Show Santa Claus has roots throughout the world Snow College Music Department meets National Standards Recently the Snow College Music Department was welcomed as an associate member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Th is cu Im mates a ) process in which all aspects of the music program at Snow were examined and compared to national standards A college music department may be granted membership in NASM if its curricula and resources are equivalent to the first two years of institua NASM accredited tion This means that Snow College meets national standards for schools Vance E Larsen the Snow College Director of Bands and Music stated “ his is a major corner for us to turn for someone who is a serious music student Snow is a viable option” arson added This appears to be true since Snow's dcpai intent is the only accredited music unit in the stale of Utah With a couple thousand tochoose from Snow College is one of only 21 junior col leges in the nation that are NASM members “We want Snow to be the best experience they can get on top of that we’re a bargain” Larsen said Due to the credibility of Snow College and their music department music majors who attend Snow can look forward to easier transfers to any of the music programs in the state “The validation of things we’ve been saying about our department will be a bonus” Larsen commented NASM is the accrediting agency for all of the music departments in Utah Every year children write him letters to tell him what they want for Christmas They stay up late on Christmas Eve hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he comes to their home with his bag full of gifts This jolly old soul is Santa Claus and he fills the holiday season with happy anticipation Santa Claus is an American figure adapted from the European legends of Saint N icholas who is the patron saint of children Russia and sailors The saint’s generosity and compassion are said to have saved a poor man’s daughters from a difficult life Many him by giving gifts on his feast day Dec 6 The traditions of Saint N icholas were introduced into America by the Dutch settlers according to several sources In fact the name Santa Claus is adapted from the Dutch Sint Nikolaas As immigrants from (Sinterklaas) other countries came they too spread their legends of the saint In the United States however he became associated with Christmas not his traditional feast day Many of Santa’s characteristics like how he comes down the chimney and how he leaves switches for naughty children have Dutch origins His red suit trimmed with white fur originated in the attire worn by the Dutch saint However his connection with reindeer and the North Pole are believed to come from Scandinavian lore Thanks to the stories of Washington Irving the cartoons of Thomas Nast and the famous poem by Clement Moore “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” Santa Claus became popular throughout the United States during the 1800s (Eoce oil Traditions little ones around the world eagerly await a visit Christmastime from Santa Claus hoping he’ll bring them wonderful presents In the Santa is known as Sinterklaas Dutch children anticipatNetherlands ing this jolly fellow's ai rival on Dec 6 his feast day traditionally fill their shoes with hay and sugar for his horse before they go to sleep When they awake they find their shoes filled with gifts These traditions live In Pella Iowa the annual on in Dutch communities everywhere Christmas festivities include a visit from Sinterklaas and his piets (helpers) The event is celebrated with a parade program and party for children and the young at heart Holiday events take place in Pella Photo courtesy of Pella Historical Society) throughout Decembei At JiifS Deck Th& May the beauty you Along with a serene scene of wintertime bliss we'd like to add our very best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday of the season and may your holiday of love health trimmings Merry Christmas for making surround contain wealth all the and success and many thanks our year sparkle CHRISTMAS JOKES Q: A: 5orereer Farmers Insurance Sieve Olsen Agent Gunnison Ut Why are a lion at the beach and Christmas alike? Because the lion has sandy claws Q: What does A: He likes to Electric Q: What can A: A cold Santa Claus like to do hoe hoe hoe Santa give away and Q: What does Santa A: A knife and fork in his still garden? keep? use to raise corned beef and cabbage? May the Heavens grace you with the gift of answered prayers in this season of Miracles nm We’re bringing you our best wishes for a good filled with fun friends and family! Have a jolly holiday! Christmas MDBEUESff cnura BARNEY TRUCKING i I' I ? i i f |