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About The Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 19??-1984 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 1943)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1943. THE HERMISTON HERALD, HERMISTON. OREGON. tertainment committee. Miss Lorna Gabriel is ill. Mrs. Mabel Richards returned Sun day from Portland where she went for medical care. Jack Rice returned Monday to the naval training base at Farragut, Ida ho- His mother Grayce Rice enter tained with a Christmas party before he left. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Taylor went to Portland over the week end to visit their daughter Josephine and family. Mrs. W. D. Gudgel visited her son Douglas in Pendleton over the week end and all planned their Christmas day with her son who lives in Walla Walla. C. Tillory made a trip to Pomeroy the first part of the week with a load of hives and honey. 19-3 6ÉST WISHES ★ From Greenland's icy moun- ! tains to India's coral strand the age-old celebration of Christmas is in progress. In this season of universal good will we welcome the opportunity to thank you for that measure of confidence you have shown in us during 1943 and other years. We will do our utmost to continue to deserve it Caesar Practical; First to Hint of Gifts He Wanted Umatilla Electric Cooperative STANFIELD NEWS By Mn. R m « Hedriek Mr. and Mrs. Claude Townsend and two small daughters left this week for Mrs. Townsend’s home at Home- . dale, Idaho, to reside while Mr. Town- ■ send is called into the army. Jack Lawrence and son Melvin of Portland are here looking after their I home. Loren Hughes and Gilbert Smith Junior drove to the mountains Sun day to bring back Christmas trees. Mrs. Walter Isackson is here to spend Christmas with her sisters and I father. Mrs. Ernest Greathouse enter tained at her home last Friday even- ting at a three-course dinner the co- * workers of the west area of the U. O. K D. Afterwards they enjoyed their ■ Christmas tree and exchange of gifts ■ and then games were played. Those K present were Nora Holiman, Zelma E Culver, Jane Anderson, Luella Corey. Mamie Belt. Ida Hoidin, Irene Mon crief and the hostess. Appointive officers that were in stalled December 16 by H. R. Wessell were Chaplin Frank Sloan, Senior Deacon Harry McCormick, Junior Deacon Roy Duncan, Senior Steward John Heckman. Tiller James Owens, as well as the elected officers. Mrs. Neva LeTrace left Monday to attend the installation of officers in her Eastern Star chapter at Heppner of which her sister, Mrs. Emma Ev ans is worthy matron. She will then go to Portland to visit relatives and friends during Christmas tide. The Ladies Aid will enjoy a Christ mas tree and party at the home of their president, Mrs. Roy Duncan. Mrs. Rose Hedrick is assistant hos tess on Thursday afternoon. The Rebekahs enjoyed their Christ mas party at the home of Mrs. Geo. Elliott on Monday night with an ex change of gifts. Neva Hedrick. Mary Rhea and Frankie Lane were the en- “% As soon as man became sufficient ly civilized to devise himself some sort of a calendar, the festival of the New Year assumed importance and was designated as the proper time for gaiety, hospitality, and gift giving. This spirit of gift-giving presuma bly continued upon a haphazard path until Julius Caesar hit upon the brilliant idea of “hinting” as to the amount of money or specific “gift” he expected to receive from such and such a person. The conquering Romans carried the custom of "ordering” precise gifts with them when they invaded the British Isles. Centuries later, the kings and queens of England, who were not as wealthy as they were reported to be, revived the custom of Caesar’s day. On one New Year’s day, the money and value of presents received by Henry VIII amounted to nearly 800 pounds —or about $4,000. Queen Elizabeth used the same method upon her fa vorites and courtiers, thereby re plenishing her wardrobe with petti coats, mantles, gowns, and silk stockings, to say nothing of the bracelets, necklaces, and caskets of precious stones commandeered in like manner. In modern America, Christmas is the gift-givingest day of all, but ev ery child who writes a letter to San ta Claus and every fair lady who conspicuously mentions the name of her favorite perfume is perpetuat ing a New Year’s custom invented by Julius Caesar and effectively used by medieval royalty. Winter Solstice Period of Many Ancient Rituals Christmas is celebrated in hon or of the Saviour’s nativity, and while there