vVHO LOVE. OWN OR COLLECT CRECHES
Cover story:
A Nativity Collection of Love
by Jim Govan
My late wife, Emilia, and I began collecting creches about thirty years ago. Today, the collection consists of over 300 creches from more than eighty countries. For us, the collection represented a confluence of faith, interest in art , especially folk art, and curiosity about the cultural diversity of the world. One of our goals was to reflect as many cultures as possible. We were fascinated by how differently artists around the globe depicted this singular event.
Although the collection bears our name, it is really the product of many people. Friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have either directly contributed pieces or served as links in a chain of contacts in finding creches. Just last year, four colleagues working in Africa sent Nativities to me. A Catholic priest in Arizona I know only through telephone contact found a Navajo craftsman for me who carved one of the most spectacular >l'ativities in the collection. A New Zealand artist I know only through emails made a creche for me in the tradition of the country's indigenous Maori culture.
Among my personal favorites is a Lithuanian creche. Being of Lithuanian ancestry, I had long sought a creche to reflect my heritage. Through an acquaintance, I became acquainted with a Lithuanian sculptor who had never done a Nativity before. The result was a marvelously carved piece. Made from a single piece of tree trunk, the figures are shown as humble, not particularly handsome people of peasant origins. Eventually, I heard that the artist, Vladas Rakuckas, went on to make many more Nativities, and I took pride in ours being his first.
A creche from Malawi was another favorite of Emilia's and mine. The three kings represent three tribal peoples of Malawi-the Yao, the Chewa, and the Ngoni. They and the shepherds bear local gifts. Mary sits on a dirt floor and Joseph crouches, while both extend their arms to the Child. The real beauty of this creche however, is that it can be seen as a universal symbol. It was carved by a Muslim artisan under the training auspices of a Catholic art center, and was given to us by a Jewish friend.
I continue with the creche collection in memory of my beloved friend and wife, Emilia. For me, it represents a special facet of a shared lifetime. The two of us searched out Nativities in our travels. While she tried to contain my urge to collect, she also delighted in presenting me with some unusual Nativity she found.
And that is the ultimate beauty of our collection. The collection contains not only the beauty of faith, artistry, and human diversity, and the beauty of tl1e social experiences ; for me, it contains the beauty of the care, delight, and pride with which Emilia imbued it.
On the cover is a set by Hungarian artist, Imre A. Varga from the Jim and Emilia Govan collection. Notice there is no Joseph. Govan says he "always feels sorry for Sainr Joseph when he's not included. 11 The ladder represents the way for the angel to transit from Heaven.
Creche Herald
Editor/publisher: Rita B. Bocher
Contributing editor: Mary B. Herzel
Communications : Frank B Herzel
117 Crosshill Road , Wynnewood , PA 19096-3511 U.SA
Web page: www op.net/-bocassoc / E-mail: crecher@ op net j
Printed by St. Joseph's University Press, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania i
Dear Readers,
What a special holiday season in 2002 ! In early Advent, 1joined Creche Herald readers on a custom trip to southern Germany.
It was my first visit to Germany at this time of year--and it was a wondrous experience. Decorated market stalls teeming with Christmas accessories and Nativities, sidewalk musicians performing familiar and not so familiar carols, mugs of hot gliiewein and sizzling bratwurst on crisp rolls to ward off the winter chill, storybook towns and cities, Renaissance music in an historic setting--just some of the highlights.
Members of Friends of the Creche societies graciously welcomed us in Bamberg and Ni.irnberg; a small museum in Lichtenfels offered us hospitality. All showed us their splendid Nativity displays. Our group was astounded by the beauty and precision of the handcrafted details and the creativity in the backgrounds for the Holy Family.
As for me personally, I was in the company of fellow creche lovers who ceased being strangers with the first introductions.
So, my gift this past Christmas was a shared bond with all the very special people that I had the great good fortune to meet on a trip to Germany in Advent 2002.
M y fervent hope is that your holiday season was equally fulfilling, and that the new year brings you many blessings.
Rita B. Bocher, Publisher
Distinctive New England Nativity for Convention
by Mary Herzel
Maxwell Mays, a Rhode Island lay Methodist preacher and well-known artist, tells stories in each of his landscapes. "When I am holding'a brush, I own the world. Little by little, I find I can invite you in, too," explains Mays.
One of Mays' most recent works, Christmas in New England, completed especially for the 2003 Friends of the Creche convention in Hyannis, Massachusetts, reflects his love of the gospel and Rhode Island's history.
