Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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McCORMICK MESSENGER. McCORMICK. S. C.. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1938 Second-Hand Toy Business Booms Again Discarded Playthings Pro vide Yule Cheer for Unfortunate Throughout America thousands of public spirited citizens are partici pating in a toy industry from which they make no money, but will bring them a greater payment in satisfac tion on Christmas morning. That industry is the second-hand toy business, an enterprise that flourishes in towns and cities throughout the country each Novem ber and December. In high school manual training rooms, fire stations, and service club headquarters, dis carded playthings are being re paired and repainted. In some of these workshops new toys are being fashioned by ingen ious amateurs. But in all of them, busy merchants and professional men are devoting their spare time to helping Santa Claus make sure he has gifts for every youngster on Christmas eve. Dolls Get New Dresses. Dolls which faced dusty aban donment through their later years are being rejuvenated. Cleaning and new paint have brought back the first flush of youth to their shining cheeks and the early sparkle to their obediently open or closed eyes. New dresses have added much to their attractiveness. There is new fire in the big glass eyes of many a rocking horse, too, the long legs of whose original own er would now dangle on the floor. With new paint throwyig his proud mane into brighter relief, he’s as rollicking a steed prancing along the road to romance as ever he was. The procedure of these communi ty volunteer organizations varies from city to city. In larger towns, poKcemen and firemen are rejuve nating toys coUected by Boy and Girl Scouts. Smaller communities depend on volunteer co-operation. Women make new dresses for dolls and men repair the toys. Christmas baskets for unfortu nates will have many presents other than toys. Each year thousands of immunities find means of placing candy, nuts, fruit—and often all the makings for a Christmas dinner—in •each basket. Shoes, stockings, mit- tens and other apparel also find a ready market. When Yule Carol Stilled War Guns On Battle Front NORFOLK, VA.—Rev. J. Suther- land-Watt of Norfolk tells how the strains of 4< Silent Night, Holy Night,” sweeping gently across a battlefield in two languages, quieted guns in front-line trenches of the greatest war on earth for a Christ mas celebration. It was Christmas eve, 1914, be tween Armentiers and Arras, while Gordon Highlanders huddled in trenches, when somebody remem bered the day. “Jim, let’s sing,” one said to Pri vate Sutherland-Watt. Jim pleaded off, but someone else started “Silent Night, Holy Night,” and soon Jim and the whole Scot regiment had joined in. When the last refrain subsided, from the opposite trenches arose other voices—attuned in “Stille Nacht.” Then all night long Christ mas carols rang from trench to trench in strange tongues while can non and flares from other sectors lit the sky. At the customary “zero” hour, the British soldiers saw gray-clad figures making their way out of the opposite trenches. A few shots were fired. Then it was seen that the Germans carried no arms. Scots leaped from their trenches, likewise unarmed, only to be ordered back. Anti-Communist Flags Replace Beloved Santa In Japan's Christmas TOKYO.—Santa Claus has been banished from Japan, much to the sorrow of thousands of boys and girls who had come to love the pa tron saint of Christmas. A home ministry ordinance now forbids the usual festival manner of celebrat ing. Japan, although not a Chris tian nation, has been celebrating the day with growing ardor annu ally, with department stores featur ing Santa Clauses similar to the American variety. But now shop keepers have azmounced that in stead of the usual decorations their establishments will display Japan- nese, German and Italian flags, rep resenting the three leading anti communist nations. Christmas All Year! CHRISTMAS, FLA.—There’s nary a snowflake in this southern com munity but it’s the only town in America that has a “Christmas” at mosphere the year around. Each Yuletide season cards and pack ages come from all parts of the word to be stamped and mailed again by “Mrs. Santa Claus,” other wise known as Postmistress Juanita S. Tucker The post office was es tablished June 27, 1892. Offices at Christmas, Ky., and Christmas, Ariz.. have been abandoned. EXPRESSION STUDIES For Real Christmas Spirit Take the Youngsters Shopping i Santa Won’t Miss ‘Farthest North’ U. S. Community PENASSE, MINN. — Youngsters living in this isolated community are quite confident Santa Claus won’t pass them by this Christmas. Pen- asse, you see, is St. Nicholas’ first stop in the United States, and the farthest north point in the nation. If he gets past the customs