Christmas at HawthorneThe easiest month of

the year to re-member

Is mystical magicalmerry December.

L".Jlli~...--."LF'ii~F'ii~:r Our spirits rise higherwith each passingday,

We soar like St. Nickwith his deer andhis sleigh.

It's time to buy wrappings that glitter and glowAnd Christmas cards sprinkled with make-believe

snow,

The shopping malls lure us with dazzling displaysThe church bells entreat us to join in His praise.

At Hawthorne the night air is pine-needle sweet,The soft luminaria line every street,We look to the Heavens and gaze at the starThat guided the Wise Men who journeyed so far.

Our hearts fill with joy for the blessings we shareFor families and friends and for neighbors who

care;Each year might have closed at the end of

NovemberBut isn't it nice Santa added December?

- Ethel McQuillan

Rudolph's DreamRudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, dreamed

one night that there was a White Christmas, andthat he and Frosty the Snowman went Walkingin a Winter Wonderland. They peeped in awindow, and Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clauswhile they Decked the Halls with Boughs ofHolly.

Then Rudolph and Frosty took a ride in AOne Horse Open Sleigh with Jingle Bells andSilver Bells ringing. They stopped at Toy Land,Toy Land, Beautiful Girl and Boy Land to seeThe Parade of the Wooden Soldiers marching tothe beat of the Little Drummer Boy.

When they went outside they saw that itwas a Midnight Clear, and someone was playing

God Rest Ye MerryGentlemen which wasa hint to Rudolph thatit was time to retire.Since he was a longway from home, hedecided to spend thenight in the NutcrackerSuite of the local hotel,and Frosty just meltedaway. Before he left hesaid: "Rudolph, you'dbetter be good becauseSanta Claus is Comingto Town." - Elnora Bolan

Changes of AddressNowadays, one of my most joyful seasonal

activities is writing notes to enclose withChristmas greetings to our friends far and near.As soon as the Thanksgiving turkey hasdisappeared into the soup pot, I get out my filecards and start my annual remembrancing. Thenames on our list go, literally, from A to Z, andthere is something special to say to each one.

This year, as I· was writing my way throughthe alphabetized names, Ibegan to be consciousnot only of our friends but also of their manychanges of address over the span of thirty ormore years. Soon I realized that there werepatterns to be discovered in those changes.

One pattern is familiar in American life:from a city apartment (young marrieds enjoyingthe excitement and stimulation of city life) to asuburb within easy reach of the metropolis (fastcommuting for the wage earner and more roomfor the baby); then to a more distant suburb (abigger house for the growing family and lesscrowded schools); and finally to a semi-ruralarea (more land, more quiet, and the tennis cluband golf course nearby) .

Another pattern is exemplified by friends ofours who started married life in Schenectady,NY then went to Cincinnati, from there toStamford, Conn., on to Pittsfield, Mass. andeventually to a town in eastern New Jersey. Whythis state hopping? The answer came when Irecalled that Matthew worked for a largecorporation and his steps up the ladder ofmanagement had always been accompanied by atransfer to a different one of the company'sdivisions, invariably in another state.

The addresses of Sally and Clint tell adifferent story. When we first knew them, theylived in Stowe, Vt. After several years theymoved to Manchester, then Peru, still inVermont. A desire for a change of job andresidence took them to Jacksonville, FL. Theywere not quite ready to give up their northern"belonging," however, and returned· to theGreen Mountain State to settle on the shores ofLake Champlain. But Florida had indoctrinatedthem with its sunshine, and their present addresstells us that their solution to permanent enjoyableliving is six months in Vermont and six months inFlorida.

Not unexpectedly, several recent addresschanges in our card list indicate a two-residencelife style. The number of our contemporaries

L

who have found a sunny spot -- Arizona,California, Florida, Mexico -- in which to avoidthe northern winter woes while returning "home"for the summer months is large enough tosuggest that this kind of life, too, is becoming apattern.

My final observation, as I finished myholiday notes, was that our children and some oftheir contemporaries are beginning to follow thesame residential patlernas our generation did.This year we have added the address of amember of a still younger generation. Ourgrandniece has her first apartment. It is in anexciting and glamorous city, San Francisco,about which she is indiscriminately enthusiastic. Iwonder how soon she'll be moving to thesuburbs?

