishene (a needle sculpture doll), Penny Copeland of Collingwood (Raggedy Ann and Andy), and Wesley Johnston of Midland (gingerbread house). Celebrating amajor -- milestone Mr. and Mrs. John A. Dunlop of 292 Delia Street, Orillia, formerly of Victoria Harbour and Midland area, are celebrating their 57th Wedding Anniversary on Dec. 23, 1982. They are parents of Mrs. Marion Phillips of Midland, Mrs. Gladys Anslow of Niagara Falls and Mr. William A. Punlop of Barrie. Two meetings for Tay councillors Tay Township council was to have met this morning at 9:30 a.m. As well township law- makers are to meet on Jan. 13. Next month's meeting is set for a 9:30 a.m. start. Fail to report charge laid Leon Robitaille, 25, of Borden Crescent, Midland, has _ been charged with failing to report' an accident following a_ single vehicle traffic accident Its aim is crime prevention Norman Sterling, provincial secretary for justice, today an- nounced 'Community Justice Week, April 17- 23, 1983, an initiative to assist communities in developing crime prevention programs. "A working group has been formed to assist and encourage com- munities in designing their own Justice Week «s Page 26, Wednesday, December. 22, 1982 programs. The group includes representation from government, business, education and community crime prevention programs," Sterling said. Picture Tube Division ~ Entrance ? It willbe agloomy da y tomorrow The vast majority of workers at the RCA plant in Midland will be reporting for work for the last time tomorrow. A major plant layoff is planned for Dec. 31. Between Friday and then workers will be on their Christmas holidays. There's still hope the plant can be sold early in the new year although no buyer has yet come forward. at 2 a.m. last Thursday, just west of William Street, Victoria Har- bour. Robitaille received minor injuries. Two seat belt charges were also laid by the Midland OPP. The car went off a curve. Tree thieves at work in Port NMcNicoll Tree thieves are active in Port MeNicoll. A 40 inch high cedar was taken from the Ninth Avenue property of Albert Meechan last Friday. The tree was cut from where it stood on the Meechan front lawn some time _bet- ween 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Te The Midland OPP also report that around 2 a.m. last Sunday Jules Bourgeois of Second + --@~, - COSeRS SEISONS CREETING Best wishes to our many good friends this holi- day time! from BUMSTEAD'S ELECTRIC 322-2613 Wyevale Avenue, Port MecNicoll, frightened away a man who was attempting to chop down a tree in his back yard. Two calls for help: Belfry Midland firefighters quelled a chimney fire, Friday night at 26 Bayview Dr. Damage was nil, reports Deputy Fire Chief Hal Belfry. Saturday morning, fire department of- ficials were called to 359 Eighth St. A small fire there had been snuffed out before officials arrived. Would you sign in please John Bayfield and Carol Gerow will be holding an autograph session tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Penetanguishene town hall in con- nection with their Penetanguishene Cen- tennial Book "This Was Yesterday." Due honours for banker Mrs. Janie J. Frank of The Royal Bank of Canada in Midland has become Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, following completion of the Institute's continuing education program. The Institute is responsible for all educational activities and for the develop- ment of professionalism in the Canadian banking industry. The Institute of Canadian Bankers was founded in 1967. Its principal objective is to meet the demands of modern banking in providing business education and aiding in fostering professionalism among bank per- sonnel. Last year, more than 11,591 people enrolled in its courses given at 54 universities and by correspondence. Of the total, 4,591 were from Ontario. ws y Se \ wa May the warmth and beauty of Christmas remain in your heart and home throughout the New Year. Charlie & Gene Colling, Yorkton Securities Inc., 536 Dominion Avenue, Midland, Ontario 526-8449 Se ee Ee P Be RS ALE: naar ES EI nC St