officials, St. Nick has to visit Penasse. The bewhiskered gentleman aban dons his reindeer before he reaches Penasse each year, because the deep snow usually hampers even those sturdy steeds. He travels by ski-equipped airplane, flown to the isolated village twice each week from Warroad. Penasse’s only other visitor in the winter is Indiana Pete, a trapper living on a nearby island in * the Lake of the Woods. The postmis tress is Miss Helen Arnold, twenty- two, who admits business isn’t very rushing—even at Christmas time. Ointment Named in Bible Is Extracted from Shrub Native to United States America shares with the Holy Land the small plant from which comes the oil that recalls to mind events of 19 centuries ago, when the glories of the first Christmas eve were revealed to shepherds on Beth lehem’s hills. From this plant, which abounds in Minnesota’s north woods and oth er places in the United States, is taken spikenard, highly-perfumed ointment referred to in the King James version of the Bible as used to anoint the feet of Jesus. * So this small, unassuming plant played a small part in events which gave us Christmas, most cheerful, holiday of nations. Northern Outposts Await Planes With Christmas Parcels EDMONTON, ALBERTA.—Almost forgotten by millions of Canadian and American Christmas celebrants are residents of far-flung outposts of the Canadian northwest territories. Each year they look forward to a merry Christmas—if the weather is good and parcels arrive by plane in time for the annual celebration. Christmas express and provisions usually reach Adkavik, 1,480 miles northwest of Edmonton, a few days before Christmas. Another far-away place is Coppermine, 1,100 miles north of Edmonton on Coronation gulf. Pilot Marlowe Kennedy makes the trip to that outpost from Port Radium on Great Bear lake. But even though Christmas pro visions don’t come through by air plane, residents of the arctic waste lands are brought to civilization’s very door each Yuletide through the magic of radio. Community Christmas Trees In many American communities “civic” Christmas trees are erected each December in the main square or street and the town’s Yule ac tivities center there. Many com munities also string colored lights along the streets during the season to accentuate the holiday spirit. Usually the lighting of the commu nity tree or the special street lights is accompanied by a ceremony in augurating the Christmas shopping season. Lights are removed imme diately after New Year’s Day. Fateful Meeting By KATHRINE EDELMAN I N THE graying dusk of a De cember afternoon the slowly moving figure seemed almost a part of the landscape. Half a dozen cars whizzed by but no one stopped to offer him a lift or ask where he was going. If the Spirit of Christ mas, of kindness, was abroad, it was surely passing him up. Ten minutes more of plodding through the chill, darkening air, and another car came roaring down the road, passing him by as the others had done. The grim lines around his mouth grew deeper, then he heard a loud grinding of brakes. “Almost passed you up,” a gay voice cried. “Pretty fine of you to stop for an old man.” He shuffled into the va cant seat as he spoke. “Oh, that’s nothing,” the gay voice was a bit embarrassed. “But I did almost pass you up. With this Christmas business, and the rush and hurry, one could pass up their own mother.” “I like to hear you say that. It’s what I’ve always believed. The fact AN UNUSUAL STORY FOR CHRISTMAS is, I was making a bit of a test to day—had a bet with a friend about it. What’s your name?” “The name is Tod Jenkins. I’m headed for St. Louis—going home to spend Christmas with mother. I graduated in engineering last June.” “An interesting story.” Tod turned to look at the old man as he spoke. He almost swung the car off the slab. “Why—why you look years and years younger than I thought!” A hearty laugh sounded against the sharply rising wind. The man was speaking again.“I’m not so old, Tod,” he said slowly; “I’m a long way from the old fellow you were kind enough to pick up. Yesterday we had an argument at the club. I made a bet with a fellow that I wouldn’t have to walk an hour be fore I would find the Spirit of Christ mas. It was rather a crazy thing to do, but I happen to be rather an eccentric scientist. My name is Perry Birch.” “Perry Birch!” Tod’s eyes wid ened in astonishment, and his foot went off the accelerator, bringing the car almost to a standstill be fore he went on. “Why—why,” he stammered, “I’ve been wanting to meet you all my life. I’ve read everything you’ve written—studied your methods and work for years. In fact,” his voice grew more embar rassed, “I’ve been hoping that some day I might follow in your foot steps. The biggest wish of my life is to become a scientist like you!” WNU Service. Santa Claus of the Air BOSTON.