FOTC News

Salt Lake Convention coming soon!

2009-05-01T10:36:00.001-04:00

If you are still thinking about attending our convention this fall in Salt Lake City, the time to stop thinking and start acting is about here. Even though summer has not arrived, our hosts in Utah have been busy planning another great event for Friends of the Creche for the last year. To see the specifics about the program and other things to see and do while in Utah, go back to our home page and click in the blue box. There you will find more details, a downloadable registration form and some additional information. Please do not wait until fall to reserve your room at the Radisson Hotel or send in your registration form. As many of you know, hotels these days charge use penalties for room blocks reserved by convention groups if not taken. In order to minimize the risk to our society, we reserved only a modest room block.
Another reason to reserve early is that if we see interest pick up greater than our estimates, it might be possible to add a few more rooms to the block. This is usually not possible when fall comes because the rooms are simply not there to book. Keep in mind that some people were disappointed at our convention in Santa Fe because by waiting until the last minute to reserve meant that rooms were not available in the convention hotel and they had to stay elsewhere. Be sure you do not miss out on the chance to hear the Morman Tabernacle Choir sing, check out your family tree, see some fantastic scenery and most of all learn more about the creche and spend time with your "friends of the Creche."

Salt Lake Convention rapidly approaching

2009-04-30T09:18:00.004-04:00

If you are still thinking about attending our convention this fall in Salt Lake City, the time to stop thinking and start acting is about here. Even though summer has not arrived, our hosts in Utah have been busy planning another great event for Friends of the Creche for the last year. To see the specifics about the program and other things to see and do while in Utah, go back to our home page and click in the blue box. There you will find more details, a downloadable registration form and some additional information.

Please do not wait until fall to reserve your room at the Radisson Hotel or send in your registration form. As many of you know, hotels these days charge use penalties for room blocks reserved by convention groups if not taken. In order to minimize the risk to our society, we reserved only a modest room block. Another reason to reserve early is that if we see interest pick up greater than our estimates, it might be possible to add a few more rooms to the block.
This is usually not possible when fall comes because the rooms are simply not there to book.
Keep in mind that some people were disappointed at our convention in Santa Fe because by waiting until the last minute to reserve meant that rooms were not available in the convention hotel and they had to stay elsewhere.

Be sure you do not miss out on the chance to hear the Morman Tabernacle Choir sing, check out your family tree, see some fantastic scenery and most of all learn more about the creche and spend time with your "friends of the Creche."

2008-11-19T09:48:00.002-05:00

Saturday last, in Ann Arbor, Michigan gathered nearly ninety members of Friends of the Creche for our annual meeting. This event in the off- convention years has been an opportunity to have a mini-convention of sort surrounding our by- law required once each year business meeting. Our hosts were Betsy Christensen and Shirley Thornton who planned a wonderful day of talks, exhibits, opportunities to purchase Creches from 10,000 Villages, the Hamtramck Art Center and the Mission Market Place. There was also lots of food for the body and soul.
Our morning speaker, Garrick Hyde, of South Jordan, Utah, gave a truly inspiring presentation about he and his family's work in obtaining hand- crafted creches from China, Africa and other developing nations in order to provide a life of dignity for the artists that make them. Garrick and his family project has grown from a few sales to over a thousand in just a few years. Those who purchased some of the nativities he had brought along also received the crayon-written, thank you note from his daughter that comes with all purchases. I guess if I had to summarize Mr. Hyde's talk to us it would be to paraphrase the quote he made to his daughter when she inquired as to how long the family would be doing this project. His answer," as long as there are the poor."

After a great lunch of salads, wraps and pastries, the business meeting was called to order by President, Mike Whalen. I can report that our treasurer assured us we are "in the black" and we currently have just over four hundred active members. The Utah team presented the plans for our convention in Salt Lake next November. If the star- shaped cookies distributed to all are any indication of the "good things" to come in Salt Lake, we should all start packing our bags now.

Following the business meeting, Carolyn Meleski and Tony Wachocki of the Friends of Polish Art presented the history of the Polish Szopki or foil churches and information about the competitions in Poland and the local one held in Detroit each year. Tony's wit kept everyone laughing and a perfect way to end the day.

Door prizes of presepio mugs, nativity stockings ,CDs and other creche type gifts were awarded to nearly sixty members present.

