Category Archives: Holiday

The Feast of the Three Kings also known as the (also known as Día de los Reyes, The Epiphany, The Adoration of the Magi)  takes place every year on January 6th. This holiday is observed in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the greater Caribbean, Latin America and throughout the United States.  It is an intricate part of Puerto Rican folklore.

Traditionally, this day is very important, especially for children, for it is on this eve that they will receive their gifts. On the feast of the Epiphany, the Three kings visited the newly born Christ Child in Bethlehem bearing him gifts. This tradition is repeated and reflected in present day with the belief that on this eve the 3 Kings will visit every good child to deliver them gifts. Tradition states that on the Eve of the Epiphany children collect hay, straw or grass and place it in boxes or containers under their beds. This gesture is a gift of food for the Kings’ camels while they rest in between deliveries.  If a child is good for the past year he will receive candies, sweets or toys. If the child was misbehaved or naughty he would instead find a lump of dirt or charcoal in his box. This tradition is much older than that of Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.

Three Kings Day is a Catholic and Christian holiday and is commemorated in a variety of ways, but most celebrations include plenty of food.

Thank you to Karla Brown who has once again showed her community how much she cares about them.  Much preparation went into getting Thanksgiving ready for all who came and ate dinner last Thursday.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who came and help set up and serve and helped to clean up.  Thank you to the different ones who dropped off pies.  Thank you to the community who came out to sit and dine and fellowship.

There were 10 tables set up in the Community Center and 8 chairs at each table.  Around noon time, all the tables and chairs were filled.  As people ate and visited with family and friends, there was much laughter.  Joy filled the air.  As seats were vacated, other folks would come in and sit and eat.  I never did get a count, but it was a huge success and the tables were continually full of people.

Karla said she will be hosting Christmas Dinner this month and then she will serve her last dinner on Easter Sunday.  After this, she plans on hitting the road again and traveling.  She will be greatly missed in this community.

If you haven’t already done so, please make sure to stop and shake her hand, give her a hug and tell her how much she has meant to this community.

Thank you again Karla for your service.  You have a true servant’s heart.  God bless you as you get ready to step into your next phase of your life next year.

Happy Easter! When you think of Easter what do you think of; chocolate, bunnies, decorating eggs?

What I think of is Jesus’ death, His resurrection and His promise to return!

Do you want to celebrate Easter the real way? Join us on April 24 at Clearwater Baptist Church on the corner of Clearwater and Remington Road for breakfast at 10:00 and then at 11:00 hear Pastor Cotton preach. We would sure enjoy having you.

Sincerely,
Priscilla Joslin
4th grade

$35 per couple
Chicken Cordon Bleu served with White Rice or
Fettuccini Alfredo served with Garlic Bread
Both meals are served with Salad and Choice of Dessert

By DAVID MCLAUREN, PhD. 

EVERY FEB. 14, we celebrate the day of love, Valentine’s Day, by exchanging gifts or greetings. These valentines often contain a message of love or affection for the receiver. Valentine’s Day is a time for remembering one’s vows of love to one another, and it is a day for those who are desperate to win the affection of another, often enticing them with fattening gifts like chocolate.

With Valentine’s Day come visions of Cupid, a mischievous, winged child whose arrows pierce the hearts of his victims, causing them to fall deeply in love. In ancient Greece, he was known as Eros, the son of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. To the Romans, he was Cupid, the son of their goddess of love, Venus.

How do we celebrate love on Valentine’s Day in a diverse multicultural society? Canada and the United States are the most culturally diverse countries on Earth. As thousands of people from virtually every nation and ethnic group arrive on our shores, our cities have truly become a multicultural mosaic. Do you know that over 100 languages are spoken in our cities?

Such diversity can enrich the lives of those who welcome it, but not everyone is quick to embrace cultures different from their own. Many are initially ignorant of new traditions, appearances and religions and communities can quickly become tainted with stereotypes, racism, bullying and intolerance.

IN CELEBRATION of our rich diversity, add new meaning to this year’s Valentine’s Day in our North American cities by doing more than exchanging chocolates and roses.

Love with forgiveness: Intolerance of other cultures can stem from a bad experience in the past. Use this Valentine’s Day to reflect on whether you need to forgive anyone this season. Open your heart so you may accept new experiences and relationships.

Love with generosity: Why stop at close friends and family when sharing Cupid’s arrows? Take a look outside your close-knit circle for someone in need of a little extra care. Know a lonely neighbor or an isolated senior? Add special meaning to this year’s Valentine’s Day by showering them with an unexpected dose of cheer.

Love with charity: Do you know that North Americans are viewed as the most generous people in the world? Generosity does not have to mean writing a check to a needy person or a charity. It can also mean giving of ourselves and our time to make a positive difference. Take Valentine’s Day a step further by volunteering at a food bank or serving at a soup kitchen.

Love with sympathy: Each night, we see images of people suffering on the nightly news. Take their suffering to heart and let your sympathy inspire you to action. Show your love for humanity by actively working to alleviate someone else’s suffering, whether it’s from poverty, disease or injustice.

LOVE with foresight: This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to remember that while we may speak different languages and enjoy different food, we are all connected by our dependence on the Earth. Loving your neighbors means caring enough to protect the land we share. Make your home greener by only using products whose production and disposal do not harm natural resources.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

About David McLauren, Ph.D. David is a diversity specialist who speaks five languages. He brings a wealth of education and expertise to businesses and brilliantly helps companies increase their profits and productivity through diversity. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, facilitator, and expert on diversity, inclusion and multi-cultural issues, David consistently energizes, educates and empowers his audiences.

David McLauren, Ph.D.
Diversity Specialist
(817) 908 – 3288                             
david@davidmclauren.com
www.davidmclauren.com

Used with Permission from the Fort Greely Interceptor

The Best Presents Are Freedom & Justice.
Good Security Makes Them Possible.

Please join us in celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday at 11 a.m., Jan. 20, at Gabriel Auditorium.  Jack Detzel will be the Master of Ceremonies and Charles Bailey will be presenting the famous and heartfelt speech, “I have a dream.” Refreshments will be served.