Tag Archives: season

Worldwide Traditions of Epiphany

04 Thursday Jan 2018

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Here we are again, the first week of a brand new year. It’s so hard to believe ChristmasGalette des Rois and New Year’s are already behind us. After much planning and preparation, the holiday season is almost over. Yes, you read that line correctly as we have one more holiday to get through before we say goodbye to the season.

Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings, is observed 12 days after Christmas. The celebration is for Christians to remember the three wise men who visited Jesus, and for churches to remember when Jesus was baptized.

Epiphany means ‘revelation’ – appropriate since both of these occasions reveal that Jesus was an important figure in history. The holiday is primarily observed by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, but is celebrated all around the world:

  • In Spain, the Festival of the Three Kings is when children receive presents from their parents.
  • In France, observers might eat a flat, almond cake called “Galette des Rois.” Each cake is baked with a toy crown inside and a gold paper crown placed in the center.
  • Mexico has a celebration similar to that of France, but their cake is called “Rosca de Reyes.” In this special cake, a small figure of baby Jesus is hidden; whoever finds the figure in their cake is the ‘Godparent’ of Jesus for that year.
  • In Austria, some people create a special chalk sign as a reminder of the wise men. The inscription of the sign is made by splitting the year into two and writing the initials of the wise men (Casper, Melchior and Balthazar.) This year’s sign would read 20*C*M*B*18. This tradition is believed to protect the household for the next year.
  • In Belgium, children take part in activity similar to that of US trick-or-treating. Kids sometimes dress up as wise men and go door-to-door singing songs. In exchange for music, residents give the children money or candy.
  • In Ireland, Epiphany can be known as “Nollaig na mBean” or Women’s Christmas. On this day, women would take the day off, and men would tend to the housework and cooking. (We like the sound of this one!)

Click here to see more worldwide traditions from WhyChristmas.com.

For many of us who don’t celebrate the holiday, Epiphany is seen as the perfect day to take down decorations and settle back into the usual routine.

From all of us at Lions Pride, we hope you had an enjoyable, restful holiday season.

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Celebrate the Season of Giving with St. Nick

07 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

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While we may not have any white, fluffy snow on the ground (as ofStockings Were Hung writing), there is no question that the holiday season has arrived. Yesterday was the celebration of St. Nicholas. Although the holiday is a popular one in Europe, the day isn’t widely celebrated here in the United States, and we think it’s time to change that!

The story of St. Nick goes back to 4th century Greece. Nicholas of Myra officiated as a bishop after dedicating his life to giving to others. Sadly, his parents died in an epidemic when he was young. With his extensive inheritance, Nicholas decided to use his wealth to help the less fortunate. His signature act was leaving gold coins in people’s shoes around the city. Today, children leave out stockings or shoes on the eve of St. Nicholas and awake to find them filled with small gifts and trinkets. Of course, there is always the possibility that those who have been naughty will find nothing more than a lump of coal.

We may have missed the official holiday, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate the true meaning behind the season – focusing on giving more than receiving. Sometime in December, consider surprising your loved one by filling his or her stocking with fun, little gifts. There are endless possibilities for stocking stuffers – candy, jewelry, small toys, soap, notebooks, key chains and more. You can also include other intangible gifts such as a donation to their favorite charity in their honor.

By choosing to make a gift to Lions Pride, you can help us work to continue improving the lives of people all around Wisconsin. Your donation can help preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all other WLF statewide projects – including eyeglass recycling, adult and children’s vision screening, diabetes education and more. If there is a project that is especially important to you or your loved one, simply designate the gift, and you can rest assured knowing that you’re helping the cause. Print the certificate and add it a stocking for a powerful gift that also gives back.

Together, we can all embody the spirit of St. Nicholas by remembering to include compassion and charity in our daily lives. After all, isn’t that the reason behind the season?

Happy Holidays from Lions Pride!

 

Holiday Preparation Stress Relief

15 Thursday Dec 2016

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! holiday-dinner-prepWe’ve officially entered the middle of December, our ground is fully covered in snow, we’re slowly making our way through our shopping lists and likely have dozens of tasks that are in need to completing before the Big Day arrives. Is it just us, or could the most wonderful time of year also be replaced with the most stressful time of the year?

After doing a bit of research, it appears that we are not alone in our thinking. According to a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association, nearly a quarter of Americans feel “extreme stress” due to a lack of time, a lack of money or the pressure to give or get presents.

Fortunately, not all is lost. We don’t have to wish away the holidays, but rather take a few practical measures to minimize the stress that comes with the season:

  • Make a master list

    One of the biggest challenges of having so many items to tackle is that it is tough to keep them all straight. Make a master list where you have everything from presents to buy, goodies to bake and cards to mail.

