Property of the Watertown Historical Society watertownhistoricalsociety.org c Q -O 3 tlimee ff-Hi: o Tim.eiy Coverage Of News In The Fastest Growing Community In Lilchfield County 5 O Vol. 43 No. 48 SUBSCR1PT1ON PRICE $ 12,(K) PI{R YKAR Car,, Rl, P.S. PRICE 30 CENTS Dec. 2.3,, 19'8|j Matter Where, It's Christmas! than dressing up in, layers of finery, Australians are as likely on Christmas, and, fireworks are a popular form of Community Joins In For to be wearing bathing suits on Christmas Day, at least after entertainment. • church sen'ices are over. Tropical flowers in, many brilliant hues are a central, part There are no Yule- logs, no sleigh rides, no reindeer—for of Christmas decorating in Costa Rica. Because the coun- Holy And Joyous Event us many pleasures synonymous with the Christmas celebra- try's jungle areas are rich in exquisite orchids, people make One of the easiest of all imaginative exercises is to paint tion. Instead, there are the Christmas; bell and the Christmas trips to pick, their own, in, the same way as many Americans a picture of a ""greeting card" Christmas. bush, enjoyed, of course, with that-same sense of communi- head to the forests to cut down their own Christmas trees. The first: ingredient is snow, blanketing rolling hills. ty and family feeling which characterizes Christmas celebra- • Costa Ricans use the armfuls of flowers they have culled preferably, and gracefully draping the boughs of trees,,, usually tions around the world. to embellish the manger scene, -which is called a portal. evergreens. The sun shines, of course, but, on, a scene sculpted The celebrations occurring on the island, of Jamaica are In Puerto Rico, Spanish, American, and indigenous island, out of the elements of winter. colorful and, perfectly characteristic of that island's heritage, customs mix for a celebration which incorporates the best Then, moving indoors, there are roaring fires, festoons of a, fascinating blend.of European and African, traditions. of all worlds, with caroling before Christmas, and gifts on evergreens around doorways, and along ban- On that island, bands of roving entertainers, the Jaiikan- Christmas and the Epiphany, too. isters, cups of steaming wassail or hot toddies, as everyone nus, have set the stage for Christmas festivities for almost The ever-present manger scene is peopled with exquisite- gathers around the grandest evergreen of all, the Christmas 200 years, combining; evocative dancing with mysterious, ly carved wooden figures, called Santos, which have been, live, with its ropes ofcranberri.es and popcorn, its glittering mesmerizing music. The singers, dancers, and musicians part of the Puerto Rican Christmas for more than 300 years. • lights, and its myriad or ornaments,.' usually are brightly attired, and the faces of many arc hid- North, or south, in lands covered with snow or glowing However, turn, the world upside down, fora moment, and den by fearsome .masks. under the hot, tropical sun, Christmas spreads its joy, war- travel to southern climes, where snow is replaced by an oc- In Chile, the warmth of the climate creates a, significant ming hearts and souls everywhere... For the spirit of Christmas casional tropical shower, and evergreens by palm trees. inconvenience for Viejo Pascuem, the jolly old gent who transcends all places and all times, manifesting itself Yet. Christmas it still is. because of the spirit which per- distributes presents and whose mien and behavior strongly wherever, inspired by Christ's example, there are people to vuiles the season. resemble Santa's. love and share. In Australia, and the rest of the southern hemisphere, Because chimneys, where they exist, are of minimal, pro- In Watertown and Oakvtlle. residents will be joining with Christmas occurs not in winter, but during the sultry sum- portions, Viejo Pasatem is unable to fit in them. His solu- their brethren throughout the world, in welcoming the festive mer months, which means that the events which make up tion? To climb in a window, which provides the same results, days of Christmas through special services and events at the Chrisliius Din are likely to shape up somewhat differently. although less colorfully. Christmas dinner frequently is likely a picnic and, rather In Brazil, boat rides and picnics are the order of the da\ (Continued on page 24) Danish Exchange Student Living American Christmas By Tommy 'Vatuckas for coincidence?), a stage designer, The way Henriette Rostrup sees and Greta Rostrup. a laboratory it, the Americans only have to con- worker, Henriette said Christ- tend with elfin beings around the mastime in her native land and the Christmas season, when everybody Northeast United States; is quite is trying to do their darndest to be similar in some respects. well behaved. For one. despite what we might In