In addition to the little box nativity found in every ones bag, the ornament from China given by Garrick Hyde and the infant Jesus egg given by our hosts found at every one's lunch plate, everyone also took home a blue oven mitt as a remembrance of Michigan and a star on it representing Ann Arbor. We hope that the blue oven mitt will not only remind everyone to "Follow His Star" to Utah next November, but that every time we use it, we will be reminded that Friends of the Creche are people who share the warmth of Christ's birth and Christmas everyday.

Deadlline for registration for annual meeting

2008-09-24T09:15:00.002-04:00

The end of September is almost here and so is the deadline for registration for our annual meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sat. November 8. Go to our web page www.friendsofthecreche.org to download a registration form or e-mail Betsy Christensen at
betsychris@aol.com

Results of Board elections

2008-09-24T09:05:00.002-04:00

Barbara Beckwith of Cincinnati, OH, Joyce Douglas of Denver, CO, and Elizabeth (Betty) Morris of Williamsburg, VA have been re-elected to the Board of Directors for second terms. Fr. Tim Goldrick of North Dighton, MA has also been re-elected following a two year interim. We thank them for the time and talent they have provided to Friends of the Creche in the past and will provide in the future.

FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE LOSE A TRUE "FRIEND" OF THE CRECHE!

2008-04-03T08:16:00.002-04:00

It is with great sadness that I report to you the death of one of most colorful members, Wally Bronner. Wally passed away yesterday at age 81. He was a member of Friends of the Creche from the start and we are glad he was able to attend at least part of our last convention in Dublin last November. His commercial success regarding Christmas aside, I think Wally will be remembered for two things at least as Friends of the Creche are concerned. In the first place, Christ was always an important part of the Christmas experience at his huge store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. From the several large nativities on the property to the Silent Night Chapel also on the grounds, there is no way that Christ was being left out of this "Christmas" experience. In addition, Wally was always a person people. He had a knack for remembering people and names years after he had met them. Wally's signature red jacket will be missing in the future and Christmas has lost a true "friend."

Two Friends of the Creche Receive Medals at the World Crib Congress in Augsburg, Germany.

2008-02-04T07:32:00.000-05:00

Augsburg, Germany. January 26, 2008.

Two members of our organization received medals last week at the World Crib Congress that took place in Augsburg, Germany. This meeting takes place every four years, the next being in Innsbruck Austria in 2012. This was the first time in the history of the Congress that medals were awarded to those who have or are contributing to the creche tradition. Mrs. Rita Bocher, the editor of the Creche Herald and Rev. Johann Roten of the Marian Library in Ohio were honored. The awards were selected from nominations submitted by each association. The Universalis Foederatio Praesepistica or Un Foe Prae for short is currently made up of eighteen associations including the newest association from Brazil. We would like to congratulate Rita and Fr. Roten for receiving this great honor and the honor it brings to Friends of the Creche.

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE

2007-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ALL FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE!

To all of our members and all Friends of the Creche, best wishes for

a joyous and blessed Christmas.

Though we celebrate Christmas everyday by the very nature of our society,

Christmas holds a special meaning for us. The rest of the world joins us

during this season when the birth of Christ is remembered by all manner

of customs and traditions.

To all those visitors who may be visiting our web site for the first time

during this Christmas season, a special invitation to share in the peace

and love of Christ's birth all year long as well, by becoming a member

of our organization. We would love to have you help us promote the creche

tradition into the new year and for years to come. Look over the site

and there is an application form found under membership.

New Board Member and Thank you to Fr. Tim

2007-12-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

We would like to welcome Mr. Peter Frein of Princeton, New Jersey who is our newest board member. Peter will fill Rev. Tim Goldrick's spot. Fr. Tim recently resigned but hopes to stay involved with Friends of the Creche as time permits. Fr. Tim hosted us in Cape Cod in 2003 and was our MC in Santa Fe in 2005. We owe much to Tim for his years of service on the board including the Crib Sheet and those great blogs on the web site.

Friends of the Creche annual meeting in 2008

2007-11-24T11:18:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars. We are pleased to announce that our recent award winner, Betsy Christensen will host our one- day meeting on Nov. 8, 2008 in Ann Arbor Michigan. We will tell you more about it in the months ahead and some things to do on your way to/from Ann Arbor.

