The Orchard Oracle Contributions:

Mercy DECEMBER 2017 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 12 McDowell

&

Christa Orbann

All the staff and residents at Orchard Senior Living

2060 Idlewood Rd Tucker, GA 30084 770-938-5600

“The Holidays” Orchard at Tucker

THE ORCHARD ORACLE THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 2 DECEMBER 2017

“The Holidays” Orchard at Tucker

DECEMBER 2017 THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 3

This is the first of a seriesRESIDENT of excerpts from the book, SPOTLIGHT “Remembering the Past” by resident Allene Hon- eycutt as she approaches her 100th birthday, March 22, 2013, used with her permission. “Jack Brantley” I was born on March 22, 1913 to Saphmonia Elizabeth Penny Turlington and William Henderson Turlington. I was the youngest of 15 children (one set of twins). I came into the world at 11 p.m. on a cold and rainy Saturday. Our home was on a farm halfway between Raleigh and Fayette, N.C. Our home was known as the Half-Way House where the stage stopped and riders would be refreshed. For many years the family farmed a large area, and my father also served as the deputy sheriff and later sheriff of the county. The twins, Hilma and Hilton, were born nearly two years ahead of me. They were very close to each other and I often felt left out. Once I asked an older brother if I wasn’t the most unwanted baby ever and he said I was really wanted and loved. I still cannot understand the 15th child being welcomed! We had a good life, but a hard life. We had excellent parents, and the older sisters and brothers worked outside and inside the clean and comfortable homeBY withDICK plenty SUEVER of food and good clothes. While Mother took care Florida’sof me, my firstsisters real cared estate for the twins.bubble occurred in the early 1920’s. Miami My oldest sister, Mame married before I was born and gave birth to Turlington. She became ill hadwith an tuberculosis image as and a spenttropical a year paradise at a sanitarium. and Whenoutside she returnedinvestors to her across home, doctorsthe United told her States she beganshould takingnot have anany interest more children, in Miami but nature real would estate have due it otherwise, in part and to Dickthe publicitywas born. When talents he was of audaciousthree months developers. old, Mame became ill again, and Mother brought Dick to live with us. Mame, whom I don’t remember knowing, died a few months later. So, although Mother lost one child (Carl) she raised 15 in- cluding this grandchild. He had been born on December 21, 1915, about two years younger than me. Walter AndrewMother was Brantley a remarkable had woman. returned Dick was from tiny Franceand malnourished. (WW1) Mother in 1919 said toshe the would farm often in Washingtonplace her thumb County, by his knee Georgia in order toand see wasif he wasconvinced gaining weight. by a Sincefamily there member was no baby to foodmortgage and Mother wasn’t nursing, he was fed food that was chewed by Mother. She said it included biscuits soaked thein coffee.Brantley He cried Georgia a lot. The property twins and and I took invest turns lying in the on the “booming” floor and rocking Florida his cradle. real Onceestate Hilton market.was rocking so hard, he turned the cradle over. Henry married Laylon Parish the December before I was born. CONTINUE ON PAGE 4 By January 1925 when Jack Brantley was born investors were beginning to read negativeI was press often about mistaken Florida for their investments. daughter Alease, Forbes and I often magazine visited them. warned Laylon alwaysthat Florida had time landfor us. prices When wereMother based died, she solely lived close upon and the was expectations always there when of needed. finding She eager died in investors, 1992 at the age of 101. She too had a large number of children. not uponMother real told land us thatvalues. when Gertude (the sixth of the 15) was six months old she was taken on a visit to the Byrds. Eighteen year old Sam Byrd, who had lost one arm in an accident and now ran a store, took Tooone latelook atto Gertude, respond and to called the her warnings, the prettiest the baby W. he A. had Brantley ever seen. Hefamily told Mother found he themselveswould wait until she was old enough and then marry her. So he did! They had three boys: Worth, Bill and Sam. Sam Sr. withdied worthlesswhen Sam, Jr. Florid was in college.real estate All graduated and Georgia from“WHAT’SWhat’s college property and servedCOOKING?”Cooking? that in couldthe armed not services be efficient- during lyWWII. utilized under the terms of the mortgage,ByBy Regency Regency and without House funds Chefs toChefs pursue and means ofKeeping living the other family thanfed, clothed sharecropping. and all the chores As done the Chefwas number a never Justin-ending in process.the family In the winter grew there towere 8 things to do getting equipment ready, but in spring allOctober the crops were isstarted German and the hard workFood began Month! in earnest. All the plant- theiring, clearing, economy and harvesting plight of corn,worsened. cotton, otherThere Ingrains 1937 will and sugar bethe cane boxBrantley’s was a done new by hand eldestseasonal or by sonmules joinedpullingmenu the theintro-equipment Ci- vilianfive days Conservation of each week. Saturdays Corps, were for (CCC’s) doingAduced variety things in inaround California.September theof house German or going This 2012. into Themedleft town Expect forJack supplies. to foodsto become All see year wedish-will werehis cleaning and cooking three hardy meals each day, in addition to thwashing, ironing, sewing, weaving, quilting and even making father’ssoap. We werefirst all lineup early of doing help. chores He and bepreparingwases available includingin breakfast, the 6 milking grade ingredientsfor cows, when you feeding tothe the stock samplesuchbusy—all planting asbefore through Squash,eating. season As the requiredgirls got older, him they to worked skip in thehis garden schooling withoutPumpkins, Mother theand or in month! helpthe Apples,fields his chopping father.Bon various weeds. appetite! I’ll neverNuts. forget Autumn picking potato sea- bugs and beetles off beans and killing them. sonal vegetables & fruit typically warm as the (ContinueOne year on the page cotton 5)boll weevil appeared, and it nearly wiped out cotton production. The weevil pierced the boll and the boll would drop off. We had to walk overdays the field, grow pick up cooler.the fallen bolls, as well as pull off the ones that had been pierced. All were bagged and burned. A few years later there was a chemical spray, but before that the cotton producing was really reduced because when the weevil went through a field, despite our efforts, there was not much cotton left. THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 4 DECEMBER 2017

