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Boone County Shopper - Belvidere, Illinois - February 1, 2024
ASH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14TH
BOONE COUNTY
SENIOR LIVING A MONTHLY FOUR PAGE SECTION FOR SENIORS
The Distribution Of Ashes For Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is the Wednesday of the seventh week before Easter and the first day of Lent. The day is named for the practice of imposing ashes, a part of the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Using ashes as a sign of repentance is an ancient practice, often mentioned in the Bible. The early Christians adopted the use of ashes from Jewish practice as an external mark of penitence. Ashes symbolize several aspects of our human existence: Ashes remind us of God’s condemnation of sin, as God said to Adam, “Dust you are and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Ashes suggest cleansing & renewal. They were used anciently in the absence of soap. Even on Ash Wednesday, this most penitential day, we receive ashes in the form of the cross, the same symbol placed on our bodies with water in our baptism. Even in this ashen mark of death, we anticipate the new life of Easter. Ashes remind us of the shortness of human life, for it is said as we are buried into the ground or as ashes are placed in a columbarium. “We commit this body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust”. Ashes are a symbol of our need to repent, confess our sins, and return to God. The ashes are made from the blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year’s Palm Sunday services. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.
Say “I Love You” With Valentine’s Day Gifts Valentine’s Day, provides a beacon of light in the middle of winter. Each February, stores & homes are decked out in red & pink hearts, and florists wait in the wings to prepare sweet-smelling bouquets to bring bountiful blooms into your home. Gift-giving is an integral component of Valentine’s Day. That means the search may be on to find items that will give voice to feelings of love & affection in tangible ways. • Fragrance: Although purchasing fragrances can be tricky, if your special someone provides hints of a scent or brand they prefer, it can make buying perfume or cologne easier. However, there’s also the option of going with trends. Market experts believe vanilla is set to be a standout aroma in 2024. • Cozy clothes: Snuggling together in front of the fire may be an appealing prospect for lovebirds. Cozy gifts can include matching lounge wear or pajama sets, or ultra-soft sweatpants & hoodies for chasing away the chill. • Personalized prints: Companies offer custom song lyric posters or framed artwork so that a special song, THURSDAY, 20TH or danced to during a couple’s wedding, can be memorialized. whether it was heard during aAPRIL first date • Jewelry offerings: Jewelry is a go-to Valentine’s Day gift. Vogue says that there’s a strong likelihood that boho jewelry trends are making a comeback this year. Pendants, beads & multi-strand necklaces are sure to be a must-have look. • Travel treats: Couples who love to travel can gift travel-related items to their special someone. A high-end brand of luggage, tickets to a cruise or another destination, or an excursion upgrade on a planned getaway. • Gourmet eats: Foodies often find enjoyment sampling the fare at topnotch restaurants. While Valentine’s Day tends to be quite busy at most restaurants, a gift of a night out for dinner at another time may be the way to tug on the heartstrings while nurturing the palate. Valentine’s Day is here before people know it, so it is key to have gift ideas at the ready.
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BELVIDERE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION “Established 1847”
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Frank Lloyd Wright Pettit Memorial Chapel On Cemetery Grounds 1121 N. Main, Belvidere • 815-547-7642 belviderecemetery@comcast.net
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R. J. Daniels Fuel & Tire Fairgrounds Rd., Belvidere, IL 815-544-2118 8094Open Daily 7-5; Sat. 7-Noon