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A Classic Christmas The Oldest House
A Classic Christmas The Oldest House, Laceyville
The Oldest House in
Laceyville PA, gives visitors a historical glimpse into Victorian Era Christmas
traditions. Originally built in 1781 to face the Susquehanna River, the house was restored in 1940 and has been occupied by many families through the years. The house is built around a large stone fireplace that measures 8 feet by 12 feet, with two
A group of community volunteers decorate the home over the course of one weekend using natural Christmas trees and garland in each room.
openings on the basement level and three on the main floor. The house is decorated in a Victorian style and stays true to its roots on the basement level, but it is slightly more modernized in the main, upper part of the house.
The 2021 Christmas Tea will take place
December 3 to 5. The three rooms located on the main floor will feature three individual themes for the season. The living room will showcase a Christmas tree displayed in front of the window. The dining room includes cookies for guests. A classic train display will also be on display.H
The original hanging irons, as well as hardware elsewhere in the house, were forged by a local blacksmith shop.
A display of quilts and wool blankets will be featured upstairs
Photos by Stan Warunek, Montage Photography
merican society still celeA brates Christmas according to a new survey however most adults believe the religious features of Christmas are not given as much prominence as in the past.
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Nine-in-10 U.S. adults say they celebrate the holiday, which is nearly identical to the share who said this a decade ago.
Currently, 55 percent of U.S. adults say they celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.
While the public’s commemoration of Christmas may have less of a religious component now than in the past, the share of Americans who say they celebrate Christmas in some way has hardly budged at all. About eight-in-10 will gather with family and friends. Half say they plan to attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann
The Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Masses Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Masses Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24: Masses at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Masses at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Christmas Day, Friday, December 25: Masses at Midnight Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25: Masses at Midnight (11:30 p.m. Carols), 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Reservations needed for the Christmas Eve Masses. Call 570-342-5166 (11:30 p.m. Carols), 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. 1233 Saint Ann Street, Scranton, PA 18504 www.stannsmonasterybasilica.org
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Christmas Service Schedule
December 24 December 24 4 p.m. - Christmas Eve 4 p.m. - Christmas Eve Family Service Family Service 11 p.m. - "Christ Mass" 11 p.m. - "Christ Mass"
December 25 10 a.m. Christmas Day Service
What is the Perfect Gift?
In this season of giving we often wonder, “what is the perfect gift?”
The definition from Merriam-Webster is “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.” Gratitude is one main reason why we give. There has been much in recent health news about the healing power of gratitude. Quite simply, it feels great to give when we are grateful. A well thought out gift says so very much to the receiver.
Recognition is another motivation for gifting. What better way to say “I see you” or “thank you” or “I appreciate you” or “congratulations” then to deliver a spot on, intentional, wellplanned gift. When the receiver feels known and recognized for a special occasion, a job well done, or an accomplishment, or “just because”…. then the stage is set for a “perfect gift.” When a gift is well-considered or well-matched, the recipient can feel loved and honored because time and care were put into “getting it right.” Gifts given can become positive, concrete and lasting memories for that recipient. The perfect gift starts with really knowing the recipient. It is fine to ask for help or direction. Take what you know about an individual and let someone guide you to a perfect gift. Recently I witnessed a story about grandparents who had an unplanned visit from a grandson at the time of his (milestone) birthday. The visit took place in a cabin, far from stores. The couple considered their grandson’s passion for golf and realized that a family heirloom club was right there at the cabin. The grandfather began penning an inspiring and heart-felt note to the boy. They gift-wrapped the golf club, simply but beautifully, and enclosed this once-in-a-lifetime message about the great-granddad who had purchased that club. In no time at all, the givers created a most memorable and meaningful treasure. Enjoy the gifting process. Let others help you think about why you are gifting and what you know about your recipient. Include your thoughts in a note or card. Take the time (or let someone help you) to wrap or present the gift beautifully or uniquely. Remember, it is not about the dollar amount spent. It is more about the thought and preparation.
When you feel excited to give something, no matter how small or grand, you know that is the perfect gift. H
Maggie Pettinato
East Coast Director of Concierge Gifting Blue Atlas Marketplace
“Make it a pleasure to give and receive”
zTrains & Christmas? What’s the connection?
The connection of trains
with Christmas evolved from the idea of going over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house for the holidays. The journey (as in the beloved song) was best accomplished by trains.