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT: “Jack Brantley” (Continued from page 4) Jack’s mother pleaded with school officials to permit him to do 7th grade work even though he had not finished 6th grade. With the official’s permission grant- ed Jack successfully completed the work and was promoted to the 7”grade. En- couraged by his success Jack’s mother made the same request to the school offi- cials for his 8th grade work. Because Jack’s help was again required for the farm to survive until the next spring Jack’s efforts for the 8th grade were not success- ful so, he did not go to school the next 2 years.

In the summer of 1940 Jack’s aunt and her husband were disturbed to learn that Jack had not been to school for the two years. They persuaded Jack’s parents to allow him to live in Ft. Pierce, Florida with them, attend school regularly and help care for their invalid son, Bill, less than a year younger than Jack. This be- gan in September, 1940 and lasted until February, 1943.

In 1943 Jack joined the U. S. Armed Forces, took intensive training at Fort Bragg, N. C., transferred to Fort Jackson, S.C. where he joined the 695th Ar- mored Field Artillery Battalion and soon boarded the Marine Raven on Staten Island for the 5,000 mile trip to Scotland.

In many respects, the war had been the most rapid, the most completely success- ful war in history. Germany was utterly prostrate beneath the American, Rus- sian and British conquers. All of Germany was flattened, the German soldiers, no longer supermen were prisoners of war behind barbed wire. With the excep- tion of the air activities, all this had transpired in the eleven months between D day on June 6, 1944 and the unconditional surrender of the German army rem- nants on May 8, 1045. Truly a fast war, achieved with staggering successful re- sults.

Jack Brantley had no plans beyond the years he served during WW11. That all changed when the G. I. Bill of Rights was enacted giving free college education to those who served our country on active duty. Jack earned a degree in Archi- tecture at Georgia Tech and had a very successful career.

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ThisLegend is the first of a seriesof ofSanta excerpts from- the book, “Remembering the Past” by resident Allene Hon- eycutt as she approaches her 100th birthday, March 22, 2013, used with her permission.