- Marie L. Richardson

Christmas Eve'Tis Christmas Eve and all through the parkA myriad luminaries glow in the darkScarlet poinsettias flooded with lightAdd to the beauty of this wondrous night.Through shining windows, trees sparkle and gleamAs grandchildren snug in their sleeping bags dreamOf brand new bikes on which they can rideBecause there's no snow here to slip on or slide.Your Christmas cards have all been sentAnd a lot of money on gifts has been spent,Church bells have rung, and carols been sung,And finally the stockings are filled that were hung.The tired adults have a nightcap and say"Tomorrow will be another big day.""So let's get to bed," as they stifle a yawn,"The kids win be up no doubt before dawn."

"A Merry Christmas to alland to all a good-night."

- Margaret Albro

Penn Notes StaffEditor. Nona McKinneyAssociate Editor Dr. Earl KauffmanPhotographers John Tienken,

Don ComunaleStaff Margaret Albro, Elnora Bolan,

Mary Elizabeth Caldwell, Joe Feol,Clifford Hollister, Anna K. Merlino

Roland Mernitz, Marie Richardson, Edith Schipper

50/50 SaleLeft - If he could figure outjust what it was, maybe thisinterested buyer wouldhave bought this winecooler. And, at right, JoeFeol doesn't appear toshare Kay's enthusiasm fora "new" sewing machine. Ifshe'd survived 50 years ofmarriage without one, Joewonders why she needsone now! The 50/50 Salewas a success again thisyear, netting more that$2,000 for United Way.

Christmas in ThailandThailand is a beautiful tropical country --

with Burma to the north and west and Malaysiato the south, with Cambodia and Laos to theeast.

Let's visit Petburi, "City of Diamonds," tothe south of Bangkok. It is a small, old, andbeautiful city lying at the foot of PalaceMountain, the mountain where AnnaLeonowens went with Prince Chulalongkorn forsummer vacations. We lived at the foot of thismountain for 16 years.

Christmas preparations began in Septemberin our Aroonpradit School of 2,000 students.Christmas carols were sung daily in chapelservices, in classrooms, and in small groups.Most of our students from nursery to grade 12, ifthey were new, would never have heard or sungthese before. The church choir also sang them.Handwork is taught in all grades, the studentsmaking all the Christmas decorations.

The school never closed for a Christmasvacation. Otherwise, most of the students whowere from Buddhist homes might never knowabout Christmas. All Thai students love to sing.

On December 23, 24 and 25, the schooland the church had their programs. Since itnever rains at this time of the year, all thecelebrations were held out of doors except onChristmas Day itself. Those were held in thechurch. Each year beautiful presentations fromthe Bible were planned by teachers and studentstogether, the students making their owncostumes.

The 23rd is the big celebration on the

campus of the school. The stage is always builtby the teachers and students with a beautifulbackground of their own making. -1 rememberone year especially. Our art teacher was given aregular-size Christmas card from the United'States. The picture on it was of Bethlehem,which he copied in building the stage. As youentered the stage area you felt you were enteringBethlehem.

Each class had its own assigned zone. Somedecorated with Christmas trees. The senior highsmight have built a space ship. Each class had aspecial project, and each had its own booth andfood prepared by themselves. Guests wereserved buffet style from the school kitchen.Always, the program was beautiful, but it isdifficult to descibe in writing.

The 24th was always celebrated on ourchurch grounds nearby. Our Christian EducationBuilding had been so constructed that its frontwall could be partially removed to form a stage.Everyone sat outside, and everyone waswelcome. Usually there was standing room only,always a crowd.

On Christmas night a buffet dinner wasserved outside on the church tennis court whereall the boarding students and all the churchmembers and friends could enjoy the good foodand fellowship. This was always followed by aworshipful candlelight service inside the churchitself.

Christmas in America seems unexcitingcompared to our Thai Christmases in Petburi.

