The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1991 (1-3. szám)
1991-03-01 / 1. szám
Sctttttg %)i0íg\)i$ Past Activity Events The holidays are always a busy time here at the Bethlen Home. Many local church groups, schools, etc. visit the home and provide entertainment and show us their special talents they’ve worked so hard on all year. Some of the special programs held were: special outings to the Festival of Lights, Special luncheon outing to Volunteer, Ann Kamerer's home, which was decorated beautifully for the holiday season and a special visit from Santa during the Resident Christmas Party. New Year's Eve always brings back special memories and traditions of what everyone used to do. The Activity Department held their own New Year's Party. Champagne was enjoyed by all!!! Tell me everyone have you broken any of your resolutions yet? Pictured seated: Blanche Demangone and Margaret Hearld: Residents Standing: Resident, Olga Szabo and Volunteers, Heidi Caldwell and Lindsey Morhack at the Volunteer Christmas Party. Pictured are residents. Elizabeth Toth and Olga Szabo toasting in The New Year Residents toast to a better New Year The Easter Lily The lore of the Easter lily is a combination of myth and a symbol of Christ's Resurrection. The lily is to represent the renewal of life and the rebirth of the spirit. This symbolic association has its origin from being one of the flowers in the Holy land during Christ's death and resurrection. According to legend, on the night before Christ died, the lily lost its self esteem when it failed to join the other flowers and bow its head in sorrow as Christ passed through the garden of Gethsemane. The lily considered itself to be the most beautiful and fragrant flower. After seeing Christ's humility, the lily bent its head in shame and has remained in this humble position ever since. The Lily is not a native of Palestine, but was imported from Bermuda in the late 1800's. Easter Egg Customs Around The World The association of eggs with Easter goes back to ancient times. How this came about, no one seems to really know. The egg is a symbol of the life force in many countries and many religions. It represents the revival of the fertility of the earth. This was to bring promise of good weather, greater amounts of food, etc. that had been deprived during the winter months. Italy A special cake is baked for the holy day and decorated with eggs. On Easter Eve the eggs are then taken to church to be blessed. On Easter the eggs are placed in the center of the table with all the foods surrounding them. Everyone who enters the house receives an egg. Germany The Easter Bunny is of Gennan origin. The children place nests in their gardens so that they will be filled with eggs. Many games such as the Easter egg hunt, egg tree's are all from German origin. Bulgaria Bulgarian families prefer red Easter eggs and always place the first colored egg before the family icon as the symbol of Resurrection. The farmers believe that if ashes are sprinkled around their chicken yard on Good Friday the eggs will be plentiful all year. It is also custom to exchange eggs, cakes and gifts on Passion Saturday. Greece When friends or family members meet on Easter one knocks a red egg against another and says "Christ is risen." The other person replies, "Truly he is risen." A special bread marked with a Greek Cross and decorated with red eggs are also shared. Russia It has long been the practice of Russians to give exquisitely decorated eggs. These eggs often have scenes of Russia, miniature paintings of royalty on them. Another style also used and very common here in the United States is the Ukrainian Pysanky eggs. The name is derived from pysaty which means write. The designs of the pysanky eggs vary from village to village. No two eggs are ever alike. United States One of the many Easter customs of the United States is the egg rolling contest on the White House Lawn. This has taken place on Easter Monday since President Rutherford B. Hayes was in office. The United States also shares in many of the customs that were mentioned above from other countries, In Honor Of Mother Mother's Day is one of the most important days of the year. Children across the country make a special effort to acknowledge their mother and grandmother through candy, flowers or a special dinner. Listed on the next page is a special poem by Helen Steiner Rice. We feel this is very special and says a lot about our lady residents who are mothers and grandmothers.
