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Show Page 6 February 17, 1999 brooksinfowest.com Valentines Day: The Celebration of Love and Romance By Katie Hostman hostmankatierebelnet.dixie.edu For most people .Valentines Day is a special day that we take time away from work and other obligations to spend time with the people we care about the most. The history of Valentine's Day began in Rome during the feast of Lupercalia. This spring holiday was held in honor of the god Lupercus, protector of the herds and crops. The people entreated to Lupercus to protect their flocks , keep animals and people healthy through singing CARISA HUNTINGTONTHE DIXIE SUN Freshman, Tasha Emery receives a rose from yet another admirer, but she still remains one of the many single women here at Dixie. and dancing. On the eve of this festival, young women would put their names in a ceramic jar and every young man would pick a name. They would be partners in the festivities and dancing, often times they would not need to participate in the event the next year. Christian legends believe that Valentine's Day in the feast of St. Valentine, who was beheaded on February 14th under orders of roman emperor Claudius the second. The emperor "believed that if his men remained single, his army would be larger and stronger. He refused to lose men who would desire to stay home with their family. Valentine was beheaded because he would secretly marry people forbidden to wed. He became known as the patron saint of lovers. Believing that Valentine's Day exists to celebrate the memory of a saint who valued love and romance, many exchanged love notes on Valentine's. Others believe that Valentine was later associated with the Norman French word 'galatin', meaning lover of women. Through the passage of time, the two have merged with the result of St. Valentine being remembered as the patron St. of Lovers. I took the opportunity to talk to some students at Dixie College to see how they felt about celebrating Valentine's Day. Cyndi Johnson, a freshmen at Dixie College, is not a big fan of Valentine's Day but she did share with me the story of a simple gift she received from her father a few years ago. He took a large box and duct taped it up so it would be hard for her to open. When she finally got it opened, inside was a heart shaped bookmark. Sometimes simple gifts mean so much more than expensive ones. When I asked freshman Charity Tebbs, to share her favorite Valentine's Day she told me that this year has been her favorite so far. She received a watch that holds a diamond and a dozen white roses. Bekah Sillitoe, a Dixie sophomore, made a comment about Valentine's Day that was very interesting. She said that Valentines Day is a wasted holiday because if you love someone and care about them, you shouldn't need a holiday to let them know how you feel. Every day should be like Valentine's Day. On this particular day we should take time away from our busy lives and do something nice for somebody that you normally wouldn't. It doesn't necessarily have to be something big , just something to let that person know that you are thinking about them. Valentine's Day is a wonderful holiday to let the special person in your life know just how much they mean to you. Teachers Join Together to Help Reber in Time of Need Jennifer Peltz "Among the three of us, there's flexibility to be able to cover the enough jennpeltzhotmail. classes," said Payne. Since English teacher Ed Reber under"Ed has been the best guy," Payne went emergency back surgery on Monday, said. "He has always been very, very willFeb. 8, various teachers on campus have ing to help anybody in our department for pitched in to help teach his classes during the past 23 years. We are delighted to be his absence. able to help him. He had this one comEnglish teachers Louise Excell, Allan ing." Payne, and Joe Peterson were among the Reber needed surgery due to a bulging many faculty members that were more disc in his back that caused the saitic nerve than willing to donate their time. in his leg to become inflamed, keeping him "1 am glad to know that some of the from being able to walk or even sit. finest teachers at Dixie are teaching my "I couldn't walk for 10 days before the classes," said Reber. surgery," said Reber. Excell covers Reber's Humanities 1010 Part of his injuries were related to class, three days a week. arthritis and some lifting he did last fall. "It does require some extra preparaDoctors advised Reber to go back to tion, but I'm more than happy to help Ed," work in six weeks. said Excell. "He'd do the same for me." "But I think I'll be back in about two," Payne has taken over Reber's English said Reber. 2010 classes, and occasionally his Human"I know his students will be happy to ities 1010 class. have him Reber back," Excell said. "I've had to do quite a bit of prepara"There's nothing like having your own tion for the humanities class because I've teacher to make you feel secure and never taught Humanities 1010 before," happy." said Payne. "So many people have done very graJuggling their own classes and Reber's cious things for me," said Reber. "It's been doesn't seem to pose a huge problem for a wonderful experience, except for all the the teachers. pain." By com Tell Her You Love Her. . . Tell Him You Love Him! McArthur Jewelers Downtown Red Cliffs Mall & |
