Columns
Talk of the Town: Make the most of mistletoe!
By Regina Ford
Most people know about the mysterious power of mistletoe at Christmas, correct? It allows holiday romance to be democratic by making everyone equally kissable—friends, strangers, distant cousins-the dog (especially if you’ve had too much spiked eggnog). Linger beneath a sprig of mistletoe at a holiday party, and like it or not you become fair game to anyone whose lips are within range.
But there is much more to mistletoe than kissing and holiday merriment, according to howstuffworks.com.
Here are a few fun facts about mistletoe from the U.S. Geological Survey to help you pass the time and make the wait for your holiday kiss seem shorter:
American mistletoe, the kind most often associated with kissing, is one of 1,300 species of mistletoe worldwide but one of only two that are native to the United States. The other is dwarf mistletoe.
Phoradendron, the scientific name for American mistletoe, means “thief of the tree” in Greek. Although not a true parasite in scientific terms, mistletoe comes close, sinking its roots into a host tree and leeching nutrients from the tree to supplement its own photosynthesis.
Sadly, the translation of the word “mistletoe” itself isn’t very romantic. A few centuries back, some people apparently observed that mistletoe tended to take root where birds had left their droppings. “Mistal” is an Anglo-Saxon word that means “dung” and “tan” means “twig,” so mistletoe actually means “dung on a twig.”
The growth of mistletoe had little to do with the bird droppings, and a lot to do with the birds themselves. Mistletoe seeds are extremely sticky and often latch onto birds’ beaks or feathers or the fur of other woodland creatures, hitchhiking to a likely host tree before dropping off and starting to germinate.
Mistletoe is toxic to people, but the berries and leaves provide high-protein food for many animals. Many bird species rely on mistletoe for food and nesting material.
Still no kiss? Maybe it’s time to pack it in and try again next year. Meanwhile, these fun facts will give you something to talk about as you wait for your next “free smooch” opportunity—at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Well done to P.E.O. and its very successful annual Mah-Jongg tournament recently, thanks to committee members: Rosemary Brophy, chairperson; Debi Frerichs, Audrey Miller, Helen Fenner, Iona Ledeboer, Barb Cooper, Marian Frazier, Martha Tompkins and Lois Brown. With a seasonal theme to boot, Santa showed up. Attendees won prizes in the many drawings, too. The big winners on the tournament were: Doris Kruis, first place; Libby Schecter, second; and third place, Joyce Butters. Next year’s tournament will be Dec. 2, so mark your calendars now!
The flutter of angel wings was heard at Desert Hills Lutheran Church recently as a multitude of volunteer angels gathered to decorate the room and prepare a traditional Christmas meal and to welcome angel guests and their hosts for a festive afternoon of wonderful food and fellowship shared with friends.
After lunch, a clarinet choir of angels flew in to play some familiar tunes for all to enjoy. Then the Desert Hills Lutheran Church angels, Marilyn Kabat and Joan Bystol, sang Christmas carols. The sound of bells and “Ho! Ho! Ho!” signaled that Santa had arrived with a large bag of gifts for the special angel guests. Thanks to Jacqui Coble for being an angel and writing up this wonderful event for the newspaper.
Shame, shame on whoever stole the Santa on the Harley from the corner of Union Bell and Desert Bell in Las Campanas. That’s certainly Grinch behavior. Be nice and return it please!
Remember: The Green Valley Concert Band, directed by John Snavely, will present “A Classy Christmas,” (tonight), Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Sahuarita High School Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road. The concert will feature Tchaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music,” piccolo soloist Dr. Randy Schwoebel from Pima College playing Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Piccolo,” and vocal soloists Bill Krinke and Yours Truly doing a medley of lighthearted seasonal songs for the whole family to enjoy. Tickets are $10 at the door and students are free. See you at the show!
Dwight’s Glass & Dwight’s Cleaning, 620 W. Ward Lane, is hosting a food drive for the Green Valley Community Food Bank starting Dec. 15. Bring a food donation to the office and receive a free raffle ticket to win a $150 gift certificate for auto detailing or residential cleaning. Winner announced on KGVY-Radio on Dec. 24.
rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740
But there is much more to mistletoe than kissing and holiday merriment, according to howstuffworks.com.
Here are a few fun facts about mistletoe from the U.S. Geological Survey to help you pass the time and make the wait for your holiday kiss seem shorter:
Still no kiss? Maybe it’s time to pack it in and try again next year. Meanwhile, these fun facts will give you something to talk about as you wait for your next “free smooch” opportunity—at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Well done to P.E.O. and its very successful annual Mah-Jongg tournament recently, thanks to committee members: Rosemary Brophy, chairperson; Debi Frerichs, Audrey Miller, Helen Fenner, Iona Ledeboer, Barb Cooper, Marian Frazier, Martha Tompkins and Lois Brown. With a seasonal theme to boot, Santa showed up. Attendees won prizes in the many drawings, too. The big winners on the tournament were: Doris Kruis, first place; Libby Schecter, second; and third place, Joyce Butters. Next year’s tournament will be Dec. 2, so mark your calendars now!
The flutter of angel wings was heard at Desert Hills Lutheran Church recently as a multitude of volunteer angels gathered to decorate the room and prepare a traditional Christmas meal and to welcome angel guests and their hosts for a festive afternoon of wonderful food and fellowship shared with friends.
After lunch, a clarinet choir of angels flew in to play some familiar tunes for all to enjoy. Then the Desert Hills Lutheran Church angels, Marilyn Kabat and Joan Bystol, sang Christmas carols. The sound of bells and “Ho! Ho! Ho!” signaled that Santa had arrived with a large bag of gifts for the special angel guests. Thanks to Jacqui Coble for being an angel and writing up this wonderful event for the newspaper.
Remember: The Green Valley Concert Band, directed by John Snavely, will present “A Classy Christmas,” (tonight), Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Sahuarita High School Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road. The concert will feature Tchaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music,” piccolo soloist Dr. Randy Schwoebel from Pima College playing Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Piccolo,” and vocal soloists Bill Krinke and Yours Truly doing a medley of lighthearted seasonal songs for the whole family to enjoy. Tickets are $10 at the door and students are free. See you at the show!
Dwight’s Glass & Dwight’s Cleaning, 620 W. Ward Lane, is hosting a food drive for the Green Valley Community Food Bank starting Dec. 15. Bring a food donation to the office and receive a free raffle ticket to win a $150 gift certificate for auto detailing or residential cleaning. Winner announced on KGVY-Radio on Dec. 24.
rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740
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