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Sec. 2 * Plaindealer- Mon. Dec. 23,1968 LETTERS Many Problems During Holidays . Christmas gifts of food may be difficult to keep fresh until the family can eat them, so count on • your freezer to help solve your • problem. ^ Be sure to re-wrap j fancy breads and rolls in aluminum foil or saran-type wrap, or slip them into a polyethylene bag for freezing. " * ; When fruit - cake is tightly jsvrapped or kept in a can and frozen, it will keep indefinitely. | Package nuts in moisture- Jvapor-proof freezer wrap or Jwill keep in the freezer about jsix months, unsalted nuts from $ to 12 months. ; Almost all candies keep fresh for a year or longer when frozen and kept at 0 degrees F. When -you take the candy from the freezer, don't remove the wrap "until the candy has warmed to room temperature. Cheese will keep for some Jime in the refrigerator, but mold will form if kept too long. Freezing will preserve cheese for; six months or longer, although the texture may change somewhat. When you are ready to use the frozen cheese, thaw it in its wrapper in the refrigerator. Once it is thawed, let it stand at room temperature an hour before serving. Hams, other smoked andprocessed meats like sausage, smoked turkey and smoked fish are all perishable and should be treated like fresh meat, refrigerating immediately and using as soon as possible. If you cannot use them within a/short period, freezing will preserve them. Be sure to wrap these meats and fish in moisture-vapor-proof material such as freezer foil to keep out the oxygen that hastens rancidity. Polyethylene bags do not provide sufficient protection. Canned hams should be stored in the refrigerator, where they will keep for an indefinite period. It's best not to freeze canned hams, since freezing will change the texture and may cause the container to burst. TO SANTA | The following letters to Santa are printed just as received: "Dear Santa Claus: "Please bring me a Belly blast off set. With the back pack and space scouttractor and carrier sled. Space car, lunar crawler, gun and radar scope and a strange change machine and a pair of poller skates for the rink with a toe stop and a good pairofslds. "Love •" \ "Jim.Liss - 9 y' "And a book on Judo^atid a johney surves and a hot wheel." "Dear Santa: "For Christmas this year I would like to have you bring me: road race set, hopn popp^, fascination, robot, floor piincher, small guitar. "Chuck Wilde "3416 W. fairway Dr." "Dear Santa: "I would lite a hockey game, slippers, gumby game, hot wheels. I was a good boy. Hiank you jj'Mike Sabatka "4605 Crystal Lake Rd. "Age 4" "Dear Santa Claus "I want a easybakeoVen.anda boll. 1 "Kim Bad" Treosured^jToday ;jn the preparation of illuminated manuscripts, a mas-e tec artist often set the style . for copyists and assistants to follow, since even the deco- AVtton of an initial letter could be a major project. V A single letter might occupy an entire page, and a complete scene or miniature painting might be contained within the boundaries of, for instance, an initial "C" or "D." Some manuscripts, in fact, represent the work not only of more than one artist but of more than one generation of artists. ' Today, illuminated manuscripts are treasures of libraries and museums, and rightly so, for throughout a thousand years of Christian history, the art of illumination brought an extra dimension of beauty to manuscripts that are, in themselves, precious works of art. ESTABLISHING CRIB Though legend says that St. Francis of Assisi first introduced the Christmas crib in the 13th century, history records that the first manger scene was created by Pope Liberius in 354 A.D. mzm m % To all, a wish for a Christmas richly blessed with pence and joy. And to our patrons, our heartfelt thanks for the privilege of serving you. \ Acenardware gftwtn ' ;%'v'v"De *•4605 Crystal Lake Rd. ' TnTr •«I want a talking Barbie and some clothes for Barbie and a house for her. Vanity set, Cheer Full-Tear Full, Feeley Meeley, Organ, Kiddles, Peg a lite set. Clothes for . me size 7. I have been a pretty good girl. ".Linda Ficken "6601 Route 120 \ . "McHenjjy, 111." "Dear Santa Claus, . "I love you here are the things I want for Christinas, "Love Pamela Hanna "Suit case for clothes, Ice skates, Hands down, Typewriter Snow cone machine, bubble gum machine, poppin Hoppies, Lite Brite, Christmas Pin, Spirograph, Kerplunk, Nail Polish Kit, Toiletry Set, Sister Bath Set, Nurse outfit. Honey bear. The lite up mirror with desk, a diamond Ring Cuddley Duddley, Story kin doll, organ, ladybug hairdryer, perfume, jewelry box, flower pin shoulder purse, date book 1969, suit case for work." "Dear Santa Claus, "Could you be kind enough to bring these toys such as, kiddle doll, soapy siddle, Walking Baby Jill, Talking Barbie, New Born Thumbilina, Doll carriage, knitting Jenny, poppin hoppies - game, Barbie game, Mystery