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Holiday

Legac Issue 56|Winter 2020y MARION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION With much pleasure, we give you this With the pandemic adding special issue of Legacy. Because we will so many new words to not be able to share the season with you in our national lexicon, I am person this year due to cancelling our an- reminded of a master of nual holiday party, we decided to share with words–O. Henry. His classic you some of the best memories, traditions, story, “The Gift of the recipes, stories, ideas and more from friends Magi,” is beautifully of Marion Community Foundation. simple and We hope that by reading about the joy perceptive. It’s one of my in people’s lives, it will spark your own feel- favorite holiday stories. A copy ings of happiness and joy. Our only regret is in this special issue as my gift is we can’t fit all these memories within the to you. I hope you take a few limited space of this issue, so please enjoy minutes to read, or re-read, it with our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages an open heart. It is about selflessness for more! and wisdom, two qualities in much I’ll be thinking of all of you on December demand recently. 3 when we would normally be gathering As we all feel personally afflicted for the annual party. That evening, I plan to these days by so many causes, I find it cuddle up with Sue on the sofa with a mug comforting to reflect on the maxims of hot cider and read through this issue of here that share the universal truth that we Legacy and feel good about our friendships can only receive peace and happiness when and loved ones. we give them away.

Holiday Checklist Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line.

Volunteer your time at a charity you are familiar with and one that is new to you.

Introduce two people you think would make great friends to each other.

Give a generous donation to your favorite charity.

Offer to help a friend move/unpack.

Post a social media message encouraging your friends to make a year-end financial gift to a local nonprofit.

Donate some warm clothes to a homeless shelter. Marion Community Foundation 504 S. State St., Marion, OH 43302 What’s without Cookies? ince I was a little girl, my mom gathered the kids together to make frosted sugar cookies for Christmas. We couldn’t just slap frosting on each one. Each Scookie was its own masterpiece with bulbs on the Christmas trees and a red nose on Rudolph. Mom took great pride in the family cookies that we would create and then distribute to friends and family. This tradition continues today, still led by our vibrant 80-year-old mom! Nikki Workman

Nikki’s mom, Mary Lou, and daughter, Cami

White Chocolate Bugle Mix 3 cups Rice Chex Board e have so many traditions with the holidays, 3 cups Bugles Favorite but they all circle around how my mom, Norma, 2 cups peanuts loves Christmas and baking. 2 cups red and green M&Ms W 16 oz. white chocolate chips Each year, she makes around 21 different kinds of cook- ies, starting around the end of September and stocking Mix together Chex, Bugles, peanuts and M&Ms. the freezer. During this time, Christmas carols can be Melt chocolate and pour over dry mixture. heard throughout the house to inspire her. Spread mixture out on waxed paper and let it Several years ago, I created a notebook full of these harden. —Sue Jacob recipes which were given to each of her daughters and a few very special people. The recipe at right is one of the breads we have on Gift of the Magi Bread Christmas morning, with a 1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar cup of coffee and the sound 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla of Christmas carols, as we 2 cups flour 1 tsp. baking soda open our presents. Each of Pinch salt 1 cup mashed banana us make our own today, as 1 cup chocolate bits 1 cup coconut once a year is not enough. 1 - 11 oz. can of Mandarin oranges, drained It simply isn’t Christmas 1/3 cup sliced almonds or chopped nuts without Gift of the Magi 1/2 cup Maraschino cherries, chopped bread in my home. 1/2 cup dates, chopped Vicky Branson Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt; add alternately with mashed banana. Stir in choco- late, fruit and nuts. Pour into 2 greased 7.5x3.75” pans. Bake at 350o for 60-75 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from pans.

Sue’s Best Gingersnaps Ingredients 2 tsp. baking soda 3/4 cup shortening 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. cloves 1/4 cup molasses 1 tsp. ginger 1 egg, beaten extra sugar 2 cups flour for rolling cookies in 1/4 tsp. salt Directions

Cream sugar & shortening. Add egg & molasses; add dry ingredients (previouslyo formixed 8-10 together). minutes. Roll in sugar. Bake at 375 Sue Jacob

2|www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org Memories & Traditions ne tradition that my extended family maintains is to be together for Christmas. This is no easy production—now that there are 30 of us. O Since grandchildren are now a part of this family, a visit from Santa has become a part of this tradition. The first year Santa came, he asked each child, “What do you want Santa to bring you this year?” And, the first child answered SOCKS! Santa got a big chuckle out of this, so all the following children on Santa’s lap also said socks! The next Christmas, Santa had a pair of socks for each child and we are forever e are ‘real tree’ lovers. known to Santa as We believe that the “The Sock Family.” Wreal thing is best for our home—so making a big deal out of Janet Kruder picking out the tree has been a tradition for 36 years! Every year, we go looking for just pedinni Di Vitello. Italian for ‘Veal Bird Day,’ this is a the right one at tree farms around Marion family celebration. Each of us has a job do—pound the veal County and cut down our own. It is a special Scutlets, make the bread crumb mixture, roll the veal, and put event that we thoroughly enjoy!! them on wooden skewers—until we have enough for Christmas Day. We make pasta and homemade bread, drink a little wine and Todd, Victoria & Beth Meadows enjoy the family. It’s a great tradition. Mike Nicolosi

Watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘A Christmas Story.’ Trimming the tree. Tearing into the the presents. Christmas dinner with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, squash and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie with ice cream. Deb Alspach

dvent is a season of prepartion observed by Catholics for centuries. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, it is a time to prepare one’s heart for the Abirth of the Savior. Each Sunday, another candle is lit—purple, purple, pink, purple. Pink is lit on Gaudete Sunday, a day of joy, knowing Christmas is so close. Another way Jim and I’d prepare—back in the days before kids—was to gather with friends late on for a coffee party, prior to attending Midnight Mass. I looked forward to picking out some exotic or seasonal flavor to help us stay awake and welcome in the Christmas season.

Lori Stevenson

Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|3 The holidays are a special time to celebrate and reflect on the past year, while looking forward and planning for the coming year. This time of year is one of my favorite times, because we are able to enjoy time with our family and friends and we are also reminded of the message of humility and generosity towards each other. As 2020 comes to a close, I extend my warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! Scott Schertzer The Makings of a Feast ecause Jewish holidays are on a lunar calendar, (potato pancakes), lox (smoked salmon), herring Hanukkah can occur anytime from late November in cream sauce, and lots of desserts. The brunch Bto early January. When Christmas and Hanukkah for Hanukkah is traditionally a dairy meal, happen together, we are all celebrating the which means no meat. Evening meals during season at the end of the year. Hanukkah are family celebrations, at home. Although Hanukkah is actually a minor It is traditional to serve something fried holiday, when my kids were small, we in olive oil, like latkes, to remember liked to make it very special. the eight days that the lamp burned. A few years ago, when the first night Most Jewish holidays have special occurred on Thanksgiving, we called foods associated with them. Hanukkah it Thanksgivakah. We spent it with is meant to be a feast. relatives and mixed traditional Thanks- I really enjoy the holiday, especially giving foods with things that were since it comes at the beginning of winter. traditional for Hanukkah. It is nice to decorate the house and enjoy We have a Hanukkah Brunch at Temple some time with family and friends before Israel, which is always fun. We have latkes winter really starts. —Sara Babich

Eight NightsEight Lights

anukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Mac- Hcabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days by lighting the candles of a menorah, the oldest continuously used religious symbol in Western civilization. Each night, for eight consecutive nights, one additional candle is lit. This commemorates a small jar of temple lamp oil that miraculously burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found. Other festivities include play- ing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Gift giving for Hanukkah is a relatively modern tradition, given the centuries-old history of the celebration. Gifts like books, clothes, gift certificates, and jewelry, are considered appropriate, especially if personal and thoughtful. This year, Hanukkah is December 10-18. On the Hebrew calendar, this corresponds to sundown on Kislev 24 through Tevet 2, 5781. Local worship is held at Temple Israel, 850 Mt. Vernon Avenue.