-Louise S. Bucher

--

A Dinner Theatre GalaThe Dinner Theatre Club scored a new

Hawthorne FIRST on October 29, 1979! Morethan 200 enthusiastic members gathered in theLemon-Lime Rooms to start the festivities withlibation and tidbits in keeping with the occasion.Pres. Jim Hambleton assisted by a bevy ofcharming hostesses greeted the guests.

Promptly at six o'clock a delicious dinnerwas served in the auditorium. Waves ofconversation rose and ebbed over the colorfultables as friends exchanged pleasantries witheach course. After dinner the more ambitiousmembers danced while we all awaited the curtaincall.

Of course, the centerpiece of the evening,most ably directed and produced by JimHambleton, was "Harvey." The invisible rabbit isevident in every direction, decision, and actionof all the players. Most notably Harvey affectsthe life and activities of Elwood P. Dowd, playedby our inimitable Bill Lacy, who never wavers orwanders from his "frien." With philosophicalnonchalence he teaches us that the dualismbetween reality and illusion is in one's ownperception.

Even Dr. Chumley (Bob Wither), chiefpsychiatrist and his assistant Dr. Sanderson (JimScullin), both admirable in these roles, are in aquandary along with the immediate family.Elwood's sister Veta (Ann Albers) and herdaughter Myrtle (Jennie Miltenberger) weave inand out of the picture knowingly as JudgeGaffney (Walter Smoyer) keeps the legalities ofthe situation in hand. Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet(Ginny Cometta) makes a brief appearance,maybe to show us her smart chapeau. BettyChumley (Peg Ferrall) - artfully plays thelongsuffering wife of Dr. Chumley while RuthKelly, R.N. (Trudy Spreen) and Duane Wilson(Dick Suydam) try to maintain order inChumley's Rest. Only E.J. Lofgren (Jim Bolan)sticks to his quns' long enough to collect his cabfare in real cash and thus is the only member ofthe cast to keep his feet on terra firma and hishand on his well-earned fare.

Threaded in between the acts we weretreated to the robust baritone rendering by PopMernitz of "Life at Hawthorne" to the tune of It'sa Small, Small World. Charlotte Fowler, anaccomplished musician, entertained at the piano.The junior belle of the evening was, however,Karen Lacy, young granddaughter of Bill and

Abby, charming in a long ecru lace gown.It was indeed a hilarious evening warmly

appreciated by a receptive audience.-Anna K. Merlino

Cast of Harvey bows at Curtain Call to anappreciative dinner gala audience.

Treasures of our OwnJudging from the beautiful handwork shown

at Hawthorne's annual arts and crafts bazaar,held in the Clubhouse on October 27, there is noend to the talents of Hawthorne residents.Arrangement of the tables was carefully plannedand executed, enabling visitors to see andappreciate with ease the abundance and varietyof the articles displayed. A large percentage ofthose who came to look stayed to purchase,whether it was ceramics, painted china, artificialflower arrangements, macrame, crochetedslippers, a battery-run wooden clock, a fishmobile, something from the lapidary section orthe baked goods table, or a myriad other items.

Shoppers found treasures to adorn theirhomes or themselves, knickknacks to brighten acorner, woolen caps for northern heads, andgifts suitable for all types of relatives and friends.Sellers had the pleasure of sharing their attractivehandmade products with persons whoappreciated their work. And the colorful display,and pleasant, bustling atmosphere offered aforetaste of the joyful holiday season soon to beupon us.

- Marie L. Richardson

Gwen Blackportrays BetsyRoss convin-cingly inpreparation forthe FreedomTrain show.

Betsy Ross VisitsVia Freedom Train

On November 6, 1979, Betsy Ross (aliasGwen Black) arrived at Hawthorne via theFreedom Train and was seen on Channel 4 in amost illustrative and entertaining show.

Betsy explained the construction of "OldGlory," its history, her part in the beginnings ofour country, her meeting with GeorgeWashington, and some of the heretoforeunknown facts of her life in colonial times. Shehad come, she said, for the purpose ofadvertising the Freedom Train Show to be heldon Armistice Day, 1979, in the auditorium atHawthorne. Betsy was most gracious in herpraise of Warren Motts, who would deliver theaddress and show the pictures of the train and itsartifacts.

