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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1971-12-23, Page 21THURSDAY DECEMBER23, 1971 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS Stocking Is JustLegend? Did a spinster hang up the first Christmas stocking? Leg- end says yes, but history says no — or at most, "Maybe." St. Nicholas a fourth cen- tury bishop; secretly gave gifts of gold for the dowries of poor spinsters. His method was to toss the gold down a chimney by night, at Christmas. On one occasion, so legend says, the gift landed in a stocking, hung by the fireplace to dry. History casts a dubious eye on this "origin" of the Christ- mas stocking custom. The spinster probably didn't have a stocking — not in the fourth century. Knitted form -fitting hosiery was unknown until the thir- teenth century, Earlier, people wrapped cloth or rags around their feet as substitute for modern stockings. Even after William Lee in- vented the stocking frame, a more efficient method ,of pro- duction, in the late 1500's, it was some time before the poor could afford to buy stockings. History makes one conces- sion to the legend tellers. Paintings from Pompeii show that early Romans did wear some form of stockings, even before the birth of Christ. 0 AUTUMN NEW YEAR The ten day New Year sea- son is observed by the Jews at the time of the a u t u m n equinox. The festivities begin on Rosh Hashana and end on Yon Kipper; Rosh Hash- ana commemerated the Day of Creation and is also the an- nual day of Judgement, with. that day of ,Judgement being irrevocably sealed on Yon Kipper (the day of Atonement): therefore the spirit of penance dominates the solemnities. Rosh Hashanah means "Feast of the Trumpets". The International Scene (by Raymond Canon) Just recently I sat down in front of the TV for three solid hours. This is a rare even' for me unless there is an excit- ing football or hockey game on, but this time it had noth- ing to do with either football or hockey. It was a ninety minute program on Beethoven followed by the first part of a series on the life of Elizabeth I. Those who saw the six -part series last season on Henry VIII will realize that history is far from dull, and now that we have -programs on both Canadian contemporary polit- ics as well as Elizabeth I, it should take much to convince us that history can be down- right exciting. However, what I would like to write about is the Beethoven program, since it contained the last movement of the fam- ous Ninth or Chorale Symphony Themovemcnt is based • on a poem by the dramatist Friedricl Schiller and is entitled "Ode to Joy." In the symphony it is sung by four soloists and a full choir and is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of music ever written. The fascinating thing about it all is that Beethoven was a bundle of nuroses, hard to handle, deaf, and horribly un- tidy. In spite of all this he was able to turn out the most pro- found and moving of music. Schiller, too, while not neurot- ic, was sickly most of his life and died before his time. He wrote many of his poems and dramas while in considerable pain and just as Beethoven is considered to be the greatest of composers, so Schiller can claim to be one of the world's greatest dramatists. His work Ho! Ho! Ho! Look who's here ... it's jolly Santa, with a sled full of goodies. Among them is a big bundle of thanks just for you, from us. PHIL'S VARIETY VONNIE and PHIL OVERHOLT Main Street, ZURICH ont on Mary Stuart, the cousin of Elizabeth and who caused her so much trouble, is considered to be a real master -piece. It all makes me wonder what it takes to turn out superb works of art. How do people like Beethoven and Schiller manage to cut through their weaknesses and express themselves in a way that *finds acclaim all over the world? Perhaps psychologists can provide an answer, but I don't think they have as yet. Continuing with the Ninth Symphony, one of the most famous lines sung by the choir and which is taken directly from Schiller's poem is: "All men shall.hy brothers. " Schil- ler sincerely wanted this and if he were alive today, he would probably have chosen Albert Schweizer as the epit- ome of this hope. It is Sch- weizer who, in the -20th century, best displays the brotherhood of man and he did this while taking time out to be a renouned philosopher and a respected interpreter of Bach' organ music. You may have noticed that all three men I have mentionec are German. Beethoven was of Flemish origin but was bron in Bonn and lived in No other flower is more as- sociated with the holiday season than lovely -star -pointed poin- settias. They impart the spec- ial warmth of Christmas no matter where or how they are used. These perennial favor- ites have a grace and charm that is unglue among living plants. In groups or singly, their deep green leaves contrasted with the brilliant red or white of the flowers add distinction to any holiday room setting. Table settings "come alive" in an instant when the poinset- tias are used as a centerpiece. They stand out gracefully and dramatically against any back- ground. ,On a low bench or coffee- table, the poinsettia's height is an ideal accent. Arranged in tiers on the floor, or on a book- case or fireplace mantle, they provide a formal splendor all their own. Jolly Santa conveys our joyful holiday spirit and our merriest greetings. Donald Ake Ltd. ;`•" ome Improvement Centre L ' Zurich Vienna. Schiller lived in Ger- many all his life while Sch- weizer was an Alsatian or Ger- man-speaking Frenchman. The paradox of it all is that while it was Germany who plunged us into a brutal world war, it PAGE 21 also managed to produce these three great humanitarians. It is the latter group who often get short thrift when history books are being written, but who are the real heroes, not the generals. In the Spirit of With best wishes for a happy, holy holi- day, we send greet- ings and gratitude to you. May the blessings of Christ- mas ever be yours. GR NO ' E D CLEANERS Thelma and Jack Waldron and Staff v4s we rejoice in the story of the first Christmas, may the happy spirit of the holiday light up your home with peace, good will. Thanks to all you wonderful people for your loyal trust and support. BERT OPP Co -Operative Incur,:. nee Association Phone 236-4' RR 3, Zurich r IIMMOM.MUSIMOOMI x.17. .,11.. m..