MIKE'S COMMENTARY
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST

MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND SOME BITS OF WISDOM

It's Another New Year... ...but for what reason? "Happy New Year!" That greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as a new year gets under way. But the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1. ANCIENT NEW YEARS The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison. The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days. THE CHURCH'S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations. During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years. NEW YEAR TRADITIONS Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California. Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.  And now the BCS Rankings have dictated this years Rose Bowl Game to be January 2, 2006. The winner of which will be declared the Number 1 College Football team.  What a bunch of Hooey. Mike The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth. Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus. The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century. FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day. AULD LANG SYNE The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days." The lyrics can be found here.

 
 
 

A Dozen Toasts to the New Year "Another year is dawning!  Let it be for better or for worse,  another year with thee."  "Come let us drink!"  --Rabelais "Here's health to those I love and wealth to those who love me." "As we start the New Year, let's get down on our knees to thank God we're on our feet." "May all your troubles during the coming year be as short as your New Year's resolutions." "May the hinges of friendship never rust, nor the wings of love lose a feather." "Here's a toast to the future A toast to the past, And a toast to our friends, far and near. The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and clear." "Here's champagne to our real friends,  And real pain to our sham friends." "Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody."  --Phyllis McGinley "In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want."  --Traditional Irish toast "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow ye diet." "Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter, Sermons and soda-water the day after."  --Lord Byron

 
 
 

Some Interesting facts about THE YEAR 1905 ....  One Hundred Years Ago: The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.  Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S.  had a bathtub.  Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.  Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.  A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.  There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.  The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.  Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.  With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union. The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!  The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.  The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.  A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.  More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S.  took place at home.  Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education.  Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."  Sugar cost four cents a pound.  Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.  Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.  Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.  Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.  Five leading causes of death in the U.S.  were:  1.  Pneumonia and Influenza  2.  Tuberculosis 3.  Diarrhea  4.  Heart disease 5.  Stroke The American flag had 45 stars.  Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!  Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.  There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day. Two out of every 10 U.S.  adults couldn't read or write.  (Not sure we have improved on this one.)  Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.  Eighteen percent of households in the U.S.  had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.  There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.  (Probably everyone or nearly everyone carried a pocket pistol too) ~ Thanks to Tim Yoho for this stastical collection ~

 
 

Special January Offerings at KCnet ICDL WORKSHOP KCnet is offering a 6 week workshop on computer skills necessary for the workplace (ICDL). This workshop includes instruction in 4 categories of computer skills: Fundamental Concepts of Information Technology, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, and Internet and Email. Individuals who complete the workshop successfully will receive an International Computer Driving License (ICDL) starter certification, and the opportunity to complete a full ICDL certification.  The ICDL workshop starts January 10th and runs through February 16th, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 AM. The registration fee is $100 and includes all materials and testing fees. Advanced registration is required.  The ICDL certification program is designed to show employers that a potential or existing employee has the basic computer skills necessary to perform daily computer tasks. ICDL is comprised of seven modules that demonstrate competency in the following areas: Fundamental Concepts of IT, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentations, and Internet and Email. Upon completion of each training module, the candidate will take a proctored exam. Failed tests may be retaken as often as necessary. Once all tests have been passed, the candidate receives ICDL certification. The ICDL is an internationally accepted certificate. It can simplify employment procedures and assures the employer that the applicants and/or staff have the necessary level of knowledge and competence to use common computer applications. This workshop counts as 21 credit hours of ACT 48 continuing education credits, the full ICDL training and certification counts as 42 credit hours. ICDL certification is also worth 7 credit hours transferable to almost any college or university.  Digital Photo Editing classes at KCnet KCnet will be offering a Digital Photo Editing class running January 2nd, 4th, 9th, and 11th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The first session of the class is devoted to learning to use your digital camera. Topics for the remaining sessions include but are not limited to: uploading your photos, saving photos, and digitally enhancing photos. You’ll learn how to reduce red-eye, crop, resize, and apply special effects using Adobe Photo Deluxe and Paintshop Pro. You can also repair damaged photos, and send photos to friends and relatives using email. The registration fee is $30 for KCnet members and $35 for non-members and includes photo editing software on CD.  Advance payment and preregistration are suggested.  You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit www.kcnet.org/class. PC Basics  A PC Basics Course at Keystone Community Network (KCnet) will be held January 16, 18, 23, & 25th -- Noon - 2 pm.   Topics include an introduction to all parts of the computer, learning about the desktop, mouse features and operation, and features and operation of the keyboard. Also creating shortcut icons, using recycle bin, wallpaper and screen savers, toolbars and task bars, drag and drop, using window features (minimize, maximize, resize, etc), control panel, accessing the different drives, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration. Total cost for the 4-session course is $30 for KCnet members and $35 for non-members.  Class periods are 2 hours and include question and answer time.   Class sizes are limited to 10.  Advance payment and preregistration are suggested.  You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit www.kcnet.org/class.    KCnet will also be offering a Basic Excel Class. starts January 31. This class is for those who want to learn the basics of Microsoft Excel.  The class is in 4 sessions, 9:30 – 11:30 AM.  Sessions are January 31, February 2, 7 and 9.  The fee is $45, and includes a textbook. Class sizes are limited to 10.  Advance payment and preregistration are suggested.  You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit www.kcnet.org/class.  KCnet Helpdesk is available  Please call 893-8111 for a technician.

~HMMM~  If people were meant to pop out of bed we'd all sleep in toasters. & Why is the person who invests all your money called a broker?

 
KCNET CLASSES

NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:

I'd like to wish our KCnet members a happy, safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!  I look forward to visiting with you each week of 2006 via the News And Notes column in the KCnet Newsletter.  So... Until next week... ! KCnet Board Of Directors Officers:   President Bill Raco, Vice President Bob Rolley, Secretary Jon Ahrens,  Treasurer Don Miller and Past President Judy Yoho.   Other members of the board:  Carolyn Carl, R.  Keith Kelly, Paul Korn, Donna Lannan, Amy Lapriola, Tom Livingston,  Ray McGill, and Rich Wykoff.

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