I was born on March 22, 1913 to Saphmonia Elizabeth Penny Turlington and William Henderson Turlington. I was the youngest of 15 children (one set of twins). I came into the world at 11 p.m. on a cold and rainy Saturday. Our home was on a farm halfway between Raleigh and Fayette, N.C. Our home was known as the Half-Way House where the stage stopped and riders would be refreshed. For many years the family farmed a large area, and my father also served as the deputy sheriff and later sheriff of the county. The twins, Hilma and Hilton, were born nearly two years ahead of me. They were very close to INTRODUCTIONeach other and I often felt left out. Once I asked an older brother if I wasn’t the most unwanted baby ever and he said I was really wanted and loved. I still cannot understand the 15th child being welcomed! We had a good life, but a hard life. We had excellent parents, and the older sisters and brothers worked outside The man we know as Santa Claus has a history all his own. Today, he is thought of and inside the clean and comfortable home with plenty of food and good clothes. While Mother took care mainlyof me, myas thesisters jolly cared man for thein red,twins. but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd centu- ry. Find Myout oldest more sister, about Mame the marriedhistory before of Santa I was Claus born and from gave his birth earliest to Turlington. origins She to became the shop- ill with tuberculosis and spent a year at a sanitarium. When she returned to her home, doctors told her she pingshould mall not favorite have any of more today, children, and but discover nature would how twohave Newit otherwise, Yorkers and–Clement Dick was Clarkborn. When Moore he wasand Thomasthree months Nast old,–were Mame major became influences ill again, andon theMother Santa brought Claus Dick millions to live with of childrenus. Mame, waitwhom for I don’t each Christmasremember knowing,Eve. died a few months later. So, although Mother lost one child (Carl) she raised 15 in- cluding this grandchild. He had been born on December 21, 1915, about two years younger than me. Mother was a remarkable woman. Dick was tiny and malnourished. Mother said she would often THEplace LEGEND her thumb OF by hisST. knee NICHOLAS in order to see if he was gaining weight. Since there was no baby food and Mother wasn’t nursing, he was fed food that was chewed by Mother. She said it included biscuits soaked Thein coffee.legend He of cried Santa a lot. Claus The twins can andbe tracedI took turns back lying hundreds on the floor of andyears rocking to a hismonk cradle. named Once HiltonSt. Nicholas.was rocking It isso believedhard, he turned that theNicholas cradle over. was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Henry married Laylon Parish the December before I was born. Myra in modern CONTINUE-day Turkey.ON PAGE Much 4 admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas be- came the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth I was often mistaken for their daughter Alease, and I often visited them. Laylon always had time and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the best known of the St. for us. When Mother died, she lived close and was always there when needed. She died in 1992 at the age Nicholasof 101. She stories too had is a that large he number saved of threechildren. poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prosti- tution byMother their told father us that by when providing Gertude them (the sixth with of a the dowry 15) was so sixthat months they old could she wasbe married.taken on a visitOver to the Byrds. Eighteen year old Sam Byrd, who had lost one arm in an accident and now ran a store, took theone course look at ofGertude, many and years, called Nicholas’s her the prettiest popularity baby he hadspread ever seen.and heHe toldbecame Mother known he would as waitthe untilpro- tectorshe was of oldchildren enough andand thensailors. marry His her. feast So he daydid!“WHAT’S isTheyWhat’s celebrated had three boys:onCOOKING?”Cooking? the Worth, anniversary Bill and Sam. of his Sam death, Sr. Decemberdied when Sam,6. This Jr. waswas in traditionally college. All graduated considered from collegea lucky and day served to make in the armedlarge servicespurchases during or to WWII. ByBy Regency Regency House Chefs Chefs get married.Keeping By the the family Renaissance, fed, clothed St. and Nicholas all the chores was done the Chefwas mosta never Justin -popularending process. saint In the in winter Europe. there were Eventhings after to do getting the Protestant equipment ready, Reformation, but in spring allOctober thewhen crops thewere isstartedveneration German and the hard of saintsworkFood began began Month! in earnest. to be All dis-the plant- ing, clearing, and harvesting of corn, cotton, otherThere grains will and sugar be canebox was a done new by hand seasonal or by mules pullingmenu the intro-equipment couraged,five days of eachSt. week.Nicholas Saturdays maintained were for doingAduced avariety things positive inaround September reputation,theof house German or going 2012.especially into Themed town Expect for in supplies. Holland. foodsto All see year wedish-will were cleaning and cooking three hardy meals each day, in addition to washing, ironing, sewing, weaving, quilting and even making soap. We were all up early doing chores and bepreparinges available including breakfast, milking ingredientsfor cows, you feeding to the stock samplesuch—all asbefore through Squash,eating. As the girls got older, they worked in the garden withoutPumpkins, Mother the or in month! the Apples,fields chopping Bon various weeds. appetite! I’ll neverNuts. forget Autumn picking potato sea- bugs and beetles off beans and killing them. One year the cotton boll weevil appeared,sonal and vegetablesit nearly wiped out cotton& fruit production. typically The weevil warm pierced asthe bollthe and the boll would drop off. We had to walk overdays the field, grow pick up cooler.the fallen bolls, as well as pull off the ones that had been pierced. All were bagged and burned. A few years later there was a chemical spray, but before that the cotton producing was really reduced because when the weevil went through a field, despite our efforts, there was not much cotton left. THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 6 DECEMBER 2017