His quaint New England scenes are historically correct in a purposely primitive style. He captures scenes from the life of Jesus as though they were taking place in a New England village, including representation of the Nativity in an old New England barn.
The mood of that Bethlehem day of long ago is reflected in a bleak, winter setting, with a comfortable looking house and a well maintained barn. The main "color" is white. There is snow everywhere. What makes it a Nativity is the open door of the barn with the Holy Family in traditional garb being protected from the storm. In the distance, the artist includes two men in modem dress leading camels. Other men, women, and children in modern dress follow, all heading towards the barn. It is the details of the stillness of that night that engage viewers for a better look.
The painting, six feet by four feet, was the backdrop of one of Mays' past Christmas services at the small United Methodist Church in Foster, Rhode Island. Currently, plans are in process for the painting to be displayed at the 2003 Friends of the Creche convention.
Mays' keen eye and love of nature and his surroundings are evident. He lives and paints in a Rhode Island farmhouse which was built in 1737. The house has been restored and filled with his work, and with artifacts that often appear in his pictures.
The artist has been painting things he remembers for a long time. "I try to take viewers on a memory trip," he says . He seeks to "liberate the essence and spirit of joy that have been wrapped in the tissue paper of memory." He believes in happiness--" all along the way we have a choice look for the bright side."
And so, the viewer looking at a painting by Mays will experience the same joy and beauty the artist feels in the message of the Nativity.
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FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE NOTES
Dear Friends of the Creche,
I hope the glow of Christmas 2002 is still with you as we move quickly into our New Year . I am looking forward to this year with much anticipation. We're excited to be gathering on Cape Cod this Fall for our second national convention. The great time about 80 ofus enjoyed at the Frankenmuth meeting last October makes us even more eager for the convention. It ' s nice to be able to meet you personally and have a chance to talk.
Looking back to 2002, I'm pleased with the following: (1) the successful election for Board seats. About half of our members voted and re-elected the four sitting Board members (Julia Colflesh, Mary Herzel , Mary Jo Riegel, and Holly Zenger); (2) the enjoyable annual gathering at Frankenmuth; (3) the initiation of our church creche survey , the first step of what we hope will be a study of the development of the creche tradition in the United States
Looking ahead to 2003, besides the convention, our attention will focus on organizational matters We have successfully achieved Federal tax exempt status as a 50lc3 organization. Now, we plan to create an archives at the Marian Library, University of Dayton , thanks to the Director and Board member, Father Johann Roten . Lastly, we expect to establish an ongoing website, which we hope to have as a follow-on to our convention website (www.crechesbythesea org) created by a volunteer with our convention team. During the year , we also shall be inviting you to vote in our second Board election , and to offer nominations for awards for people you feel have made significant contributions to the tradition of the creche I' d like to report to you the following from our Board meeting in Frankenmuth.
The Board : (1) re-elected the existing officers for another year as follows : Jim Govan, President; Judith Davis, Vice President ; Mary Herzel , Secretary , and Julia Colflesh, Treasurer (Note: officers serve one-year terms but can be re-elected); (2 ) advanced $2500 to the convention team for planning expenses ; (3) agreed to acquire and donate a creche to the Marian Library in memory of our late Board member, Marjorie Yefchak .
The treasurer reported a balance for September 30, 2002, of $13,675.67 Note that while we expect major charges for legal services related to the tax-exempt application effort, from now on , we shall be spared the usual tax expenses
Please make plans to join us November 6-8 in Hyannis , Massachusetts. In the meantime, as always, I invite your comments and suggestions for making Friends of the Creche a society you can enjoy even more.
Jim Govan, President (JimGovan@aol.com)
Successful Annual Meeting in Frankenmuth
With just a hint of snow in the air, about 80 members from over eight states met in this colorful Michigan town.
The morning speaker, Rev. Bohdan Kosicki, delighted members with tales of his early days as a sculptor and exciting examples of his work. Listeners were especially fascinated by his expressions of the Nativity that ranged from a depiction inspired by the missile crisis of the 1960s to delightful hand puppets used with children. The audience found one story particularly amusing: apparently an angel chided the donkey for not singing at the manger, to which the donkey replied that he couldn't sing because " he was a little horse "
In the afternoon, Betsy Christensen, assisted by Shirley Thornton , discussed the very successful creche display, now in its 20 th year, that Christensen had initiated in Ann Arbor , Michigan After describing highlights of the huge exhibit , the women focused on santon figures featured in the show They had brought along several particularly beautiful figures which the audience could view close up after the talk. Christensen enchanted the audience with some of her santon tales.
