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18 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2004 (Merry Christmas Epes Happy New Year Ohank you for another successful year orrom the staff of Reg Marsh & Associates 22 Main St. S. Acton, ON L7J 1X1 Tel: (519)853-0113 Fax: (519)853-2141 - email: rmarsh@regmarshassociates.com BILINGUAL MESSAGE: The McKenzie-Smith Bennett School French Choir sang Les 12 jours de noel (The Twelve Days of Christmas) at the school's holiday concert last Wednesday. -- Frances Niblock photo Credit Norse for mistletoe kisses Kissing under the mistle- toe is another Yule custom, which provides fun and frolic at Christmas family parties and celebrations, but how did it originate? Mistletoe was thought to be sacred by ancient Europe- ans. Druid priests employed it in their sacrifices to the gods, while Celtic people felt it possessed 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 Frigga, 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 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 de- cree that who should ever stand under the humble mis- tletoe, 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 kiss- ing 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 the following year. (Pio fial Oe & Silvercrech Spa Hair Salon Would like to wish al of our customers and their families a Wye look forward lo seeing you tn. 2005 Have a safe and. harp Ye holiday fleuse dowt drink S drive. Monica, Yvette, Joanna, & Denny Acton Mews Plaza, 56D Mill St. East, Acton 519 835 0811 130 Mill St. E. Acton, tremblay.decorating@bellnet.ca In Store Products ¢ Para Paints * Shade -O-Matic Blinds & Shutters « Hunter Douglas Blinds * Temporary Paper Redi Shades ¢ Wallpaper for windows * Wallpaper ¢ In Stock Borders ¢ Ceiling Medallions ¢ Stains ¢ Paint & Wallpaper Sundries Design Consultant Gisele Fremblay 519-853-43