SINTER KLAAS COMES TO NEW YORK

St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New Yorknewspaper report-

ed that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death.

The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas). In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. In 1809, WashingtonIrving helped to popularize the Sinter Klaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a “rascal” with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad- brimmed hat and a “huge pair of Flemish trunk hose.

A SANTA BY ANY OTHER NAME

18th-century America’s Santa Claus was not the only St. Nicholas-inspired gift-giver to make an appearance at Christmastime. Similar figures were popular all over the world. Christkind or Kris Kringle was believed to deliver presents to well-behaved Swiss and German children. Meaning “Christ child,” Christkind is an angel-like figure often ac- companied by St. Nicholas on his holiday missions. In Scandinavia, a jolly elf named Jultomten was thought to deliver gifts in a sleigh drawn by goats. English legend ex- plains that Father Christmas visits each home on Christmas Eve to fill children’s stock- ings with holiday treats. Pere Noel is responsible for filling the shoes of French children. In Russia, it is believed that an elderly woman named Babouschka purposely gave the wise men wrong directions to Bethlehem so that they couldn’t find Jesus. Later, she felt remorseful, but could not find the men to undo the damage. To this day, on January 5, Babouschka visits Russian children leaving gifts at their bedsides in the hope that one of them is the baby Jesus and she will be forgiven. In Italy, a similar story exists about a woman called La Befana, a kindly witch who rides a broomstick down the chimneys of Italian homes to deliver toys into the stockings of lucky children.

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This is the first of a series of excerpts fromClassic the book, ’40s “Remembering and ’50s the Past”Christmas by resident Movies Allene Hon- eycutt as she approaches her 100th birthday, March 22, 2013, used with her permission.