4| www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org Honoring Generations Past t was my 9th grade Christmas break, my first year Having fruit over the holidays was a very big deal in FFA, and I had ordered too many boxes of fruit when she was young. Back in the days without refrig- Ito sell. Every kid in the community who was in eration, and due to it’s perishable nature, a tangerine FFA had already canvased the area and coerced their must have been an incredibly exotic item to enjoy relatives into buying. I was stuck. I can hear Mom, during the holiday season. It was shipped via rail from “Oh! Mon Dieu! What are we going to do the Mediterranean coast to with all this fruit?” northeastern France. One evening in late December, after What her Dad showed supper, Mom and I were sitting at the her was something he had kitchen table each peeling a tangelo, done in the trenches of because we either had to eat them or let Verdun while away from his them spoil. The latter wasn’t an option. family during World War I. Mom was reminiscing about I can only imagine how Christmas in France. priceless a tangerine would Her big family got have been for a soldier together after going stuck in a cold, damp to Midnight Mass bunker over Christmas. and they feasted, She continued to peel, working sang, danced, and her way around the middle of what celebrated until dawn. remained, gently peeling back to the It sounded like so one end, leaving it mostly intact and much fun. The way she especially careful to leave the pith in described it, I could dun the center—the blossom end will sit picture it vividly in my flat and a bit of pith makes a natural Grandpa Pierre at Ver mind’s eye. wick. She sat the peel down on a small saucer and I could picture the carefully ladled in a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Then, aunts, uncles, and cousins I’d never met, but heard so she lit the pith wick and let it burn like an olive oil much about. Someone was tickling the ivories after lamp from Biblical times. I thought it was the coolest the feast. Glasses were held high, swinging this way thing ever and how appropriate for Christmas. and that to the music. There was a long table behind This will last for 30-45 minutes and give off a warm them piled high with cheeses, breads, cakes, and holiday glow. I do this every year on Christmas Eve, things. Hearty laughter and good times were enjoyed since Mom passed, in homage to her and my family by all. in France. I put it on the window sill until it burns As we each continued to peel, I noticed she had a out. It’s just a little thing, but I like the symbolism purpose. She went on to explain that what she was and connection with the past generations not to be doing was something her dad showed her when she forgotten. was a young girl. —David Hastings Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire hese are more than just lyrics to a popular . As someone who grew up in a small village in northern Spain in the early 50s, the tradition is real. As a young girl, I’d eagerly wait in the kitchen as my parents lit a Tsmall charcoal fire. They would put the chestnuts in a metal case, a tamboril, and slowly shake them over the flames. I’ll never forget the sound. Oh, how my siblings and I enjoyed peeling and tasting the delicious treat! Even more vivid in my mind is the intense effort I put into performing the holiday duties that lead to the best reward as a child – the gifts. In Spain, back then, it was not who brought the presents. It was Los Reyes, the three kings. But, they only came after all the shoes in the house were perfectly polished and neatly placed outside the front door. I’ll never forget the beautiful art set they brought me when I was ten or eleven years old. —Maria Eboh

Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|5 Greetings from Our Board efore we put the tree up, I get out the nativity set that we’ve had for many years. It was made in Israel out of olive Bwood—simple lines and beautiful wood. I think it is perfect. Our traditions have expanded to include those of our Jewish son-in-law, James. Now, when he, Carly, and their children are at our home during one of the eight nights of Hanukkah, we light the Menorah and say prayers. Both celebrations remind me how much I have to be thankful for—especially family. —Jody Demo-Hodgins

nthony and I kick off the season when Anthony’s elf, Chase, shows up in a mischievous way. Every year, we Aenjoy decorating our home with four trees. Yes, I said four trees! We traditionally have three artificial trees and one real tree that we cut down with friends at Cackler’s farm. I enjoy hosting my family for Christmas dinner. I cook all of the food including a buffet style dinner and as many at 10 desserts. We attend church because we believe that there is no reason for the season without the birth of Jesus Christ. —Nicolle Wampler

ecorations, decorations, and more decorations! I love trans- forming my house into a . From the moment Dyou walk onto the porch to the entryway through the kitchen and into the living room, there isn’t a single space that hasn’t been transformed. I love turning off the lights and sitting in the dark with hot chocolate and . Although I love snowmen and Santa, we keep Jesus’s birth at the center of it all. There is always a manager on the mantle, to remind us that, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is 9:6 —Kim Stark Schilling

y Uncle Virgil, my dad’s brother and an avid outdoorsman, brought a special gift in 2015. He had been battling cancer, but Mhe didn’t let that slow him down. Uncle Virgil had been busy in the months prior, hand carving wild rosewood and using wild turkey feathers and Native American arrowheads to make arrows for his great niece and great nephews. What a treasure he passed down to his family and something to be cherished forever! My Uncle Virgil lost his battle with cancer in June 2019. His memory lives on in a fund my parents created for him at Marion Community Foundation called the Virgil Jerome Nature Education Fund. —Megan Queen

or the last 15 years, many of our holidays have been celebrated in the Big Apple. Our family has enjoyed the beautiful store windows, the Rockefeller FCenter tree and skaters, the Radio Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, and fine restaurants. A special memory is carrying a very full 8-foot tree through the streets of Lower Manhattan, across the lobby, up an elevator, and down the hall to our family’s 9th floor apartment...then watching it fall over three times. How happy we were to get an artificial tree full of Buckeye ornaments! —Kathy Goodman