Memories of "Heartland Cradlesong"

2007-11-24T11:10:00.000-05:00

"Heartland Cradlesong" in Dublin, Ohio is now complete. Over two hundred people from all over the country gathered near Columbus to share their love of the nativity. We were treated to many talks ranging from the herbs of Christmas to the theology behind most Christmas carols.
We shopped at over thirty vendors, sat in amazement at a beautiful musical evening and once again met with old friends. In the weeks ahead, we will be adding to this web page and Crib Sheet more details of all that happend. Stay tuned.

New board member on board!

2007-10-19T20:34:00.000-04:00

We welcome Barbara Beckwith of Cincinnati, Ohio who has agreed to join the Board of Directors of Friends of the Creche. Barbara is the managing editor, of the St. Anthony Messenger magazine and will bring some fresh insight into our organization. She will especially help us with getting the word out about this great organization.

On a sad note, I must report to you the passing of a former board member, Gary Grabowski of Pittsburgh, PA. Gary resigned in the summer due to continued ill health. I am sure all of you will join us in keeping Gary and his family in your prayers.

Mike Whalen

Dublin Bound (Heading for the Emerald City)

2007-10-19T14:42:00.000-04:00

I know that Dublin Ohio is not really the Emerald City but the excitement building about finally getting there for our fourth convention is nearly the same as arriving in Oz. Heartland Cradlesong with its music and food theme and most especially with its underlying celtic connection will really display those thirty shades of green found in the convention logo. There will be much green shelled out for those nativities that one must have at the manger mart that probably will put many of us a little over budget. There will be many green with envy that they they did not submit the highest bid and consequently lost the auction or did not have their raffle ticket pulled from the jar. The herbs of Christmas will no doubt display some new shades of green other than the normal evergreen or holly one associates with stable scenes and Christmas. I suspect there will be many creches displayed in the Members' Manger Museum using green technology, in other words, made from recycled materials including coal dust, used auto parts and so forth.

I also would like to extend a special word of welcome to our first time convention participants or let's say, "those a little green" because you will find a lot of friends there and will ripen overnight.

For those members of Friends of the Creche who are not able to join us in Dublin for one reason or another, you will be missed, but rest assured that we will do our best via photos and the final issue of the Crib Sheet for 2007 to share with you all the events.

Mike Whalen

Update: Heartland Cradlesong 2007

2007-06-16T09:03:00.000-04:00

The Irish cultural heritage of Dublin will be center stage the first weekend in August. Almost 100,00 people attend the Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio, now the second or third largest in the country, featuring Irish history, dogs, food, arts, and vendors of everything conceivable that has an Irish connection from Celtic harps to clothing, tea from Ireland to ceramics and crystal. Even Fighting Irish gear is available for Notre Dame aficionados. Although our town’s only real historic tie to the old country is the surveyor who laid out the town ca 1817, the entire focus is on Irish culture. As on St. Patrick’s Day everyone in Dublin and at the festival becomes Irish. The crèche tradition in Ireland will be part of the Heartland Celebration at the 2007 convention here in Dublin.

Also to be featured at this year’s convention is the role of ancillary figures. The robin has been part an important Christmas symbol in the British Isles for centuries. In an exhibit of the history of the Christmas card at the Victoria and Albert museum at Christmas, 1990, our 10 year old daughter and we were entranced with the concept that the first commercially available cards in London featured the robin.

The Legend of the Robin or How the Robin Got its Red Breast

We all know that the night the Christchild was born, the winds howled and snow lay deep on the hillsides surrounding Bethlehem. The animals in the stable gave Him straw to lie on and wool for a blanket. However, the air remained frigid. St Joseph tried desperately to keep a fire lit to warm the newborn infant and his mother. The task seemed impossible. Just as a flame would flicker into life, a gust of wind would put it out. The robin sitting on her perch in the stable rafters watched in dismay. Realizing the desperation in St. Joseph, she flew down over the glowing coals and began to fan them with her wings as she hovered over the embers. In her zeal to beat the fire to life, she flew ever closer to the heat source. Disregarding her own comfort and safety, she used her wings as a bellows, providing the necessary fanning of the embers until they burst into flames.. In the meantime, her own breast was scorched by the heat and her normally brown breast had burned to scarlet. God the Father declared that forever more, the robin should be marked with a redbreast so that all the world would recognize her sacrificial service to the Infant Jesus at His birth.

