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THURSDAY. DECEMBER 31.2020 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 3B
T raditions are the glue
that hold many cele
brations together. In
dividuals and families
embrace many customs
that serve as the script for
commemorating year-end
holidays.
Some celebrants may
adhere to traditions with
out really knowing how
they began or why they
continue. Here is a closer
look at some of the most
popular traditions tied to
New Year’s Eve, both do
mestically and around the
world.
The nation’s largest fireworks display is in New York, New
York. Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, now in its 43rd year, costs
the retail giant an estimated $6 million each year.
Fireworks and
noisemakers
Fireworks are a big part of celebra
tions and are not to be outdone on New
Year’s Eve. Fireworks were invented in
the seventh century in China. According
to Anthony Aveni, an astronomer and
anthropologist at Colgate University, the
fireworks were designed to ward off evil
spirits. In cultures around the world, fire
works, banging drums and other efforts
were used to chase away spooky crea
tures, especially during the transitional
period that is the passing of the new
year. Today fireworks and noisemakers
are employed not for scaring away spir
its, but rather to add to the revelry.
HERE TODAY, AND
NEXT YEAR TOO.
Proud to be your hometown bank for
20 years and looking forward to year 21
in 2021. If you haven't met us yet, come
by and see why we think local banking
is the best banking.
tjmmtmUtt
MAIN OFFICE: 15 Sammy McGhee Blvd. • Jasper, GA 30143 COVE ROAD OFFICE: 65 Cove Road • Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-9600 • www.cbopc.com
Dropping the ball
Revelers have long watched the giant ball drop in New York
City’s Times Square in person and on television. This tradition
may be rooted in the custom of
sailors using “time balls” to set
their own timepieces while at
sea. These chronometers
were employed by using a
spyglass to scan the har
bor looking for balls that
were dropped into the
water at certain times,
PBS reports. The first
ball was installed in
1829 in Portsmouth,
England. The Times
Square ball was first used
in 1907, according to the
Times Square Alliance.
About 1 million people gather in New York City’s Times
Square to watch the ball drop. The Times Square New
Year’s Eve ball drop came about because of a ban on fire
works. The first ball in 1907 was 700 pounds and was lit
with 100 25-watt lights. The current ball puts the old one
to shame (thanks to technology). Today, it is covered in
2,688 crystals, is lit by 32,000 LED lights, weighs
11,875 pounds and is 12 feet in diameter.
&
Drinking Champagne
The use of champagne for celebrations
is rooted in the Christian ritual of consum
ing wine during the Eucharist.
In the year 496, a wine from the §
Champagne region of France was
offered during the baptism of the
Frankish warrior Clovis, according
to the Champagne Committee of
France. It then became customary
for champagne to be used at religious
events like consecrations and at
coronations or soirees. Eventually the tra
dition became associated with secular rit
uals, such as celebrating the new year.
Not-So-Fun Fact
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In the early days of champagne
making, helmets had to be worn
in the cellar because sometimes
the corks would spontaneously
blow out and lead to injuries. This
gave champagne the nickname of
“Devil’s Wine.”
( /fiW/in(y c J/on f/e in 202/
Alan Horne, Jr., Agent
94 Whitfield Dr., Ste. F
Jasper, GA30143
706-692-2888
www.alanhorneinsurance.com
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WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
Wishing you and yours
a happy and
prosperous
New
Year!
MIKE DENSON
PARTNER/AGENT
N0RT0N-DENS0N INSURANCE, LLC
P.0. BOX 787
150 North Main Street
Jasper, GA 30143
706-692-6451
Fax: 706-692-6452
(g) mdenson@nortoninsurance.com
INSURANCE-REAL ESTATE
THE POWER TO PERFORM
A few of our
readers’
New Year’s
Resolutions
Janice West Atkins
Payne - I have made
none. I try to live every
day as it should be.
Kindness, love, and
with God.
Clint Whitehead - I
have two: first, have
another birthday; and
second, stay out of an
emergency room.
Donna Mitchell -
Transform my mind by
renewing my spirit by
staying in the Word of
God. Get my body
moving more and be
come more flexible.
Ride bikes. Get well!
Eat healthier and cook
more.
Vered Kleinberger -
To try and do some
thing productive,
something fun, and
something to take
better personal care
every day, but to not
feel guilty if I don’t.
Anita Jones - I don't
make them. I take
each day as it comes
and hope for the best.
Laura Rizk - Exercise
more and budget.
Amberle Godfrey
Pickens Chamber
President/CEO - To
help our community
move forward, stay
healthy and prosper in
the coming year.
Robert VanHoose -
My resolution this year
is to not be so hard on
myself and try to
make a positive im
pact in 2021.
Joe Betts, Holy Spirit
Ministries - The 1-1-1
program: an hour a
day with the Lord, an
hour a day exercising
or walking and one
day a week fasting.
You can start with less
time, an hour a day is
the goal and it will
maintain you spiritu
ally and physically.
Becky Denney - To
work with the Board of
Commissioners, the
City of Jasper, and all
of our many partners
to make Pickens
County thrive while
keeping our caring
touch and doing all
that we can for each
and every citizen.
Bonnie Carlton,
Pickens County
YoungLife - Be grate
ful for and present in
each new day, enjoy
my family and friends,
and to look for joy all
around me.
Amber Godfrey, -
Learn how to save
money. LOL. This year
proved you never
know what is going to
happen.
The most common
New Year’s Resolu
tions, according to
Google:
1. Exercise more
2. Lose weight
3. Get organized
4. Learn a new skill
5. Live life to the fullest
6. Save more money
7. Quit smoking