So, on Armistice Day, after hours ofpreparation by Mr. Motts, Bob Spratt, PaulDillon, Art Lux, Francis Blair and his crew, theFreedom Train Show was presented to anaudience numbering 609 persons. TheHawthorne Chorus under the direction of BobLenox, with Mabel Lenox at the piano, wasintroduced by Jack Wetzel who served as masterof ceremonies for the evening. The chorus sangtwo beautiful patriotic numbers about ourcountry, with audience participation for the con-clusion of "America."

Nine door prizes were given to those at theperformance, including an American flag whichhad been flown over the United States Capitolbefore it was sent to Hawthorne byRepresentative Kelly of Florida. Oscar Murphey,publicity chairman, was instrumental in securingthe other gifts from members of the Arts andCrafts Group, the group which sponsored theshow.

Members of the group sold tickets prior tothe show, under the able leadership of MildredBarrett, and also acted as ushers under VilletteMorgan's quid ance the evening of theentertainment. Hank Parks and his crew weretown criers the day before and touredHawthorne in golf carts using bull horns andschool bells to attract attention.

The Arts and Crafts Group was mostgratified to learn that the $604.71 profit from theFreedom Train Show helped to complete thefunds needed for final payment of the stageequipment - $6,000. in less than a year after itspurchase. Thank you, Hawthorne residents.

-Peg Ferrall

So Much TalentIn Our Midst

How often we hear the expression, "Wehave so much talent at Hawthorne!" In the areaof Fine Arts we are always thankful to those whoshare their talents and knowledge by conductingclasses in their special fields. How do we expressour appreciation? In the past we haveendeavored to do this by displaying in theauditorium the creative abilities of our instructorsand their students. These shows are but a tokenthank you for the hours of preparation and theyears of experience freely shared with thegrateful students.

Currently our shows begin on January 20with the paintings and ceramics of CharlotteLevy. Charlotte has conducted both a beginningand an intermediate class in oil painting this pastfall.

On March 2 the auditorium will be thesetting for a student art show of this year'sclasses. At this time we will have an opportunityto see and enjoy the results that our studentshave attained in their desires for developmentand expression of their hidden talents. Six areaswill be displayed: creative clay, drawing, oil andwater color painting, wood carving, and paintingfor fun.

On May 4 we will again show the paintingsof Bill Lacy who has taught beginning andadvanced water colors.

Additional appreciation must be extended toElizabeth Gieser for her instruction in creativeclay modeling, Mac Morgan for his work with thewood carving group, and Ken Mowen for hisinstruction in drawing and implementation of theArt Study Group.

Save the dates - January 20, March 2, May4 for three very pleasant Sunday afternoons.

- Villette MorganFor the Fine Arts Committee

A Gift From GrandpaAs the Christmas season nears, I am

reminded of some of the holiday times of myearly youth. Christmas was the time for givingand receiving and a time of plenty andmarvelous food and sweets. At a time when weand our neighbors had little of worldly goods andmoney was scarce, we managed to have aholiday spirit which lifted us above the problemsof daily living. It was a good feeling which camefrom within, for Grandfather Molner taught us all"how to make do" with whatever was at hand.

The Christmas tree was our first problem,for it cost money. Grandfather, always frugal,had marked a small pine tree growing on a slopea half mile from home. As we cut it down, heusually muttered a prayer for forgiveness fortaking the life of a tree for mere decorativepurposes.

It took a long time to decorate that tree, forthe baubles were walnut shells glued togetherand dipped in paint, paper chains, popcornstrings, bits of colored paper, a few homemadebows, and small wood carvings.

My mother and aunts were mighty busy fora couple of weeks before Christmas preparingtraditional Slavic holiday dishes. There was theblack mushroom soup, made with driedmushrooms which came from Poland; and therewere delightful "kruschicki" (butterfly cakes)which melted in the mouth. There were therolled ground-nut and prune jelly cakes andBabke, a special kind of Polish cake.

Grandfather and my dad made the KielbasePolish sausage and the jellied pig's feet at home.There was no store-bought food at ourChristmas table.

