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Christmas Traditions ~ H»e Christmas Tree - The custom of decorating small evergreen trees at Christ­ mas began in Germany. One legend suggests that St. Boniface, the English missionary to Germany in the eighth century, started the custom. He is said to have replaced the pagan worship of a sacred oak with a young evergreen tree adorned to symbolize the new faith. The Christmas tree arrived in America before it reached England. Hessian soldiers in the employ of "George III decorated trees during the American Revolution. And even earlier, German settlers in P e n n s y l v a n i a w e r e decorating Christmas trees with lights, sweets and colored paper. » The Christmas tree became part of the t r a d i t i o n a l E n g l i s h celebration only after the marriage of the German Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. Hie Mistletoe - Ancient Druids (pagan Celtic priests) believed mistletoe had medicinal powers and was sacred. They thought it brought good fortune. The house in which it hung was magically protected from witchcraft. One early Christian source compares mistletoe to a link between heaven and earth since it grows in trees and never touches the ground. Mistletoe was also con­ sidered the plant of peace, and under it enemies in ancient Scandinavia met and reconciled their differences. From this ceremony came the English custom of kissing beneath the mistletoe - the one tradition involving mistletoe that has survived to the present. The Christmas Wreath - In 1444, evergreen boughs were used as Christmas decorations in the streets of London. And in sixteenth- century Germany, branches of fir or spruce were in­ tertwined in a circular shape. This symbolized the love of God which has no beginning and no ending. The wreath was laid on a table. On each of the four Sundays of Advent a candle was attached to the wreath. There are many legends about the origin of the Christmas wreath. One tells of a young girl of Bethlehem who wept because she had nothing to bring the Christ Child but a crown of holly leaves. The Babe touched the crown. The leaves gleamed and scarlet berries appeared where her tears had fallen. Hie Christmas Candle - Medieval Christ ians believed that on Christmas Eve the Christ Child wan­ dered through town and countryside in search of those who believed in Him. On that night they placed candles at their windows to guide Him through the darkness to their homes. It was also customary to welcome any stranger who might be drawn to the door by the flickering candlelight. The Poinsettia - This Christmas flower was discovered in Mexico in 1828 by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Cuttings were sent to Robert Buist, a botanist in Philadelphia, who sent specimens to the botanical gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland. Poinsett visited John C. Fremont in California; he may have introduced the plant there. The people of Mexico and Central America call the poinsettia "Flor de la Noche Buena", Flower of the Holy Night, because it reaches full bloom at Christmas. The First Christmas Card - - Christmas 1843 was a historic time in London. "A Christmas Carol", just published by Charles Dickesn, was bringing a tender tear to the eyes of thousands of readers. And an English gentleman, Sir Henry Cole, was having an artist . friend design a Christmas greeting to send to his friends. It was to be the first Christmas card. The design, by John Calcott Horsley, was lithographed in black and white and then coioreti by hand. About a thousand copies were produced. It took 30 more years, however, for Christmas cards to become popular. They were first introduced in the United States in the late 1870's. v n / M O H TrueStoryZ -January, 1979 Mr. X of McHenry bought eyeglasses from someone else costing him $106.00 and waited 6 weeks for delivery. June, 1990 Mr. X came to McHenry Opticians, bought glasses costing him $44.00 and waited, only 26 minutes! Try5 "Sm the difference I Mr. X saved $62 and you'll bo $$$ ahead too."