Cider companies revive wassailing
“Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail to; and God bless you and send you a happy New Year.” In the lush orchards of the Pacific Northwest, a…
Category: Seasonal
Winter charity: Donate your Christmas tree to a bird
Homelessness is not just a human phenomenon. Food, shelter and water are as critical for wild birds as they are for people. For birds, even a used…
New Year’s Day: The world’s oldest celebration
The new year has begun. It’s our chance to start again, to do it right this time and have another shot at success. The idea has prevailed since the dawn…
Christmas songs from the 70s: Dated or enduring?
The 1970s started with the upbeat rhythm of The Jackson 5 and a 12-year-old Michael Jackson belting the 1934 song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” in the…
Avoid holiday stress that could tie you up
It is possible to enjoy the holidays without becoming totally stressed and exhausted. Here are a few ways to do it: * Shopping: Order early from the…
Hanukkah yesterday and today
The story of Hanukkah begins in Greek Seleucid Empire-occupied Israel in the year 164 B.C. King Antiochus and his soldiers entered the Temple of Solomon…
Branching out: The history of the artificial Christmas tree
Peek in the average American’s home during the holidays and you’re likely to find an artificial Christmas tree. The American Christmas Tree Association…
The case against Christmas chaos
The kids have been eyeing those presents for a long time. They are itching to open them. Then on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve), they tear into the…
Malls may be dying, but Santa still lives
With local malls closing up, where will the kids see Santa? If the past is any example, Santa will evolve. In the beginning, kids knew Santa from stories,…
November is National Diabetes Month: Will you be the next case?
It’s easy to think that diabetes can happen to other people or only older folks — but never to you. That’s what many of the millions of people living…