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SEC. B—PAGE TWO COMPLETE JOY—Remember back when Santa Claus was the most Important person In the world to you? That’s the way this young lady feels as she expresses complete joy over the expected arrival of Santa. JHittletae Once Scfm&ol £,(a61 Today mistletoe is recognized throughout the world as a symbo, of lasting peace and from this has come the custom of giving a kiss of love or peace beneath it Once, however, it was considered a weapon of death. Later is was considered a magical medicine. It was a mistletoe arrow, accord ing to J'lorse mythology, that Lok' used to kill Balder, the sun god after B&lder’s mother had obtain ed a promise from all living things, other than mistletoe, that they woud not harm him. Balder was restored to life and it was ruled by the gods that the mistletoe would never again be used to do harm. Ancient Europeans considered the mistletoe a magical medicine They carried it about with them tor health and luck, and believed it a cure for ulcers and epilepsy as ."ell as a charm promoting fertility. 't'esuf “Ptyulasi tyuCe 'pfoiven Growing in popularity, the Christmas rose has become a seri ous competitor of holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and other plants that decorate our homes at Christmas time. The dimunitive plant puts forth seven or eight white roselike blooms tinged with pink. It has lustrous dark green foliage and a mature plant is no more than a foot high. A cold-weather plant, the Christ mas rose flowers naturally in De cember or January. It withstands snow Sind low temperatures. It does not propagate well in the United States. Most of them are imported to florists from Belgium and the Netherlands. They de velop best in soil peculiar to the western parts of those countries. Grows In Low Countries Gardeners in the Low Countries grow the plant from slips taken from the parent plant after it has finished blooming in January. The shoots are grown under glass. In incubation a Christmas rose’s leaves are pruned regularly to give it added strength for blooming. After three years of care the plant is mature and ready to put forth its famous winter blossoms. Ancient Roman's were familiar with the Christmas rose and eager ly sought it for medicinal use. They believed that eating the roots would “clear the brain, cure stu pidity, and relieve insanity." A Christmas Legend Like many flowers, the Christmas rose has its own special legend. According to the story, a poor shepherd girl watched the Wise Men come with rich gifts to present to the newborn Christ Child, and she wept because she had no pres ent to offer. An angel suddenly ap peared. Learning the cause of the girl’s distress, the angel waved a wand. Instantly, glistening white flowers carpeted the ground. The young shepherdess gathered blooms. When she presented her gift, the Infant smiled. As His fingers touch ed the delicate white flowers, they became tinged with pink. The plant’s legendary association with Christ carries to regions where it bloomrf’ in early spring. There it is often called the Lenten rose. Stocking Hanging Became A Custom Through Accident With delight and great expecta tions every American child hangs ids stocking by the fireplace at Christmas time. Thereon hangs a fascinating tale of adventure. Once upon a time—so the legend goes—kindly Saint Nicholas, who was in reality Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor, unintentionally orig inated the custom of hanging stockings by the fireplace on Christmas eve. Saint Nicholas was a kindly man and jolly, and very rich. He loved to make mysterious journeys into the country and poor sections of the community to bring secret gifts co the poor. For a long time his identity remained hidden, but he was caught at last with his sack of gifts on his back. Down The Chimney Saint Nicholas knew an old nobleman who was very poor and who did not want anyone to know of his poverty. Wishing to give him a gift of money Saint Nicholas crept to a window of the house and saw the old gentleman asleep by the fire. The good Bishop climbed to the roof of the house and dropped his gift down the chimney, thinking it would fall on the hearth at the nobleman's feet. However, it so happened that the gentleman’s daughter had hung some stockings to dry by the fire and the money fell into one of them. From this kindly deed of the good Bishop has grown the wide spread custom of hanging stock ings at Christmas time. Died In 1087 The anniversary of Saint Nich olas’ death in 1087 eventually be came a festival in the Russian church, and in time the name be came corrupted to Santa Claus and associated with the festivities of the Christmas season, with its treel its decorations, the holly and the mistletoe. These today are the joyous sym bols of Christmas. LOOK FOR SANTA American children look for pres ents in their stockings or under the Christmas tree. In Italy they seek them in “Urns of Fate” and the children of Norway seek them in hiding places all through the house. v I V V X X I X $ If OUR VERY BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS Dennis Shoe & Sport Shop 1217 Nance Street Phone 89 ^ Newberry, S. C. x hD 5? Our ChnVM*** Wishes Like the stai ^^ided the shepherds and wise men, may the love and glittering light of the Season make this Christmas your happiest! Shealy’s Hillcrest Florist 2003 DRAYTON ST. NEWBERRY, S. C. g x X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ss? X