Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
The Stroller
Sunday, April 8, 2012
FRIDAY’S WORD was cockalorum (kah-kuh-LOR-um). It means a boastful and self-important person; boastful talk. No one believed Marty’s cockalorum about being an expert pool player, and as it turned out, he is indeed just as bad as the rest of us.
TODAY’S WORD is carp (KAHRP). Kate protested that her boss seemed to do nothing but carp and interfere, never praising or encouraging her.
More Easter holiday closings: Henry County Administration Building will be closed Monday.
Henry County Schools are closed through April 13. The date was incorrect in Friday’s Martinsville Bulletin.
Someone found a sweatshirt with a car key in the pocket Friday morning along the Dick and Willie Trail. He left it at the Bulletin. Call the newspaper at 638-8801 if you think it may be yours.
What are the origins of Easter traditions? The following is from infoplease.com: In Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent. Eggs laid during that time often were boiled or otherwise preserved. Eggs were thus a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for children and servants. In addition, eggs have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility through the ages. It is believed that for this reason many ancient cultures, including the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, used eggs during their spring festivals. The most elaborate Easter egg traditions appear to have emerged in Eastern Europe. In Poland and Ukraine, eggs often were painted silver and gold. Pysanky (to design or write) eggs were created by carefully applying wax in patterns to an egg. The egg then was dyed, and wax would be reapplied in spots to preserve that color. The egg then was boiled again in other shades. The result was a multi-color striped or patterned egg.
Hares and rabbits have long been symbols of fertility. The inclusion of the hare into Easter customs appears to have originated in Germany, where tales were told of an “Easter hare” who laid eggs for children to find. German immigrants to America — particularly Pennsylvania — brought the tradition with them and spread it to a wider public. They also baked cakes for Easter in the shape of hares, and may have pioneered the practice of making chocolate bunnies and eggs.
Easter flowers are also a rich tradition as well. From www.dgreetings.com: Legend has it that lilies sprung in the place where Jesus’ blood drops fell; hence lilies are the traditional Easter flowers in many countries. Another spring tradition which has been popular since the 18th century is the Easter bonnet made from fresh cut or silk flowers, ribbons, lace and tiny stuffed toys, worn especially by little girls. Easter flowers have special meanings. Azalea stands for temperance, chrysanthemum for cheerfulness and rest, daffodil for unrequited love, hyacinth for comeliness, tulip for declaration of love and lily for purity and majesty. Churches everywhere are decorated with Easter flowers, mainly with lilies reminding worshippers of the new life that comes through the resurrection of Jesus. In ancient times, the lily also was known as “Pash-flower,” “Pasque flower” and “Passion flower.” In different countries, such as the United Kingdom and Russia, the pussy willow is the Easter flower. In southern France and northern Italy, the Easter flower is the narcissus while in Germany, bouquets of red flowers are popular during Easter as they symbolize Christ’s blood.
Remember to include a telephone number with your letter to the editor so it can be verified.
.jpg "104")
