February, 2004 

       Happy Valentine's Day!

          "Valentine's Day is a
warming influence for current loves,
a gentle reminder of old loves and a          
            time for the start of
              spring romances".

  "St. Valentine, who lent his name to the holiday observed each year on February 14, actually had little to do with it.  From a conbination of pagan and Christian festivals has come this custom dedicated to love.  In the late 1700's sweethearts began penning and decorating cards, some so elegant and beautiful they are virtually museum pieces today. And since neither mail service nor envelopes existed, these tokens of love were usually delivered in person.  The more well-to-do sent their cards by coach, though they double wrapped and sealed them with wax, so only thier beloved could read them." (Selected)

               George Washington: February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799
                                         First President - 1789 - 1797
                      Abraham Lincoln: February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865
                                      Sixteenth President - 1861-1865

"God's greatest gift to a people is its great men, men in whom progressive ideas sprout, bloom, and bear fruit. The United States of America is exceedingly fortunate in having early in its history two men who will always inspire its sons with a steafast devotion to the common good and sympathy for their fellowmwn: George Washington, the aristocrat, and Abraham Lincoln, the man of the people. As great montains loom higher among the surrounding hills, so do these men rise above their contemporaries as our distance from them increases."

                                           President's Day February 16

                Groundhog Day - February 2

One of the lesser-known old church festivals is Candlemas,
the second day of February.  It commemerates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple of
Jerusalem, and traditionally is celebrated with the lighting of candles - the Candlemas ceremony - marking the end of
the Christmas season.  An old poem goes:

"If the Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight.
But is Candlemas Day brings clouds and rain,
Winter is gone and won't come again.

An ancient legend tells us that the woodchuck (groundhog)
comes out of its burrow on Candlemas Day, after sleeping through the winter. If the sun is shining and he sees his shadow, he will go back underground and winter weather
will continue for six more weeks.