—New England has an aerial Santa Claus in the person of Capt. William H. Wincapaw, who annually flies from West Quoddy Head to New York city, dropping Christmas packages to isolated lighthouse keepers en route. Win capaw started the service 10 years ago and is now aided by his son. Bill Jr., who handles "target work” over each lighthouse. The captain dives low over the lonely outpost and yells, “Let ’er go!” and young Bill hurls the bundle. WHAT to EAT and WHY C. Houston Goudiss Counsels Wise Eating During the Holiday Season By C. HOUSTON GOUDISS T HE advent of the holiday season marks the beginning of one of the most difficult periods of the entire year for the homemaker. To begin with, she is busied with the hundred and one details of Christmas shopping, the planning of holiday enter tainments . . . and the preparation of extra food for parties. Secondly, the health and com- <$>—— fort of every member of the family depend to a consider able degree upon how they eat and what foods she serves during the weeks between now and January first. Guard Against Lowered Resistance Unfortunately, statistics show that the common cold and other similar ailments greatly increase in number directly after the first of the year. That is also the period when we find more people suffering from fatigue than at any other sea son. Both condi tions are frequent ly traceable to faulty habits of eating and faulty hygiene during the holiday season. The person who is forewarned is usually forearmed. Therefore, every homemaker who has the interests of hftr family at heart should plan, now, to arrange ac tivities so that strain and fatigue will be reduced to a mininyim. And more specifically, she should see to it that she formulates a sound eating program. Far too many people, at this season of the year, suffer the ill effects of lowered resistance brought about By unwise eating and by over eating. Overeating of a poorly chosen diet is inadvisable at any time be cause it tends to overburden the digestive system. But it is par ticularly undesirable during the winter season when almost every one tends to stay too long indoors, frequently in overheated rooms, and to take too little outdoor ex ercise. Regularity in eating a carefully balanced diet, containing suffi cient bulky foods to help promote regular health habits, is of the ut most importance if resistance is to be maintained at a high peak during the holiday season. Keeping Body Machinery Efficient One should always remember that the body is a machine work ing as regularly and as accurately as a clock. Any good mechanic knows that a fine mechanism re quires the same type of care day in and day out. Homemakers, too, should remember that the body does not function differently just because we celebrate a holi day with age-old customs. Thus, to keep every member of the fam ily well and rested, try not to al low the holiday celebrations to up set the ordinary routine of your household. Late breakfasts, heavy dinners, and suppers taken at odd hours do not constitute the best possible menu-planning. The unfortunate over-emphasis on rich foods on special occasions may easily re sult in digestive disturbance, un less great care is taken to avoid dietetic indiscretions, and to maintain always the ideal of a balanced ration. Child's Diet Especially Important During the dark days of Decem ber, the children’s diet requires extra thought and care. Too close confinement indoors and the lack of sunshine may easily have an adverse effect upon the temper and vitality of young children. Then, too, the excitement of an ticipating Christmas is bound to add to their general fatigue. Children seldom complain of fa tigue, which makes it all the more necessary for mothers to be on guard against, or to look for, the first intimation that it may exist. A child who is tired is very apt to be irritable. More than likely his appetite will be poor, and when he does eat, he may not be able to care properly for the food he takes. You may find, if you al low him to become overtired or feed him unaccustomed foods, that it will be a struggle to get him to bed, and even then he may not sleep soundly. And it is gen erally recognized that disturbed sleep, plus unwise eating, may have most unfortunate conse quences. The Ideal Holiday Diet Holiday or no holiday, both chil dren and adults should have at least two fruits daily, one of which should be a citrus fruit or toma toes, to help provide adequate vitamin C; there should be two vegetables besides potatoes, one of which should be of the green, leafy variety; an egg daily, or at least three or four weekly; a quart of milk for every child, and a pint for each adult. If your meals are built on this foundation, there will be less room for the rich heavy foods which should only be taken in modera tion, and after you have helped to satisfy the appetite with the pro tective foods. By making a point of eating generously of fruits and vegetables, and by including a