CHRISTMAS GREETINGS, December 23, 1987 JOY AT CHRISTMAS Sending oversized greetings to you all tor a merry, magical holiday. Thanks to all our loyal customers! CASTLE TIRE (1977) LTD. 1050 Columbia, Castlegar Phone 345- Jingle bells echo through this special night, pealing wishes of merriment and joy to all, from Santa and us. 711 Radio Ave., Nelson, Phone 352-3501 From Michael and Therese O'Connor and Staff! CASTLEGAR FUNERAL CHAPEL 411 - 9th Ave., Castlegar * ‘ . * 3 4 BNR Lie ve SNOWY SCENE . . . Dusting of the white stuff covers brush and fencepost. ITALIANS GIVE GIFTS ON EPIPHANY One of the most moving episodes of the Christmas story is that of the Three Wise Men, the Magi. Wearily traversing long, desolate miles, they were sustained by their faith and guided by the light of a single star, on their journey to Bethlehem, to adore the infant Christ. Their arrival is traditionally celebrated on January sixth, a holiday variously known as the Epiphany, Three Kings’ Day and Twelfth Night. For worshippers in the Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches, January sixth is the heart of the Christmas holiday, and is observed with great solemnity. for gift-giving In both Italy and Spain, the Epiphany — rather than Christmas Day, itself — is the day on which presents are exchanged, in a commemoration of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh which were brought by the Magi to the Christ child. In Italy at Epiphany, in expectation of a visit from the Befana, a mysterious old woman who is the Italian version of Santa Claus, children hang out their stockings. If they have been good, the Befana wil] leave them toys and candy; if they have misbehaved, however, she is certain to know, and to reward them appropriately with a stocking full of coal. In Spain, children leave out their shoes to be filled with gifts by the Three Kings. who pay a visit to good children on their way to Bethlehem. In Carinthia, in Austria, however, the tradition is reversed. There, the Berchtel, a mysterious woman whose features are hidden behind a grotesque wooden mask, accosts people on Epiphany Eve, demanding presents. A thoroughly frightening manifestation, she is variously considered to be a descendant of the Norse goddess Frigg, after whom Friday gets its name, or the wife of Pontius Pilate, one Procula. Common to the celebration of Twelfth Night in many countries — among them, England, France, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Portugal — is the Three Kings’ Cake, a sweet yeast cake in which has been buried a single token, usually a bean, but sometimes an almond or a tiny china doll. King for a day The person whose portion of cake contains this token is named king of the festivities, and presides over revelry which includes such entertainment as play-acting and charades. This honor may derive from the custom, practiced at the Roman festival of Saturnalia (which occurred in January), whereby an individual, generally a slave, would be elevated to the position of “king” for the duration of the festivities. Generally, in France, when the Gateau des Rois (Kings Cake) was divided, the number of portions would exceed the number of people present by one or two. The additional slices, always the first to be cut. would be set aside for le bon Dieu (the good God) and the Blessed Virgin. In some parts of France, if a woman were the lucky individual whose portion of cake contained the bean, she would not be allowed to reign over the festivities but would be required to select a king from those men who were present. Santa busy Dressed in holiday green. Santa. “You do get a little tiny Kaelin Jame Bennett shyly steps up to Santa and opens her arms wide for a hug. Santa, hatless to show off while flowing hair, props the four-year-old on his knee and listens to her Christmas re- quest: a toy kitchen complete with dishwasher, microwave and sink. He smiles and nods, gives Kaelin a coloring book and candy cane and sends her back to mom, who whispers her daughter will be getting her wish early Dec. 25. Christmas truly belongs to children. Kaelin is among up to 500 youngsters a day trying out Santa's knee and generosity at the massive Eaton Centre — a scene that’s common at tired but it’s enjoyable be- cause about the time you get a little tired, you get a real bubbly child who's so excited and so interested and 80 forth — so it’s a lot of fun.” He's particularly pleased this season with children's requests: stuffed animals, trains, trucks and other traditional] toys. “In fact, I've only had one or two children ask for a gun, and only one or two ask for a bow and arrow,” he says. Inside Eaton's — the de partment store chain's flag- ship store — the toy de- partment is filled with grand- parents and parents looking for just the right presents. Some seem harried, others appear perplexed by the sheer amount of merchan- dise. Children, presumably with parents somewhere in the tae eal aeaaniee Mey the blessing of His Love be yours the whole year through. FROM Borderline Transmission Trail May you soar to new heights this Noel! a — . ELECTRIC & PLUMBING SUPPLY LTD. Yeir Rd,, Nelson 364-449) FS aenanee Oglow’s Paint & Wallcoverings this season department, wander to their Wild said toy sales “are quite favorite toys and hope buoyant.” The store almost mommy or daddy will notice doubled the size of its toy de- their interest. partment this year. The scene is similar in toy In the mall outside the departments in other stores. stores, sheltered from the At Simpsons, one little boy hustle of the shoppers, Santa ina stroller is on the verge of sits among his elves and at- tears because Santa is notin tends to a steady stream of his chair. His father tells him kids of all ages. Santa will be backy Hela, ovt.. “We see them from three feeding his reindeer now-” days to 89 years old,” he The checkout lines aren't says. “A husband and wife long, but are steady. came in and she had sat on “We're already feeling the Santa's lap every year for the crush,” says Marie, an em- past 15 years and had her ployee of the Eaton’s toy picture taken.” department. “If you come by Santa's return engagement on a Saturday, you can't at the Eaton Centre ends move in this department.” Dec. 24. After that, he'll She said the store bas “head up to the North Pole” already sold out. its ‘initial to load up his fly-by-night stock of some items, includ- operation. ing Kaelin’s play kitchen, He bids a little boy good- which goes for about $100, bye, then smiles at a tot and talking Cabbage Pateh hiding behind mom. , “Have a Merry Christ The Joy of Christmas May it fill your heart and brightes your life in this blessed season and through the year. Ken and Bev Hayashi B&W Signs & Engraving anc The Craft Corner - 966-8289 - ma and staff HENNE TRAVEL ‘ ‘, conte ar QE A nogement 1410 ve., Treil THE STORE THAT HAS IT ALL IN DRAPERY | Gwen Kissock Bus. 345-3515 Here's hoping you receive a sleigh of happy surprises! 2181 Columbia Ave., Castlepar Seasonal excitement is in - the air as spirits mount. To all our good patrons go sincere thanks. From Mike, Ritchie, Nick Bob, Lorne and Don » = 411-9th Ave., Castleger Otfice 363-2430 Genetic 693-2430" cd ~4 4 > , Radio Phone H493760 or HéTE7A2