November is About Transitions Hello Folks, Aunt Eunice here. November has not only arrived, but is half over already. This month, more than all the rest of them makes me feel like I am running to catch up! Helping to get Quiet Valley ready for our Old Time Christmas while simultaneously planning multiple family events […]
November Observances: Thanksgiving & Veterans Day Read More »
A Chance to Reflect on the Good Things Hello, Folks, Aunt Eunice here. Halfway through November means Thanksgiving is on the horizon. As I make plans for the holiday, I can’t help but take some time to think back over the past year. I look at the good, the bad and the ugly and then
November, A Time for Thanks & Reflection with Loved Ones Read More »
Hello Folks, Aunt Eunice here. I hope you had a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July in a special way. Cookouts and fireworks are typical occurrences, along with parades. My family enjoyed all three activities. The cookout food was delicious and included a fresh corn salad that is easy to make and can be
July 4th Fireworks & Founding Fathers, Dog Days of Summer Read More »
It is often said that the past is a foreign country and when we look back at it, we will find many strange and unusual customs and traditions. This is particularly true with historic celebrations of Christmas. Traditionally in Germany, a character called the Belsnickel would visit children alongside Saint Nicholas. Many cultures have an
Belsnickel: German Christmas Brings a Sidekick for Santa Read More »
For many people, myself included, December marks Christmas Card season when our post boxes contain little envelopes with updates from friends and family rather than bills and junk mail. Like many of our modern Christmas traditions, Christmas cards can be traced back to the mid-1800s. With most historical events or occurrences, historians and archaeologists can
Christmas Cards: History & Tracing Origins to the 1800s Read More »
While it is only halfway through November we are starting to get things ready here on the farm for our last big event of the year-Old Time Christmas. This candlelit lantern tour explores the historic celebrations of Christmas during the 1800s, a live nativity, visits from the Belsnickel, and more. To help get ready for
Christmas Superstitions of the Pennsylvania Dutch Read More »
Easter is right around the corner. Most of our Easter celebration comes from the Germans and traveled overseas with them to America. The Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs, and Easter candy all have their roots in German traditions. Like Santa Claus or the Christ Child, The Easter Bunny would traditionally come the night before the holiday
Easter, A Year of Pennsylvania German Holidays Read More »
This week I had a chance to learn about Pennsylvania Dutch holidays throughout the year. Each year, Quiet Valley school tour staff participate in workshops to stay up to date on the most recent research and learn new items to incorporate into their interpretation. Our first training of the year focused on the traditions and
Pennsylvania German Holiday: Fastnacht Day, Doughnuts Read More »