The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

ife* vi- •!y OlitsW Treat Santa to Surpr c i -~ jk^ % ises As a certain white-bearded, u i °^ gentleman makes • nls rounds on Christmas Eve, delivering " happy surprises 'to children the world over, he may look forward to being, in turn, surprised. Jn the legend and lore of Christmas, giving to Santa is a time-honored tradition, with the gifts usually taking the form of food or beverage. Today, many families encourage children to be generous, by observing the custom of setting out treats for ' Santa -- perhaps somp rnndy, a dish of cookies, a glass of milk. Through the ages, the giftgiver now known as Santa Claus has been called by many different names, but Santa's predecessors, like Santa himself, were often greeted with special treats. Filling Pockets In Italy, Befana is the giftgiver who preceded Santa. She took her name from the name for Twelfth Night -- Epiphania, or Epiphany -- and brought her gifts on Epiphany Eve, January 5th. To make ready for Befana, tradition says, Italian children empty their pockets and hang up their clothes. Then into each pocket goes a surprise -- something good to eat. After taking out the treats, Befana refills each pocket with gifts for the children. Guarding the Home Sweden has an unusual gift-giver -- it's a goat! According to tradition, the Yulbock or Yule goat comes to the door of Swedish homes on Christmas Eve and tosses the family's gifts through the doorway. Another legendary guest at Swedish holiday celebrations is Tomte, a kind-hearted elf who guards the home. A dish of food is placed In a quiet corner, so that Tomte may feast as he secretly observes the family fun. Enjoying Pudding | J In Denmark and/Norway the legendary gootfspirit of the house is Nisse, who watches over home and farm and is sometimes said to be the gift-bringer, too. His Christmas treat, the rice pudding traditional at Scandinavian holiday feasts, is placed beside the kitchen door or, on farms, in the hayloft. Treating the Donkey Today's Santa relies on his reindeer for transport, but the gift brihgers of yester- BEST WISHES FOM A MERRY ^ CHRISTMAS McHenry Letter Service 1212 A N. Green Sfreet McHenry year had other anjlmal helpers, who usually |shared in the holiday giving and receiving. In Holland, for instance, legend says that St. Nicholas arrives early -- on St. Nicholas Eve, December 5th--riding a white donkey. ^For the refreshment of the good saint's donkey, children stuff their shoes with hay and set out a dish of water. Carrots and a potato are sometimes added. Feeding the Horses Twelfth Night is, in Spanish tradition, the time for giving gifts, and the traditional giftf-irearers are the Wise Men, who as they journey each year to Bethlehem bring gifts for good children. To feed the Wise Meli's horses on their long pilgrimage, Spanish children fill their shoes with straw and set them on balconies or window ledges. Santa's Moving To Take Lead As Gift-Giver More and more, Santai biK * comes the favored gift-giv^ er in countries around the world, replacing a host of legendary figures who were said $> bring gifts ftt this.: same season of the year, m Gift-giving time, too, fctf, now more likely to be Christy mas Eve, although the trat-; ditional date in European countries once ranged from St. Nicholas Eve, December 5th, to Epiphany Eve, Janu* ary 5th. Among the many who the trend for Santa Claus is the German gift-giver, Kris Kringle. The name is a varir ation of Christkind^--not thp Infant Jesus himself, but his messenger who came to e^irth. at Christmastime. - Christkind was represent-? ed by a child dressed in white robes, with a crown and wings of gold. * In Japan, the traditional gift-giver is a native/god, Hoteiosho. Represented as a kindly old man with a pack on his back, he is much like visions of the traditional Santa. He is said to hefre eyes in the back of his head, the better; to see whether boys and girls have been naughty or nice. In Yugoslavia, Grandfather Frosty -- "Dede Mraz" fireplaces Santa Claus; The Yugoslavian trend> is to combine Christmas and New Year holidays, and celebrate them together with Grandfather Frost Day. Lighting the Way Light and Christmas go together, for the deepest meaning of the holiday represents Christ, the Light of the world. From the bonfires and candles of yesteryear to the twinkling electric ornaments of today, light symbolizes Christmas. According to Irish legend, a candle should always be placed in the window on Christmas Eve. Each Christmas, it was said, Christ wanders the earth in search of a welcome, and a candle should light the way. Many Wise Men? AnsuterfAte Three wise men? ' M