are no records to prove that December 25th is the precise date, historians, astron omers, and research authorities have substantiated the fact that the event must have occurred during the time of the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice, when the sun swings toward the earth once more, has been celebrated as a festival of some sort by the various peoples of the earth since, and even prior to, the re cording of history. ... Symbolic Palm Tree. In ancient Egypt, the palm tree, known to put forth one shoot each month, completed its cycle of twelve during this period and was symbolic of the year’s fruitful harvests and accomplishment s. The mystic rites of the Druids centered around toe cutting of the Mistletoe whose branches, when cut and distributed by the Arch-Druid, traditionally bestowed blessings of nature and divine favor upon the receiver. In the Scandinavian countries, fires were kindled in defiance of the Frost King, and families, gathered about the warmth, spent the long evenings telling weird tales involv ing Valkyrie and Werewolves—as well as anticipating to what distant ports their ships would sail when no longer ice-bound. The time was also sacred to Thor, and the Yule logs, great chunks of the Thunder Oak, blazed upon the hearths amid feasting and fellowship. Honoring Saturnus. Two Roman holidays—Brumalia and Juvenlia—were combined into one great festival in honor of Satur nus—Saturnalia. It was a period of general celebration lasting from what would correspond to our De cember the 18th on through the Cal ends of January. Processions and gift-giving were in order, the courts were adjourned and no criminals were convicted, while convention was abandoned, equality reigning among slaves and free men. The earliest Christians solemnized the Mass of Christ, whence the word “Christmas,” during Saturnalia, many of the faithful suffering perse cution and martyrdom as a result. After Constantine recognized Chris tianity in the Fourth century, the celebration of Christmas became an established custom. Indeed, Christmas is celebrated in honor of the Babe born in Bethle hem. And the Lord, in His Wis dom, understands that the traditions preserved from ancient customs and peoples are in keeping with the an gelic enunciation of His Birth: “Fear not; for behold I bring you good tydings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”’ NOTICE OF HEARING FINAL ACCOUNT Notice is hereby given that Robert C. Geer as administrator of the estate of Ira W. Geer, deceased, has filed his final account in said estate in the County Court of the State of Oregon for Umatilla County, and said court has fixed Monday, the 7th day of February, 1944, at two o’clock p. m. of said day, as the time for hearing of objections to said final account and the settlement thereof. On or before said dar any person interested in said SEASONS PAGE THREE state may file objections to said final Robert C. Geer, Administrator. account or to any item thereof and W. J. Warner and A. S. Cooley, contest the same. Attorneys for Administrator. Dated December 23, 1943. (Dec. 23-Jan, 20) HAPPY DEU YEAR 1944 ======== More than a half a century ago Robert Barry Coffin wrote: "I hove ships that went to sea "More than fifty years ago; "None have yet come back to me, "But keep sailing to and fro.” We don't want that to happen to you, kind friend. This year A.D. 1944 Is the year we want your ship to come in. HAPPY NEW YEAR Jack’s Cafe Mr. and Mrs. M. V. Hart Paul Revere was born on New Year’s Day, 1735. We hail that dayl And just as he returned to his goldsmith’s work, long after his historic ride, so will we return to the normal occupations of the ways of peace. That day we also hail, looking forward to it with renewed hope. On this Eve of New Year, 1944, we salute all of our friends. Happy New Year to youl Farm Bureau Cooperative the stream- COACH has given has snuffed out the soft- • sleigh bells are drowned beamed candle. or horns. But who will say the that Christmas lost its charm? With Christ mas at hand w< our pledge ot devotion ideals of honest g, and express appre- ciation of your WOOD hristmas do WIND AS one hands down a good name, Christmas each I IL year hands down its traditiona, and all are CHRISTMAS STILL! good. It has been a tradition here to regard the good will of our customers as our most precious asset. In this holiday season of 1943 we extend to you, not as a customer alone, but as a friend, our very best wishes for a . . . Mary Rohrman Motor Rohrman Christmas. Oregon Hardware & Implement Co