6| www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org Back in Diane's DECORATING the Day n TIPS n y memories of Marion Community ur bookkeeper, Foundation’s first Christmas are of Diane Mault, is Mthe Board and I working feverishly to also our head successfully transition the organization from O decorator. Last a hospital to a charitable foundation—man- year, she started aging the daily encounters with the hospital’s a new tradition of creditors, government entities, and the IRS. Decorating Day Then, and now, my husband and I have and the whole enjoyed entertaining by having cocktail staff participates. parties before community events. I made lots “The Stengel-True is Diane Mault of appetizers for those occasions and my a charming, Civil War-era three young children mansion that just lends itself to dec- always tried to orating,” she said. “We have the best Top 10 deplete the supply— time dressing it up for the holidays which was a bone of and making every year unique.” contention. Here, she offers ideas for making Appetizer One day near your space special this season: Christmas, my l Decorating with gifts is a simple daughter asked why way to use what you already have I would make the to decorate! Pick 2-3 patterns in from Bon Appetit yummies they loved Ideas a color theme and use it through- for others and not for wshrimp cocktail out the house. them. Her guilt trip l Ribbon is a simple way to coordi- wsheet-pan succeeded. nate your holiday decor meatballs Since then, we have each year. Pick a color made Christmas Eve wham & cheese or theme and use “appetizer night.” No use it in your tree, feuillete big meal, just appe- on gifts, tied on wspinach tizers. Then, following ornaments, etc. artichoke dip brunch, we snack all day on the leftover l Ornaments make a wboiled peanuts appetizers. wonderful accent, wbuffalo wings The children are from bowls of glittery balls to wantipasto grown with families of their own, but garlands to wreaths wchile con queso everyone still follows to headboards. wcheese that tradition of l Add flowers, fresh and silk, to wreaths, croquembouche no meal—but lots of appetizers—at trees, and garlands. wleek & fava the Shade house to Try hydrangeas, bean toast celebrate Christmas. magnolias, roses —Debby Shade and poinsettias.

s one might guess, Christmas is a time like no other for this Protestant clergyman! On Christmas Eve, I greet people in church that I see only on that occasion—stu- Adents returning home, casual worshippers who come only on the “big days,” guest BAH musicians, hushed and excited throngs gathered together. My Christmas is incomplete without watching and/or reading Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Shortly after his transformation from a miserly humbug into a generous and kind benefactor of his whole town, and specifically of poor Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge says, HUM “God, forgive me for the time I’ve wasted.” Those words never cease to put a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Whatever else we may believe about the Christmas season, we sense that it is a decent time of setting BUG aside our own needy agendas and reaching out to others. God bless us everyone! Rev. Dan Kiger Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|7 ur family sings The 12 Days of Christmas every year after our big family meal. We’ve had as Omany at 35 people, so we double or Sounds of the Season triple tag team to sing the verses. Top 10 Christmas Classics At one time, there were four genera- tions around the dining room singing. White Christmas (1942) Bing Crosby Do the third and fourth generations (1946) Nat King Cole enjoy this tradition as much as the older members? NO! But, that makes it even Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1949) funnier. There’s usually more laughing Gene Autry than words! Doris Dunn Sleigh Ride (1950) A Holly Jolly Christmas (1964) Burl Ives The Little Drummer (1958) Harry y favorite Simeone Chorale holiday tradition Do You Hear What I Hear (1963) Bing Crosby Mis one that my There’s No Place Like Home For The husband, James, and Holidays (1954) Perry Como I adopted almost 10 years ago. We do not have children, so it is just the (1950) Gene Autry two of us. We love both spending the holidays with and Holly (1957) Frank Sinatra our families and our time alone as well. Every year on Christmas Eve, after the family has gone for the eve- Want to get in the spirit? ning, we sit down and watch White Christmas together If you use Spotify or Pandora, visit our website and, when the movie is over, share a slow dance in our kitchen before going to bed. We look forward to this for a link to the playlist above. every year! www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org Heidi Jones

ur Elf on a Shelf, “Alliandy,” moves every night hristmas 2004 starting Dec. 1 and the kids have to find her was a bit of Oeach morning. Sometimes she has to be cleaned Ca miracle. I up. Often she has to be saved got to celebrate in from a silly situation. Both my hometown in kids—Allie and Andy—love Greece with all of it. They write letters to her my siblings for the throughout the month and, first time in 52 years. Even a blizzard that forced land- especially, on the last night, ings in four countries along the way couldn’t stop us. Christmas Eve, when she flies Upon arrival, these seven “big, fat, Greeks” made back to Santa for her final such a commotion we drew security! There was plenty report. They both cried last of fun, memories, laughter, and tons of baklava! This year! So cute! So fun! taught me—and 2020 should remind us all—the most important part of Christmas is being with the ones Ryan Campbell you love. Allie & Andy Campbell Effie Laipply December 26-January 1 Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrating African American culture and history, held Decem- Kwanzaa ber 26-January 1. The name comes from the Swahili phrase ‘matunda ya kwanza,’ meaning ‘first fruits.’ Primarily celebrated in the U.S., Kwanzaa involves the lighting of candles in a kinara holder—three red on the left, three green on the right, and black in the center. Each day recognizes a principle—unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, cultural purpose, creativity, and faith.