The European robin, related to the wren, is smaller than the American robin. The breast is tomato red rather than the buff orange breast of our much larger robins. This past week as I wandered into our living room, my eyes fell on one of my favorite recent additions to our collection. It ties into our convention theme in several ways, not the least is having been made in County Kerry and found in Adare, Ireland last autumn... To my delight, perched on the roof of the stable are tiny robin redbreasts. (Come to hear Father Roten speak on Ancillary figures and see the Marian Library exhibit of them.)

This past week on a shopping visit to Ha’Penny Bridge in Dublin, we spoke to Al Gleine. He told us of his excitement in locating many Nativities to offer at the Manger Mart on their January trip to Ireland. Ann Gleine will speak to us on the Irish celebration of Christmas in November.

Update from the Heartland

2007-06-01T09:35:00.000-04:00

HEARTLAND CRADLESONG – DUBLIN, OHIO - 2007
Friends of the Creche National Convention

Thursday, November 8, to Saturday, November 10, 2007

Ethnic Traditions of the Midwest

and

Music Celebrating the Birth of our Lord

and
Presentations hailing the historic melting pot diversity of the Midwest:

German, Irish, Norwegian, African-American, Slovakian, Italian, and Greek.

Exhibit of Creches from the International Collection of the University of Dayton. Curated and introduced by Fr. Johann Roten, Director of the Marian Library, the exhibit will reflect the ethnic diversity theme by featuring the supporting cast of the Nativity tradition: the people of all walks of life and of all ages, attracted to the Christ child as to a magnet. They bring gifts of gratitude, visible and invisible ones, and converge on him who gives them faith, hope and love for God and each other.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Ulring, Senior Pastor of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, accomplished pianist and authority on the hymnody and musical heritage of the Christian church, will present: "This is My Story, This is My Song" with a focus on the biblical roots of the Nativity cradlesongs and carols, with audience participation in carol singing.
Evening musical performance by the Sanctuary Choir and instrumentalists of Upper Arlington Lutheran Choir, directed by Michael G. Martin, noted choral director, composer and arranger.
Prominent Creche Artists talking about their own work:
Jerry Krider (Columbia City, IN)—Woodworker
Gary Wilson (Monroe, MI)—Ceramicist
Armando Piscitelli (Naples, Italy)—Traditional Neapolitan Figures
Orthodox Nativity Iconography and Hymnody. Discussed and demonstrated by Frs. Nathanael Smyth and Nicholas Hughes, monks from the Monastic Brotherhood of St. Theodore, (Galion, Ohio) and practicing iconographers and creche maker
More Presentations—on Advent calendars, garage sale Nativities, displaying Nativities, herbal lore in the Nativity tradition, ethnic Christmas foods, and how-to discussions of displaying Nativities.
More Exhibits—Nativity Stitchery and Members’ Crèches. Bring your own stitchery and/or crèche to share.
Ethnic heritage Christmas Menus for Friday lunch and Friday and Saturday night dinners, and a full breakfast is offered to all conventioneers staying at the Embassy Suites.
Pre-Convention tour of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a splendid Byzantine-style church featuring some of the most impressive mosaics in the country, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the State Auto Insurance Company’s outdoor Nativity display.
FOTC cookbook of your own recipes. In keeping with the melting pot theme, the convention committee is publishing a cookbook of family recipes to be distributed at the convention. We invite each of you, whether you are attending the convention or not, to submit one or more of your favorite Christmas recipes. Tell us the origin, ethnicity or family connection, and the role food plays or played in your family celebrations. Share your old or new traditions. Submit recipes, by e-mail to dlhahm83@yahoo.com; or with your registration form before July 1.

Heartland Cradlesong

2006-10-31T19:02:00.000-05:00

Nashville, TN - 29 October 2006 - The theme of the 2007 national convention of Friends of the Creche is "Heartland Cradlesong". The convention will be held Thursday 8 November 2007 - Saturday 10 November 2007 in the Embassy Suites Hotel, Dublin, Ohio and the Mill Run Church complex. Why "heartland"? Location of the convention! Why "cradlesong"? Lulabies at the manger cradle! This convention in America's heartland will have a special emphasis on music related to the creche.

