The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 14, Number 51
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sweet!
Tidings of comfort and joy The faith community around Berlin has been preparing festivities for weeks and church doors are open and welcoming even more so this time of year. Throughout this edition of The Citizen you’ll find photos from churches all around town. Special holiday services are on page 10. In visiting these sites,
The Citizen saw many unique and thoughtful displays that capture the joy of the season. Bethany Covenant, Mill Street, features a “Chrismon tree”; a variation on a Christmas tree featuring handmade ornaments representing symbols of the faith such as a bell, a Bible, a lamb and a heart. Christian Life Church, Kensington Road,
is elaborately lit for night and inside a “fruits of the spirit” tree, designed by Irma Shemeth graces the altar. Crossroads Church of God, Hudson Street, presented a musical and United Methodist Church, Main Street in East Berlin, has a nativity on its front lawn. These are just a few of the signs of the season offered over the next few days. It seems no matter what
We can get carried away with getting just the right toy or gift. We can lose sight of the true meaning of the holidays. At this season the world joins together in a conspiracy of love; granting us a spirit of sharing and a vision of community. Rev. Olivia Robinson Kensington Congregational Church For more of Rev. Robinson’s message see page 14.
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
The doors of Berlin Congregational Church on Worthington Ridge make a classic Christmas picture. See more church photos throughout this edition of The Citizen. Schedules for holiday church services are on page 10.
your faith, no matter how formal or minimal, this is the time of year communities strengthen ties around events that include celebrations for Hanukah, Kwanza, the Winter Solstice, festival of lights, Yule, Christmas or even the rebellious Festivus for the Rest of Us and the witty Merry Christmahanakwanza!
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library hosted a gingerbread house contest last week. The results were a phenomonal array of sweet treats turned into housing options that would surely spike the real estate market if Gingerbread Land could spring to life. There were three categories of entries, adult, teen and family, and these were judged on holiday spirit, creativity and overall appearance. “They are amazing,” said Dennis Zliczewski, a library patron who was checking out the exhibit. One house had red licorice siding, paths were paved with almond slivers, and yards were detailed with items such as the “John Dear” gingerbread truck and a Christmas tree made of stacked gingerbread slabs. One funny entry was called “Santa Clones vs. The Crocodile.” Another featured a whole neighborhood of houses and that won first in the Family Category for the Anderson, Albert and Kittleman Families. First in the Teen Category was Cassie Simonides. First in the Adult Category was Irene Young. First-place winners received gift cards to local eateries.
Supplement distribution giant moves to town By Nick Carroll The Berlin Citizen Not all news coming out of this economy is bad. Sportika Export Inc., 83 White Oak Drive, not only survived the past couple of years; it thrived. The business, which just recently moved to Berlin, added 10 employees during
the past 18 months, and its profits have soared. “In this economy, you see lay offs, you see all these awful stories about companies folding. There are companies out there that are growing,” Sportika Export Marketing Manager Matthew Torneo pointed out.
See Giant, page 5
Inside: See keepsake story on the Veterans Wartime Service Medal ceremony page 12.