An optional outing took many to BRONNER ' S CHRISTmas WONDERLAND for shopping and to visit the Silent Night Memorial Chapel that Wally Bronner and his family had constructed at their vast complex.
Old and new friends then departed with fond hopes of meeting again at the 2003 national convention Michael Whalen , 2002 Annual Meeting Chair
Upcoming Awards Nominations
Friends of the Creche plans to bestow an Award of Excellence at the 2003 National Convention upon an individual or individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the creche tradition
Members will be invited to make nominations this summer, with final selection to be decided by the Board of Directors. While guidance will be sent later in the year , the fields eligible for consideration are wide-ranging , and include the arts, literature, print media, etc You will be asked to state why you feel the individual merits the award .
Creche Hunting ... on the Internet
by Eileen Canty
Over the past years, as the Internet has grown greatly and my computer literacy slightly , I have made many creche discoveries online . Even if you are not linked to the Internet, with the help of a friend or local library , you can view these sites.
Of course , your very first stop on the net should be www .crechesbythesea.org, the highly acclaimed site for the 2003 Friends of the Creche convention . Not only is there information about the convention , but there also are pictures of creches and links to other sites , such as the Marian Institute Research Library at the University of Dayton (www.udayton.edu /mary / gallery /crecheintn html)
You can learn about creche history and traditions at sites such as Bill Egan's International Creche School at www .geocities .com/creche_ school.
For crafting paper Nativities, click your mouse on www .christiancrafters.com/craft_paper_nativity html, for crochet (www .mkdesigner.com/ nativity .html) , and for fabric projects (www .hancockfabrics com /projects.html).
Online auctions are amazing sources for finding creches and related items , be they books, plates,jewelry, ornaments, mo las , paintings, stamps or how-to booklets For example, on a given day, a search on "nativity" has resulted in as many as 2648 items on E-bay (www ebay com) I have found Nativity sets from A to Z- literally, Angola to Zimbabwe, with Ghana, Lebanon, and Mexico's Huichol Indians in between, as well as scenes by unknown crafters and established American artists like Joe Black and Sabatina Lopez. Collectors of Fontanini and Hummel can usually find scores of individual figures and accessories I have even accumulated instructions for making Nativities of every material imaginable including macrame, flower pots, ice cream cones , clothes pins, straw, and wooden spoons.
Auctions can lead to other sites where items can be bought instead. One, www.stirlinglaw.com/ romo.htm, led me to the work of April Romo de Vivar, a self-taught Arizona artist (4652 E 5th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711). The picture, however, did not do justice to the reality For $300, I received one of my all time favorites- Southwestern style , painted but unglazed 50-piece Nativity set-quail, chilis, corn, snakes, pumpkins, tamales, cactus, adobe wall, star shepherd, Holy Family and Kings with unique headdresses.
By simply surfing the net, I extended the geographical spread of my collection, for example, to the countries of New Zealand and Iceland, and the states of Missouri and Maine Chery I Nevi I(Redwood Crafts, 105 Redwood Street , Blenheim , New Zealand) makes stately 13-inch figures that can be seen on www nativities.co.nz. Eight figures and two animals cost about $200.
When I first contacted Iceland's House of Christmas, Smedjuvegur 23a, IS-200 Kopavagur, Iceland, they had
pastel painted wood Nativity plaques and plaque /puzzles When I checked the site for this column (www.jolahusid .com) , I saw my ei g ht-inch fabric s et was featured as a " troll-like " nativity for a bo ut $135
The site (www .s anta s by potte rs com ) has te n inch N at iv ity figures of wood and luxurious fabric with painted face s, hair , beards , and animal hides of sheep wool. Priced individually and in sets , eight figures and four animals are available from Potters , Rte. 1, Box 14 l , Mendon , MO 64660 , for about $200 .
My Maine find is by Katharine Muench , 38 Elwell Lan e, Brunswick, ME 04011 She describes her creches as a fusion of traditional and rustic styles Only about four inches high, the figures are handmade in clay , then hand cast in resin, painted , signed , and dated by the artist. A set, about $75 , can be viewed on www folkart.com /katharine .