Another subject being consider is "Herbal Lore in the Nativity Tradition". There are scores of herbs with creche-related legends that might surprise you. Do you know why the flower of the rosemary changed from white to blue at the time of the Nativity? Hint: It has to do with wash day and Mary's mantel.

We will be hearing more on displaying and exhibiting your creches and something entirely different is under consideration also - "The Traditional Placement of Manger Figures". Yes, there is a customary place to set the kings and another place just for the angel. Who knew?

Donna and David Hahm, co-hosts of the 2007 national convention have tentatively announced what they call "Programs in Progress".

The keynote address will be delivered by Pastor Paul Ulring, senior pastor of the Mill Run Church. There will be presentations on the cultural traditions that have shaped the American Mid-west, such as German, Scandinavian, Irish, Greek, Slovakian, and African-American traditions.

Other topics being considered may include "Creche Design for the Twenty-first Century", "Constructing Nativity Settings", "Displaying Nativities in a Home Setting", "Advent Calendars", "Collecting Nativities on a Budget", "Nativity Quilts and Stitchery", and "All About the Magi".

Registration will be an on-going activity on Thursday. The ever-popular Manger Mart will open at noon on Thursday, followed by the Hotel Manager's Reception. The Special Creche Exhibit will feature selections from the world-renowned collection of the Marian Library at the University of Dayton, explained by Father Johann Roten. The talented Music Ministry at the Church at Mill Run is busy preparing a special program of music and dialogue for Friday evening of the convention. There will also be a carol sing in which we may all participate, even the tonally challenged.

In order to increase the opportunity for social interaction among convention attendees, the Hahms are investigating the feasibility of other meals shared in common in addition to the closing banquet. Ethnic foods of Christmas will certainly be a delicious taste experience. The early morning Interest Groups initiated at the Santa Fe convention will be continued so that individuals will have the opportunity to gather and hear presentations in particular areas of interest. The Hahms will also initiate "Splinter Groups" for those who may choose to forego free time during two hours on Saturday afternoon and instead gather for presentations on particular topics.

The Hahms report that the Mill Run Church, a Lutheran faith community, has graciously given us full use of their beautiful complex and that Friends of the Creche will occupy the entire hotel. Both the church complex and the hotel are totally accessible to those with disabilities.

There will be raffles and an auction, seven formal presentations in addition to the keynote address and increased free time to meet and mingle. In keeping with the Friends of the Creche mission to further the tradition of Christmas Nativity scene, designated times and places will be open to the general public.

The pre-convention event will be not just one but hopefully two guided motor coach tours of the many interesting local attractions. You get to choose. There will also be a list of recommended sites for those who may wish to investigate the area on their own.

The 2007 convention will begin to draw to a close on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with the banquet, preceded by the Hotel Manager's Reception. All should be over by 10:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The Hahms stress that these events and programs are subject to change since plans are still in preliminary stages of development, but it's enough to give you some inkling. With a year to go, it's already clear that this will be one terrific gathering - a "down-home convention" filled with friendliness, variety, enthusiasm, music, food, and of course lots and lots of useful information on the tradition of the creche.

For information on the Church at Mill Run (Upper Arlington Lutheran Church or UALC) visit
www.ualc.org. For general 1nformation on the hotel visit http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=CMHESES. Special hotel guest room rates should become available as the convention date approaches.

The convention registration fee is $180. The special FOTC guest room rate at the hotel is $125 per night, plus tax. The discount rates are guaranteed through Septpember 15, 2007, and are applicable two days before and two days after the convention. They apply from Tuesday night 6 November 2007 through Monday night 12 November 2007. When making hotel reservations, be sure to mention you are with Friends of the Creche. Mark your calendars now!

Wear your passion for creches

2006-10-15T12:18:00.000-04:00

Did you know that the lovely Friends of the Creche logo is available to wear in the form of a pin? FOTC lapel pins are only $3 each. Order from Mary Jo Riegel, 2833 Symphony Way
Dayton, Ohio 45449. Please make checks payable to Friends of the Creche. Wear your pin and be prepared for compliments.