Show r V V V V V V IV LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I A r rA A New Years Year's Wish This letter was received by byThe byThe byThe The Messenger shortly after the first of last year from Zada Mellor Rudeen a subscriber subscriber subscriber sub sub- scriber to The Messenger residing residing re reo re- re siding at Rosewood Place in Riverside Calif The editor would like to pass on some of her timely ideas which are c contained in her lett letter r. r Mr l Larry Stahle Stable Editor Manti ManU Messenger Dear Mr Stahle Stable It is most grat gratifying ying to see so many families from home represented in The Messenger We who are away love to know what is going on and the more families in the news the more pleasure in reading about them As state chairman of International International International In In- Affairs for the California Federation of Women's Women's Women's Wom Wom- ens en's Clubs my thoughts are naturally on world peace and world affairs I am sure folks at home share my thoughts this holiday season a few of which I have written down Like Old Santa for Christmas Christmas Christmas Christ Christ- mas the genial little man depicts the spirit of the New Year In America the observance of New Years Year's Day is as varied as the people who celebrate the eventful day In most Christian countries in the Middle Ages March was the usual date for beginning the New Year The Jewish New Year falls in September and lasts for forty eight hours the Chinese New Year now coincides with that of the Western world When we celebrate th first day of the New Year we are following 3 a custom which dates back to the dawn of civilization If we were to travel on an imaginary m mag magic a g i c carpet around the world we would see a variety of customs and people celebrating this important important important im im- im- im day The Japanese individual regardless regardless re reo re- re of circumstances buys lavish new clothes and he takes three days away from work Every gate post is decorated decorated decorated dec dec- orated and the streets are thronged with children playing playing playing play play- ing battledore and shuttle shuttle- cock There are no strangers it is like one big happy family during the New Years Year's cele cele- bration In some countries in Europe Europe Europe Eu Eu- rope New Years Year's day is more important than Christmas Scotland's old tradition still exists that the first one who steps in the house brings good luck for the whole year The individual entering also brings a box of cakes and spiced ale In some Scandinavian cities the New Y Year ar is welcomed with a noise of firearms as is the custom in Leningrad Russia The spirit of the New Year like the spirit of Christmas brings recognition of a desire for peace and happiness We here in America on January 1st will be celebrating celebrating ing with relatives ves friends and associates enjoying a feast of plenty and hospitality abundant ant Let us remember however however however how how- ever that there are those less fortunate than ourselves in inmany inmany inmany many lands who once shared a Happy New Year also These people are now in dire circumstances circumstances circumstances circum circum- stances seeking the necessities necessities of life and peace of mind which we sincerely and prayerfully hope will be theire once again Let us not forget those who are indisposed or sad this year Remember them with your love faith and prayers May Mayall all of you dear ones at home be blessed with health prosperity and happiness ss this coming year is the sincere wish of Gus and myself Cordially and Humbly Zada Mellor Rudeen |