Image Up Advertising & Design

12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2014 | COMMUNITy NEWS Did You Know? By Bobbie Eckel DID YOU KNOW ThAT DEC. 6 IS SAINT NIChOLAS DAY? While the origin of Santa Claus is somewhat "iffy," there really was a priest named St. Nicholas. He lived in Greece, a few hundred years after the birth of Christ. St. Nicholas became a priest and later was a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. True his calling, St. Nicholas gave up his worldly goods. He was known for giving to needy people, especially children. St. Nicholas liked to throw small bags of gold coins into the open windows of poor families. Apparently one of the bags fell into an open stocking which had been hung up. This was the impetus for children to hang their stockings by the chimney, "in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there." In the 1800s, the spirit of St. Nicholas evolved into the persona of Santa Claus, particularly in America. Although record keeping was not too accurate at the time, legend has Dec. 6 as the death date of St. Nicholas in 345 A.D. or 352 A.D. DID YOU KNOW ThAT DEC. 19 IS LOOK FOR AN EVERGREEN DAY? Although many residents do use artificial trees today, many people prefer the look and smell of a real tree. Admittedly, they are more trouble to maintain, but there are many purists who are willing to make the effort to have a fresh cut real fir, spruce or pine and that special feeling/aroma the evergreen brings to a home. Apparently by Dec. 19, most people have chosen their tree. If not, the day should serve as a reminder that time is getting short to finish your holiday décor. DID YOU KNOW ThAT DEC. 21 IS NATIONAL FLAShLIGhT DAY? Notice that the day coincides with the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. A flashlight is a good piece of equipment for the dark — if it has good batteries and if you know where to find one. Early flashlights used zinc-carbon batteries which were incapable of sustaining a steady flow of electric current. The batteries required a periodic "rest" in order to function — as did the inefficient carbon-filament bulbs. The name "flashlight" became popular in America simply because the power source could be used only in flashes. In other countries they were called torches, or flashlamps. Although Joshua Lionel Cowen, the American inventor of the Lionel train, patented a device in 1899 which ignited a photographer's flash, the British inventor David Misell obtained a patent for his electric device that same year. Misell went on to experiment with more technology for improving portable lighting devices; Cowen concentrating on building an empire around Lionel trains. DID YOU KNOW ThAT DEC. 23 IS ThE FESTIVUS hOLIDAY? This special non- denominational holiday was created in 1997 by Daniel O'Keefe, a screenwriter for the Jerry Seinfeld show. The day is intended as a special day for those who do not celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or Ramadan; it is "Festivus – It's for the Rest of Us." The television episode which introduced Festivus was aired on Dec. 18, 1997. There isn't a Festivus tree, shrub, candles or decorations. The lone symbol, according to O'Keefe is an unadorned aluminum pole. There is a Festivus dinner, however. Meatloaf is the most popular main course. Following the dinner, guests are encouraged to display feats of strength or to "air grievances" with family and friends. Just for fun, research this holiday on the Internet. You will find places to buy aluminum poles, a worksheet for airing of grievances, and suggestions for feats of strength. Doesn't this sound like a day that Scrooge might enjoy?

• Cover