8|www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org Doris Austin Kelly Lowell Thurston g Dunn King Garrett Sounds of the Season

Lew Roger Scott Lause Ruth Schertzer

Make new friends but keep the old; Diana one is and the other’s . Julie Rinesmith Diane silver gold Prettyman Mault

Carl Hughes Brad Bebout Luke Henry Fran

e Voll

d Scott Knowles

Ted & Bronwen John & Jana Bartram Babich Ron Cramer X e

Megan & Eric Queen Bobby Gay Kathy C Goodman Naomi Taniguchi CandyCane Cocktail Dr. Curt Gingrich Ingredients Dave Campbell 1 candy cane, for garnish

e 2 ounces strawberry vodka 4 dashes white creme de menthe 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice Ice cubes

Directions In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into cocktail glass, insert candy cane for garnish; Dr. Michael & Kate McCleese, Libby Wixtead, serve immediately. Maggie Breeding

Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|9

What to Watch... The Foundation staff rated some of theB most popular movies of the season. “Tree up” B

means pass the popcorn; “tree down” means change the channel; a gold star A indicates

a favorite. These are available from the Marion Public Library and video streaming services.

B B B B B

A A

6 0 0 6 1 5 3 3 5 1 B B B B B

B B B B B

A A A 5 1 5 1 5 1 6 0 6 0 B B B B B

ne of our favorite family holiday traditions is watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” While the 1946 Jimmy Stew- art film is kind of corny at times, and always brings tears to my eyes, it has many important life lessons Ofor us. We learn that even our best laid plans can be ruined by unexpected events, but how we adapt and respond to them is the key to our success. The movie demonstrates that each of us has significant inherent value, and even the apparently insignificant things that we do can make the world a better place. Our actions for the benefit of others may pay off in ways we may never know. Generosity is a basic and important human trait. By follow- ing these simple lessons, the world indeed becomes a better place. Dr. Charles Garvin Merry Furbaby Christmas

t was Christmas in July for us during this strange Iyear, when family from California and Georgia drove to our home on Buckeye Lake for an extended visit. Miles and Evan, our grandsons, had finally convinced their parents that it was time for a dog in their lives. It was arranged that my husband and I would drive to Pennsylvania to pick up a 6-week-old Boxer pup named Emma. Two days later, they pulled into our driveway to find Emma romping in the yard! Thrilled at the sight of their Office manager Diana Rinesmith and her family new friend, the boys flew out of the car and snatched make sure all the furry family members are includ- her up. More family arrived two days later. It was the ed in the holidays—complete with stockings, gifts greatest gift to be together with our beloved in the year that jingle and rattle, and special fun unwrapping of COVID! them. Happy Holidays from Princeton, Anne Davy Kitkat, Kizzer & Sadie

10| www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org Grandkids & Family very Christmas Eve, all of the siblings of my late grandparents, Chester and Jewel Taylor, would meet in their modest home on Catherine Avenue. It was expected that the kids would “play” on the back porch as the Eadults socialized. Nearly two dozen cousins would squeeze into a 15x20’ room that was typically between 55-60F and do our best to behave as we patiently waited to exchange gifts. We would always be reminded on our way to my grandparent’s home that we must be on our best behavior. My grandmother was strict, but my grandfather was very ornery. He would often make jokes and get us ever so close to being scolded. Every young boy in our family was named “George” in my grandfather’s eyes. He would pretend as if he could never remember our names. I recall the fellowship of the cousins, grandma’s extraordinary pies and desserts, and 30+ people hand-in- hand in their modest little house as we prayed before our meal. My grandfather often tickled the palm of my hand or handed me a chocolate as we stood together, knowing my giggle would get us both a stare.

Justin “George” Hamper

Teddy Congrove, of Dan Wigton (one of our

local advisors at Stifel), is ready for the winter season

ahead. He brings joy to Dan and his wife, Valerie, year

round.d Parents are Stephanie and Ryan Congrove.

B B B B B

s I grew up, my parents established a tradition that we always had our family Christmas at home Aon Christmas morning. We might go to grand- mother’s later in the day, but we were always home d in the morning. After Carolyn and I were married, we continued that tradition. Now that our sons are married with children, they continue to celebrate Christmas in the same manner. Since our sons both live in the Cleve- land area, we now go there the day after Christmas for our large family gathering. The kids love it because they get presents for days in a row! Rex Parrott

Jake Michael McCleese grandson of d Dean & Sue Jacob fter Paul’s passing in 2014, we found it helpful to change family traditions and create new ones. ANow, we gather in our oldest son’s Connecticut home, after pre-Christmas events in New York City. Paul’s memory lives on in each of us! We are grateful for Marion Community Foundation’s stewardship of the scholarship in Paul’s name. Merry Christmas! Paddy Pezley Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|11 y favorite Christ- Classic Christmas circa 1965 mas memories Mwere of the decor my parents put out every year— Christmas carolers, holiday houses, and little Christmas knick- knacks, many of which were hand- crafted by my mother herself. I fondly recall helping my parents decorate to make our house more festive.

