Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/902374
6 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2017 oliday traditions are the essential fibers that strengthen family ties and create the most precious of our treasured memories. No matter our belief system, the familiarity of our unique celebrations is what makes the holidays truly special. A diverse, eclectic community like Four Seasons is witness to a lot of those special holiday traditions. Here are just a few of those stories. Nancy Justice is proud of her Jewish heritage. Sharing Judaism has become an important part of her life. "Being together as a family, lighting the candles of the menorah, and reciting the prayers are the most significant parts of the holiday," she said. "When my mother was alive the entire family would gather at my parents' house for the first night of Chanukah. Some family members would return over the next seven days to help light the remaining candles and do the recitations. The menorah used was a wedding gift to my parents," she recalled. "When I became an adult, I would bring my own menorah to their home." Nancy said that as a child she received presents on the first and last days of Chanukah. Laughing, she remembered that tradition changing. "My husband indulged our children and gave them presents every day of the holiday. This has become a custom my younger son carries on with his children." Her grandmother made latkes (potato pancakes) every year, in the traditional manner, by hand grating the potatoes. Both she and her younger son continue this tradition. Phil and Sue Felix are of Mexican descent. Sue is proud that she is a direct descendant of Juan Bautista de Anza, a Mexican military man who blazed a trail from Mexico to San Francisco in 1776 to claim the west coast and the port of San Francisco for Mexico. It is interesting to note that Bautista made camp between Borrego Springs and San Jacinto around Christmas time. One custom they incorporate into their holiday season is making tamales, which brings the family together and keeps a centuries-old tradition alive. Three generations gather together on a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas to make enough tamales for the entire family. Each participant brings something, masa, corn husks, meat, sweets, etc. A variety of tamales are made: meat, vegetarian, and sweet. Phil explained, "Historically, whenever the Mexican troops went to war, the women would gather to make tamales. The troops could then eat while on the move." Sue recalled another tradition. "When I was a child my family would always attend midnight mass. It always held a certain magic for me. I would think about Mary and Joseph and what they went through while traveling to Bethlehem." Sue added that she looked forward to getting home after mass as the family would gather together and talk over hot chocolate. Ken and JoAnn Lutkus celebrate Christmas at their family homestead in Anaheim Hills. The entire clan, consisting of three biological children, three "adopted" children, spouses and 10 grandchildren gather for the holiday. Christmas morning starts with a big breakfast which includes ham, Swedish and potato pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cake. After breakfast, it is on to the presents. First opened are the stockings filled by Santa Claus. Next the children open their gifts. They are then allowed to go play in another room. Last, but not least, the adults take their turns opening gifts. The family has grown so large that they have established a gift exchange. Gary and Debbie Wells start the holiday season about a week before Christmas. Debbie, her daughter, and three granddaughters get together for a baking day. They bake at least 12 varieties of cookies. Platters of cookies are then given to friends and relatives. On Christmas Eve, Gary and Debbie join the rest of their family, son, daughter, spouses, and four grandchildren at their daughter's home. They have dinner, attend church, and enjoy the Christmas lights in Brea. Either before or after Christmas another family gathering is held at the Wells home in Four Seasons. The children Holiday Traditions Throughout Four Seasons By Irene Welker continued on following page