Over the years, Santa Trains have been carrying passengers to the "North Pole" as part of holiday event traditions for residents and visitors. Many communities use trains as vehicles for their holiday charity events. For example, in Appalachia, a holiday tradition since 1943 is its Santa Train which stops at 14 locations between Pikeville, Kentucky and Kingsport, Tennessee. The train’s passenger cars are loaded with more than 15 tons and over $200,000
"Believe" song from the Polar Express, sung by Josh Groban
8
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worth of gifts, including toys, books, backpacks, fresh fruit, candy, coats and meal vouchers, which are distributed at each stop. Historians believe the train tradition dates back at least 100 years to the early 1900s, around the time when manufacturer Lionel began to produce the first electric toy trains. Lionel's electric toy trains were very popular. In fact, they became the focus of a new hobby: model railroads.
Since most children were more familiar with trains than automobiles, toy train sets were popular requests for Christmas gifts. Upon opening a toy train set, assembling it to run under the Christmas tree was a natural thing to do. For many Americans, toy trains also evoked sentimental feelings similar to the other emotions associated with Christmas. Christmas was a time when many people traveled long distances to reach home or to see relatives. Most of these journeys would involve a train ride. Likewise, the nation's railroads were a primary means of transporting packages around the country at Christmastime.
Over time, many families added to their toy train setup year after year. What might have started out as a simple circular track around the tree with a few train cars could eventually become an elaborate layout with multiple tracks, as well as buildings. Some families began
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Allentown and Auburn Railroad
constructing entire holiday villages under their Christmas trees soon after Thanksgiving. In the Chinchilla home of the late Bernard and Helen Fanning, an intricate village featuring family businesses and two train sets, complete with real coal pieces, encircled and then disappeared in the tunnel under a raised Christmas tree. Their children remember long nights beginning at Thanksgiving to get the set up just right. Family and friends would sit ‘round the tree for visits during the holidays and for a month after. The whole holiday scene would remain through February. With the rise of modern technology and electronic gadgets filling Christmas lists, toy trains under the Christmas tree became less prevalent over the years. Within the past decade or so, though, some experts have seen a renewed interest in the toy train tradition. Some experts believe this resurgence of toy trains might have to do with the popularity of modern entertainment that features trains prominently. From Thomas the Tank Engine to the Hogwarts Express of the Harry Potter books to The Polar Express movie, trains have made a comeback in the public's imagination. Train enthusiasts hope that interest continues to fuel a return to the timehonored tradition of oldfashioned toy trains under the Christmas tree.
Finally, trains running around Christmas trees bring back memories of simpler times. Christmas trains are to the soul what "comfort food" is to the appetite — a kind of reassurance that there are still good things in the world, and even good experiences in your own past. H
–Christine Fanning Sources: wonderopolis.org familychristmasonline.comwi
Wayne County Inspires Winter Wonderland
Sleigh bells ring, are
you listening?” Chances are you can sing the next sentence. “Winter Wonderland” is one of the most recognizable Christmas songs in history and the most often recorded. Honesdale native Richard “Dick” Smith was inspired by his hometown to pen the beloved tune in 1931.
Smith was born in Honesdale, PA on September 29, 1901. He lived with his parents John and Eliza Smith and siblings in a house with a direct view of Central Park and the Wayne County Courthouse. He learned to play the piano at his family home. He graduated from Honesdale High School in 1920 and then left the area. Smith attended Penn State where he conducted the school’s orchestra, served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and September 29, 1935 at the age of 34. “Dick Smith‘s song has become a classic– a work of enduring excellence,” said the Wayne County Historical Society. “It has timeless lyrics that are just as fun to sing or listen to as they were in 1934. Though the song is generally recognized as a Christmas song, the lyrics do not refer to Christmas at all, just the snowy winter season.” “Winter Wonderland” was featured in Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway and Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadian Orchestra performed the song. Over 200 artists have recorded “Winter Wonderland” including Bing Crosby, The Andrew Sisters, Perry Como, The Carpenters, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.
“There is a small plaque on the front porch of a privately owned house in Honesdale where Dick Smith grew up. The locals know which house it is and tell their children and friends.” H
wrote several songs for the Glee Club and plays. After graduation, he managed movie theaters in Connecticut, New York City and Chattanooga, TN. Smith married Jean Connor from Scranton on March 30, 1930 and contracted tuberculosis shortly after in 1931. He was admitted to Lenox Hill Hospital and later Scranton’s West Mountain Sanatorium, where he wrote his best-known work, “Winter Wonderland.” He wrote the song about the snow-covered beauty of the park that he saw from his boyhood home. Felix Bernard composed the music for the song.
