TheThe JuntoJunto December 2020 I had form’d most of my ingenious acquaintances into a club of mutual improvement, which we called The Junto. -Benjamin Franklin 1 People The Junto December 2020 Teacher Holiday Interview Mallika Pal // Places Editor Although this year’s holiday season is looking different from the past years, the EAHS staff has made sure to stay in touch with their holiday spirit! Here are some of the staff members’ favorite parts of the holidays: Ms. Egberts: Biology and Anatomy teacher, Officer Siegfried: Security case manager, NHS advisor Holiday movie: Christmas vacation Holiday movie: Elf Holiday song: Father Christmas from the Holiday song: Jingle bells Kinks Tradition: “Every year, I watch the peace Tradition: “I enjoy my Christmas Eve candle lighting with my family.” cigar.” Mr. Kanusky: History teacher, JV baseball Dr. Wascura: French teacher coach Holiday movie: Santa Claus is Coming to Holiday movie: Scrooged Town Holiday song: Melekelikimaka Holiday song: The Christmas Cancan Tradition: “I set up an advent calendar Tradition: “Going to church on Christmas every year for my kids. I also proposed to my Eve!” wife with an advent calendar-- I put her ring in the Christmas eve slot!” Ms. Capecci: English teacher and Junto advi- sor Mrs. Santiago: Guidance Secretary Holiday movie: Christmas vacation Holiday movie: Charlie Brown Christmas Holiday song: Winter Wonderland Holiday song: O Holy Night Tradition: “My family does the feast of the Tradition: “Family vacation” seven fishes on Christmas eve. We also celebrate my Dad’s birthday!” 2 Places very The Junto December 2020 A covid christmas Sienna Walenciak // People Editor With the December holidays rapidly approach- has resulted in a much more sober Christmas ing, countries around the world have had to for its citizens. A partial lockdown has been in- make hard decisions to try to salvage the holi- stituted across the country, as well as a travel day spirit while keeping citizens safe from ban. Citizens are also not allowed to leave their COVID-19. As restrictions are put in place, cel- hometowns on Christmas and New Years. A ebrations will be quite different from years curfew from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM has also passed. been implemented. Similar to Germany, Italian Christmas markets have also been shut down In Germany, non-essential shops and schools for the season. will be closed over the holiday season. The country’s popular outdoor Christmas markets, Not all countries, however, are tightening re- featuring vendors selling food, gifts, and other strictions. France has lifted its lockdown, as well provisions, are also closed. The closure will as its ban on travel for Christmas though travel- cause a significant decline in Germany’s econ- ers must still comply with strict restrictions omy, which booms from the opening of the while they visit. A curfew from 10:00 PM to markets. Germany has also ordered a hard 6:00 PM will be placed for all tourists and citi- lockdown over the holidays, allowing each zens, and restaurants, shops, and cinemas will household to host only four family members be shut down for the season. France’s popular from other households from December 24-26. ski resorts have also been closed following strong debates over whether European resorts The Netherlands have entered a similar lock- should remain open. They are set to reopen in down phase following a surge of COVID cases January. in the country. For five weeks, all non-essential businesses will be closed, including cinemas, Holiday COVID rules and regulations are caus- hairdressers, and gyms. These restrictions will ing sadness and anger around the globe, but it be lifted briefly to allow Dutch households to doesn’t have to be this way. Find the joy, em- host three guests instead of the normal two. brace the light, and have gratitude for all you Dutch cities have also asked people to stay away do have. With a positive attitude, a little creativ- from popular shops and citizens have been told ity and out-of-the-box thinking, we will find to refrain from any unnecessary travel to and ways to celebrate the holidays safely and in a from the country. way that enables us to connect with those we hold most dear. Who knows? It may end up be- Italy has been experiencing the highest number ing our most memorable and treasured holiday of COVID deaths since the end of March. This season yet! 3 Places The Junto December 2020 A Bright Christmas Alania Mariano // Editor-in-Chief Are you looking for some fun Covid-friendly holiday activities to do with your family over break? Well lucky for you, you can find them here! Below lists three places known for their extraordinary lights during the holidays. What: