Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — Have you ever wondered about the origins of our Christmas traditions? I did a little digging on the website history.com and found the origins of those holiday traditions that are uniquely American.

Luminaries are simple, folded brown bags filled with sand and lit from the inside by a votive candle. Because our cold climate blesses us with so much lovely snow over the holidays, we typically do not see this type of ornamental outdoor décor. However, they date back more than 300 years in the desert southwest and commonly line sidewalks and illuminate church grounds in places like Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In Phoenix, the annual Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden features more than 8,000 luminaria bags!

We are all familiar with the poem “The Night Before Christmas” that talks about the man who runs to his window when he is awakened by the jangling of bells and the clatter of reindeer hooves and is witness to jolly St. Nicholas himself. This holiday favorite was written by Clement Moore on Christmas Eve in 1822; back then it was titled “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” and was inspired by a sleigh ride to his own home. Clement was a professor at the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan and was so embarrassed about the work, which had been published without his knowledge in 1823, that it was not published under his name until 1844.

Christmas cookies have been popular for centuries in many parts of the world, but the cookie swap or exchange was popularized in America. Cookie parties date back to the late 1800s. They became known as cookie exchanges by the 1930s and were dubbed cookie swaps in the 1950s. In their early years, these popular parties were women-only events and hosted by friends, neighbors, relatives, clubs, co-workers, teams, schools and churches. Today, many include men and children and are frequently used as fund-raisers.

While certainly not a sweet treat, have you ever heard of hanging a Christmas pickle on the Christmas tree? Many American homes hide a green pickle ornament on the tree so that the first child to find it wins a gift, or the privilege of opening the first gift, on Christmas morning. We certainly did not do it in our house but apparently it has been done across America since the late 1800s. Who knew? Legend has it that the custom grew from a Woolworth’s marketing gimmick when the retailer received imported German ornaments shaped like a pickle and needed a sales pitch. Kudos to Woolworth’s for being so imaginative! And leave it to the Germans for imagining a pickle ornament!

While we Midwesterners did not popularize luminaries, we did not remain in the dark. The tradition of Christmas lights has been with us since 1882, when Thomas Edison’s partner and friend, Edward Hibbard Johnson, took Edison’s invention and strung it around a Christmas tree in New York. By 1914, the light strings were being mass produced, and now 150 million sets of lights are sold across the United States each year.

Believe it or not, the department store Santa dates back to 1890, when James Edgar of Brockton, Massachusetts, had a Santa suit made for himself to wear in his dry goods store. The gimmick caught on, and the following year Santas could be found in many stores. While many credit Edgar with this “marketing schtick turned Christmas tradition,” Macy’s of New York City claims it has been hosting Santa in its department store since 1862. Only Santa, himself, can say for sure.

We are all familiar with this chorus line of high-kicking dancers that we have been seeing in Christmas parades based in New York City for decades. Long associated with New York City, the troupe has been performing as the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes since 1934. But the group actually originated in 1925 in Missouri and were known as the Missouri Rockettes. For decades this group of spirited dancers has been performing at movie openings, making TV appearances, and entertaining troops. But they are probably best known for their annual “Christmas Spectacular” in the Big Apple.

For me, it would not be a complete Christmas without watching “It’s A Wonderful Life,” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. George Bailey, with the help of an angel named Clarence, is given the profound experience of seeing what life would have been like had he never been born. It is a beautiful movie that encourages us all to appreciate that it is the ordinary acts of kindness and self-sacrifice, which each of us can do, that makes life worth living and creates the biggest impact for everyone around us. Directed by Frank Capra, this classic film debuted in 1946. Despite garnering five Oscar nominations (but no wins), it was considered a box-office flop. A lapsed copyright in the 1970s allowed TV stations to air the movie for free. NBC and USA have aired it exclusively since 1994.

Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” comic strip morphed into a television classic titled “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on its premiere on Dec. 9, 1965. Surprisingly, it was initially rejected by CBS executives but embraced by the public; it went on to win an Emmy, a Peabody and a trend of Charlie Brown Christmas trees. As Linus says, “I never thought it was a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.”

A more recent tradition, and one that is too new to have been embraced in our home with our boys, is “Elf on the Shelf.” This custom of hiding an elf somewhere in your home for your kids to find each day from Thanksgiving to Christmas began in 2005. It became popular when a book by the same name was written by the mother-daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. It was marketed, of course, with an elf included.

Last but not least is the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” that originated from a children’s book published in “Mirth Without Mischief” back in 1780. The modern version is credited to an English composer, Frederic Austin, who set the verse to music. Initially, and in the Christian tradition, the 12 days of Christmas refer to the time between the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi. Today, in the “commercial” tradition, we hear it most often between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. True to American form, this song comes complete with an annual cost calculation, which determines the “true cost of Christmas” bestowed by a true love if all gifts mentioned were to be actually purchased in today’s dollars. For 2022, the cost of such a generous gift would cost $197,071.09. And you thought your Christmas gift list was long!