There are many, many shops and catalog offerings online . For example, Hendley Market , 20 IO Strand, Galveston , Texas , stocks over 200 Nativities from Haitian iron ornaments ($6) and Korean candles ($10) to more expensive items from five continents Many can be viewed at www.hendleymarket.com and ordered by phone at 800-3498375.
Eileen Canty , Marion , Mas s a chu sett s, ha s an ex tens ive and eclectic collection of Nativitie s from around th e world.
Nativity from Peru . Collection of Louis Palla , Lausann e, Switzerland
From Dolls to Neapolitan Figures
by Mary Herzel
Christmas is a festive time for Terry Mahoney of HaiTisburg, Pennsylvania. All over her home she displays dolls and Neapolitan creche figures "About fifteen years ago , it was at a doll show that I fell in love with a lady doll , and bought it ," said Mahoney The sales clerk explained that the doll was formerly a part of a 17 th century Neapolitan creche scene. Neapolitans placed the birth of Jesus within the context of their own villages . This included not only the Holy Family , but all sorts of bystanders, villagers, merchants , tavern owners, and local shepherds and animals .
" Ever since my first purchase of a Neapolitan creche figure, " added Mahoney, "I have been looking for them and buying them when I could afford to do so." She has had luck buying them at doll shows. Individual examples from the 17 th and 18 th century creches are often seen at doll shows as examples of the standard of figure-making that could be achieved at a time when children's dolls were still crude in comparison.
As we looked at her collection , Mahoney picked up one of her figures, a shepherd lying down, asleep She touched his face, and pointed out to me the unshaven areas "That's five o'clock shadow," she commented He was wearing coarse homespun woolen pants and a vest. His wooden legs were wrapped in a coarse stocking-like covering. His leather shoes were tied in a sandal like appearance. On the bottom of the shoe was a number. She did not know what it represented, perhaps his place in the Nativity scene.
Another figure Mahoney selected was a woman whose ruddy face had inset glass eyes, dark hair sculpted on the head She was wearing a light colored blouse with blue and gold threads , a pleated tan skirt highlighted with the same blue and gold threads as the blouse, and a red and blue striped apron covered the skirt " I just love her," Mahoney said, " She has character as she smiles." The figure's terracotta face was painted in vivid oil colors; around her neck dangled a long red coral necklace ; large hanging earrings framed her face. In her hand she held a basket.
The next figure Mahoney chose, dressed with a blue coat , gold brocaded vest and brown textured trousers, was a village man who seemed awed by the holy event. His head looked up , his mouth wide open so you could see the gaps between his teeth "What a character he must have been. He looks so real; he looks like he's ready to talk," smiled Mahoney
The figures were dressed by families and nuns in convents who would concentrate all year on sewing the costumes '. Fine silks and brocades decorated with gold and
silver threads, along with semi-precious stones were used Even today , nearly 300 years later, the fabric still holds some of its original splendor.
Mahoney lifted some of the clothes from the figure s so one could see the body The basic figure , undressed , was somewhat crude , but the maker's skill was such that when dressed and bent into a suitable pose, the figure looked lifelike. Details were applied to the parts of the body that could be seen.
Inspired by what she saw at the Friends of the Creche convention in 2001 , Mahoney vows that someday she ' ll construct an appropriate background for her figures " Then it will be a real 17t h century Neapolitan village, " she says.
Mary Herz el is a writer from Harrisburg. P e nn sy lvania
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Two of the Neapolitan figures in Terry Mahoney 's collection . Artists often used local pea s ants to create the village fi g ures that populated their presepi. Fabrics are original on figure s shown
A Visit of Remembrance and Discovery
by Judith Davis
The Ardennes Forest- Bastogne-Malmedy-memories of World War II and the Battle of the Bulge. In May 2002, my husband and I were part of a group of veterans from the 99 th Division Together with family and friends, we had traveled to Belgium and Germany to tour battle sites, and more importantly, to dedicate a monument to the 99 th Division's participation in the famous battle.
However, this is not a story about the battlefield. Rather, it tells why we happened to be on the Belgian-German border , and thus able to visit a Nativity museum called Krippana. We scheduled 1½ hours for the visit, but could have stayed twice as long.
The Museum has a wide variety of exhibits displayed in a former customs house. Curator Michel Vincent explained that the dioramas were permanent but that some exhibits changed as donors wanted their Nativity displays back for the holidays .