Although Smith realized his dream of writing a Christmas song, he passed away before it rose to popularity. He died on
T
he babies are coming: January 2019 he babies are coming: January 2022
Submit your baby's photo for inclusion in the next “New Baby Photo Gallery”. All entries must be received prior to December 10.
(Baby must be born after Nov. 1, 2020)
$25 Entry Fee See details at happeningspa.com Question? Email info@happeningspa.com
IS COMMUNICATION HAPPENING FOR YOU?
Everywhere, people are trying to communicate better. They’re desperately trying to have their message heard…to deliver messages that are easy to understand and digest in today’s fragmented, attention-deprived society. They want their audiences to say, “Yeah, I get it.” If you have a message and need help figuring out how to tell it, you should be talking to us. For 50 years, we’ve been helping business craft and deliver their messages across Northeast PA. Let us help you. Because to us, the worst words in the English language are: “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” Happenings Communications Group, Inc. We make communication happen.
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Healthier Eating in 2022
Tis the season for gathering with family and friends. We enjoy entertaining and attending parties and center it around holiday drinks and food. I am not about to tell you to avoid the calorie-laden things you enjoy during the holidays. In fact, I encourage
you to enjoy! When we deprive ourselves from having a dessert, an appetizer or a glass of wine, we tend to get miserable and what fun is that? As a trainer and nutrition coach, I advise my clients to eat things in moderation and to always be mindful. I live by the 80/20 rule which is clean, healthy eating for 80% of the time and the remaining 20% allows us a little bit more freedom to splurge (within reason.) This can be accomplished by having a healthy breakfast and lunch and then enjoying a glass of wine and dessert with your healthy dinner. During the holidays, remember
not to skip a meal because this sets us up for being more hungry and then grabbing what is convenient and not necessarily the best choice.
Drink an 8-ounce glass of water after an alcohol drink to stay hydrated and more full. Plan ahead so you have veggies and lower calorie snacks to offer in addition to cookies and candy. We also tend to stress frequently during the holidays. Getting the perfect gift for everyone, wrapping, baking, cleaning the house and juggling our time can create anxiety and lack of sleep. The holidays also bring out many emotions when we miss someone who is no longer in our lives or when one of our loved ones is sick or struggling. I suggest going for a walk to look at holiday lights, going sledding or skiing with the kids or turning on some upbeat music for a workout! These activities will clear your head and get endorphins flowing to create a more peaceful mind. Many people wait until after the holidays to start, or
restart, a plan for exercise and better eating habits. There is never a better time to start than the minute you are thinking about it. If you ever thought about working with a personal trainer or a nutrition coach or changing up your workout for something new, I would be happy to talk to you about the many options we offer. Whether you are looking to lose weight, get fit, learn to eat better and/or you just simply want to start or make a fresh change with your workouts, The Training Loft, LLC, can help. Our new, exciting location has many new things to share. One-on-one personal training, semi-private training, small group training, nutrition coaching, meal planning, energy raising guided meditation and Zen Barre. Come and get fit with us!
Christmas Charcuterie Board:
Arrange in the shape of a tree or wreath Focus on: Green grapes Red grapes Strawberries Cucumber slices Wheat crackers Pretzel sticks Small cubes of assorted cheese Almonds and pistachios Dark chocolate pieces
Candy Cane Caprese Salad
Fresh log of mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices 2-3 Beefsteak tomatoes, cut into same thickness as mozzarella Balsamic glaze Arrange the mozzarella and tomato slices on a large platter into the shape of a candy cane, staggering each slice. Sprinkle sea salt over the candy cane and drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle fresh basil leaves around the Caprese candy cane to give hints of green! Pour ½ cup of balsamic glaze into a small bowl and place on the platter next to the caprese candy cane. Add baguette slices around the board for pairing. Serve immediately!
H –Jackie Kerekes
Jackie Kerekes is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and a NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist. She trains one-on-one clients and does small group training. She has taught a variety of classes including kickboxing, fat burn pilates, spin, barre, strength training, Bosu bootcamps, TRX, and POUND. Additionally, she designed a class named F.I.T. Factor(Functional Interval Training).
PERSONAL TRAINING SEMI PRIVATE TRAINING SMALL GROUP TRAINING NUTRITION COACHING GUIDED MEDITATION
Jackie Kerekes, Owner NASM CPT, NASM FNS 513 S. State St., Village Square Clarks Summit, PA trainingattheloft.com 570-332-8519
