Because we can’t go on any trips this year, I will be putting some websites here in our column for those who have a computer. I’m trying to get you in a Christmas mood. These are on YouTube.com: “2014 Winter Festival of Lights” and “The Star Carol-Lennon Sisters and Daughters.”
This week we want to learn about Christmas trees. The first American Christmas tree can be credited to a Hessian soldier by the name of Henrick Roddmore, who was captured at the Battle of Bennington in1776. He then went to work on the farm of Samuel Denslow in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, where for the next 14 years he put up and decorated Christmas trees in the Denslow family home.
The first retail Christmas tree lot was established in 1851 by a Pennsylvanian named Mark Carr, who hauled two ox sleds loaded with Christmas trees from the Catskill Mountains to the sidewalks of New York.
The first president to set up a Christmas tree in the White House was Franklin Pierce, and the first president to establish the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn was Calvin Coolidge.
In 1882, the first tree lights were sold in New York City.
Is your tree up and decorated yet? You still have some time. When do you usually take your tree down? Before or after New Year’s Day?
The traditional Christmas flower, the Poinsettia, is native to what is now known as Mexico. Originally it was cultivated by the early Aztecs who named the red flower Cuetlaxochitl which meant “Flower that withers, mortal flower that perished like all that is pure.” It wasn’t until the 17th century that the Poinsettia made its way into the traditions of the Christmas celebration and became known as “la flor de Nochebuena,” or Holy Night (Christmas Eve) flower.
The Tucker County Senior Centers will be closed on Friday, December 25th and Friday, January 1st. We will reopen the following Monday. Enjoy your holidays safely.