date game, Cindy Doll, first formal for a Barbie. A stuft snake. "Love Patricia Tonyan" DearSanta:- <1 would likg Spill the Beans, 'Tommy Turtle, Hats Off and' clothes. I am six years old. "RichardRobert Hupe" ••Dear Mrs. and Mr. Santa Claus •{Nurse Kit - Margaret Adams ••Matt Adams wants': "1. Rudy Robot "2. Farm \ " ••3. Play doh . •»4. Blackboard and chalk •:! , • • ~ ' ' ••Dear Santa: "pve been a good girl. Would you please bring jne a Barbie Doll, a little kiddle and a baby bed. "Merry Christmas "Annette Johnson" ^ \ ---- V ' "dear Santa Claus: "Pve been a real good boy. "Would you please bring me a real big Choo Choo train, a ' record played and a fire engine Merry Christmas. "Eric Johnson" ' r, "Dear Santa: Baby Small walk, Baby Small Talk, Baby Party, Tiny Baby Magic, Tippy Tumbles, Movie Camera, Talking Telephone, Crayons. "Rhonda Pechart/^ "2120 S. Crystal Lake RdJ|> "Dear Santa Claus: "I want Lite Brite, Hats off, Bug-a-boo and a electric trfdn and 64 colors in a box., V« / "Love ' > ?; "Michael Sharp" •/;<V C 68-MAT PAGE 28 ACTING OUT THE STORY OF THE NATIVITY, >oung*ters play the role of angels in llif Clirislmas pugeunt at Si. Croix, Virgin Islands. Traditional wherever the holiday is celebrated, the Christ-, mas pageant has history in religious drama. Photo Hy Henle--- Photo Researchers ; from editors of Enryi-lopedia Americana; In Medieval Dramas "From Donna Peterson "I would fitte a battery operated organ, and prcioois Baby." "Dear Santa Claus: " I want strange change machine and rockem sockem robots and I want Johnny Egress. "JeffRad" • •' : c•; -r •• S •: 5 "?rom:. Diane Weber, To Sapta • Clause"? -f*} .. . . "2801 West Lincoln Road/'1 McHenry, Hi. "Green stroller, New born thumbelina baby and layette" "Dear Santa: "I have tried hard to be good so please bring me some thing nice for Christmas. I hope you have a very nice Christmas too. "Diane Kitterman "5203 Beacon Hill Dr." "Dear Santa Claus "I want trucks for Christmas and a coloring book and crayons to. You told me to wright to you when I went to see you Sunday, December 8, 1968, so will you please give me those three things for Christmas Thank you. "Sign Jimmy Butler. "First grade, 6 years old." "Dear Santa: "I would like some Silly Sand, a basket for my bike, Hoppin- Poppin game and a gumby game. I was a good girl. Thank you "Dear Santa: "I have tried hard to be good so please bring me a lot of presents and I will try to be gooder and gooder and when Christmas comes I will get a lot of presents and when I open my presents I will see that I have ben good and you will see that I have ben good and you will see that I was telling the truth, and I hope that you have a ferry merry chrismis. "Debbie Kitterman "5203 Beacon Hill Dr." * Decorating Trees The gaily decorated tree sb much a part of Christmas has its counterpart in trees v. adorned with colorful trin- ^-xets during the ancient feasts of the winter equinox. This pagan custom of decorating evergreens became associated with Christmas observances, and legends linfc it to the birth of Jesus. One such story says that on the night of the Nativity, all the wpodland trees burst into bloom and bore fruit. Singing Carols With voices lifted in harmony for "Silent Night," "The First Noel" and other beloved songs, today's carolers carry on a Christmas custom that originated centuries ago. In the fourth centur^AXt, St. Basil was praised with a musical poem in honor of the fight for Christianity over the Byzantine emperor Jul- X $605 Crystal "Lake Rd. I was ian. Later in Greece, legends " * ' * 0f st. Basil were set to music and sung at Christmas and the New Year. St. Francis of Assisi led the villagers of Grecchio in singing hymns of praise to the Christ Child when in the 13th century he created a manger scene in this ^talian town. "Dear Santa: "I would like a hockey game, • silly sand, j?ie face, long handle bars and a banana seat. a "good boy. Thank you Santa. "Timothy Sabatka" "Dear Santa Claus "Please send me Strange Change mach., Hot Wheels, Curve set and Stunt Action Set. Cuddley Duddley and jet plane. Some Hot Wheel Cars, The Ford J. Car and Hot Heap and Custom Volkswagen. "Richard Sund" Deserts cover about onefourth of the world's land surface. As young actors and actresses of this community rehearse their roles for their special Christmas play or pageant, they take part in a custom treasured through the ages. _ Since the Christmas story first was told, mankind has sought and found countless ways to create it again andanew, in song and story, in art and drama. The modern Christmas pageant, a feature of church observances in communities near and far, may well trace its history to early religious dramas -- the mystery, miracle and morality plays of the Middle Ages. Where did church drania actually begin? One possibl source is the tradition of the Christmas crib or manger^ scene, but scholarly research indicates that medieval