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THE YOUTHFUL exuber- ance of Czechoslovakia's spirited Folk Dance music is artistically expressed by eight young dancers, whose parents are members of Oshawa Branch No. 6, the Canadian Slovak League. The girls, between 14 and 17, display their. musical talents at s°'~ >! and et concerts in celebration of Christmas. They performed at an OCCI student Christ- mas concert last week--this was followed by one at the Slovak Hall this week. They STRONG SPIRITUAL OVERTONES... THE OSHAWA TIMES, Fridoy, are known as the Tatra Slovak Dancers and are so named after the Tatra Mountains in Czechoslova- kia. Their colorful home- | made costumes of yellow, blue, red and white are familiar sights to thousands who have seen them per- form. Their dance reper- toire, in addition to Czecho- slovakian Folk numbers, also includes such _inter- national favorites as Twist and the Waltz group includes, left to right, Veronica Rus- kay, Theresa Ruskay, Anne Ivanco, Carol Nemeth and Gail Ihnat; front row, left the back me to right, Nancy Lescisin, Joan Stepinac and Mary Ruskay. The sextette danced in the International Folk Festival in Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, several months ago. It also appear- ed on television. in Canada and the U.S. ~--Oshawa Times Photo ... ETHNIC CELEBRATIONS Traditions Of Christmas Savored Here Traditional customs of the old land will be observed by ot Oshawa's-- ethnic groups in the; celebration of Christmas this year. Others will observe modified versions of the European-style Christmas, which regards the day as more of a feast with strong spiritual overtones than of a gift-exchange season. Some ethnic groups here will delay. their celebration until January 7, date for the observ- ance under the Julian calendar computed by the order of Julius Caesar -- the Ukrainians and White Russians are typical of such local groups. Others follow the Gregorian calendar. HOLY DAY Oshawa's fast-growing Polish population -- now estimated at more than 3,500 regards Christmas as more of a holy day than a holiday, which is; | shells. | Polish people, but they put more | AWAIT FIRST STAR emphasis on the spiritual mean= . : P ; : |} delay the start of their tradi- | tional he | until the first star has appear- not adhere rigidly to the Christ- | the case with most Europeans. es Seger Gar eae pk a tere Mem Dalita id NUL LULBULLCEL My wWic ing of the day than do many others. : All Polish residents here mas customs of the old land, but | tradition is strong with them. Spiritual and material prepara- tions begin wecks in advance for many. Early Mass is attend- ed week days and special visits | are made to the church for quiet adoration. Parties and social celebrations are restrict- ed, even outlawed by many, during the Advent season. Members of the family assist | tree deebdrations or | with the help mother in the kitchen Christmas eve. The tree is strung with colored paper chains and beautiful ornaments made of pine cones. There are May We Take This Opportunity to Wish All Our Friends and Customers The Best of the Seasons and Continued Prosperity in the New Year. am SHOES 26 KING WEST -- ALSO IN HAMILTON i @ LADIES ! | also walnuts, tin foil, empty egg Many. Polish residents. here Christmas eve supper ed. Its arrival is greeted with joyous shouts. After a_ short | | thanksgiving prayer, the oldest | member of the family takes tne unleavened wafer of bread, "oplatek," and breaks it with all gathered around the table. This is a brief ceremony in which the oldest member wishes the family health and happiness. The Polish Christmas eve supper--known as "The Vigilia'"' -- varies in Poland's 12 proy- inces, but sometimes it con- BURNS. C.D.T.A. | SCHOOL OF DANCING : | 4 @ BALLET @ TAP @ BATON @ TEENAGE JAZZ "KEEP FIT" CLASSES 728-7902 | pe 184 Bond West | K. of C. sists of as many as 12 tradi- tional dishes. The breaking-of-hread custom originated 1,000 years ago in Poland when-- feudal princes, converted to Christianity, made this gesture as a sign of friend- ship. The candles. supper. The word "Pasterka" brings wonderful memories to the Pol- ish people -- it means the eul- mination point: of Christmas and that from there on there will be parties and dances. CANDLELIGHT SUPPER Czechoslovakian residents of Oshawa. start the Christmas celebrations on the eve of Dec. 24. That's when immediate rela- SLOT RACING tree is lighted with Carols are sung after All mokes and models, of cars im stock. We also have available complete facing facilities with very reason- able rates. ' Pollard's Hobby tives gather in the home early for a candlelight supper. The initial dish is short- bread -- known as "Boblike'-- which contains salt, water and honey. It is baked into a roll, but cut into small pieces for serving with hot water on it. The supper opens with. pray- er. No meat is served, but fish is. There is also sauerkraut and cabbage soup. Everything is cooked with butter or oil. Cab- bage rolls without meat are next on the menu. There are three or four different kinds of dumplings--known as '"'Prohy". There is also braided bread and stewed fruit for resert. Wine is also served during the supper, but it is the cus- SEE - TRADITIONS (Continued on 6 A) ' 723-9512 The Smart Traveller makes his reservations for ye AIRLINES STEAMSHIPS #% TOURS % HOTELS--by calling: 723-9441 MEADOWS TRAVEL SERVICE 25 King St. E.