I was born on March 22, 1913The to Shop Saphmonia Around Elizabeth the Corner Penny – 1940; Turlington directed and byWilliam Ernst HendersonLubitsch; Turlington. I was the youngest of 15starring children Margaret (one set Sullavan,of twins). IJames came intoStewart, the world and Frankat 11 p.m. Morgan. on a cold and rainy Saturday. Our home was on a farm halfway between Raleigh and Fayette, N.C. Our home was known as the Half-Way HouseThough where the not stage James stopped Stewart’s and riders most wouldfamous be Christmas refreshed. classic,For many it’s a years the family farmed a large area,great and lovemy father story alsorevolving served around as the deputy the holiday sheriff season. and later sheriff of the county. The twins, Hilma and Hilton, were born nearly two years ahead of me. They were very close to each other and I often felt left out. OnceHoliday I asked Inn –an 1942; older directedbrother if by I wasn’t Mark theSandrich; most unwanted starring baby Bing ever and he said I was really wanted and loved. I still cannot understand the 15th child being welcomed! We Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds. A musical comedy had a good life, but a hard life. We had excellent parents, and the older sisters and brothers worked outside aboutand insidemusicians the clean preparing and comfortable for Christmas home festivities with plenty at ofa lodgefood and that’s good only clothes. open Whileon holidays. Mother took care of me, my sisters cared for the twins. I’ll Be Seeing You – 1944; directed by William Dieterle and George Cukor; starring Ginger Rogers, My oldest sister, Mame married before I was born and gave birth to Turlington. She became ill Josephwith tuberculosis Cotten, and and Shirley spent Temple.a year at Aa sanitarium.Christmastime When romance she returned blooms to her between home, adoctors shell- shockedtold her shesoldier should not have any more children, but nature would have it otherwise, and Dick was born. When he was and the convict out on furlough that he meets on a train. three months old, Mame became ill again, and Mother brought Dick to live with us. Mame, whom I don’t Christmasremember in knowing, Connecticut died a– few1945; months directed later. by So, Peter although Godfrey; Mother starring lost one Barbara child (Carl) Stanwyck, she raised Dennis 15 in- cluding this grandchild. He had been born on December 21, 1915, about two years younger than me. Morgan, Motherand Sydney was a Greenstreet. remarkable woman. A food Dickwriter was who’s tiny andsignificantly malnourished. misrepresented Mother said her she housewife would often skillsplace suddenly her thumb has by to his pull knee of ain fabulous order to seetraditional if he was Christmas gaining weight. dinner. Since there was no baby food and Mother wasn’t nursing, he was fed food that was chewed by Mother. She said it included biscuits soaked It’s a Wonderful Life – 1946; directed by Frank Capra; starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Li- in coffee. He cried a lot. The twins and I took turns lying on the floor and rocking his cradle. Once Hilton onelwas Barrymore. rocking so hard,Indisputably he turned one the ofcradle the mostover. famous Christmas films of all time, an angel shows a businessmanHenry what married the world Laylon would Parish have the December been like withoutbefore I washim. born. CONTINUE ON PAGE 4 Miracle on 34th Street – 1947; directed by George Seaton; starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Ha- ra, and JohnI was Payne. often mistaken If any film for rivalstheir daughter the last entryAlease, as and most I often famous visited Christmas them. Laylon movie always ever, it’s had this time one aboutfor us. the When defense Mother of an died, institutionalized she lived close man and claimingwas always to therebe Santa when Claus. needed. She died in 1992 at the age of 101. She too had a large number of children. The Bishop’sMother Wife told – us1947; that directedwhen Gertude by Henry (the sixthKoster; of the starring 15) was Cary six monthsGrant, oldLoretta she was Young, taken and on aDavid visit Niven.to the An Byrds. angel Eighteen comes alongyear old in Samhuman Byrd, form who to had help lost a bishop one arm get in hisan accidentlife in order and nowand buildran a store, a new took ca- thedralone look during at Gertude, the holiday and called season. her the prettiest baby he had ever seen. He told Mother he would wait until she was old enough and then marry her. So he did! They had three boys: Worth, Bill and Sam. Sam Sr. Holidaydied when Affair Sam, – 1949;Jr. was directed in college. by DonAll graduated Hartman; from“WHAT’S starringWhat’s college Robert and servedCOOKING?”Cooking? Mitchum, in the Janetarmed Leigh, services and during Wendell Corey.WWII. A Christmastime romance blossoms betweenByBy Regency an Regency department House store clerk Chefs andChefs the widow who Keeping the family fed, clothed and all the chores done Chefwas a never Justin-ending process. In the winter there were costthings him to hisdo getting job. equipment ready, but in spring allOctober the crops were isstarted German and the hard workFood began Month! in earnest. All the plant- Theing, Great clearing, Rupert and harvesting – 1950; of directedcorn, cotton, by otherThere Irving grains Pichel;will and sugar be starring canebox was aJimmy done new by Durante,hand seasonal or by mulesTerry pullingmenu Moore, the intro-equipment and Tom five days of each week. Saturdays were for doingAduced variety things inaround September theof house German or going 2012. into Themed town Expect for supplies. foodsto All see year wedish-will were Drake.cleaning A and classic cooking comedy three hardy that’s meals great each forday, kids, in addition featuring to washing, a charming ironing, sewing, animated weaving, dancing quilting squirrel and even makingwho bees available including ingredientsfor you to samplesuch as through Squash, inadvertentlysoap. We were allhelps up early out doingtwo families.chores and preparing breakfast, milking cows, feeding the stock—all before eating. As the girls got older, they worked in the garden withoutPumpkins, Mother the or in month! the Apples,fields chopping Bon various weeds. appetite! I’ll neverNuts. forget Autumn picking potato sea- bugs and beetles off beans and killing them. One year the cotton boll weevil appeared,sonal and vegetablesit nearly wiped out cotton& fruit production. typically The weevil warm pierced asthe bollthe and (Continuedthe boll would on drop page off. 9) We had to walk overdays the field, grow pick up cooler.the fallen bolls, as well as pull off the ones that had been pierced. All were bagged and burned. A few years later there was a chemical spray, but before that the cotton producing was really reduced because when the weevil went through a field, despite our efforts, there was not much cotton left. THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 8 DECEMBER 2017

(Continued from page 8)

