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Valentine's Day ; _haslong, 'saintly tradition Feb. 14is coming Lovers all over the world will be celebrating Valentine's Day, on Feb. 14, by sending cards and flowers to their loved ones. But according to various reference: sources, St. Valentine had nothing at all to do with lovers, in fact there were two saints of the name, both were martyred in Rome on Feb. 14, although many years apart, and neither were interested in the opposite sex. The tradition of setting aside a day especially for lovers, dates back to pre-Christian times. In Rome, on Feb. 14 which was the feast of Lupercalia honouring the god Faustus, or Pan, each young man drew the name of a girl from a love urn, and she would be his partner in the coming festivities. The custom was taken to Britain by the Romans, and it continued into Christian times. Chaucer mentioned in his writings the belief that birds choose a mate on St. Valentine's Day, and in some parts of Britain it is still a tradition that the first unattached young man a maiden sees on Feb. 14, will be her lover. By the 14th Century, the giving of a gift, usually a pair of gloves, ac- companied the drawing of a girl's name. The first mention of a paper valentine came in the 16th Century, and in 1669, a book of verses was published to help the inarticulate to write their own valentines. By the end of the 18th Century ar- lists were painting engraved cards, and when the penny post and en- velopes were introduced into Britain in 1840, the valentine card trade was well and truly launched. Victorian cards were very pretty, decorated with lace and tiny artificial flowers. Today, the card trade is as busy as ever, and although humorous and 'sick' cards are available, people in love still prefer the traditional cards with their sentimental verses. Naturally among the most popular of all flowers for Valentine are the spring flowers especially red tulips, golden daffodils, and the fragrant hyacinths. These harbingers of spring, report Canadian florists, are not bought by young people only. One man recently mentioned to his florist that this year he would be needing a special order of flowers. It seems that when he married, his wife told him how tulips had always represented to her the end of winter and the start of a new year. He bought her a dozen pink tulips in a pot for their first Valentine's Day of their marriage, and when the snows had gone, and the flowers had finished blooming, the young couple planted the bulbs in a special section of the garden. He continued the custom each year, and his wife had the pleasure every May, of seeing the flowers which had been sent to her for previous Valen- tines. This year they are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, and the special order is for 25 dark red tulips, which will later be planted in the heart of their Valentine garden. Tomorrow is their big day Beavers, raccoons and Indians will be among the cast of characters in tomorrow's. "Here's to You, Penetanguishene"' ice extravaganza by the Penetanguishene Figure Skating Club. The show, featuring more than 150 skaters from age four and up, will trace the history and ~ development of Penetanguishene. There'll be two performances, the first at 2 p.m., the second at 7:30. All have been located Three vehicle crash probed Over $2,500 in damage resulted from a traffic accident involving two cars and a pickup truck at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Midland Avenue in Midland last Sunday afternoon. Midland town police report that a car driven by Vincent Delorne, 23, of Robert ~-- Street, Penetanguishene, westbound on Elizabeth Street, collided with a pickup truck nor- thbound on Midland Avenue, being driven by Gail Downer, 39, of Hugel Avenue, Midland. The Downer vehicle further collided with a southbound car driven by Daniel McCormick, 18, of Yonge Street, Midland. Delorne has been charged with failing tu stop at a stop sign. Cabin fires quelled Midland firefighters quelled a cabin fire at the rear of 814 Yonge St., late Wednesday night but not before it could do considerable damage to the dwelling. A second cabin was also set aflame but damage was minor. Deputy Fire Chief Hal Belfry indicated. van- dalism leading to arson was behind the fires. The three adults and six juveniles reported missing to Midland police last year were all later located. So reports Police Chief Ernest Bates in his 1981 annual report, tabled Monday night at a regular meeting of Midland council. their evening rounds resulting in 229 premises, in all, being found insecure during the course of 1981. Meanwhile value of property reported stolen in Midland last year was listed at $233,630 while property reported recovered was set at In other police news ¢913 993. from last year, the chief 2 noted: some 275 We at H&R premises were checked GOT Block wish you a by officers on each of TAX REE Happy New Year PLA and would like 85 perfgent of ypur Petes ; r Draw ea 5 pnd the preparatio of a aid ; exerns winner prepaged ®t no extra cost. RR 1, + Midland, BEN resident Therese TAX REFU Drinkill is the winner of BUYING CE the Crystal Chapter No. 110 Dunlop St., 3, Midland draw, held Downtown Centre, Wednesday. Barrie 722-4122 eae sein DOMINION AVE. : next to post office) Be my valentine INCOME TAXS Open 9.a.m.-8p.m., weekdays 9-3 Sat. Phone 526-3001 There are few better ways to say "Be Room 102 My Valentine' than to send her a bouquet of brilliant red _ tulips. Children, like Kelly Matheson, also would enjoy yellow and candy striped tulips. If the gift is potted tulips, select flowers still in bud so she can watch the glorious blooms burst open and grow to their ripe magnificence. PENETANG 75 MAIN ST. Open 9 a.m. -5p.m., weekdays "9-1 Sat. Phone 5¢ 3323 OPEN at. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY REASONABLE RATES 10 to 18 Page 6, Friday, February 12, 1982