X X X X X X w X X X X X X w tw X X X w X X X X X s; 6i) X s? X X X X X X X X X X X X X » X X X X X X X THE NEWBERRY SUN THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1958 H Hay Hazards Se (^are^cd *)tt 'Placitty ‘Dec&uzticty 'tyou'i *7%ee R‘ 1 EGARDLESS of warnings by fire departments and safety official, millions of American homes become dangerous fire traps at Christ mas time. Fire at any time is tragic, but at this happiest of seasons it is more so. There are a number of simple, easy ways to reduce the hazards ot fire in your home during the next few days. Location of the Christmas tree in your home is of vital importance. Do not let it block an exit, ir set it up near a stairway which would provide an upward draft. Be sure your tree is fresh and it should be kept outdoors until ac tually needed. When setting it up, stand it in a bucket of water or wet sand and brace it well so there will be no danger of it falling. It is most important that the decorations be flameproofed or made of noncombustible materials. Lighting sets and extension cords should be in good condition. If in doubt have them tested. Inspect Tree Daily Even these precautions are not enough, however. Make it the duty of some member of the family to Inspect the tree every day during the holiday season. This way you will know immediately If it has become too dry and should be dis carded. The switch used for turning on the tree lights should be placed some distance from the tree. Never use an outlet or plug under the tree or run eleetrlc trains around the NIGHT BEFORE CHRIST MAS—And not a creature was ■Hiring except young Miss Janice Sande who creeps out of bed to investigate her Christmas stock ing. Alas, Santa Hadn’t reached her house yet! There are a few other simple rules that should be observed if decorations are used around the house. Keep them away from chairs and other places where people may smoke. And keep plenty of ash trays handy during the holiday Never Use Candles It is traditional to hart lights in the windows at this season, but ggyer UJM candles. Keep curtains and other flammable material pull ed b&ek at least six inches from any electric light And on Christmas mqrnlng, or or any other time you oplii pres ents, remove an gift wrappings and packing material from the liv ing room and dispose of them im mediately. It can be a happier Christmas If you know there is no danger of Are. ww ^ XT rffout ‘'pout There are many legends about decorating the Christmas tree. One dates back to Boniface, who as England's missionary to Germany in the 8th century, “replaced the sacrifices to Odin’s sacred oak to a fir tree adorned in tribute to the Christ child”. Others say that the tree and its candles should be attributed to Luther. Another says the practice dates to the Teutonic practice of bringing trees into homes to ap- oease the god-like spirits that were believed to inhabit forest timbers. But there is a legend more beau tiful than all the rest. According to it, when Christ was bom a group of stars looked down upon an olive tree, a date palm and a pine tree which stood over the manger. Seeing that the pine had nothing to offer in His honor while the others gave fruit and dates, they descended from the heavens to rest upon the pine’s boughs as an offer ing—and that was the first Christ mas t tree. Live Christmas Trees Are Widely Used Throughout Country Live Christmas trees are widely used throughout the country, but many of them die because they are not properly planted, or cared for while in the house. A live tree will be delivered with the roots wrapped in burlap. Place the tree in a tub and pour cold water over the ball. After it has been well soaked, wrap the hall in a plastic sheet and tie it loosely around the tree. Occasionally open the plastic and add more water and be sure to keep it away from the heat of a radiator. Plant the tree outdoors the week end after Christmas. Dig a hole the same depth as the burlap ball and a foot wider. Place the tree erect, leaving the burlap around the balL Fin the hole with loam and give the tree a deep watering. Finally, spread a mulch over the root area. If the tree has been planted at a windy comer of the house, erect a protecting screen to mute harsh winter winds. "PEACE ON EARTH” This - the eternal message to the world - rings out at Christmas! F. J. HARMON GARAGE 935 Friend St. Newberry, S. C. PICTURE — Where can anyone find a happier pic ture of the joy of Christmas? Here a child receives a gift from Santa, she with the joy of receiv ing and he with the joy of giving. Planning holiday party menu and shopping lists early will etlm Incite extra trip# to the store. e#A<772A- i A i ■v. * 'Aj •.•••»V.’.V.V.V.V.V.V V Smmk v , Ar < \ . m\i MAY YOUR HOLIDAY BE BRIGHT AND GAY AS CHRISTMAS BAUBLES! If- ww wm. To all our friends and many patrons... We wish the very best during the coming year! of Cijdgtmag be toitb pou altuaps. g The Bowers-Floyd Insurance Agencies A. J. BOWERS LOUIS C. FLOYD MAMIE A. PARKS OVEEDA D. SHEALY 1107 Boyce Street Newberry, South Carolina TOM M. FELLERS, Sheriff BURKE M. WISE Clerk of Court RALPH B. BLACK Auditor J. RAY DAWKINS Treasurer E. MAXCY STONE 4 Probate Judge GEORGE R. SUMMER Coroner JAMES D. BROWN Supt. of Education S. W. SHEALY Supervisor CARMAN BOUKNIGHT Commissioner Dist. 1 G. T. (Tab) WERTS Commissioner Dist. 2 BEN F. DAWKINS Magistrate Dist. 2 R. AUBREY HARLEY Senator JESSE FRANK HAWKINS Representative T. WILLIAM HUNTER Representative