Grandfather was a frugal man, but generouswith such gifts as he could make with his ownhands. He knocked out the bottoms of severalpeach baskets to make wheels for a doll carriagefor Cousin Mildred. From a wooden box, aboard, and an old roller skate he made abeautiful "scooter" for me. Uncle George was amechanic who needed a special tool to make anadjustment in a tight place. Grandfather madehim an offset screw driver.

One special gift remains in my memory. Ineeded a work table for my school studies at atime when we could not afford one. Grandfatherpromised he'd have a study table for me atChristmas. He's found a table at the town dump,alligatored with successive layers of paint and

with a broken leg. He discovered it was aMission Oak table. He scraped the paint off byhand, using pieces of broken glass until thebeautiful wood grain showed, and he rebuilt thetable leg. I used that table most of my workinglife and often thought of Grandfather and theprodigious amount of labor that went into myChristmas gift.

His gift-making ceased shortly after the firstWorld War when he felt his hands were notsteady enough. At Christmas of that year hestated he regretted that he could no longer makehis gifts, adding: "Everything I made was a gift oflove. Consider for a moment that anyone with acouple of dollars can buy a gift. But where isthere a real connection between the giver andthe gift except dollars? With work of the handsand the ingenuity with which something specialwas made for a special person, my heart, myhands, and my mind reached out to you in away that money cannot buy."

-Joe Feol

Hasty Pudding IIHawthorne's annual Christmas Musicale and

Carol Sing will be held in the Clubhouse onDecember 13 at 2 p.m. The early date wasselected so that those residents who plan to beaway for the holidays will not miss this delightfulprogram.

The audience will join in singing some of theold familiar carols. But there will also be someexceptional innovations this year.

Have you ever heard the Christmas tune"Jingle Bells" sung as it might be in five differentcountries? The girls in the Chorus will attempt totransport you on a musical tour of Spain,Austria, Russia, China and Hawaii.

Another favorite melody will be sung by the80-voice Chorus, to the accompaniment of a"drummer-boy's" beat. We'll let you guess thetitle of that one.

The jolly Barbershoppers will add sparkle tothe program. The Hawthorne Ensemble willrender appropriate selections and alsoaccompany the Chorus in Hallelujah Chorus.

Be sure to reserve this date on your busyDecember calendar.

- - - Merry Christmas- --- Margaret Albro

Golden Age Olympic medalists from Hawthorneincluded (left to right) Clyde Sweet, Joe Hall andArt Kozlik.

Move Over , YoungstersWhen more than 1,500 persons from all

over the United States came to Sanford, Florida,to participate in the Golden Age Olympics,Hawthorne was represented as our own JoeHall, Art Kozlik and Clyde Sweet decided thatbeing over 55 was no handicap when it came tosports.

Clyde entered both singles and doubles inthe tennis tournament in the 55 to 65 agebracket. In spite of competing against 56entrants, including the top Florida players, Clydemanaged to get into the semifinal four. He evenmade the Sanford paper with his picture.

Art Kozlik entered the table tennis and"one-on-one" competition - not so hot in the firstevent, but coming home with a second-placesilver medal in the "one-on-one" basketballseries.

The Six-day Golden Age Olympics climaxedwith track and field events on Saturday forpersons over fifty-five. When they werecompleted Joe Hall brought home first-placegold medals in three events: the shot put, thediscus throw and football throw; a second placein the softball throw and a third place in thestanding broad jump contest!

These events were covered on national TVin "Real People." You may see our Hawthorneathletes on this program at some future date.

Art Kozlik, who promoted the Golden AgeOlympics in Hawthorne, hopes that many menand women from here will represent us in theGolden Age Olympics next year.

- Roland (Pop) Mernitz

Our Own SongThe spring of '78 saw the implementation of

a project planned several years before: aHawthorne anthem or alma mater. Goaded bymy unaccustomed procrastination, I finally wrotemelody and words. Another year was to passbefore I once again took up the score.

During this year's visits to our children, Iworked on the arrangement for four-voicechorus with an independent pianoaccompaniment. It went very rapidly despite thefact that I dispensed completely with the use of apiano. After three key changes, Bob Lenoxapproved the key most comfortable for ourChorus.

