Volume 22 Issue 10, December 1998

• Issue 10, December 1998 • Volume 22 •

Europe is Unfinished Business

Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania
The road to making Lithuania an integral part of Europe.

Books From Lithuania Available in the U.S.

Dale Lukas
A new resource of books published in Lithuania available In the United States.

Adding Color to the Simple Life

David Faries and Diana Skarnaite Faries
An artist from the Lithuanian country-side brings tradition scenes to life.

A Star — Just Beyond the Horizon

Rimas Gedeika
A multi-talented runner trains for the Olympics.

Holiday Memories

Rasa Ardys-Juska
Christmases past remind us of what we are thankful .

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Lithuanian Orphan Care

Jeanne Dorr
A collage of photos show children who have benefited from Lithuanian Orphan Care’s attention.

Lithuanian-American Community’s Endowment Fund

Regina Narusis
An endowment fund established to ensure LAC’s future.

Departments. . .

PERSPECTIVES

CURRENT EVENTS

A Special Thank You to BRIDGES Contributors.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Eve, Kucios, is far richer in terms of custom and ritual than Christmas Day. At sunset, a ceremonial dinner of twelve meatless dishes is served. Hay stalks are placed under the tablecloth to forecast the people’s fortunes. After dinner, the family members pull a stalk from under the tablecloth. If a young man or woman pulls a thin, long stalk, their future spouse will be tall and slender - likewise with a short, bent straw. Married people interpret the straws to signify their wallets; thin - a lean year, thick - a prosperous year.

A child’s view of Christmas. (From left) Kristina Prohaska, Alisa Prohaska, Skaidra Pliura, and Audra Pliura look forward to Christmas by the Lithuanian booth at the 1997 Holiday Fair, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.