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

8 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 30, 1993 "Christmas Entertainment and Gift Guide" Story tells the history and legend of Christmas trees Each year three million Ca- nadian families bring a natural Christmas tree into their homes to become the warm and glow- ing centre of their Christmas celebration. The tradition en- dures year after year, but how did it get started? Historians have traced count- less roots that grew into our present day custom of using a Christmas tree. Legends tell of the decorated tree in winter cel- ebrations long before there was a Christmas. Egyptians brought palm branches into their homes in late December as a symbol of growing things. Romans trimmed trees with trinkets and topped them with an image of their Sun God to celebrate Sa- turnalia. Druid sorcerers hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice. In the middle ages, the feast of Adam and Eve was held on December 24. A fir tree hung with red apples called the Pata- dise tree was its symbol. It is generally agreed, howev- er, that the use of an evergreen tree as part of the Christian Christmas celebration started Enjoy a real tradition Shop # Ample Parking 9:00am to 5:00pm Murcott's Tree Farm 662 Townline Road (905) 655-3295 CHRISTMAS TREES Fun for the Entire Family! '# Hayrides # Refreshments '# Free Tree Balling # Craft HELP SUPPORT BROOKLIN DISTRICT LIONS PROCEEDS TO CANINE VISION CANADA Weekends December 4 to December 18 1 mile north of Ashbum Village |-- z For more information or for weekday visits please call the faim at from over 20,000 top quality groomed 6-12 Scotch Pine, White Spruce & White Pine. morcor Tree Farm N A--Tromie ra 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most of northern Eu- rope by the 19th Century. The Christmas tree custom was first introduced in Canada in 1781 in Sorel, Quebec, by Baron Friederick von Riedesel. The Baron, who brought the custom from his native Germa- ny, cut down a balsam fir from the dense forest surrounding his home and decorated it with white candles. A few years later, in the 1790s, the custom spread to On- tario. After the War of Indepen- dence in the United States, many German speaking set- tlers, including Mennonites, re- mained loyal to King George be- - cause of his German connections. They headed to Canada, bringing the Christ- mas tree custom with them to their settlements in Kitchener. Toronto was the next to adopt the custom when in the late 1790s a group of Lutherans, Pennsylvania "Deutsch" and Mennonites helped found the communities of Markham, Uni- onville and Stouffville and, of course, made the Christmas tree the focus of their Yuletide celebrations. For many Canadian families, that celebration now extends beyond the home to the tree farm where choosing and cutting their own tree has be- come a fun-filled tradition. Warmed by the anticipation of the days ahead, they enjoy the process of searching the woods for that perfect tree amid the music, festivities and good cheer ofthe tree farmer. The enduring evergreen is a symbol which embraces all mankind. It remains a firmly established part of our holiday customs, engaging not only our senses of sight, touch and smell, but also our sense of tradition and the spirit of Christmas Past. Christmas Shopping For Little Ones... visit 197 Queen St., Port Perry 985-9982 - Fashionable, quality kidswear ~ infant to size 16 ~ Esprit, Beatrix Potter, Kathy Dresses, NoNoNo, Bravo & More How to select and care for your tree Nothing compares to a real Christmas tree, grown right here in Ontario, to enjoy during the holiday season. The look, the scent and the feel of a natural tree are inte- gral parts of the warm, homey atmosphere of our most festive season. To ensure that your tree adds more charm than needles to your Christmas decor, here are a few tips from the Christmas Tree Growers Association of Ontario, Inc. on buying the freshest tree you can find and how to keep it that way. What to take When heading out to choose Just the right tree for your home, dress warmly. Make cer- tain that each family member has warm, dry footwear, over- coat, mitts or gloves and a hat. A saw is recommended to cut your tree. Saws are safer and easier to use than axes and will cut the trunk of your tree more cleanly. Many tree farms will provide you with a saw for use while you're there. Selection The most popular tree availa- ble to consumers in Ontario are ENTERTAINING BUYS FOR YOUR oa P * 8 TELS WHOLESALE PRICES ON BRAND NAME FACTORY SECONDS Scotch pine (medium length needles), spruce (short, sharp needles) and balsam fir (soft, ar- omatic needles). Whatever your preference, pick a tree with strong green color and noticeable fragrance. Care Store the tree in a sheltered but unheated area such as a porch or garage until ready to use. When you bring the tree in- doors, cut about one inch off the butt end to open the tree stem and allow water intake. Place the tree in a stand that holds a generous supply (2-3 gallons) of water and top it up daily. If the water drops below the end of the trunk, the stem may reseal itself and require a fresh cut. Keep the tree away from all sources of heat and drying, in- cluding radiators, furnace ducts, television sets, fireplaces and windows with direct expo- sure to the sun. Remove the tree within two to four weeks. After that amount of time in a heated building, Turnto Page 9 HAND HELD MEAT & VEGETABLE 200 g per unt $320 6 per pO. INTRODUCTORY PRICE 8" TORTIERE PREBAKED REGULAR HORS-D'OEUVRE SAUSAGE ROLLS PREBAKED 450 g. $4 50, per pkg. 16%, 4000. Asst. Varieties $ 00 cach 3%. "SPECIAL SHEPHERDS PIE -17s O05 vc a 3 MOTHER JACKSON'S OPEN KITCHENS LIMITE BUSINESS HOURS | I |aveenst - MON-FRI. 10-6 2 CHECK OUT OUR sa Shsotonna | ff | IN-STORE Post Peny 2 | SPECIALS Extended store hours beginning Dec. 1st