You may well imagine my gratification whenthe Chorus, under Bob's able direction,introduced the Hawthorne Hymn at the OctoberA.A.R.P. meeting. This is your song, my gift toHawthorne -- a small return indeed for the joy Ihave found here.

- Helen Stark

Hawthorne HymnIn the lush green state of FloridaRimmed with lakes and groves and hills,Is a wondrous fair communityWhich our hopes and dreams fulfils.Chorus:Let us lift our voices high in praiseAs toward Hawthorne we do proudly gaze,While we contemplate our golden daysIn harmonious fellowship.

*******

In Hawthorne we have made our homeAnd a haven free from care;We've found new friends, new skills, new hopeAs our blessings we now share.Chorus

- Helen Stark

Rowers... to our volunteer typists, Muriel

Hennessey and Louise Hutchison, who givetheir time to type the manuscripts of a fewof our authors who don't type. Thank you.

-Editor

I IThe Road to MexicoA Hawthorne group of 32 recently spent ten

days touring Mexico, led by John Roth who hasorganized and accompanied several tours toMexico from here.

He keeps returning to Mexico which seemsto represent a "femme fatale" type of country tohim whose beauty he can't resist. He isacquainted with many people there and renewsfriendships on each visit.

John knows where to find the mostbeautiful Mexican stones, such as opals,turquoise, and parrot wings which are covetedby Hawthorne lapidary enthusiasts.

Walter Lueneburg, who toured, is fascinatedwith Mexico too. He was especially impressedthis time with the resort, Ixtapan, where theparty stayed two days. He said that it is a naturalmineral spa in the mountains; it has baths, aswimming pool, a golf course, tennis courts,riding horses, and is girdled with vivid flowersand gardens.

Bill and Vi Britton were smitten withMexico, and Ixtapan, too. They enjoyed thewarmth and friendliness of the Mexican peopleand their handicrafts.

"Murph" Klotzbaugh, basked in thegraciousness of the Mexican people and theirsmiling welcomes everywhere. She said theyseemed to be very much interested in the UnitedStates. Murph thought the skillfully-handcraftedobjects were amazing and was captivated byarticles made from glace. She brought back glacefruit baskets, flowers, and dolls.

Other points of interest were the Cathedralat Puebla, the golden colonial city ofGuanajuato, and the world famous "BalletFolklorico de Mexico" in the Palace of Fine Artsat Mexico City.

Those who visited Mexico for the first timefell in love with her many attractions, and allagreed that they must return some day.

-Elnora Bolan

From Afternoon TeaTo Supper Club

An afternoon tea hosted by Gladys Mastakin the spring of 1975 for the women in herneighborhood has developed into a supper clubfor all the residents of Zone 20. This zoneincludes 26 homes fronting on Camellia, Ixoria,Jasmine, and Audubon, with 42 residents. Dr.and Mrs. Earl Kauffman were made honorarymembers of the zone.

The group organized itself under thedirection of Gladys Mastak and Harry Usher inMay of 1975, and has met regularly each monthfor a social hour and a potluck dinner. Three ormore hosts and hostesses are responsible forarrangements. They contact each resident toinsure their attendance and a variety of dishes.

Periodic collections are received from theresidents to pay for incidental expenses as wellas to provide a treasury from which a gift can bemade to the Memorial Fund in memory of anydeceased member.

Two informal wedding receptions were heldto honor four singles in our group who decidedthat two could live more cheaply than one.

It was zone 20, under the leadership of CliffHollister, that spearheaded the Christmasluminaries project. This project has becomecommunity-wide. At our annual Christmas party,instead of exchanging gifts, we take up anoffering as our .gift to some worthy local charityin the Leesburg area.

Another neighborhood gathering is heldsemiannually in the neighborhood of theJacaranda-Red Bud area. Frank Fagan, ChiefCaptain of all zones, developed this from abackyard thatching party held in October, 1978.

In the words of Harry Usher, our first zonecaptain, "The people who reside in zone 20 areno longer just acquaintances; we haveestablished real friendships. This happy situationis the result of a little thought and effort, plus ourmonthly Supper Club."

- Roland (Pop) Mernitz