Sarah Rassell

hristmas was full of wonder and activity while our kids were young. My husband and I started Cchurches for the first 13 years of his ministry before coming to an established church in Marion. Those pioneer efforts often found us broke and far from home. While that combination made holidays challenging, we committed to doing whatever it took to be home ost of these photos are from the mid-60’s and for the holidays and celebrate with family we didn’t include my two older brothers, Dan and David, see nearly often enough. Mmy mom and dad, Lois & John, and my grand- We wanted to establish some things our girls— parents, Ernst & Ella Stuckey. Leah, Ashley, and Emily—could count on regardless of I bought the house from my mom back in 2006 and what ministry life required of us at Christmas. These have very fond memories of growing up here. traditions included a “Christmas Eve Christmas.” My dad loved to paint, write stories, and build things. We started with a special breakfast of homemade He actually drilled a big hole in a concrete wall so our cinnamon rolls and a braided bread stuffed with train could travel into the next room. everything that makes breakfast delicious. Then, we I remember all three boys playing with GI Joes and opened gifts so they could enjoy them all day, before baking Christmas cookies with our mom. heading out to church. — Mike Stuckey Following the candlelight Christmas Eve services, we loaded our vehicle with too much luggage, too many snacks, and a few handmade gifts and started what would be anywhere from a 3- to 16-hour drive, depending on what state we were in at the time. Whatever the hour of A Marion Tradition our arrival, we were Christmas at the Palace grateful for IS HAPPENING! a safe trip December 3, 4, 5 & 6 that put an end to that dreaded question, “Are we there yet?” Our days of little girls have come and gone. The “Christmas Eve Christmas” tradition has been passed along to our grown daughters, who are now in ministry—and they celebrate the same way with their own families. Over time, we have added three sons-in-law, eight grandkids, seven dogs, and three rabbits to the family. Let’s just say being together at Christmas is a little crazier now than it used to be. And, while things are Matching pajamas are tradition for different, the most important thing, family, remains the same. Matt & Chelsea Carbary + family! Bev Ford

12|www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org The Gift of the Magi By O. Henry ne dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. So now Della’s She had put it aside, one cent and then another beautiful hair fell Oand then another, in her careful buying of meat about her, shining and other food. Della counted it three times. One dollar like a falling stream and eighty-seven cents. And, the next day would be of brown water. It Christmas. reached below her There was nothing to do but fall on the bed and cry. knee. It almost made So, Della did it. itself into a dress for While the lady of the home is slowly growing quieter, her. we can look at the home. Furnished rooms at a cost of And then, she put it $8 a week. There is little more to say about it. up on her head again, ner- In the hall below was a letter-box too small to hold a vously and quickly. Once she letter. There was an electric bell, but it could not make stopped for a moment and stood a sound. Also, there was a name beside the door: “Mr. still while a tear or two ran down her face. She put on James Dillingham Young.” her old brown coat. She put on her old brown hat. With When the name was placed there, Mr. James Dilling- the bright light still in her eyes, she moved quickly out ham Young was being paid $30 a week. Now, when the door and down to the street. he was being paid only $20 a week, the name seemed Where she stopped, the sign said: “Mrs. Sofronie. Hair too long and important. It should perhaps have been Articles of all Kinds.” Up to the second floor Della ran, “Mr. James D. Young.” But, when Mr. James Dillingham and stopped to get her breath. Mrs. Sofronie, large, too Young entered the furnished rooms, his name became white, cold-eyed, looked at her. very short indeed. Mrs. James Dillingham Young put “Will you buy my hair?” asked Della. her arms warmly about him and called him “Jim.” You “I buy hair,” said Mrs. Sofronie. “Take your hat off and have already met her. She is Della. let me look at it.” Della finished her crying and cleaned the marks of Down fell the brown waterfall. it from her face. She stood by the window and looked “Twenty dollars,” said Mrs. Sofronie, lifting the hair to out with no interest. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day feel its weight. and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a gift. “Give it to me quick,” said Della. She had put aside as much as she could for months, Oh, and the next two hours seemed to fly. She was with this result. Twenty dollars a week is not much. going from one shop to another, to find a gift for Jim. Everything had cost more than she had expected. It She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim always happened like that. and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the Only $1.87 to buy a gift for Jim. Her Jim. She had shops, and she had looked in every shop in the city. many happy hours planning for him. It was a gold watch chain, very simply made. Its value Something nearly good enough. Something almost was in its rich and pure material. Because it was so worth the honor of belonging to Jim. plain and simple, you knew that it was very valuable. All There was a looking-glass between the windows of good things are like this. the room. Perhaps you have seen the kind of look- It was good enough for The Watch. ing-glass that is placed in $8 furnished rooms. It was As soon as she saw it, she knew that Jim must have it. very narrow. A person could see only a little of himself It was like him. Quietness and value—Jim and the chain at a time. However, if he was very thin and moved very both had quietness and value. She paid twenty-one quickly, he might be able to get a good view of himself. dollars for it. And she hurried home with the chain and Della, being quite thin, had mastered this art. eighty-seven cents. Suddenly she turned from the window and stood With that chain on his watch, Jim could look at before the glass. Her eyes were shining brightly, but her his watch and learn the time anywhere he might be. face had lost its color. Quickly she pulled down her hair Though the watch was so fine, it had never had a fine and let it fall to its complete length. chain. He sometimes took it out and looked at it only The James Dillingham Youngs were very proud of when no one could see him do it. two things which they owned. One thing was Jim’s gold When Della arrived home, her mind quieted a little. watch. It had once belonged to his father. And, long She began to think more reasonably. She started to try ago, it had belonged to his father’s father. The other to cover the sad marks of what she had done. Love and thing was Della’s hair. large-hearted giving, when added together, can leave If a queen had lived in the rooms near theirs, Della deep marks. It is never easy to cover these marks, dear would have washed and dried her hair where the queen friends—never easy. could see it. Della knew her hair was more beautiful Within forty minutes her head looked a little better. than any queen’s jewels and gifts. With her short hair, she looked wonderfully like a If a king had lived in the same house, with all his riches, schoolboy. She stood at the looking-glass for a long Jim would have looked at his watch every time they met. time. Jim knew that no king had anything so valuable. Continued

Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|13 “If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before “I want you to understand me, Dell,” he said. “Noth- he looks at me a second time, he’ll say I look like a girl ing like a haircut could make me love you any less. But who sings and dances for money. But what could I do— if you’ll open that, you may know what I felt when I oh! What could I do with a $1.87?” came in.” At seven, Jim’s dinner was ready for him. White fingers pulled off the paper. And then a cry of Jim was never late. Della held the watch chain in her joy; and then a change to tears. hand and sat near the door where he always entered. For there lay The Combs—the combs that Della had Then, she heard his step in the hall and her face lost seen in a shop color for a moment. She often said little prayers quietly, window and loved about simple everyday things. And now she said: for a long time. “Please God, make him think I’m still pretty.” Beautiful combs, The door opened and Jim stepped in. He looked with jewels, very thin and he was not smiling. Poor fellow, he was perfect for her only twenty-two—and with a family to take care of! He beautiful hair. She needed a new coat and he had nothing to cover his had known they cold hands. cost too much for Jim stopped inside the door. He was as quiet as a her to buy them. hunting dog when it is near a bird. His eyes looked She had looked strangely at Della, and there was an expression in them at them without that she could not understand. It filled her with fear. It the least hope of was not anger, nor surprise, nor anything she had been owning them. And ready for. He simply looked at her with that strange now they were expression on his face. hers, but her hair Della went to him. was gone. “Jim, dear,” she cried, “don’t look at me like that. I But she held them to her heart, and at last was able had my hair cut off and sold it. I couldn’t live through to look up and say: “My hair grows so fast, Jim!” Christmas without giving you a gift. My hair will grow And then she jumped up and cried, “Oh, oh!” again. You won’t care, will you? My hair grows very fast. Jim had not yet seen his beautiful gift. She held it It’s Christmas, Jim. Let’s be happy. You don’t know what out to him in her open hand. The gold seemed to shine a nice—what a beautiful,nice gift I got for you.” softly as if with her own warm and loving spirit. “You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim slowly. He “Isn’t it perfect, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. seemed to labor to understand what had happened. He You’ll have to look at your watch a hundred times a day seemed not to feel sure he knew. now. Give me your watch. I want to see how they look “Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me together.” now? I’m me, Jim. I’m the same without my hair.” Jim sat down and smiled. Jim looked around the room. “Della,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas gifts away “You say your hair is gone?” he said. and keep them a while. They’re too nice to use now. I “You don’t have to look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. And I tell you—sold and gone, too. It’s the night before now I think we should have our dinner.” Christmas, boy. Be good to me, because I sold it for The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully you. Maybe the hairs of my head could be counted,” wise men—who brought gifts to the newborn Christ- she said, “but no one could ever count my love for you. child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being Shall we eat dinner, Jim?” wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And, here I Jim put his arms around his Della. For ten seconds let have told you the story of two children who were not us look in another direction. Eight dollars a week or a wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in million dollars a year—how different are they? Some- order to buy a gift for the other. But let me speak a last one may give you an answer, but it will be wrong. The word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among these two were the most wise. Of all who give and them. My meaning will be explained soon. receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Every- From inside the coat, Jim took something tied in where they are the wise ones. paper. He threw it upon the table. They are the magi.