religious drama probably' had other, separate origins, according to the editors of Encyclopedia Americana. {taster Plays Came First Representations of the manger scene began with the use of doll figures, and history offers no evidence that people were ever substituted for the dolls. Living "actors" did, however, play a part in some early elaborations of church rituals. In the 10th century, special chants written to accompany church music on festival occasions began to take "the form of simple dialogues. These were little more than dramatic ^inserts .in jthe church services, but here, researchers believe, religious plays had their start. Easter dialogues and playlets probably came first, with Christmas plays developing as a natural result. Other religious dramas or mystery plays soon followed, until there were series or cycles of YES We Have Them. Here Ice Cubes and Crrasfeed lee Fo? Your Christmas Party OPEN 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 ptah. CHRISUMAS BAY HOLLY'S Texaco Service Station 3307 West Elm Street llVu7]YiWiWijgMw 1/ We've peeked in upon the setting for your very festive Christmas and couldn't help adding our Thank You for your fine patronage and a Merry Christmas greeting to all! Morries Citgo Service 4502 W. Rt. 120 ' 385-2266 ^eace. on eartb * * plays devoted^ to. telling the entire story of the Scriptures. Covered Many Subjects Mystery cycles of the 16th century included as many as* 40 dramas, which might be •resented' over a period of s^eral days. The cycles developed in virtually every European country. TypicaKplays dealt with such subjects^ "The Creation of the World and the Fall of the Angels," "Noah and the Flood," "The Annunciation," "The Passion of ^Christ," "The Death of Pilate," "The Resurrection and Ascension," "The Harrowing of Hell and the Coming of Antichrist." Along with the mystery cycles were miracle and morality plays. Miracle plays recounted the miracles of the saints, while the moralities presented allegorical messages of moral instruction, with characters personifying, for instance, Vice, the Devil or specific vices such as Gluttony, Pride, Anger, Hatred. Sending Greetings Perhaps even more than the giving of gifts, the seeding of Christmas greetings symbolizes the seasonal spirit of g0od will. The personal exchange of good wishes at holiday time is a custom that's older, probably,/ than Christmas itself. In gmcient winter festivals the renewal of the earth at the coming of spring was linked with the renewal of friendships. ' _ Though greetings and Christmas have long been associated, the printed greeting card is a relative newcomer to the Yule scene -- introduced little more than a century ago. Nowadays, Christmas greeting cards go out by the billions, carrying their messages of "happy holiday" and "best .wishes/1 In the glad tradition of sending greetings, today's edition of this newspaper presents the special greetings of local merchants, as they Express their good wishes and gratitude to customers and friends. Ringing Bells * - : Among the merry sights fifad sounds of Christmas, none is merrier than the ringing of bells. v v.x-< Since earliest- times, the pealing of bells has announced Important events, both happy and sad. The first use of bells to call Christians to worship took place, it's believed,&at Christmas in Italy,; about 400 AD. • Tradition once held that Christ was;born, exactly at midnight. In medieval Britain, church bells tolled sadly during the hour before midnight on Christmas Eve. On the stroke of 12, a joyous pealing •* announced the Miraple of Christmas. ' > Today, church-spire bells and carillons ring out the glad tidings of Christmas. COST WAS HIGH";: " , When Christmais greetings cards first came into their own in the IJnited' States, about 1875, some of the more elegant cards were encrusted with blown glass frosting and sold for as much as three dollars each. •@s we celebrate His Birth, we wish for you the blessings of friendship, love and understanding .. .the true spirit of Christmas. OrsolinVs Rte. 12 & 31 Richmond 678-6617 A full measure of joy is our Noel wish for you! Schooley's Standard 3522 W._ Elm St. McHehry 385-9832 le picture at Christmas time is a joyful one, and we hope it's especially so for you and your family. Thanks for your patronage! Photography by Gaylmwd 3812 W. Elm St. McHenry, Illinois 385-0170 'J < . * anx* e ti I# 3728 W. Elm McHenry M- re speeding you Christmas Greetings and^hope that they find you gathered together with your loved ones enjoying the peace and happiness of this most beautiful of seasons. Community Auto Supply 3021 W. Route 120 385-0778 McHenry A Child lies in a manger. A Star shines brightly upon the earth, reflecting the Jlory of His birth. May this eternal light of love snine into every heart, bringing peace to all men and a holy, happy Christmas to you and yours. 3722 W. Elm, McHenry Next To jewel Tea I## v TtS^