  • Ask for help

    Often, many of the holiday tasks are assigned to one person in a household. If it just so happens, that you are that person, ask for help. You’ll get back by time by divvying up responsibilities and likely have more fun. Doesn’t enjoying a glass of eggnog while addressing envelopes with a loved one sound more delightful than completing them alone?

  • Stick with a budget

    Before shopping, determine a budget and stay committed to sticking with it. Remember, that money can’t buy happiness; it’s the thought that matters most. If you’re looking for alternatives to store bought gifts, create homemade gifts or donate to a charity in your recipient’s name, Lions Pride comes to mind.

  • Learn to say no

    Saying yes to too many obligations can leave you feeling overwhelmed, and eventually resentful. Don’t feel like you have to participate in all holiday activities; we guarantee that your loved ones will understand.

  • Take a break

    Although it may sound counterintuitive, remember the importance of rest during times of stress. Make time for yourself. Find an activity that clears your mind. Consider partaking in an activity that you can only do this time of year, like listening to Christmas music or taking a walk and admiring the lights.

We all agree that this time of year is definitely a busy one, but don’t let the stress of your To Do list stop you from enjoying the magic of the season. Remember to take a step back and truly think about the reason behind the season and enjoy every moment of the holidays. They will be here and gone before we know it!

Happy Holidays from Lions Pride.

St. Nicholas Day and Lions Pride

01 Thursday Dec 2016

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Toned photo of three red Christmas socks hanging on fireplaceAlthough we don’t have any white, fluffy snow on the ground in Central Wisconsin, there is definitely no doubt in our minds that we have entered the holiday season. With the blockbuster shopping deal ads continuously showing on television and lighted trees slowly appearing in home windows, it has become clear that Christmas is not far away.

But before we arrive at Christmas, we have a few other special holidays to get to first, including St. Nicholas Day. On Tuesday night, children will hang out their stockings or leave out their shoes and wake to find what ole St. Nick has left for them. If they have behaved throughout the year, they can expect to find all sorts of goodies like candy, toys and other small gifts, and if they have misbehaved, they will likely find nothing but a lump of coal.

St. Nicholas Day is a very common holiday in Europe, but not as well known here in the United States, so it should come as no surprise that many of us use the names, Santa Claus and St. Nicholas interchangeably. But the truth is that these two characters have a lot of key differences between them.

Aside from the fact that St. Nicholas was an actual person who lived in the 4th Century, he also gave simple gifts to those in need. According to legend, he encouraged practicing compassion everyday and actually became the model for Santa Claus himself.

Here at Lions Pride, we love the idea of St. Nicholas Day because we can relate directly to his message. With the help of our generous donors and supporters, we have the opportunity to give special children the gift of the great outdoors.

As you have likely already seen, childhood now is different than childhood at one time. With new and changing technology, children have a lot more entertainment options available such as video games, iPads and other electronic gadgets, they don’t have as much time to appreciate the beauty that lies right outside their front door.

Each summer, we’re proud to help bring children with special needs to Lions Camp to help show them the true value of Mother Nature. During their week away, they are able to camp, swim, hike, climb, kayak and enjoy outdoor living at its finest, all while building self-confidence, interdependence, social skills and environmental awareness that will help shape the rest of their childhood.

If you’re looking for a one of a kind gift this holiday season, consider making a donation in a loved ones name. (It could also make a great stocking stuffer!) You have the chance to cross a name off your shopping list and show a special child the joy of one of life’s simplest gifts – the wonders of nature at Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Wisconsin Hunters Checklist and Deer Hide Collection

19 Thursday Nov 2015

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The weekend is drawing near. If you’re one of over 600,000 licensed outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen of Wisconsin, then you’ve probably been looking forward to the start of gun season since the last day of the 2014 season. We understand that part of your anticipation is due to love of the woods, but the other part is because you have likely been preparing for months.

If you’re an avid hunter, you may have a checklist similar to the one seen below, courtesy of Gander Mountain. The list includes over 100 items of necessary items such as blaze orange, ammo and more.

Gander Mountain Checklist

Serious hunters know that successful hunts don’t happen on luck alone. You have been studying your deer cam, preparing your food plot and double-checking your stand for safety. You’re ready to meet any deer that comes through the blind.

But, what happens when you do have a successful hunt? If you like venison, you may harvest the deer on your own. If you like beef sticks, you may have a preferred meat market; but what do you plan on doing with the hide?

This deer season, we hope you’ll consider donating your hide. Since 1991, Wisconsin Lions Camp has been collecting deer hides with the help of Lions Club volunteers from all over the state.

