Lake Scugog Historical Society Historic Digital Newspaper Collection

Port Perry Star, 23 Dec 1974, p. 34

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10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- CHRISTMAS EDITION 1974 This headpiece, which takes up almost the entire breadth of the street, is typical of the Junkanoo costume worn by revellers af the Yuletide Junkanoo parades in the Bahamas. The costumes are made with colourful crepe papers. They are hand made and take months to complete. Junkanoo Festival in Nassau Boxing Day treat for visitors ASSAU. Bahamas -- Visi- tors who want to see this resort capital when it really goes native should be on hand for the tradition-rich Junkanoo Festival in the early morning hours of Boxing Day (Decem- ber 26) and New Year's Day. Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a holiday in the Baha- mas. And the day has nothing 0 do with the glove and the ring as the name might imply. [t's a traditional British holiday started centuries ago when English lords "boxed" their left-over Christmas goodies and gave them to servants on December 26. Junkanoo is a kaleidoscope of sound and spectacle combin- ing a bit of Mardi Gras, Mum- mer's Parade and ancient Afri- can tribal rituals. The celebration gets under- way at about 3 a.m., starting "over the hill" in Nassau's native quarter, The cowbell, goat skin drum and trumpet are key instru- ments, backed by the clicking and clacking of lignum vitae sticks, the staccato rattle of pebble-filled "shak-shaks™ and the xylophonic tinkle of steel drums, blending into the Afro- Bahamian beat known as "Goombay"". : But the real story on Junka- noo is the costumes. Partici- pants in the masquerade plan their attire months in advance and execute the costumes cafe- fully and with great secrecy. One legend has it that the festival was originated by a West African tribal chief named John Canoe. Another is that the term came from the French "gens inconnus™--un- known people--because of the masks worn by dancers which hid their identities. Nowadays no one seems to worry about the name or ori- gin of the custom. The people of Nassau are, instead, already preparing for the gaiety and the excitement of Nassau Junkanoo Festival. 3) 3 i YEAS MEH LER CAEN Christmas Trees For Ecology ... Many people believe that the cutting of trees for ¢ Christmas "robs" nature and destroys a portion of our forests each year, but the truth is that nearly three- quarters of such trees are raised specifically to be cut at Christmas- time. Most of the re- mainder are "thin- nings'--young trees cut in forests to improve the growth opportuni- ties for other trees. Forestry experts and nurserymen point out that young, growing trees give off more ox- ygen and absorb more carbon dioxide than mature ones, so that the cultivation of Christ- mas trees actually helps the ecology. In contrast, they say, the manufac- ture of artificial trees uses up valuable energy and natural resources, which are not recover- able. After Christmas, dis- carded trees can be used in various ways to benefit the environ- ment. Even if you live in a city, ecologists sug- gest, you can help by getting in touch with a local conservation or- ganization or commer- cial nursery. "Snow or No, It's Always "White Christmas" The traditional image of an outdoor Christmas scene brings to mind, for most of us, - the brilliance of sun- light on snow-covered fields and hills. But this is an idea that originated in the northern parts of Europe é iJ, vo SAW n Our good 0 wishes are on their way to you this 3 happy time . . . 3 Y ° 1 : erry ISIeEh ristmas CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE Ait Merry Christmas Ring ou, sing out hearty good wishes for holiday cheer. POPLAR PARK CHIASTMAS TIMIE Rt ] tet oh Feo oh a po and America--and of course it doesn't really apply to the climate in many parts of our country. In southern California, for instance, roses are blooming at Christmas--in- As carolers : : deed, we all know this if i $ng their only because of the famous i "ii i apy Ney aos "lose Boul May its arrival fill hearts, homes football game. And in Flor- ida, at Christmas time, there's apt to be a hot sun beaming down on sand. Christmas songs, we add our voices to wish you good cheer. with joy. Thanks for your confidence. D.C. MacMaster VETERINARIAN MAGIC OF MAGI Believed to have occult powers, the Wise Men were called Magi, the root of our words magic and magician. Magi were held to be magicians or soothsayers. They were also ancient priests who travelled far away to many lands in order to establish a following, MERRY Chwistmas Santa Claus is here to say we wish you PEACE ... AT CHRISTMAS That all may share peace, good will is our holiday wish. well in every way! And we appreciate We're joining these carolers in their ing abl : os being © io serve heartfelt refrain: Peace on carth ... good will toward men. Scason's best to all. To all, our special thanks. TYE GM. WILLIAMS] | esr 5 Luly & Smith © MOTORS LIMITED NURSING 1 HOME you . . . Thanks! With sincere wishes for a memorable holiday season goes our thanks for your friendship and trust. VALERIE BUTT ' H. Keith Ltd. Realtor | * §°

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