A Christmas Carol – 1951; directed by Brian Desmond Hurst; starring Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, and Kathleen Harrison. This is easily one of the most beloved film portrayals of the famous Charles Dickens Christmas classic. The Lemon Drop Kid – 1951; directed by Sidney Lanfield and Frank Tashlin; starring Bob Hope, Marilyn Maxwell, and Lloyd Nolan. The Lemon Drop kid finds himself owing an unhappy gangster $10,000 and takes advantage of the Christmas spirit to make some money. The Holly and the Ivy – 1952; directed by George More O’Ferrall; starring Ralph Richardson, Celia Johnson, and Margaret Leighton. A dramatic story about a minister and his family reunited at Christmas, with an emphasis on struggles during the WWII years. Susan Slept Here – 1954; directed by Frank Tashlin; starring Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, and Anne Francis. The comedic tale of a struggling scriptwriter’s unexpected Christmas present, a juve- nile delinquent named Susan. White Christmas – 1954; directed by Michael Curtiz; starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rose- mary Clooney. Music, comedy, and romance come together in the Christmastime tale that involves saving a failing inn in Vermont. We’re No Angels – 1955; directed by Michael Curtiz; starring Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray. An iconic Christmas comedy about the h helpful holiday hijinx of three escaped convicts. REMINDER: GENTLEMEN’S CLUB With James

EVERY FRIDAY* 2:30 PM MOVIE THEATER ROOM

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4 Unique Christmas Traditions From Around the World TheThis world is the is, firstof course, of a series a multicultural of excerpts fromplace, the with book, its people“Remembering celebrating the Past” myriad by holidaysresident duringAllene the Hon- final eycutt as she approaches her 100th birthday, March 22, 2013, used with her permission. weeks of the year, from Hanukkah to Kwanzaa.

I was born on March 22, 1913 to Saphmonia Elizabeth Penny Turlington and William Henderson WithTurlington. one-third I ofwas the the world's youngest population of 15 children Christian, (one setChristmas of twins). is celebratedI came into in the many world nations. at 11 p.m. Yet onin placesa wherecold andChristians rainy Saturday. are in the Our minority home —was take on Japan,a farm for halfway example, between where Raleigh less than and 1 Fayette, percent N.C. of the Our population home followwas knownthe religion as the — Half many-Way may House still wherehonor the stageholiday, stopped albeit and in unexpectedriders would ways.be refreshed. For many years the family farmed a large area, and my father also served as the deputy sheriff and later sheriff of the 1.county. The Philippines No other Thecountry twins, in theHilma world and celebrates Hilton, were the born season nearly quite two like years Filipinos, ahead the of me. third They-largest were Catholic very close nation to in theeach world. other and I often felt left out. Once I asked an older brother if I wasn’t the most unwanted baby ever th and he said I was really wanted and loved. I still cannot understand the 15 child being welcomed! We Thehad Philippines a good life, one but-up a hardthe United life. We States' had excellent propensity parents, for immediately and the older replacing sisters andHalloween brothers décor worked with outside Christ- masand lights inside by the commencing clean and comfortable celebrations home in September with plenty — ofmaking food andit the good longest clothes. Christmas While celebrationMother took in care the world.of me, my sisters cared for the twins. My oldest sister, Mame married before I was born and gave birth to Turlington. She became ill

with tuberculosis and spent a year at a sanitarium. When she returned to her home, doctors told her she Theshould southeast not have Asian's any Catholicismmore children, is a but holdover nature fromwould the have Spanish it otherwise, colonial and era Dickof the was Philippines, born. When as arehe wastradi- three months old, Mame became ill again, and Mother brought Dick to live with us. Mame, whom I don’t tions like the marathon nine-day series of Christmas masses called simbang gabi. remember knowing, died a few months later. So, although Mother lost one child (Carl) she raised 15 in-