Among the Nativities were a German farm scene constructed from 27,380 matchsticks, carved nailheads by Hans Ring of Bonn, Germany , with an accompanying certificate from the Guinness Book of Records for "the smallest creche in the world, " a "Passion Crib" following Jesus from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday, and an almost life-size Hakodate Japanese theater style scene, and many , many more.
Creche displays were not the only exhibits . A life-size Provenc,:al Christmas Eve dinner table scene was set with traditional desserts; elsewhere were huge cases filled with decorated eggs and crosses from around the world , some with Nativity scenes and others with traditional designs, set against backgrounds of beautiful hand-embroidered linens
Perhaps the most charming for me was the Three Kings /Epiphany exhibit. It traced the French Epiphany celebration from an earlier time when a bean placed inside the traditional Epiphany bread earned for the finder a gold paper crown, to the present when whole sets of tiny porcelain santon figures are baked into the bread, guaranteeing nearly everyone a remembrance
Last, but hardly least, was the sales area or Christkindlmarkt, the largest and best stocked museum shop we have ever seen Wares included everything from items with which to construct a Nativity scene to a complete set.
Krippana is on the border, east of Malmedy, Belgium, and southeast ofMonschau, Germany. It has two addresses and contact points: Manderfeld, Belgium at Hergersberg 4, telephone + 32 (0) 80 / 54 87 29, and Losheirn/Eifel, Germany, at Prumer Strasse 55, telephone +49 (0) 6557 / 866. There is one fax: +49 (0) 6557 / 607. The Museum is open daily 10 to 6 . Judith Davis is a collector in El Cerrito, California
George Hinke's Christmas Crib by Juli a Co lfl esh
Tracking the American Creche Tradition
Stand-up cardboard Nativity figures appeared in post World War I as one of the options offered to Americans, along with plaster, papier mache or bisque figures from Germany, Japan , and Italy . Sold as boxed sets , the twodimensional shapes could be made to stand by tabs g lued to the back, folding tabs , or interlocking low bases
Colorfully printed or lithographed in classical poses , the cutouts included Mary holding the Baby, Joseph , the three kings, camels, a shepherd or two with sheep , a cow and a donkey The set might include a stable of interlockin g walls, a roof and a star with rays to be inserted on the stable roof. Many stables had a roof opening for a Christmas tree light which added a glow to the stable interior.
One of the most popular of the cardboard Nativity designers was German immigrant George Hinke ( 18831953) who also illustrated children ' s books Perhaps his most familiar and enduring Nativity set was the Christmas Crib. Published by Concordia Publishing House in 1933 , Christmas Crib was advertised as "Sixteen beautifully colored pieces providing a five foot scene of the nativity Washable finish. Use from year to year." The same pieces later were offered as Christmas Manger Set by Concordia and The Star of Bethlehem Nativity Scene by Sears With World War II, imports from Japan, Germany and Italy ceased; however, the popularity of the Christma s Crib survived changing tastes and improved materials of the 1950s The set appeared as Whitman Publishing Company's Manger Scene in 1960. Six of Hinke's figures had one more encore Reduced to two-and-a half inches and embellished with gold, the Biblical cast returned in 1984 as decorative hanging Nativity figures with gold cords . The miniaturized old favorites still tell their story and bring back warm memories.
Julia Colflesh , Folsom, Pennsy lvania, collects nostalgia
Modern cardboard Nativity figures with gold cords for hanging Modeled after an antique set. Julia Colflesh ' s collection.
Creating Nativity Figures from Gourds
Ginger Summit of Los Altos, California, an artist and crafts person, who usually works in the textile arts, has discovered gourds and how much fun they can be. "I have loved working with gourds that I grow in my garden, but because of the number of classes I teach and my presentations, I now find it easier to buy my gourds from a gourd farm," she says.
Summit offers a few tips for working with gourds. "In your garden," she explains, "never pick a gourd until the vine has completely dried back. Many people make the mistake of picking a gourd when it gets to be the right size. However, the gourd will just wither and rot because it must be completely mature before it dries with a hard shell."
After gourds are picked in the fall, Summit lets the gourds dry out completely, until she can hear seeds rattling inside when she shakes them. The drying process can take 3-5 months.
She begins the craft project by cutting off the top of the gourd, and scrapping out the innards, just as one does with a pumpkin when making ajack-o-lantern. "I usually look for a gourd that has a human shape, and then let the gourd inspire the details," she says. Summit also considers whether she wants to have the gourd be part of a set, the Holy Family or Magi, or individual figures.