Whether you find your family traditions on this list or not is unimportant. What matters most is that you are safe and warm and at peace on this most blessed of holidays. As Linus expressed so well, all we really need is a little love.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Visit with your neighbor, 10 a.m.; work on the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: You Tube funnies, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; horse racing, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Setting up for a NY Eve ball drop, 10 a.m.; ball drop, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzle packet, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Friday: Chatter Box group, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzle packet, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on Game Show Network channel, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; football tailgate, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; high rollers, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; you be the judge, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Early bird bingo, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; New Year’s Eve karaoke, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts with Bea, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; activity council, 4 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Room-to-room bingo/how do you feel, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Sunday devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movies, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Resolution Planning Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; New Year’s craft, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; New Year’s resolutions, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; New Year’s Eve party, 2 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Leisure cart, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; afternoon coffee, 2 p. m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Swiss Cheese Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 1:30 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn — “Grinch,” 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; Pictionary, 2 p.m.; Baptist Church family sing along, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; catch a phrase, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10 a.m.; New Year’s Eve social, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Hangman, 10 a.m.; silly crafters — snowflakes, 2 p.m.

Friday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.; Hallelujah Hands puppet show, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; hot cocoa and trivia, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.; read a book.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information available

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a. m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; root beer floats, 2:30 p.m.; “Sunday Night Football”; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; manicures. Monday, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; “Monday Night Football,” 6:45 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who-what-where/bingo, 2 p.m.; Bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; coffee social – putting the past in order, 10 a.m.; better then or now – get ready for the countdown, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; daily chronicles.

No additional information provided.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Lunch will be served at 11:30 on Tuesday. For reservations, call 906-822-7284. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken fajita salad, seasoned potatoes.

Wednesday: New Year’s Eve — Pizza party with appetizers.

Thursday: Closed New Year’s Day.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Deluxe chili bar (with cheese, crackers, sour cream and noodles), dinner roll, pudding.

Tuesday: Fish with vegetables, roasted potatoes, dinner roll, cookies.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed sweet potatoes, candied carrots, dinner roll, pudding parfait.

Thursday: Closed for New Year’s Day.

Crystal Falls Center

Cooks: Debbie Bigalke (Mondays) and Jess Anderson (Tuesdays/Wednesdays)

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. Deliveries to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Hamburgers on a bun, french fries.

Tuesday: Chicken ala King, vegetables.

Wednesday: Closed for New Year’s Eve.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pancakes, sausage, hash browns, applesauce, yogurt.

Tuesday: Broccoli cheese soup, ham and cheese sandwich, side salad.

Wednesday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, peas, dinner roll.

Thursday: New Year’s Day – Center closed – Chili cheese potato, four-way mixed vegetables, garlic and cheese biscuit (meal delivered on Wednesday).

Friday: Cheese tortellini with meat sauce, wax beans, garlic bread.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice or no beverage.

For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents, with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899.

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Fried fish with french fries and baked beans.

Tuesday: Egg bake with ham and hash browns, toast.

Wednesday: Gnocchi with meat sauce, garlic bread.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: BLT wrap (bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise in a spinach wrap), minestrone soup, fruit salad.

Tuesday: Cook’s choice – entrée, vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday: Centers closed.

Thursday: Centers closed.

Friday: No information provided.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesday only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program for those who are homebound is available.

Monday: Swedish turkey meatballs, diced carrots, green beans, pineapple-orange mix, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, winter vegetable blend, fruit crisp, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Closed for New Year’s Eve.

Thursday: Closed for New Year’s Day.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11:30 a.m., with the meal served at noon a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pancakes, sausage, hashbrown potatoes, applesauce, yogurt.

Tuesday: Broccoli cheese soup, ham and cheese sandwich, side salad.

Wednesday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, peas, dinner roll.

Thursday: Closed for New Year’s Day. Chili cheese potato, four-way mixed vegetables, garlic and cheese biscuit (Meal delivered Dec. 31).

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, beets, side salad, applesauce

Wednesday: Closed for New Year’s Eve

Thursday: Closed for New Year’s Day

Bingo usually on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. hose attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Turkey, noodles, Brussel sprouts.

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, cauliflower.

Wednesday: Closed – New Year’s Eve.

Thursday: Closed – New Year’s Day.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open for dine-in eating. Dine-in meal is $5. Take out meal is $6. Reservations are required — call 906-542-3273 and specify if planning to dine in or take out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome, any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Breakfast casserole and sausage gravy over biscuits.

Wednesday: Chicken Alfredo, gnocchi.

Thursday: Closed for New Year’s Day.