14| www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org The King of Diwali FestivalFestival ofof LightsLights Christmas e all have a Family Tree. But, how many of us think of our as the Family Tree? It is a glittering and Wfestive testament to lives shared. To love professed. To memories made. Till death do us part. Every year when I put up the family Christmas tree, these thoughts occupy my mind, since every ornament, purposely chosen, sparks a memory resolute with meaning. There are ornaments from vacations and business trips; there are ornaments celebrating mile- stones and interests, and there are ornaments that represent loss. Let me start at the beginning, 1985. Over the years, we added Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, ornaments that reminded us of fun we had—trips to Key West, symbolizing the spiritual victory of Canada, Italy and beyond, Monticello, Mount Vernon, the Harding light over darkness, good over evil, Home. Personalized ornaments aplenty, too. Once up and deco- and knowledge over ignorance. It rated, the tree became a focal point as lasts five days and is celebrated in my husband, stepsons, and I searched either October or November. It’s for and talked about our favorite observed on the 15th day of Kartik, memories. the holiest month in the Hindu lunar As the years flew by, our tree of calendar. In 2020, Diwali peaks on memories grew and even included November 14. ornaments from parents’ trees. One of the most popular festivals Then, one year, “it” happened. The of Hinduism, Diwali is celebrated by tree became a task instead of a plea- decorating houses, shops and public sure. Our beloved father/papa/husband places with small oil lamps called had died. The self-proclaimed “King diyas. People, especially children, of Christmas” was gone. The season enjoy fireworks and sweets. seemed not to matter without him, but Diwali is a religious holiday also friends insisted I put up the tree. Truest celebrated by followers of Sikhism, of friends, they decorated the tree while I watched and told stories Jainism, and Newar Buddhism. It is about the ornaments. We listened to Christmas music. It almost a time for large family gatherings, seemed normal. offering traditional sweets to visi- Later that night, I sat looking at the tree, wondering where certain tors, and wishing Diwali greetings of ornaments were placed. I was seeing my family tree in a different happiness, prosperity, and joy. light. I had held back one ornament that I wanted to place on the tree myself. It was an ornament decorated in memory of my hus- band by a Hospice volunteer. As time goes by, the Hospice ornaments increase in number, chronicling each year without the King of Christmas. These ornaments carry memories that may bring a tear or a smile; yet, they are part of our family tree. Faces around our tree change and increase, yet one thing remains constant, our Christmas tree contin- ues to be our Family Tree—full of memories, new and old. —Phyllis Butterworth Vidya Iyengar

ecember 1977 was my very first Christmas in the . I remember fresh snow, lights shining bright, and the warmth of Christmas so vividly. I wore my fanciest warm coat and went shopping with my Dhusband for gifts to take back to my family in India. Little did I know that soon the U.S. would become our home and we would raise our family in a small midwestern town. I am so glad we chose Marion. At Christmas, our house became the hub for all the extended family. Every corner of the house was taken up with sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows. And, we loved it! The sharing and being together was so exciting for kids and adults. In 2020, not much has changed, except sleeping bags are a thing of the past and the family has grown. We still look forward to Christmas celebrations to be together as family, sharing stories, food, and memories. Adopting Christmas as a time to celebrate is a joy for the Iyengar family. Vidya Iyengar

Marion Community Foundation|740.387.9704|15 504 South State Street NON PROFIT Marion, Ohio 43302 US POSTAGE 740-387-9704 PAID MARION COMMUNITY [email protected] MARION, OH FOUNDATION www.MarionCommunityFoundation.org PERMIT 23

HappyHOLIDAYS Proud to be

Being Thankful or the past 16 years, Marion Community Foundation ome years ago, my mom started a tradition where we would write down what we were thankful for through- Fhas opened its doors on the Sout the year. She had a penchant for setting aside time first Thursday in December and to reflect—something I continue to admire, and seek, to welcomed in friends. Our holiday party this day. In Thanksgivings past, we would all contribute our small notes, documenting those things, big and small, has come to be recognized as the for which we were thankful. During holiday get-togethers, official start to the holiday season in we would take turns blindly pulling from the jar and share Marion. This year, 2020, has proven them aloud. Many tears were shed over the years of both sadness and joy as we shared those recollections. to be different in so very many ways. Since my beautiful mom passed away in 2018, we miss While we are not celebrating in person her contributions—as they made up the lion’s share of the this year, we hope you can reminisce thankful jar’s content. No matter how many times they have been read, we enjoy re-reading them as a family. through these pages and feel a spark of holidays past. There are stories, My home and pictures, recipes, and even movie and work families were incredibly music suggestions. Until we join blessed last together again... Christmas with the gift of

therapy K9 Chip. HappyHolidays2020 from the Staff and Board of Marion Community Foundation BJ Gruber See You Next Year! YK-9 Chip