"For the exterior, I most often use simple wood burning, and then stain or dye the gourds. Sometimes, I also use oil paints, water colors, collage, or even stamps. I have draped the gourds with cloth or paper, even fur for a King, embellishing it with 'jewels,' which are really old buttons." Lastly, the artist varnishes the figure to preserve it.
"You don't have to be an expert to create a lovely piece," she said. "Some people decoupage a face that has been cut from a magazine, and then paint around it. "With gourds," the artist adds, "the best part is that anything goes."
Summit got started on her Nativity figure gourds when an art gallery requested artists to provide items that were suitable for the holiday season. "And it so happened that I had some gourds that looked just right for the Mother and Child. One thing led to another, and soon I found myself doing lots of figures for the Christmas season."
Although her present health has made it impossible to continue with her gourd figures, the retired teacher has published several books on the subject, including The Complete Book of Gourd Craft written with Jim Widess (Lark Books, 1996). A helpful web site is www.americangourdsociety.org. MH
Summit has transformed lowly gourds into an ornament set of splendidly clothed Magi. E-mail:gsummit@earthlink.net.
Atop the stable an angel stretches out its anns. Villagers come to call on the Holy Family. All of carved wood. Scene from Prague, Czech Republic Collection of Arlene Considine, Clinton. Iowa.
FROM OUR READERS:
I went on vacation in New Mexico shortly after you published your article on Creche Hunting in New Mexico (Eileen Canty, Spring 2002), and I brought copies of your article with me. It was a godsend-I visited most of the shops listed and ended up buying six beautiful Nativities while there I never would have found most of the shops if not for the article.
The only thing I couldn't find were any of the Nova 5 Southwestern style Nativities because, sadly, that firm is no longer in business. If any readers have any tips on how to track down Nova 5 Nativities, I would be forever grateful (email: sprahinski@deloitte.com).
Please keep printing the articles on Creche Hunting Susan Prahinski, Washington, D C.
My daughter gave me a subscription to Creche Herald last year. I don't know if she will continue the subscription, so I am sending in money so I can continue getting it. I've been collecting Nativities for 30-40 years. I like folk art best and have about 125 sets.
Marcella J. Watson, Phoenix, Arizona
Notes From Our Germany Advent Travelers:
The trip fulfilled our wishes. In both Bamberg and Ni.irnberg , we rubbed shoulders with the locals as well as new found friends. Two things we learned to ask the merchants: Do you take Visa? Do you ship?
Lottie and Peter Frein , Princeton, New Jersey
... Made me realize how many different ways there are to appreciate the Nativity. In Germany, the focus seemed to be overwhelmingly on the scene, whereas I think for us, the focus is on the figures. They are master scene builders, everything exquisitely detailed and scaled, often recreating a street or alley in the town.
Betsy and Richard Scott, Salem, Oregon
We could not have handpicked a better group. Since my return , I have not stopped recounting the great fun, wonderful sights and experiences we enjoyed.
Diane Rigo , New York City
A few things that really impressed us: seeing Cathryn Layer at the gate when our plane arrived late; beautiful creche displays; the feather beds; the concert in the castle.
Elinor and Jim Baese, Howard, Colorado
To see those beautiful figures set against the background of old Bamberg and other towns, with streets, cathedrals , mountains--all recognizable--boggled my mind. My problem now is editing down my video from its five hours . Dorothy Davis, Rowlett, Texas
CRECHE HERALD NEWSMAKERS
JoAnn and Harry Yates, Athens , Georgia , were featured in a 7-page full color spread about their collection in ATHENS MAGAZINE.
Dorothy Davis, Rowlett , Texas , and her collection of personally made and purchased creches were featured in the Garland Morning Ne ws. Also interv iewed was Gloria Tryon, Marshall, Texas
The 500-scene colle ction of Nan and Ray Harrington , Dallas, Texas , exhibited at the Dallas Arbor e tum , received wide coverage in the media
Rev. James Profota, Eastpointe , Michi gan , and his collection of 300 sets were profiled in Th e Macomb Daily.
Friends of the Creche received major coverage in the December 2002 Saint Anthony Mess eng er Article was by Barbara Beckwith, Cincinnati , Ohio.
A 2001 convention photo of Wally Bronner, Catherine Rehfeldt, Jim Govan , and Rita Bocher appeared in the BRONNER'S CHRISTmas Wonderland newsletter.