New Testament stories of the Nativity, only St. Matthew tells of "wise men from the east" -- and how many wise men followed the star to the manger is not stated. The tradition that there were three probably comes from St. Matthew's description of three gifts -- (sold, frankincense and myrrh. Another explanation for the number three is/the Legend that the wise ^nen-sym^ bolized all humanity, in turn represented by the races of Shem, Ham and Japhet, according to the editors of The New Book of Knowledge. Early traditions mentioh varying numbers of wise men. Twelve was the number traditional in the Eastern church, while in the West, mosaics and paintings showed sometimes two, sometimes three, four or more wise men. During the sixth century, the idea that there were three came to be generally accepted. In legends, the wise men were given names: Melhior, Gasper, Baltasar. Although St. RIathew did not use the name "Magi," he implied it when he wrote of "wise men," for "magi" was commonly used in Palestine to mean "great, illustrious." Today, Nativity scenes show three wise men or Magi present at the manger along with the shepherds, who hastened to Bethlehem on the^night Christ was born. Some historians, however, believe that the visit of the Magi didn't take place until much later,--'perhaps a year or even two years after the, birth of Christ. " WERE GENERAL 4 Most of the popular Christmas cards of the later 19th century in Europe had ricfc particular Christmas significance. There were some manger scenes and others of re^1 ligious nature, but these weret far outnumbered by landr. .scapes, flowers, kittens, an<^ similar subjects. || o ASA It's Christmas ... season "of peace and joy. May its many blessings be yo&rs to share, always. Althoff'g Plumbing & Heating 903_N;Tront Street 385-5700 Fresh! Festive! Thrifty! Holiday Fruits and Vegetables! IO-OZ. TUBE FRESH TOMATOES FLORIDA TANGERINES 210 SIZE DOZ. Y CHRISTMAS! Good cheer to our wonderful friends and customers. We're grateful to one and all. EVs Beauty Salon 3813 W. Main McHenry o O 0 ICBI tins ©yr thoughts at this time give _ ro§@ to many wishes... brigW Christmas wishes for you and your family. May this be the happiest, most fun-filled holiday y©ufwa ever had. And for your patronage, our thanks! / ee & Ray Electric McHenry, III. PLOU CALIFORNIA NAVEL ORANGES JUMBO 88-SiZE 10 FOR 69 FRESH RIPE "U a a ri\cjn mrc 00 Strawberries 00 10 Grade A Eating! Holiday Turkeys from A&P! 20 to 24-LB SIZE 10tol4-lb. SIZE 6 to 9-lb. SIZE Other Poultry Values Long Island 4 to 6-lbs. Oven Ready DUCKS Oven Ready R0ASTII Oven Ready FANCY CAPONS Oven Ready FANCY GEESE CHICK: IS 6 to 8-lb. Avg. 10 to 14-lb. Avg. lb. lb. FRESH OYSTERS STEWINt Seafood Values 8-oz. size 79 12-oz. $111 8-oz. size 12-oz. size 89* t]2l I Cooked & Peeled COCKT AIL SHRIMP 1 Cop't John's ' ^ : ' SHRIMP COCKTAIL "Noon Hour" ICHEAM HERRING "Royal Snack" . HERRING Sauc"e* 1-lb. , ,ba® 1414 .ox. » Jars 12-02. .Jar 20-oz. Jar UKrfKMtrMI RIB ROAST 4fh £k 5th RIBS 1st fflhru 3rd Hebs lb. 99c If SEMI-BONE HAMS Super-Right WHOLE Super-Right Quality 8-LB. *679 Super-Right Quality PUR" Super-Right--Fully Cooked 9- SHANK PORTION A&P s Allgood Brand Super-Right Quality mm BAC 5«c COPYRIGHT ft 1968, THE GREAT ATLANTIC «• PACIFIC TEA Ctf^lNC. V* Pork Loin Sliced 9 to I I Chops Jane Parker 8-Inch Size MINCE PIE HOLIDAY COFFEE €ME BAKED ROLLS MASK CAKE J The Great Atlantic & Pacific TeaJCo. Inc Jane OA# These Prices Effective thru Dec. 24, 1968 Parker ea. O# S8& \0 your holiday stepping list... a In Poly Bag Jane Parker bag of 10 or Pound Jane Parker 14ft. TWIN PACK JAGK-0-LANTERN ASP BRA YAMS 29-oz. 12-oz. cans con Chunks Simply shop A&P where Plaid Stamps are issued with every purchase-- our way of saying "Thank You"for your patronage. Slices Crushed iiiii A£P Orand Brantf Poultry Seasoning Page i-oz. jjt stuffed Olives Sultai 9VJ-OZ 10-oz. Sultana Brand 69c Garden Relish TLj_ 1M*--j.- Chocolate Covered 49c Hot Mustard I nin minis Ann Page pkgz 49c Salad Dressing P172L TOPPING , , / i 8-0?. W. JftfltHm CiOmUP ON BTt. OF 25 WITH COUPON BELOW 35-OZ S1Z£ WITH COUPON 8SLOW 6%-OZ. CAN wnr« COUPON BEtOW WmM SAVE 10« SAVE 9< SAVE 20 * SAVE 23< ALKA SELTZER M- at of 25 40 With this coupon and any purchase at any Chicago Unit AAP ftore thru Dec. 24, 1968 CREAM C 8-oz. pk0. ; With this coupon and any Ptttchi at any Chicago Unit A&P store thru Dec. 24. 1968, JOHN'S PIZZA THEARf ERICAN llEfflMSE A'/i-ox. Frozen 15-oz. size With this coupon and any purchase With thii coupon and any purchase at any Chicago Unit AtP store thru Dec. 24; 1968 at any Chicago Unit A4P store thru Dec. 24. 1968 SAVE 20< AND FAMOUS AMERI SAVE 10< SAVE 9 i SAVE 23<