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Ois for Ornaments decorating the tree In silver and gold, shiny as can be. We all have our favorites we hang every year That warm our hearts and fill us with cheer. Ornaments Apples adorned live evergreens that were first used in the 16th Century in Christmas plays. The live trees eventually found their way into homes, where families would hang small white wafers and pastries cut into stars, angels, hearts and flowers on them during the Christmas season. The tradition spread to the United States during the Revolutionary War. Trees decorated with glass, paper and metal ornaments started to appear in the homes of German and English immigrants in the 1840s. Families newly-arrived in the U.S. brought the “ornamental trinkets” with them from Europe, starting the custom of hanging “ornaments” on Christmas trees. Oratorio Holiday CD The Oratorio Society of Queens is releasing its first ever CD Dec. 1, “Holiday Voices.” Under the artistic direction of Maestro David Close, the 90-member chorus performs treasured selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and “Judas Maccabaeus” as well as beloved Christmas carols and holiday music. Soloist soprano Julie Miller as well as organist Gail Archer join with the chorus to provide the rich and resonant sounds of the season. CD prices are $15 and the CDs can be ordered by calling (718) 460-0726 or visiting OSQ’s Web site, www.queensoratorio.org and downloading a CD order form.
Over The River As we head over the river and through the woods to spend the holidays with family and friends, parents are reminded to keep child safety at the top of their list of things “to do.” One of the most important aspects of auto safety is making sure that children are properly buckled-up. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at least one in four child car seats us used incorrectly. Local studies suggest that as many as 90 percent of car seats may be misused. Before heading out to grandma’s this holiday season, remember to buckle up those you love – and who are most vulnerable. Organic Gift Baskets Sai Organics gift baskets, which range from $10 to $30, offer a wonderful gift for the holidays with organic personal care items and accessories. There are also baskets that give love with different organic fruits, teas, and coffees. Sai Organics is located at 36-07 30th Ave. in Astoria. Call (718) 956-1793. Francis Obaji Nigerian born Francis Obaji was the first 2005 Queens casualty in the Iraq War, as the Army National Guardsman lost his life Jan. 16. No stranger to tragedy, Obaji, 21, was on his way to school at the College of Staten Island on Sept. 11, 2001, when he had to walk through three boroughs to get back home after the attacks on the World Trade Center shut down the entire city. After joining the Guard and being deployed to Iraq, Obaji survived a missile attack and was hospitalized for two weeks before a second encounter ended his short life. The guardsman’s brother, Stanley, said at the time, “If you asked me, it was like he knew he was going to die.” Upon hearing the news of his son’s death, Obaji’s father, Cyril, had to be hospitalized at North Shore LIJ Health System. |
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