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Sunday, November 29, 2015

Since before the time of Christ, people have noted the changing seasons, especially the longest and shortest days of the year*. When the winter solstice arrived, communities burned massive “yule” logs for 12 days and celebrated. They were joyful that following the solstice, the days would begin to grow longer. They ate, danced, and played games. People also filled their homes with aromatic evergreens, another symbol of life. Many of these ancient pagan practices evolved into Christian traditions after the early popes designated the winter solstice (on the Julian calendar) as Christ’s birthday. Evergreen garlands, wreaths, and trees, candles, gift-giving, and sumptuous feasts became mainstays in European and American Christmas observances.

For many years the Troy Historical Society with support from the Troy Garden Club hosted Hanging of the Greens at the Troy Historic Village. Hundreds of visitors stopped by to see the decorated buildings, visit with Santa, and enjoy punch and cookies. In more recent years, we’ve varied the theme, but held dear to the tradition.

One and all are invited to this year’s Classic Christmas event on Saturday December 5 from 1- 3 pm. Enjoy the festive decorations and Christmas carols, visit and take a photo with jolly old St. Nicholas, and warm up with a steamy cup of hot chocolate with all the trimmings from our hot cocoa buffet or savor traditional punch and cookies. Make a special Christmas craft, sponsored by Dr. Daniel O’Brien, DDS, FICOI & The Art of Smiles, and print a souvenir card in our historic Print Shop. Enjoy a sweet candy treat from Safe Splash Swim School.

You can also spread Christmas cheer when you bring a new, unwrapped toy or two to donate to Toys for Tots. Still need to deck your halls? You’ll be rockin’ around your own Christmas tree, available for purchase in our holiday tree lot during the event.

Our holiday greenery and hot mulled cider are provided courtesy of the Troy Garden Club.

Park at Zion Church (3668 Livernois) and ride the free shuttle bus to the Village. For more information, go to the homepage.

*Shortest and longest days refer to the hours of daylight in a 24 hour period.

Photo: The Village covered in snow

 


To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.

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