crisp raw salad in the daily diet, you will be much more apt to con sume sufficient bulk or cellulose to help maintain regular health habits. Christmas Confections We can scarcely speak of the holiday diet, particularly where children are concerned, without saying a word about Christmas confections and other goodies. These are a part of the holiday tradition. No homemaker would wish to deprive her family of such pleasures, but it does devolve upon her to simplify the other meals in the day so that her chil dren do not suffer when they eat a large holiday dinner. Similarly, she should make it her responsibility to either pre pare the special Christmas treats from ingredients which she knows Undie Set and Day Dress T HE undie set goes so quickly nnrt ci Iv in font tVmt win can finish it for a gift in time for Christmas—and you’ll certainly want to make it for yourself. The house frock is a diagram design that you can finish in a few hours. The Undie Set. Slip, panties and brassiere are all included in this one simple de sign that even the inexperienced can make with no difficulty. Make it up in fine quality materials— satin, crepe de Chine or flat crepe —and you’ll save money not only in the first place, but in the long run, because the undies will wear and wash so long and so well. The slip has a beautifully fitted line over which your doll-waisted clothes will look their best. The brassiere provides support and up lift that you need for a definite bustline, and the panties are un usually smooth-hipped, because they fasten with a zipper. The House Dress. This full-skirted frock is such a pretty thing that you’ll be wise to make it up in flannel or challis for shopping as well as in calico, gingham and percale for around the house. The bodice has darts just above the waist to create be coming fullness over the bust, the sleeves are puffed high at the shoulders, and the neckline, out lined with a double row of braid or ribbon, is extremely flattering. This is one of the most satisfac tory house dresses that anyone in the 12 to 20 size range can possi bly choose! The Patterns. No. 1649 is designed for sizes 14, 16, 18, 20, 40, 42, 44 and 46. Size 16 requires, for the slip 2% yards of 39-inch material; for the pant ies, 1% yards; for the brassiere, % yard. No. 1650 is designed for sizes 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. Size 14 requires 4% yards of 35-inch material; 11 yards of ribbon or braid to trim. Send your order to The Sewing Circle Pattern Dept., Room 1020, 211 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, 111. Price of patterns, 15 cents (in coins) each. ® Bell Syndicate.—WNU Service. to be pure and wholesome, or to purchase them from a reliablo source. If these goodies are then given to children at the end of a well-balanced meal, and not indis criminately between meals, thero should not be the upset digestions that make Christmas a bugbear to some mothers instead of ths joyous occasion it should be. By following out these sugges tions, you can help your family to enjoy the holidays without regret. You will feel fit and your good health will be the basis of good cheer. Questions Answered Mrs. S. M. B.—Your letter was the first of a large number I re ceived on the subject and I am therefore answering you, though my reply is also directed to all the others who have inquired con cerning a recent announcement that cereals might be harmful to the teeth. I have seen reports on this sub ject by two investigators and I know that other investigators are now endeavoring to check their work. As soon as there is further progress to report, I shall be glad to comment. In the meantime, I would not hesitate to follow the advice of leading nutritionists and give your children cereals, at least half of which may well be served in the whole grain form. ®—WNU—C. Houston Goudiss—1938—41. ACTS FAST TO BRING RELIEF FROM COLDS This Simple Way Eases Pain with Amazing Speed . 3L To ease pain and 2- If throat la raw discomfort and ro- from cold, crush and dace fever take 2 dissolve S Bayea Bayer Tableta — Tablets in H glass of drink a (lass of water. water ... gargle. Use Genuine BAYER Aspirin—* the Moment Your Cold Starts The simple way pictured above often brings amazingly fast relief from discomfort and sore throat accompanying colds. Try it. Then — see your doctor. He probably will tell you to con tinue with Bayer Aspirm because it acts so fast to relieve discomforts of a cold. And to reduce fever. This simple way, backed by scientific authority, has largely sup planted the use of strong medicines in easing cold symptoms. Perhaps the easiest, most effective way yet discovered. But make sure you get genuine BAYER Aspirin. 15 c r I FOR 12 TABLETS 2 FULL DOZEN 2Se The True Question Everywhere in life, the true question is not what we gain, but what we do.—Carlyle. 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