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Volume 22, Number 43
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
How well do you know the holiday? By Joy VanderLek Special to The Citizen
If you find yourself with a few minutes to spare after presents have been unwrapped and dinner dishes have been put away, here is some fun Christmas trivia to share with your family: What is the original name for Santa Claus?
those who find the pickle on the tree get an extra present. This also was a German import. What are four plants associated with Christmas? Holly, mistletoe, poinsettia and ivy. Who wrote "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"?
Sinterklass, Sint-Nicolaas or St. Nick.
Randy Brooks, in 1979. The animated movie came out in 2019.
Who sang the original Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer?
What are Christmas crackers?
Gene Autry. He made it No. 1 in 1949. Where did the quirky tradition of placing a pickle on the Christmas tree come from? Germany. In the 1880s, glass ornaments sent to the United States from Germany often featured fruits and vegetables. Tradition holds that
A tradition in England, crackers are cardboard tubes stuffed with sweets and small toys. The crackers have ties at each end. Two people pull at the ties, the cracker makes a loud bang as it breaks open, spilling the treats inside. A paper hat and a poem are often found inside as well. See Christmas, A13
Santa Claus wears a protective face shield at Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township, Pa., on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Dan Gleiter, The Patriot-News via AP
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Thanks, Titan ”It is with very heavy hearts that we sadly announce the passing of retired police K9 Titan. Titan proudly served the Berlin Police Department and the citizens of Berlin from 2008-2017. He was loving and dedicated to his handler, Officer Aimee Krzykowski, and loved to spend time with all his family at the Berlin Police Department. Aimee and Titan were former winners of the CT Police K9 Olympics. Despite his intimidating professional demeanor, he was more frequently seen with kids at many community events. Titan will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, big man. We have the watch.” — Berlin P.D., Facebook, Wednesday, Dec. 16 Officer Aimee Krzykowski and Titan.
Official gives COVID update By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen
very concerned about the upcoming Christmas holidays,” Brown said during a Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. During a public meeting last week, the 15. “Safety precautions really can't be health district director updated the town overemphasized as we move forward. This on a number of COVID-19 issues and con- virus is very opportunistic. Every interaccerns as well as on the progress being tion that we have at this point gives it an made. opportunity to spread.” Berlin has seen an uptick in COVID-19 Over the last several weeks, nearly all cases after Thanksgiving. Since Nov. 26, Connecticut communities have met the the number of confirmed cases in state criteria for being “red,” that is, betown went up by 55 percent, representing longing to the highest risk category. Only an additional 240 COVID-19 infecthree towns do not have that designation. tions. Since the beginning of the pandem- Red zone status means 15 or more cases ic, Berlin recorded a total of 713 cases and per 100,000 population within a two-week 21 COVID-19 related deaths. reporting block. Berlin reported 57.1 cases per 100,000 as of Dec. 17. Charles Brown, director of the Central Connecticut Health District, believes holi- The Food and Drug Administration reday travel and gatherings are partly to blame for the recent rise in cases. “We are See COVID, A11