Sharing Reports - Jan/Feb - 2016

The chapter sisters are dealing with crazy weather, kids, grandkids, holiday guests, surgery, illnesses and more. Karen H. was able to return after an email program, and we are glad to have her back.

November's Program was Memories of Sandi's Thanksgiving in Upstate New York.  We learned a bit about our sister we did not know.  We are sorry we can't share there photos, know they were lovely.

Our December Program was most interesting, so we thought we would share it with all of you.

Happy… I mean Merry… I mean Mosel Tough…I mean where am I? Happy Holidays is an all encompassing term that covers many special days from many different cultures. So depending on where you are during this holiday saturated time, you may be given a different kind of greeting and it would be nice to not only know what they mean but how to respond and participate in the festivities around you.

St. Nicholas Day
This holiday isn’t largely celebrated in the United States but is big in many European countries. Held on the anniversary of St. Nicholas’ death on Dec. 6th 343 AD, it pays tribute to a man who spent most of his life helping those in need. There are many stories about his secret good deeds but one seems particularly well known. A very poor man had three daughters, because of this they did not have dowries and faced futures likely including prostitution.

To save them from this dark fate, St. Nicholas threw a bag of gold for each daughter through their windows. The treasures are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left by the fire to dry. Today, children place a shoe outside their door in the hopes that some treasure will be left inside. In some countries it’s believed that St. Nicholas arrives in November and spends several weeks traveling throughout the countryside on a horse or donkey finding out if children have been good.

Christmas
This Christian holiday, has many similarities to St. Nicholas Day as far as celebration but has very different roots. It is held on December 25th and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe was the son of God. The biblical story tells that he was immaculately conceived to Mary and Joseph and born in a stable because all the inns were full. He went on to perform many miracles, spread the word of God and ultimately be crucified for the sins of humanity. The holiday is celebrated by over 2 billion people worldwide by gift exchange, special masses, music and decorations. One of the most popular is the Christmas tree, originally a pagan tradition decorated by edibles such as nuts and fruit.

Boxing Day
What the heck is this day? It is on so many calendars on December 26th and is popular in Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Yet, I had my suspicions it wasn’t a special day a year when all Canadians get out big red gloves and beat up each other. Turns out, the seemingly mysterious holiday ( I once asked a Canadian what it was and she couldn’t tell me) is a bit obscure in its origins but carries the same basic principle.

Some sources say it is because servants traditionally worked Christmas Day but had the following day off and their employers gave them a gift following their service. Another says that church alms boxes, where people donated money and items for the less fortunate, were opened and distributed the day after Christmas. The tradition expanded to include service people such as mail carriers and tradesmen. Many people have the day off where it is celebrated and post-Christmas sales begin marking it as a major shopping day.

Hanukkah
A special day times eight, this Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated Dec. 8th-16th. It observes the rededication of the Second Temple in 165 BC. The ruler at the time had outlawed Judaism and confiscated their temple. Circumcision was banned and animal sacrifices were performed at the altar. The Jewish people organized a revolt and upon success the temple was rededicated but required cleansing.

To complete this, the iconic candle holder known as the Menorah, needed to burn uninterrupted throughout consecutive nights but there was only enough oil to last one. Miraculously, the Menorah burned for eight days, the exact amount of time needed to replenish their oil! Today, special rituals are held for each day and branch of the Menorah. The ninth and middle candle is higher than the rest and is there in case you actually need the light of a candle since it is forbidden to light the others for practical purposes.

Kwanzaa
This young holiday is less religious and more ideological and strives to reconnect individuals with their African culture. Created in 1966 by Mualana Kareng, a professor of African studies, activist and author, it’s celebrated from Dec. 26th-Jan. 1st. The Swahili word mean first fruits of the harvest. Each day is dedicated to a principal he believed represented the best within communities. They are unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Kareng originally created it as an alternative for the black community, as a unique way for them to celebrate themselves versus imitating dominate society, but now it is widely incorporated and celebrated in addition to other holidays.

Festivus- Holiday for the Rest of Us
Don’t forget the best of all, the one that was created basically for fun and made popular by the television sitcom Seinfeld. It was created as a way to celebrate the holidays without dedicating to just one and avoiding any pressures that come with them. The holiday seems comparable to April Fool’s Day mixed with a 30th birthday party mixed with an ugly Christmas sweater party. Make it whatever you want, celebrate your pet peeves, how much Mondays suck, cats in sinks, whatever suites your fancy…just celebrate happily and creatively. It was originally conceived by the writer Dan O’Keefe and passed on to Seinfeld through his son who was a screenwriter for the show. The event was a family tradition for years and included signature events such as the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength” in place of gift exchanges and decorations.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen, Online Eta Rep

Online Beta was every busy during November and December.  Many recipes crafts were shared:  including a Easy Pecan Pie, Swedish Meatballs were part of the many wonderful items shared.  Plus there was an free 2016 Planner that was shared with the members from a special web site.

  We had a Murder Mystery that including members sending recipes as well and the guests included: Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, and Elmo.  Plus the Swedish Chef, Betty Brocker, Graham Kerr, Emeril to name a few.  It was a fun time trying to figure out the how of our guest who was murdered.  And what was used. 

  Also birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated by the members.

  Submitted by:
Kandy
Carolyn,
Madonna

The last couple of months have been busy ones for our chapter.  Besides the holidays, there was travelling and illnesses to deal with.  Arlene is now home and continuing to make progress in her rehabilitation.

We had a Welcome Ritual for 3 new members- Geri, Skyler and Carol.   Barbara and Linda are making enhancements to our chapter webpage which should soon be available. In December, we decided to have a voluntary Christmas mug exchange along with the usual special sister gift exchange.  It was really fun to see what members came up with to send to their special person. This month we will be voting on our chapter Valentine Sweetheart which will be announced in February.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

  Vivian B.
Online Theta

Beta Bookers:  Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave is the book we are reading now.

Readings:  Carrie has been sharing readings each month from the BSP book.

Programs:  In Oct. Barb took us to a corn maze. (I would get lost!) In Nov. Wendy presented the history of Aprons.  Some of us remember Grandma's aprons, and some of the sisters still wear aprons today! Carrie also presented a program "The Bowl" and the ladies shared stories about special bowls and platters used for family dinners.

Social: In Oct. Wendy took us to a BSP convention at Niagra Falls.  (I would love to go sometime!) In Dec. Laura took us to a Dicken's Festival in December at Trenton Town Hall in Ontario.She took us back to 1861! Laura included menus and recipes! I wish I could go to her town and enjoy this lovely time!  In Nov. our meeting was cut short as my father-in-law Charles S. Nathan died.  Out of respect, the girls decided to close the meeting.

Holiday Fun:  We shared favorite recipees.  Such delicious cookies! One was from Billie: Forgotten Cookies- they are baked and left in the oven (forgotten) overnight, or about 8 hours.  Fun and yummmm!

I am really energized as I summarize some of our activities.  My heart leaps with joy as I say to myself "Oh, yeah! How much fun was that!"  My life is certainly blessed and enriched by my sisters. Sharing is such a blessing in life.  I love reading what other chapters are doing. Such sharing is inspirational.  Thank-you sisters!

Happily yours,
Joanie
Online Upsilon Chapter