THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2005 THE NEW TANNER 17 Bulletin from North Pole: . Santa says there's lots of snow so Rudolph and the other reindeer will have easy sledding Christmas Eve Kissing under mistletoe Norse custom Kissing under the mis- tletoe, a custom which provides much merriment at Christmas family par- ties owes its origins to the culture of the Norse, the warlike people who ravaged Europe for centuries. Mistletoe was thought to be sacred by ancient Europeans. Druid priests employed it in their sac- rifices to the gods, while Celtic people felt it pos- sessed miraculous healing powers. In fact, in the Celtic language mistletoe means "all heal." It was thought mistletoe not only cured diseases, but could also render poisons harmless, make humans and animals prolific, keep one safe from witchcraft, protect the house from ghosts and even make them speak. It was also thought to bring good luck to anyone privi- leged to have it. Norsemen had a symbolic myth about mistletoe. The story goes that mistletoe was the sacred plant of Frig- ga, goddess of love and the mother of Balder, the god of the summer sun. Balder had a dream of death, which greatly alarmed his mother, for should he die, all life on earth would end. It is related the tears she shed for her son turned into SUPERIOR SUPPORT: A $5,000 cheque from Superior Glove owners Joe (left) and Tony Geng, to ASAP-- Acton Sports Action Park -- committee chair Deb Fendley will help the Acton skateboard facility become a reality. -- Frances Niblock photo the follow. the pearly white berries on the mistletoe plant. In her joy Frigga kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which it grew. The story ends with a decree that who should ever stand under the humble mistletoe, no harm should befall them, only a kiss a token of love. Later, the eighteenth- century English credited mistletoe not with healing powers, but with a certain magical appeal called a kissing ball. At Christmas time a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed. Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. If the girl remained un- kissed, she couldn't expect to take that trip to the altar Forever Youngsters Quality Clothing at increadible prices New Childrens Clothing : Wishes all of my customers & friends a 8 Neng Merry Christmas gh a Happy New Year 2 Pe ma 4 5C Mill Street E. ACTON 4 519-853-0011 saat Holiday Hours Mondays -11-4 Tue/Wed. - 10-5 Thurs/Fri. -10-7 Sat. -10-5 Sun.11-4 M'S REPAIR SHOP temporary location at the Old Rockwood Fire Hall on 175 Alma St. (Hwy 7) 519) 856-2564 Merry Christmas eS aE New Year May all your wishes come true this | festive season. +] Bruce, Jeannette, 3 Betty Ann, Ken, Jeff & Danny Open till 2:00pm Sat. Dec. 24/05 Reopen Dec. 27 8am. his Christmas end a quarrel. Share some treasure. aes ee ' Dismiss suspicion, and ie eu : g "replace it with trust. Hold someone's hand.' Thank God.Write a love letter. Giye a soft answer.Seek out a forgotten frig tac Wellington tare lan mL ncourage youth.Manifest your loyalt¥@ 7 in word and deed. Keep a promise. 1 ind the time. Laugh a little. Forgive an enemy. F Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understapaly Forgo a grudge. Laugh a little more. Be thank hat you have. Examine your demands o> others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate - Be kind; be gentle.Flout envy. Listen. Deserve confidence. Decry complacency Take up arms against malice. Express your gratitude, Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again. ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS DANIEL VARANELLI CGA, CFP FINNIE Rod a