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The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 6, 2006 - 19 Discover the history of Mother's Day The earliest Mother's Day celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. During the 1600s, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday," on the fourth Sunday of Lent (the 40-day period leading up to Easter). "Mothering Sunday" honored the mothers of England. During this time many of England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most jobs were located far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants would have the day off and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. A special cake, called the mothering cake, was often brought along to provide a festive touch. As Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honor the "Mother Church" -- the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival blended with the Mothering Sunday celebration. People began honoring their mothers as well as the church. In the United States, Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic") as a day dedicated to peace. Ms. Howe would hold organized Mother's Day meetings in Boston, Mass. every year. In 1907, Ana Jarvis, of Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother's Day. Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother's church in Grafton, West Va., to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death, the second Sunday of May. By the next year, Mother's Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia. Ms. Jarvis and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessmen and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother's Day. It was successful, and by 1911 Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May. While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother's Days at different times throughout the year, there are some countries, like Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium, that also celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May. Mother's Day gift solutions It's almost another Mother's Day. You gave mom perfume last year, a sweater the year before. Maybe you'll just give her another fragrance. She won't remember that you gave her the same thing last year, right? The Mother's Day gift-giving game is played year in and year out by gift givers across the country. According to a recent survey of 1,000 online shoppers conducted by Shopzilla, an online shopping search engine, almost half of respondents report that they will be buying a gift for Mother's Day. More than 80 per cent will purchase gifts for their own mother while 28 per cent will buy something for their mother-in-law. Since so many consumers will be buying Mother's Day gifts this year, look to these gift givers as a resource to get your own gift ideas. According to the survey, the top gifts mom will get this year are: FEMALE GIFT GIVERS Flowers 48 percent Clothing 28 percent Cosmetics, 20 percent health, beauty products Home-related 17 percent items Books 17 percent MALE GIFT GIVERS Flowers 52 percent Clothing 23 percent Food/wine 19 percent Books 18 percent Home-related 16 percent items This holiday only comes once each year. That's why you don't want to blow it by giving Mom a less-than-spectacular gift. Think about you mom and what makes her smile - she deserves a beautiful gift! (MS) Mot her's Day Champagne Brunch Join us at Hampton's Restaurant located in the Quality Hotel & Suites for Mother's Day Champagne Brunch Sunday May 14th. An elaborate buffet extravaganza, with a special gift for Mom. Brunch g: nt of Chilled Fruit Juices ads and Pastries of Crisp Salads & Crudities Deli Platters d Selections & Domestic Cheeses Order Omelets Sausage dict anana Pancakes Mother's Day nday May 14th, 2006 Mother's Day Join us on this very special day for our Sunday Gourmet Brunch 00 am and 1:00 pm Seating Buffet Includes: Glass of Chilled Mimosa · Prime Rib Scrambled Eggs · Bacon & Sausage · Pancakes Tossed & Ceasar Salads · Seafood Salads Smoked Salmon Platters · Shrimp Fine World Cheeses · Vegetable/Chicken Stir-Fry Homestyle Potatoes · Fresh Garden Vegetables Home Baked breads · Fresh fruit platters Muffins, Croissants, Danishes French Pastries, Tortes, Cakes, Pies · Coffee or Tea Mother's Day Brunch Choose from some of our favourites, Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail, Oyster Bar, Mediterranean Seafood Salad, Roasted New York Striploin, Maple Glazed Ham, Roasted Leg of Lamb, Custom made Omelets and French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Foie Gras Terrine, Apple Wood Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Organic Salad Selection, and creations from the pastry chef. $21.99 per person Children 12 and under half price Children under 5 eat free Brunch will be available from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. Please call 905-847-6667 extension 1102 to book your reservation. The regular breakfast menu will not be served this day. nean Three Cheese rtellini Roasted Teriyaki Glazed Chicken t. Jacques rime Rib of Beef Au Jus ented Baby Red Skin Potatoes, Paella, Orange Glazed Carrots ecadent Dessert Display Tea & Coffee All Mothers will receive a complimentary rose. ts $24.95 per person ors $19.95 Served 10:30 am-1:30 pm $ 3695 $ per person 18c hildren 12 and under Restaurant & Pub Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner $12.95 For reservations call: 905-842-5000 ext.236 590 Argus Road www.hioakville.com 754 Bronte Rd. (inside the Quality Hotel) 905-847-1566 120 Thomas St., Oakville 905.842.4200 www.jonathansofoakville.com OAKVILLE CENTRE