THURSDAY. DECEMBER 22. 1966
THE NYSSA GATE CITY JOURNAL. NYSSA. OREGON
Greetings
Christinas >1
May we extend to you our
warmest greetings and
Jfermite we realise how much our turrets
good wishes for a
It due to you, we are moti sincerely appreciative.
Merry Christmas to
A and W DRIVE-IN
you and yours.
"The Burninghams"
NYSSA
PHARMACY
"YOUR CORNER REXALLSTORE"
The LaFay Family
POLAR BEAR DRIVE-IN
PAGE THIRTEEN
Fireplace Claims
Early Tradition
In Yule Fesliviiy
When Santa Claus comes slid
ing down the chimney on Christ
mas Eve, where will he land?
Right in the fireplace, an area
that has been a traditional part
of Christmas for more years than
Santa has worn a red suit!
Before the turn of the century,
Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, fre
quently wore a blue robe, al
though Clement Clarke Moore, in
‘‘A Visit from St. Nicholas,” pic
tured him as "clad all in fur
from his head to his foot."
But for centuries, the fireplace
has been a treasured and often
vital part of the home.
The fireplace as it exists today
—that is, the firebox along the
wall with a chimney instead of
an open fire in the middle of the
room—dates from about 1066.
Once Built of Wood
Early fireplaces were built of
wood or wicker, but they proved
so dangerous that in the year 1419
the City of London decreed that
henceforth fireplaces be made of
tiles, stone or plaster, under the
penalty of being demolished.
A greatly improved system of
making tiles was adopted by the
Dutch from the Spaniards follow
ing the Treaty of Breda in 1609
and paved the way for more elab
orately decorated ceramics on
fireplace facings, walls and man
tels.
The use of such tiles for fire
places soon spread to England
and then to the Colonies.
Skilled Dutch craftsmen dec
orated ceramic tiles with designs
of oranges, grapes, tulips, vases
of flowers, ships, sea monsters,
landscapes, horsemen and royal
portraits.
The English used similar pic
tures and added many charming
scenes designed by renowned ar
tists, including Kate Greenway,
famed for her Christmas card de
signs.
Set a Precedent for Style
These tiles were used both to
line the fireplace and on mantels
and other surfacings, setting a
precedent for modern fireplaces.
In America, the Pilgrims built
crude stone fireplaces, then con
structed their log huts around
them.
Today, as in those earlier years,
ceramic tile remains a practical
and decorative surfacing material
for fireplaces, and the home own
er has a far wider choice to work
with than did early home build
ers.
More than 250 different ceramic
tile sizes, shapes and textures are
supplied by American manufac-
turers, says the Tile Council of
America.
Just as in
cial decorative tiles give the fire
place a distinctive touch of ele
gance to greet Santa when he ar
rives, via the traditional route.
With grateful thanks to our friends
for the pleasure and privilege of serving you.
Nyssa Insurance Agency
RALPH G. LAWRENCE
C & G GARAGE
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
y
■- f
AND A BRIGHTER NEW YEAR!
We wish our friends and patrons the merriest
Christmas ever and a holiday season filled with good
cheer. Our grateful thanks to all.
UNION PAClFiÿü
ANDERSON, SPARKS
and BAKER
WARD'S
SHELL SERVICE
AUCTIONEERS
merry Yule tide to express deep
appreciation to our custotnerf
for tlieir loyal patronage
throughout the year .. .We
I
r V
BESTWAY
BUILDING CENTER
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