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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 27, 2019)
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 21 Deck th e Halls , Mantl e & Walls ! Continued from page 20 Program at https://openforest.fs.usda.gov. Once again this year, the Forest Service¾s program of free trees for fourth graders is back. To claim a free Christmas tree permit for a fourth grader, log on to www.everykidinapark. gov and take the pass to a Forest Service office. Finally be sure that your Christmas tree hunt is a safe one and be properly equipped. Bring a hand saw or axe as well as winter clothing and safety equipment. Tire chains and a shovel are recommended, as is extra food, drinking water, blankets, a flashlight, first-aid kit and survival gear. Tree cutting and travel can take longer than anticipated, so notify friends or family of your destination and return time. Be sure to leave the woods well before dark. Also, keep in mind that children have a tendency to wander off, so keep a close eye on children while in the woods. If you travel Holidays in Sisters Give an everlasting Gi l i gift that will become an heirloom piece. Clocks • Watches • Repair Featuring renowned master clock maker Ed Beacham. 541-549-9971 300 W. Hood Ave., Sisters PHOTO BY CRAIG EISENBEIS Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed Sun. & Wed. Christmas tree hunting is a popular family tradition in Sisters Country. any significant distance from your vehicle, you should be prepared for outdoor winter travel; and remember that winter weather conditions can change rapidly. Oregon Hazelnut Goodies • Toff ee & Turtles • Butter • Roasted (Whole or Chopped) • Brittle & Artisan Chocolates • 2 lb. Oregon Scenic Chocolate Bar • Pancake/Waffl e Mix Christmas tree was adopted into Christian holiday — By Craig F. Eisenbeis, Correspondent — Regardless of a person¾s cultural back- ground, nearly everyone in our society has grown up in the shadow of the Christmas tree, making it a familiar — and inescapable — sign of the season. Accordingly, the Christmas tree is usually accepted as a neutral and secular symbol of the holiday season. The name “Christmas,” of course, is derived from the term <Christ¾s Mass,= which is a cele- bration of the Christian tradition of the Nativity of Jesus. While the actual birth date of Jesus is not known, it is generally acknowledged that the date of December 25 was somewhat arbitrarily selected, most likely to conform to preexisting seasonal festivals, most notably the Roman Saturnalia. Initially, the celebration of Christmas was not an integral part of the Christian faith, and the birth of Christ was not even observed until hundreds of years after the event. The actual religious observance of the date did not begin until the middle of the fourth century. Christmas trees, as we know them today, did not appear until much, much later. Actually, there is evidence that the Christmas tree had its beginnings in pagan traditions dat- ing back more than a thousand years. The tree concept was adopted into Christian custom in the 16th or 17th century, a tradition that is generally considered to have begun in north- ern Europe, with Germany most often cited as the point of origin. By the mid-nineteenth cen- tury, Christmas trees had also become common throughout Britain. By the time that the first settlers of European descent arrived in Sisters Country, in the latter part of the 19th century, the Christmas tree cus- tom was well established. Back then, obtaining a Christmas tree simply meant going out into the forest, cutting the perfect tree, and bringing it home to decorate. That was traditional then, and it still can be today. Kassidy Kern is the public affairs specialist for the Deschutes National Forest. Her enthusi- asm for the Christmas tree hunt is pretty clear. <Whether you¾re an old hand at this tradi- tion or you want to try something new with family or friends,” she said, “this program is a great way to experience your National Forest— both in the journey to find the tree, and then the enjoyment of it in your home for the holidays. You may not find the noble fir that¾s perfect in every way, but you will have an adventure worth remembering in the years ahead!” The first step, of course, is to obtain that Christmas tree permit. Growers • Roasters • Candy Makers Order online at hazelnuthill.com or call 541-510-4464 Black Friday STOREWIDE SALE! 25 OFF THE ENTIRE STORE FRIDAY & SATURDAY Best selection of the season SHOP EARLY! 351 W. HOOD AVE. Hours: Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Sun.-Tues. Shop Local Blazin Saddles Thanks to the generosity of the Sisters community, Blazin Saddles has, over the past five years, put the joys of cycling ing in reach of all through a holiday season bike-donation program. “It’s not just for kids,” says Blazin Saddles owner Casey Meudt. “We want to get the families out riding together.” Drop a bike donation off at the shop on the corner of Hood and Pine between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. seven days a week until December 15. All sizes and types of bikes in good condition are welcome. nd Blazin Saddles will get the bikes running safely and into the hands of a joyful Sisters resident. If you know a good candidate for a donation, call 541-719-1213 or email blazinsaddles@bendbroadband.com. Blazin Saddles is also a great place to put checkmarks next to the cyclists’ names on your Christmas list. From bikes to clothing, it’s all here — with friendly service and expert advice to help you make the right choices. Staff Gift & Craft Boutique Through December 24 311 W. Cascade Ave. Sisters, Or (541) 549-6061 • stitchinpost.com 5th