"Nacimientos Mexicanos, "an article by Judith Davis , El Cerrito, California , appears on the Amigos de! Arte Popular website
An article by Bill Egan , Flagler, Florida , entitled "Silent Night Manuscript Found" in Summer 200 I Cr ee h e H er ald was translated into Italian and reprinted in fl Pr esepio, the newsletter of the Italian Friends of the Creche.
Two Massachusetts collectors, Mary Fuller , Buzzards Bay, and William Hendel , West Falmouth , received front page coverage in the Cape Cod Tim es for their exhibit promoting the 2003 Friends of the Creche Convention
A Nativity display by the Niirnberg , German y, Friends of th e Creche The Holy Family's humble shelter rests between the columns of a massive ruined structure. Angel s fl y overhead
2003 -- Year of Creche Convention
It's 2003-the year of Creches by the Sea, the national convention of Friends of the Creche, scheduled for November 6-8 at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Excitement is growing about the program for this unique New England Nativity experience.
We are looking forward to internationally known Father John Giuliani's keynote presentation on cultural diversity and his display of personal masterpieces of Native American Nativities. Father Matthew Powell, acclaimed author of The Christmas Creche - Treasure ofFaith, Art and Theater, also is a scheduled presenter. Reverend Richard Rehfeldt will lead us on a scholarly review of what is actually said in the biblical infancy narratives, and how that has been interpreted in various creche traditions Professionals will explain how to photograph our Nativities, and even how to catalogue and insure them.
Participants will have time to mingle informally with artists, crafts persons, and writers. A wide variety of vendors will be offering their wares. Crafts people will present helpful hints on creating dramatic Nativity scenes, and designers will suggest ideas on display.
Among the major themes evolving is ethnic creche customs, especially among the Portuguese. Plans for the creative exhibit of creches suggests a beautiful spectacle. A recording artist will entertain and lead the carol sing. Add to that, the mix of raffles, a live auction, and a children's pageant, and it will be a full, exciting several days.
Even with so many events in which to participate, we are determined to provide plenty of opportunity for you to enjoy each other's company.
Ke·ep up with the steering committee's latest plans by frequently visiting our website: www .crechesbythesea.org. You will find photos of past events of Friends of the Creche, links to other sites, and helpful information.
Remember to make hotel reservation directly with the Cape Codder Resort and to submit your convention registration before the deadline of August I
See you on the Cape.
Important addresses: Convention Registration and Information
Mary Fuller 79 Puritan Road Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 fullem1@massed.net
Hotel Reservations:
The Cape Codder Resort and Spa 1225 lyannough Road , Hyannis, MA 0260 I 888-297-2200 or 508-771-3000
???? and Comments
Q. What is the story behind the Christmas Rose?
A. The Christmas Rose (helleborus niger) does not belong to the rose family; it is a Eurasian perennial related to the buttercup. The blossoms are white or greenish, and look like wild roses; the leaves are evergreen. Legend has it that a small shepherd girl wept that she had nothing to offer the Christ Child. Where her tears fell, a bush of black hellebore grew and blossomed. When she took an armful to the Infant, Jesus is said to have turned his head from the sumptuous gifts of the Magi to reach for the girl's flowers.
USES FOR OLD GREETING CARDS
A child's table trim project: The base is a long strip of colored cardboard or construction paper about an inch wide. The strip can be as long as you want. Cut Nativity figures from Christmas cards, and paste at even intervals along the strip. Then fold the base at four inch intervals in an accordion pleat. The base and its figures will then stand up in a zigzag manner.
Send used cards to:St. Jude's Ranch for Children 100 St. Jude's Street PO Box 60100 Boulder City, NV 89006-0100
In a niche behind the altar of the Ober Pfarre church in Bamberg , Germany, an unusual near-life size Nativity shows a smiling Mary resting in bed, a cradle at her feet. Joseph sleeps behind her, and angels sing in the background . The church dates from the mid 14th century .
Advent in Germany for Creche Herald Travelers
Our travelers came from all parts of the United States They included Tony Annese, Elinor and Jim Baese, Dorothy Davis, Karen Doubleday, Lottie and Peter Frein, Mary and Frank Herzel, Shirley Hilden, Horton and Joyce Hinshaw, Shirley Kuhn, Dolores Lisy, Dena and Alan Naylor, John Ohlendorf, Diane Rigo, Betsy and Richard Scott, Gloria Tryon, Sharon Winters . JoAnn and Harry Yates, Betty and George Zimmerman, Rita and Bud Bocher .
