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CI Merry Christmas Wednesday Dec 19 Santas beard and suit created by cartoonist Who gave Sanla his red suit broad girth white beard ruddy cheeks and nose coat Surprisingly enough donor was a political cartoonist The name was Thomas Nasi cartoonist for Harper Illustraled Weekly tthoalsocreated the now famous symbols of the Republican ele phant and the Demo donkey The figure of Santa lhal Nasi drew in 1863 and perhaps earlier has proed tn be the definitive one and even today the figure as drawn by appears on Christmas greetings Won I tamper of Santa was extraord inary says Mrs Jean director of de sign at Hallmark Ik gave Sanla many the qualities that have endeared him to children ever since we wouhjnt dream of lampermg very much ihcm today credited keeping books on good and bod children having a Christmas toy workshop and reading letters sent to him by children Perhaps it was l he now famous poem A Visit from St Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore that inspired Nasi s illustration of Santa In this children classic of the righl jolly old elf who looked Itkeapeddlerwith on his back was first described in print Origin alt Nasi followed Moore description of Santa in several but many of his concepts were original the time Claus drawings the nation was at Civil War and families were In a note to cheer both soldiers and their wailing families Nast drew Santa In Camp for Harper Weekly This earliest Santa was different from my art ist s creations up till then Ho shown wearing stars and stripes if Ihe Union and dislrl gifts to soldiers Actually this Santa might have been meant representation of Uncle Sam also A later equally moving Nasi illustration featured a soldier Christmas homecoming Childhood saint Born in in the liny hamlet if Landau Bavaria Nasi probably pictured Santa the long Imagined Saint icholas his child Albert Paine a friend and admirer of Nasi said ihe artist often revealed to him his love of the Santa Illustrations He later wrote In his bio graphy the cartoonist His own chldhood In has been measured by the yearly St Nicholas and girl hood of Ihe woman who was to become his wife Sarah New was intimately associated wilh brilliant and joyous celebrations children later recalled there wos ways multitude of paper dolls marvelo us ly big and elaborate race long since become ex Unci Time splendor And these the artistic lathermore than half a child himself the Christmas season a rranged In process loas and cavalcades gay pageants that marched in and about those larger presents that could not be into the row of stockings than hung by the family fireplace It a time of dor and rejoicing the festive blossoming of the winter season and was a beautiful and sturdy family thai made Merc Christmas not in the spacious New York home In Nasi day Ihe idea some sort of was new lo country He was introduced to North America by Ihe early Dutch set tiers and his name was St The annual visit of this kind man who was Ihought to have been a lourlh century bishop was his feast day Dec ember Gin Washington Irving as describing Santa as small Dutch citizen looked much like Knicker Irving wondered how the poor old man could get to all the homes in growing America on his horse so he invented the famous reindeer drawn sleigh Hello little one was title Tor this Tamed drawing or iianta by Thomas Tram Harper Weekly a noted century political cartoonist was the firm to Illustrate Santa as a beared red nosed jolly old man whose rotund was clothed fn a fur trimmed red suit Fire safety for Christmas A Happy Christmas lights at bedtime or when can change in a few leaving the house moments a family tragedy warns fire prevention officer Larry Brassard in homes where fire safety pre cautions are neglected Such precautions should head the list of every sensible pre parations for Christmas he says Mr Brassard urges the public to exercise special care in the setting up and decora l ions of Christmas trees If plans call for a natural tree It should be bought fresh and green and kept outdoors or in an unhealed garaged before being brought Into home for decorating Then one or two inches should be cut diagonally from the butt and the tree should be set up w the bull in walcr which be maintained above level or the cut Strings of lights should be carefully checked for worn in broken plugs or loose bulb sockets Only Approved lighting sets and only able decorations should be used Declare Ihe Iree a no- smoking area and keep matches out of the hands of children Do not allow discarded gill wrappings to at cumulate under the tree Dispose of Ihem as soon as the gifls arc opened a green tree will hum if ignited by burning paper around the base set up the tree away from heal sources such fireplaces TV sets or radiators Do not allow it tn block access to doors or windows in the event of fire Switch off iree Know what Wassail means This ancient word familiar to us from song and story comes from the AngloSaxon words Hal which means be whole or in re modern terms Good Health It was used as a toast before lifting one glass and extension came to mean a drinking song From Everyone At 8531421 We truly hope your stockings will be lied lop with gifts of joy hope and love Our thanks Glonleo drug mart St E Acton Extending special thanks and hoping that the treasured moments you share with those you love will bring you much happiness and joy Management and Staff TORONTO DOMINION BANK to in to all M ACTON MOTORS Main St South Acton your holiday bill tare includes largo portions HEALTH WEALTH and HAPPINESS Thanks to all RESTAURANT 8530300 for old ChrUtmaa Joy and flunk you for ths of Mrving our valued friend MANAGEMENT AND STAFF Canadian Imperial Bank of Com more