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December 27, 2009
WOLF CREEK HERITAGE MUSEUM NOTES by Virginia Scott MUSEUM HAPPENINGS All is quiet at the museum and we are organizing our selves to prepare the end of year report. It has been a good year and our future looks bright and busy. Our focus is on two projects: Building construction and Book publication. Our drop off boxes are in place for your family histories. The holidays are almost over at this writing so start writing your histories and include all those stories you heard at the table during the holidays with the family. Our deadline is April that is only four months away so get busy. Call if you need assistance. January and February is student art annual exhibit and the work in so far looks great. The Museum staff, volunteers, and board of directors want to Thank Everyone for their support and participation this year and we look forward to 2010. HAPPY NEW YEAR. HISTORICAL MUSINGS Plants and food play an important part in our holidays. Two have been a part of our celebrations for centuries: Mistletoe and Black eyed peas. Mistletoe (We have the real thing at the museum this year) Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, mistletoe was used by Druids in the celebration of winter season. It was thought to have healing powers, which could cure anything and everything,ranging from female infertility to poison ingestion. Even enemies stopped fighting and declared a temporary ceasefire whenever they happened to chance upon mistletoe. Christmas mistletoe is associated with one of the Norse myths, known as the myth of Baldur. Baldur, the god of vegetation, was the son of Norse goddess, Frigga. When he was born, Frigga made each and every plant, animal and even inanimate object promise that it will never ever harm Baldur. Somehow, the mistletoe plant escaped the attention of Frigga and Loki, the enemy of Baldur, took advantage of the lapse. He tricked one of the other gods into killing Baldur with a spear made of mistletoe. With the death, winters came into this world. To correct this situation, the gods restored Baldur to life. After this incident, Frigga pronounced the mistletoe to be a sacred plant, which would bring love in the world, rather than death. From then onwards, whenever two people pass under mistletoe, they kiss and celebrate Baldur's resurrection. This evolved into the custom that mistletoe is the plant of peace, the practice of kissing continues due to the belief that mistletoe is also an aphrodisiac. Black eyed peas has been considered a staple in Southern diets for over 300 years, and associated with good luck. A dish of peas is a New Year's tradition in most areas of the South, thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year. Some add a dime to the peas for an extra "boost" of luck. Greens (collard greens, cabbage,etc) are also served for symbol of folding money and prosperity. These dishes served with the New Year's dinner after watching the Tournament of Roses parade and before the annual football games makes for a great start of the New Year. Celebrate our customs, Remember your heritage, and Preserve both for the future. A personal thanks to each of everyone of you for your support, Virginia Scott. |
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