Leading the group, and translators par excellence, were Alvin Alexei and Anastasia Currier and Cathryn Currier Layer of Currier Tours.
A few minor opening glitches contributed just the right touch of excitement. First , Peter Frein discovered he had to return home for his passport Then , when our Newark, New Jersey, contingent arrived at the Frankfurt, Germany , airport, Dorothy Davis found that her suitcase had not followed her off the plane
Hours later , Jim and Elinor Baese , delayed by icy conditions back home, still had not arrived Cathryn stayed behind to wait , and our busload of passengers departed for Bamberg Finally , at dinner , we all breathed a sigh ofrelief. N ot only had Dorothy's suitcase appeared , but the Baeses arrived safely with Cathryn
That first evening brought a surprise: Antonin Gigal, a Creche Herald subscriber from Prague, Czech Republic . Gigal had left Prague that morning , and upon arrival, had located us through the local Friends of the Creche. After dinner, he showed paper Nativities, many of which were snapped up, aided by Richard Scott's showmanship
On Wednesday , our first full day, Willfried Kuntke and Michael Suffa of the Bamberg Friends of the Creche led us on a tour of the Krippenw eg, a series of creche exhibits throughout the city In Bamberg , public areas are as likely to display a creche as a church Arlene Considine, Clinton, Iowa , briefly joined us. Later , we headed for the Bamberg Christmas market in the center of this storybook city .
The next day , we had a foray into East Germany In Steinach, we watched the precision hand work at the Marolin Company which specializes in papier mache figures . Of course , then , who could resist their shop?
Both Steinach and Lauscha (a town specializing in glass ornaments) contrasted greatly with the picture-book towns we had come to expect. Here slate covered houses (yes, the exterior walls were covered in slate) lent a somber look.
In the area which previously had been "no man's land" betw e en the two Germanies , a shopping strip , complete with a McDonald ' s, had sprung up. At Sternenweg , we stopped at The Old Christmas Factory museum and shop which has some wonderful old Christmas memories
Friday, December 6 was St. Nicholas ' Day. And what better place to be than Niirnberg. Peter Reuss , president of the Niirnberg Friends of the Creche, showed us the Nativity displays in the Craftsmen's Quarter and the society ' s exhibits. Then off we went to the markets
At the kindermarkt , a gaily decorated area catering to children, we saw a double decker carousel and all manrter of stalls with good things for children to eat and fun things for them to buy
Then to the major market. And what a sight it was with its red and white striped canopies, and wonderful aromas of glilewein (a kind of mulled wine) and bratwurst (long, thin sausages) . The market here was considerably larger than the one in Bamberg, and it had some very distinctive offerings: gold foil Niirnberg angels , prune people and lebkucken (ginger cookies) And as it was St. N icholas' Day , we saw St. Nick in bright red and white robes, with bishop ' s mitre on his head, and assisted by an "angel," handing out bags of special candy to children.
Later, that evening after dinner, our group also was visited by St. Nick (could it have been a waiter?) who gave us good little tourists a bag of candy too.
Saturday was a day for touring the countryside , stopping m wonderful shops, especially one in Muggendorf that sold all sorts of Nativity things, even embroidered tablecloths.
A bright note occurred when a few of us stopped in for lunch at what turned out to be strictly an ice cream parlor. Sensing our disappointment, the owner miraculously came up with a bowl of delicious goulash and a warn1 roll. Afterward he and his wife came out to bid us goodby
. In the evening, Herr Kuntke , accompanied by his wife, S1glenda, presented a slide show of the Bamberg society's beautiful handcrafted Nativities. Frequently, recognizable city streets appeared as backgrounds of the scenes
~.fter a week of dry but overcast weather , Sunday loomed bnght and sunny. We attended a concert of Renaissance music at Schloss Wernsdorf, a private academy where the musicians played authentic hand made instruments Then , at the Stadtrnuseum in Lichtenfels, Florian Hofmann personally showed us through his Nativity exhibit.
Sunday evening brought another surprise : Crech e Herald subscriber, James Johnston , Corpus Christi, Texas, stopped by on his personal tour through Germany .
And so, with extraordinary Nativity exhibits , wonderful shopping, blessedly dry weather, a charming hotel that sat in the middle of the river, continental cuisine , and above all , camaraderie , it had been a great trip!
Note: For more on th e offer ings of Bamb erg and Ni"irn berg , see Ju d ith D avis' article in Sprin g 2 00 2 and Jam es John st on 's art icle in Spring J999.
