The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, December 24, 1970, Image 20

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The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thurs., Dec. 24, 1970—SEC. B, PAGE 9 Christmas Still Has Same Meaning Today's Christmas tree is apt to be plastic or aluminum, rather than nature’s own fir, spruce, or pine. The glow of tiny beeswax candles on a tree is replaced by strings of twinkling electric lights. Santa Claus, once transported only by reindeer-drawn sled, may now arrive by helicopter. Through the years, the ways of celebrating Christmas has taken on many forms. In spite of changes, the essence of the season, the basic spirit of Christmas stays the same. Above all, Christmas is a time for togetherness and rejoicing. A modern Christmas, just like the old fashioned Christmas, calls for family gatherings, friends, merriment, fun and feasting. ART WINNER . . . Madonna by a Lily Pond, a water color with pastel blue dominating, was done by Lemuel Patole, Bombay, India, was a winner in the annual Christmas Art con test sponsored by the Committee on World Literacy and Christ ian Literatures. Thinking Ahead Helps Christmas Preparations Thinking ahead to Christmas throughout the year can earn time for you, and you won’t be struck with panic every time you hear that awful countdown of “00 more shopping days until Christmas.” Tuck a little notebook where it’s always handy. If you listen through the year, you’ll be sur prised at how often friends or relatives will say, “That’s some thing I’ve always wanted” or “I wish I had . . .” Jot it down then; these are always the wishes you’ve forgotten by Christmas time. Yet these gifts are the ones that say you heard, and you re membered. Christmas Gifts and Taxes If you are a businessman, you perhaps take it for grant ed that your annual Christmas payments to elevator oper ators, office and delivery boys, doormen, maitre d’s, etc., are all deductible business ex penses. But a tax court last year underlined that you may have a tough time making these deductions stand under Treasury examination unless you can show that the gifts or tips were “appropriate,, helpful and related to your business.” Be reminded to keep proper records of your business gifts. Tradition is about the only thing old-fashioned about the tree that families decorate and gather round. Gone is the day when families make a snowy trek into the woods to choose and chop their own Christmas tree. The spirit may be there but the choice is not. Federal and state owned lands are generally off-limits to tree hunters and there is a scarcity of private preserves where natural stands of trees may be growing. Half or more of the Christmas trees are grown as a crop on plan tations. Officials of the National Christmas Tree Growers Associa tion report an estimated 40 million trees are cut annually for market, the vast majority grown in the United States. Canada is another important source, exporting between eight and ten million trees to the U. S. each year. “Yes Virginia” Now 80 Virginia O’Hanlon Douglas — who at the age of eight made famous the question: “Is There A Santa Claus” is now eighty. It was her letter to the old New York Sun that brought the often reprinted reply: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love, generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.” A CHRISTMAS SEMINAR For middle class, middle aged parents in America, part of the Christmas holidays is a seminar in which the children and their friends, between parties, explain the facts of modern life to the old folks. Christmas Decor Make ornaments such as snow men, Santas, stars, lambs, angels and gingerbread men from alum inum foil. Paint them a variety of colors. These are gay for out doors and weatherproof. NEWBERRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC ORPOfi A f [ D HOME OWNED BY THOSE IT SEPVES