Denmark,,,, the elves "'hang, imagine winter weather to be like around'"" all year, said the 17-year- in Denmark, there is just as much old exchange student from Copen- chance there won't, be snow there at hagen, teasing, you. by tipping cups Christmas as there is here. Decem- and saucers upside down, in the cup- ber temperatures also do not vary boards, and rearranging books on much from those she finds here. the shelves. She said her family, which. I ives Ah, there is a solution for tam- in a fourth floor 616-room apart- ing the petite pranksters, though. (Continued.on page 29) Set aside a. little amount of rice pud- ding each night before the house- hold turns in. If there's evidence the Inside • next morning some .has been taken, tradition, has it the elves will be nice Bethlehem News - .8 & 9 to you. Births 16 & 30 Such is an example of the yule- Books Review.• IS tide lore and, heritage Miss Rostrup Churches H) & II SPENDING HEM, FIRST CHRISTMAS away from her native city of Copenhagen, Henriette Nostrup, has brought over to this country Classifieds 38 left, is learning American yu let id e customs with the help of Jennifer Maxwell, Northfield Road, her host: white she enjoys her senior year at Dining Out 29 sister. The 17-year-old Danish exchange student is spending her senior year in Watertown through, the Rotary Watertown High School! as a Rotary John Rowland. 31 International Exchange program, sponsored locally by the Watertown Rotary Club. She currently is residing International Student Exchange,, Joseph Liebennan.. -14 ['with the James Maxwell family. (Valuckas Photo) sponsored by the Watertown Rotary Legal Notices....,..'. 39 : Club. Obituaries 4 & 6 Holiday Office Hours • "My mom doesn't believe in, Personals 2 Christmas until after her "birthday, Realty - ...9 Holiday office schedules and cluding the Town Hall and Town The School Department's central, the 10th of December," she laugh- Sean Butterty 23 closings have been announced by Hall Annex, and Falls Avenue administration offices at the Mun- ed during a, recent interview at the Servicemen ..........., - - 2 the town administration, and School senior center will be closed tomor- son House, 10 Deforest St., will re- James Maxwell home, Northfield. Showcase Of Homes. .37 Department for the coming row (Thursday) through Sunday for main open until 1.2 noon Thursday, Road, her host family. '"'Then we Sports 32 to 34 start baking the cakes and cookies!'" weekend. the Christmas holiday, and reopen then be closed through Monday for Vacation Events - • .3 The town municipal offices, in- Monday, Dec. 28, at 9 a.m. (Continued on page 2) The daughter of Claus '(how's that Property of the Watertown Historical Society Page 2 Town Times (Watertown, Conn.) Dec. 23, 1987' MCC Ethics Class Holiday Office watertownhistoricalsociety.orgJan. 4. special 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. suspension. ••The inspection period is the "Ethics," an introductory (Continued from page I) The Post Office will be closed hours. Christmas Day only, and there will .D'MV offices will be open today 45-day period before the date: on the philosophy course, will be 'taught by 'the holiday. Offices will reopen be no mail, deliver}'. Postal service and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to sticker. Dr. Richard T. Nolan during the'se- Tuesday, Dec. 29,. at 9 a.m. and deliveries resume Saturday. 4:30 p.m. cond semester at Mattatuck Com- Schools ' will dismiss .students The Department of Motor Vehic- The 18 auto emissions testing sta- munity College in Waterbury." . after single sessions today (Wfcdnes- les has announced all its offices will tions will be open today from 8 jj Servicemen's * The class will meet Wednesdays, day). and remain closed for the be closed Christmas Day through a.m. to 5:30' p.m., and Christmas from, 6:35 to 9:35 p.m., from Jan. Christmas vacation through Sunday, Monday, Dec. 28, for the holiday Eve from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., all | •• Corner ' -\ 27 through May 11 (excluding vaca- Jan. 3; schools reopen Monday, weekend, and reopen Tuesday for offices will be closed Friday tions). The course, will use the 1 through. Monday. Marine Lance Cpl. Jeff R. Iller, "Living Issues'in Ethics" textbook. Emissions stations will open 8 son of Richard J. /IHer of Students can audit' the course or Greetings a.m. Tuesday to resume- regular Bethlehem, recently was awarded earn, transferrabie credits. For fur- hours. the U.S., Marine Corps Good Con- ther information, call 575-8010. Here's hoping that Connecticut motorists are duct Medal. the season delivers reminded, to check the color and. date on their windshield sticker to Mr. Iller received the award for Christmas joy to be sure they are not late for their good behavior and conduct over a I PERSONALS you and.