cluding this grandchild. He had been born on December 21, 1915, about two years younger than me. So, too, areMother the festive was a remarkableparols, or star woman.-shaped Dick lanterns, was tiny that and brighten malnourished. windows Mother during said the entireshe would holiday often sea- son.place The her lights, thumb which by hisare knee meant in orderto reflect to see the if heStar was of gainingBethlehem weight. in design, Since thereare named was no after baby the food Spanish and word forMother lantern, wasn’t farol. nursing, he was fed food that was chewed by Mother. She said it included biscuits soaked in coffee. He cried a lot. The twins and I took turns lying on the floor and rocking his cradle. Once Hilton Thiswas year, rocking the lightingso hard, heof theturned traditional the cradle Christmas over. lanterns carries particular meaning in the aftermath of Ty- phoon Yolanda.Henry marriedIn the Philippines, Laylon Parish Merry the Christmas December is before “Maligayang I was born. Pasko.” CONTINUE ON PAGE 4 2. Sweden The Yule LogI was is oftencustomary mistaken in European for their- daughterderived Christmas Alease, and traditions. I often visited It crackles them. brightlyLaylon alwayson many had an timeAmerican TVfor as us.something When Mother of a faux died, hearth. she lived The closeFrench and bake was a alwaysconfectionary there when version needed. of the She holiday died in-themed 1992 at tree the part.age Butof Sweden 101. She skips too hadthe awood large and number goes offor children. the goat instead. Mother told us that when Gertude (the sixth of the 15) was six months old she was taken on a visit

to the Byrds. Eighteen year old Sam Byrd, who had lost one arm in an accident and now ran a store, took The Yule Goat isn't a real animal; it's typically made almost entirely of straw. In the Swedish tongue, the one look at Gertude, and called her the prettiest baby he had ever seen. He told Mother he would wait until Christmasshe was oldgoat enough is known and as then the marryJulbok. her. The So Julbok's he did! origins They had are threerooted boys: in mythology, Worth, Bill but and it's Sam. been Sam warmly Sr. adopteddied when by Swedes Sam, Jr. as was part in of college. modern All Christian graduated tradition from“WHAT’SWhat’s college — perhaps and served tooCOOKING?”Cooking? warmly. in the armed services during WWII. By Regency House Chefs The Swedish town of Gävle has erected a giant versionBy of Regency the Yule Goat House since 1966. Chefs And every year since, Keeping the family fed, clothed and all the chores done Chefwas a never Justin-ending process. In the winter there were peoplethings haveto do getting tried toequipment torch it, ready, kidnap but init springand otherwise allOctober the crops harass were isstarted the German apparently and the hard workratherFood began expensive Month! in earnest. symbol All the of plan t- Christmasing, clearing, joy. and At harvesting least 28 of corn,the 45cotton, goats AotherThere havevariety grains succumbed will and sugar beof cane boxtoGerman whatwas a done thenew by authorities hand Themedseasonal or by mules dub pullingfoodsmenuas “vandals.” the intro-equipmentwill five days of each week. Saturdays were for doingduced things inaround September the house or going 2012. into town Expect for supplies. to All see year wedish- were cleaning and cooking three hardy meals each day, in addition to washing, ironing, sewing, weaving, quilting and even making But,soap. according We were allto upThe early Local, doing an chores English and- bepreparingeslanguage available including breakfast, Swedish milking newspaper, ingredientsfor cows, you feeding “half to theof stock samplesuch(Gävle's)—all asbeforeinhabitants through Squash,eating. Astake the pride in girlsthe gotgiant older, animal, they worked while in the the other garden half withoutPumpkins, takeMother theequal or in month! pridethe Apples,fields in attemptingchopping Bon various weeds. appetite! to I’ll burn neverNuts. it forget down.” Autumn picking Merry potato sea-Christmas bugs and in Swedishbeetles off is "Godbeans andJul." killing them. One year the cotton boll weevil appeared,sonal and vegetablesit nearly wiped out cotton& fruit production. typically The weevil warm pierced asthe bollthe and the boll would drop off. We had to walk overdays the field, grow pick up cooler.the fallen bolls, as well as pull off the ones that had been (Continue on Page 11) pierced. All were bagged and burned. A few years later there was a chemical spray, but before that the cotton producing was really reduced because when the weevil went through a field, despite our efforts, there was not much cotton left. THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 10 DECEMBER 2017

3. Australia In Australia, Christmas falls right in the middle of some of the hottest weather of the year. Because of the ex- treme heat, Christmas is often marked by electrical storms and brush-fires rather than gently falling snow.

But that doesn't keep Aussies from getting into the Christmas spirit. A Canberra family recently broke a world record by stringing more than 31 miles of Christmas lights around its property.

Some Australians who celebrate Christmas honor the nation's Anglo-Celtic influence with English-style holi- day fare likely more appropriate for colder climes. Roast turkey, steamed pudding and gingerbread all might end up on the table.