The drop-off process for hunters is easy. Simply find a collection site near you and bring your hide. Volunteers will then preserve the hide to be later sold. All proceeds will go towards sending kids to camp. Our goal for the year is to reach $100,000, and with your help, we will also be a success.

From all of us here at Lions Pride, we wish all Wisconsin Hunters, a safe and successful hunt! Thank you for your continued support.

The History of Sporting Clays

04 Thursday Jun 2015

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By now, you have likely heard that we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our largest Annual Lions Pride Shootannual event, the 8th Annual Lions Pride Shoot Sporting Clays Fundraiser; however, you may be new to the idea. Although the hobby is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the America, the term, ‘sporting clays’ is still relatively unfamiliar to many.

Sporting Clays, also referred to as “golf with a shotgun”, is a sport that simulates actual hunting. Courses reproduce the hunting of ducks, pheasants, upland birds such as grouse and quail, and even rabbits. There is no set season so sporting clays can be shot at any time.

The sport may be new to you, but it actually has an extensive history. Sporting clays go back to England in the mid-1800s. In those days, gentlemen owned all large estates. Their land consisted of countless numbers of acreage where nearly unlimited game could be bred and reared. To hunt on this land, you need to be invited by the owner. The chance of an invitation depended greatly on your social status, but you also needed to be a reasonable shot. Landowners wanted clean shots, not just injured game.

History of Sporting Clays

Since land was limited to the upper class, there weren’t many places available to practice; many shooters attempted to create game-like targets. The first targets were glass balls, but they were not ideal for practice. They were very expensive and hunters found that they were injuring their cattle with broken fragments.

In the 1880s, George Ligowsky invented the first clay target after seeing children skimming clamshells on a pond. He also designed launcher to replace the children’s throwing arm by “flicking” the wrist. As new targets and launchers were developed, more shooters started training to prepare for a hunting invitation, but the practice soon became a sport all of its own. Today, people of all ages enjoy the sport. More than 3 million shoot sporting clays competitively or recreationally each year.

We hope you’ll join us on June 13 at Milford Hills in Johnson Creek. Last year, we had both Lions and non-Lions of all skills levels compete. If you don’t shoot, you don’t have to miss the fun. We always have participants who choose to walk the course to watch the activities and take in the beautiful scenery of Southeastern Wisconsin.

To sign up or for more information email us or call the Lions Pride Office at 715-677-7000, or visit us on-line at www.lionspride.org/events. Hurry, the registration deadline has been extended to Monday, June 8! We look forward to seeing you there.

The History of Hanukkah

11 Thursday Dec 2014

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This time of the year, it seems the only topic we hear about is Christmas. Although it Menorahis one of the most popular December holidays here in Wisconsin, it is important to remember that there are other holidays happening simultaneously around the country and the world. For the remainder of the month, we will explore all of these holidays beginning with Hanukkah.

Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is an eight-day celebration of light that begins this year on December 17th. The story dates back to 200 BC; the land of Israel was under the control of Antiochus III and the Syrian Greeks. At that time, Antiochus allowed Jewish people to continue practicing their religion. When his son, Antiochus IV assumed power, he outlawed Judaism and forced the Judeans to worship Greek gods.

A rebellion, led by Jewish priest Mattathias, broke out after soldier desecrated the city’s Holy Temple and built a statue of Zeus. Mattathias died in 166 BC, and his son Judah took charge. Finally in 165 BC, after three years of battle, the war came to an end; and the Judeans were able to drive the Syrians out of Israel.

To rededicate the Second Temple, they wanted to light the menorah, but soon found that they only had enough olive oil to keep the candles burning for one day. They decided to light the candles and; then a miracle happened. The candles continued to flicker for eight days, leaving the Judeans plenty of time to find a fresh supply of oil. Jewish sages then proclaimed an annual eight-day festival.

Today, the Hanukkah celebration is centered on the lighting of the menorah. Each night of the celebration, another candle is lit after sundown. The menorah is then displayed in the window to remind others of the past miracle.

People often wonder whether or not, Chanukah is a gift-giving holiday. Surprisingly, there are no biblical or Talmudic roots connected to the idea of gift giving. However, there is a timeworn tradition to give children the gifts of gelt, also known as money, to teach them the value of charity in addition to keeping the environment festive and happy. Many families have adopted the tradition for every weeknight of Hanukkah.

This holiday season, don’t forget to remember all of the December holidays, not just the ones celebrated in your family. Happy holidays from all of us at Lions Pride!

Sources:

http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/449706/jewish/Is-Giving-Chanukah-Presents-a-Non-Jewish-Custom.htm http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/hanukkah
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Hanukkah/History.shtml?p=1