- McHENRY OPTICIANS 1301 Riverside Dr. McHenry (Acron from Fox Hol«) Illinois 385-9240 PAGE3-PLAINDEALER TUESDAY. DECEMBER 13. IMS BIRTHS HOSPITAL NOTES Holiday Beauty Abounds Derrick and Linda Rosinski, 7118 Seminole drive, Wonder Lake, an­ nounce the birth of their first daughter on Dec. 15. Paula Corinne was born in vfcHenry hospital and weighed 7 lbs., U oz. The baby girl was welcomed home by her brother, Christopher, age three. Maternal grandparents are Marvin and Marian Olson of McHenry. Daniel and Patricia Rosinski of McHenry are the paternal grandparents. Eric James is the name chosen for the first child, a son, born to Jim and Joy Boarini, 3010 N? Lakowood drive, Maplewood, Minn. The infant was born Dec. 21, in Abbot-Northwestern hospital, Minneapolis, where his mother teaches nursing. Maternal grandparents are Jim and Betty Het- termann of Johnsburg. Jim and Peg Boarini of Pistakee Hills are the paternal grandparents. < Mrs. Peg Idstein of Chicago is the paternal great-grandmother. MCHENRY Admissions: Sandra Messer and Violet Abbink, both of McHenry. WOODSTOCK Admissions: Mrs. Maria Pintozzi and Judith Hamilton, both of McHenry; Dale Schiller of Wonder Lake. My wife manages to find something positive in every­ thing. This morning 1 said, "The car battery is dead." She said, "Well, at least it didn't linger." RECIPE By Sank Aim SkorMu These recipes make ex­ cellent small gifts for neigh­ bors and friends as well as tasty tidbits for your enter­ taining. Glased Nats and Fralts r Vi c white corn syrup '/a c sugar Vi T hot water Boil all ingredients until syrup brittles in cold water. Keep hot in double boiler. Dip nuts and fruits one at a time and lay on oiled paper. Tnttf Fnrittl Balb Put through the food chopper Vi pound each of layer figs, seeded raisins, pitted dates and pecans or almonds; also 2 ounces of candied orange peel. Blend all together and put through chopper again, using the finest blades until the mix­ ture is as smooth as possible. Form into balls the size of a cherry, moistened with syrup from canned fruit if mixture is too stiff. Thicken with tolled and sifted macaroons if too soft. Dip in melted chocolate. s* >" One of the most beautiful holiday displays in McHenry produced this colorful scene at the Robert Kllday home, 3712 W. St. Paul's avenue, McHenry. Leading the way atop the house is Santa with his reindeer, spotlighted as well as framed in a roof outlined with smaller lights. On the ground, In a MMMMMIM1 snowy setting, are catollers to the left, and reindeer and other Christmas characters to the right, in front of a brightly lighted and decorated workshop of Santa, with Mrs. Santa standing outalde. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD I gave up woodworking when I found out the wood just lays there. The one who does the work is YOU! 'Fast Foto DRIVE-IN FILM & PROCESSING SAVE - TIME - GAS & MONEY. FAST PHOTO m McHENRY mvfii"Whty °,^Ro"„of Fi!:P . lor Processing & Receive. ONE ROLL-f R EE- 12 Exposure Fuji Film Save up to $1.99 Offer Good Dec. 26 thru Jan. 6^ fAm M NO LIMIT Other Offers Do Not Apply Toward This Special BECAUSE A MEMORY ONLY HAPPENS ONCE. McHENRY 4400 W. Rte. 120 In the Market Place ROUND LAKE 655 Railroad Ave.»Rte. 134 x Refrigerator * Freezer x]Micro-Wave Oven JL Range *1 Clothes Washers & Dryers 13 Microwave Cart & Accessories FOR DAD UDishwasher Eureka & HOOVER Vacuums Westbend Humidifiers Electric Portable Heaters IS Batteries Loe & Ray Electric 1005 N. FRONT (SOUTH RTE. 31) McHENRY, IL. 385-0882 •# How To McHeiry Plaindealer The McHenry Plaindealer 3812 W. Elm Street McHenry, II. 60050 Q 2 Years • $25.00 (Best Buy) • l Year $13.50 • 6 Months - $7.50 D Payment Enclosed Name. Addrets. City. J Prices good in McHenry J County. 'mi JT'S /I j 8""9 your °®e.;\23 4 24 I P'esent th,< P"rch°»o* tk H 1 " h i c " ( l ) ' o > * l l l W r ° P i y<h°'9.d ,h. ,-»•"°u*.... » V , I 'J of liw ono t0fl | 1 1 \ A W ' * mm. • wl file We reserve the right to limit quantities while they last Sale beer not iced. PRICES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 25-21 OLD MILWAUKEE | BUDWEISER WALKERS IVODKAI WALKER! KINI 12 OZ. CANS CANS |KAYSER| GERMAN CRAWFORD •SCOTCH! WHISKEY •29 1.75 LITE 7 SO ML LITER •fmm i'-'/ZM W / M {'•'/////j AMARETTO I i m "J 88 25 OZ. BABY CHAM FRUIT WINE 750 Ml 01SARRONNO ROSE IBOXI OPEN CHRISTMAS I EVE 7AM 10PM CHRISTMAS DAV 9AM 5PM