Winter Light Spectacular Where: Lehigh Valley Zoo The Lehigh Valley Zoo is continuing their Winter Light Spectacu- lar this year by transforming into a winter wonderland! Brightened When: Now- January 2nd by more than a million lights, you can take a stroll through the zoo and view several light displays. They also have live performances, family photo opportunities, fire pits, and hot chocolate stands. This year they are taking precautions by requiring masks, social distanc- ing, and limiting the amount of people in the zoo. You can go to the Lehigh Valley Zoo website for more information and to reserve your tickets! What: Koziar’s Christmas Village Where: Bernville, PA Another fun trip you could take with your family is going to the When: Now- January 2nd Koziar’s Christmas Village. This village is a family owned business and people travel from great lengths to visit every year! Within the village you can find Santa’s post office, an old-fashioned bakery shop, the kissing brdige, a manger scene, a toy shop, and more. With safety precautions, you can walk around and look at all the lights, as well as go inside shops. Go to their website to find more information about the village and get your tickets! What: A Longwood Christmas Where: Longwood Gardens If you are looking to take a day trip to Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens is the place to go. Here you can find outside light displays When: Now- January 10th on towering trees that touch the sky, as well as magical tunnels of light. Although the conservatory is closed for safety reasons, they have fire pits to warm you up while walking around. After walking around, you could also dine at their outdoor restaurant! For more information and for ticket options, visit their website. 4 Places The Junto December 2020 Visiting the... Easton Winter Village Colette Potter // Copy Editor Downtown Easton’s Winter Village has been open since November 27th, and will continue to stay open until December 31st. There are 20 vendors in white and red huts around the Easton Circle. I was especially interest- ed in the Easton Baking Co. hut. One of the main at- tractions is the ice skating rink near the Easton Indoor Public Market. The rink is made of synthetic ice. Skates can also be rented. The Shop & Skate is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday leading up to Christmas. It is free for residents, and five dollars for non-city residents. The Winter Village was started as a way for Easton lo- cal businesses to be able to sell their products safely. The Winter Village is all outdoors. The Little Brass Band of the Lehigh Valley has also performed Christmas music at the Winter Vil- lage, and there were even people on stilts walking around the Circle. The Winter Village was quite pretty at night. After the large snowstorm on December 17th, the hut roofs were covered with snow and looked very cheerful. The lights all around the trees surrounding the area light up the Winter Village with a nice glow. Even when the Winter Village is not open, it is still a festive area to walk around. I think it is a fantastic idea to bring some cheer to an otherwise somewhat dreary holiday season. The Winter Village seemed to be modeled off of European Kris Kringle Markets, and I would say it worked well. The lights, the red hut roofs, the Peace Candle, and the skating rink all contributed to a fun, new scenic attraction. Points Of View The Junto December 2020 The Covid-19 Vaccine Steven McDonald // Copy Editor After months of talking about a vaccine being being researched before millions of doses of the the most reasonable solution to the pandemic, vaccine are shipped is what component could and waiting in our homes for such a thing to be be causing such reactions. created Pfizer, an American pharmaceuticals company, has created exactly that. The Pfizer There is of course also the question of how Covid-19 vaccine boasts a 95% immunization much can be shipped and when, which will rate in people aged 65 and older, and will hope- primarily be based on how many companies fully be delivered to about 21 million people can produce their own vaccine, and how many working in healthcare come this January, after production facilities there are, take for instance which it will be given to essential workers. Once the Russian vaccine. Russia has also created a the front line workers vaccine dubbed the have been vaccinated a Sputnik-V vaccine, focus will be put on old- which works in about er citizens with respira- 92% of cases, and has tory issues before every- been shipped all over its one else is vaccinated. home country with plans being that every The FDA’s vaccine advi- Russian citizen is im- sory panel passed the munized.