But it's not all about plum pudding, which is increasingly served with ice cream to help tolerate the Australian summer temperatures, anyway. To further beat the heat, up to 40,000 Australians flock to Bondi Beach in Sydney at Christmastime — and beaches mean barbecues.

Carols by Candlelight, derived from a 19th-century Australian tradition, has turned into a big, down-under outdoor Christmas festival. Held on Christmas Eve in Melbourne for the past 76 years, the outdoor concert is now a fundraiser for Vision Australia. Similar events are now held around the world. 4. Finland Finland seems made for Christmas. Reindeer run rampant in Finnish Lapland and Joulupukki, a bearded myth- ical figure who looks and acts for all the world like Santa Claus, is said to make his home where those same reindeer roam.

But it's not all snowflakes and cookies on Christmas Eve, when at noon the Declaration of Christmas Peace is read in a formal ceremony in South Finland.

The statement, which has been tweaked a bit since it was first read in the 13th century, offers a surprisingly emphatic reminder that any sort of unruly behavior that challenges the holiday “shall under aggravating cir- cumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offense separately.” In other words, hooligans, don't mess with Finnish Christmas.

The peaceful declaration goes on to wish the inhabitants of Finland a joyous Christmas feast. There, a feast is made joyous with the addition of Christmas ham, smoked and pickled fish, cheeses and sweet Christmas breads. The people in the northernmost parts of Finland sometimes even eat reindeer for Christmas.

Sorry, Rudolph. In Finland, people wish each other “Hyvää Joulua” on Christmas.

A traditional Yule Goat in Gävle, Sweden, 2010. The Gävle Goat is a massive ver- sion of a traditional Scandinavian Christ- mas symbol. Built annually, these giant straw structures have a notorious history of being burned down by saboteurs. THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 11 DECEMBER 2017 THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 11 DECEMBER 2017

HOLIDAY CAROLER’S NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY DECEMBER 31st 7:00 PM, C2 LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: ERIC HASSEL

Saturday, December 9th 2:30 pm = Violin & Viola Performance, C2

Sunday, December 10th 11:15 am = Mount Moriah Chil- dren’s Choir, DR

Sunday, December 10th 2:30 pm = Eagles Landing Dance Performance

Monday, December 11th 11:00 am = The Silvertones Caroler’s Staff Kudos WINNERS

Thursday, December 14th (NOVEMBeR) 10:30 am = Generations Voted By Residents Music Together Class & Family Members

Thursday, December 21st JAMES, ENGAGEMENT 11:00 am = Art of Living, C2 PETRONA, MED TECH Anne, CARE PARTNER

THE ORCHARD ORACLE | PAGE 12 DECEMBER 2017 P A G E 6

The Rocket Club By resident Walker Knight While my sons, Walker, Jr. and Ken were stu- dents at Avondale High School in Dekalb County, GA. they were joined by two classmates and a stu- dent from Decatur High interestedPICTURES in rocket science. The five formed a Rocket Club,WITH seeking SANTA to become as informed in the science as possible.DECEMBER They were in- spired by President Kennedy’s call for the U.S. to place a man on the moon and the fact19TH the U.S. had put John Glenn in space. The students1:30 were PM also able Thursday, December 14th to enlist a Georgia Tech professorCARLTON as an advisor.- 1:30 pm = Snow Ball with One month they enlisted 2ndme as CLUB a driver of one of two cars to visit the NASA rocket center in Hunts- Live Entertainment, “Gina & Staci”ville, Ala. which was under the leadership of Wernher von Braun. Von Braun, a German who later became a naturalized American, was a rocket scien- Sunday, December 17th tist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of 3:30 pm = Ugly Christmas Sweater the leading figures in the development of rocket tech- nology in Germany during World War II and, subse- Contest/Party quently, in the United States. He is credited as being the "Father of Rocket Science". According to one NASA source, he was "without doubt, the greatest Thursday, December 21st

3:30 pm = New Resident Welcome Party with Live Entertainment “Jerry Smith” Sunday, December 10th

Sunday, December 24th “ Christmas at Tucker” Theatrical Performance 2:00 pm = Christmas Eve Load at 5:15 PM Pajama Party & T’was Night Thursday, December 14th Peachtree Symphonic Winds Concert Load at 7:15 pm

Thursday, December 21st Holiday Lights Scenic

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