To Those Who Doubt; Is There a Santa Claus?

All minds, Virginia, whether The most real things In the

The following is a letter from a they be men's or children's are world are those that neither

Dk ere ^4
small child to the Editor of THE
SUN | NEWSPAPER a n d ? the
ania answer to that same letter by its
receiver, written several years ago.
This has been copied and recopied
until the publication of the simple
letter has become a Christmas
tradition in many newspapers—
it does not appear in full inVthis
edition. — Editor's Note
Dear Editor,
$1 am eight years old. Some of
my little friends say there is no
Santa Claus. Papa says "If you
see it in THE SUN, it's so." Please
tell me the truth; is there a Santa
Claus?^ ^m | 1 '•
Virginia O'Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are
wrong. They have been affected
by the scepticism of a sceptical
age. They do not believe what
they do not see. They? think
nothing can be which is not corn-
prehensible by their little minds,
little. In this great universe of ours
man Is a mere insect, an ant, in
his intellect, as compared with the
boundless world about him and
measured by the intelligence
capable of grasping the whole of
truthfand knowledge.?
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa
Claus. He exists as certainly as
love and generosity and devotion
exist, and you know that they a-
bound and give to our life its
highest beauty and joy. Alas! how
dreary would the world be if there
were no Santa Claus. It would be
as dreary as if there were no
Virginias. There would be no
childlike faith then, no poetry, no
romance, to make tolerable this
existence. We should have no en-
joyment, except in sense and
sight. The! eternal light with
which childhood fills 1 the world
would n be extinguished . . .
children nor men- can see . . .
You may tear apart the Jbaby's
rattle and see what makes the
noise inside, but there is a veil
covering the unseen world! which
not the strongest \man, nor even
the united strength of all the
strongest men that ever lived,
could tear apart. Only faith, fancy,
poetry, love, romance, can push
aside that curtain and view and
picture the supernal beauty and
glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah,
Virginia, in all this world;there is
nothing else more important,
more abiding.
No, Santa Claus! Thank God!
he | lives, and lives forever. A
thousand years from now. Virgin-
ia, nay, ten times ten {thousand
years from now, he will continue
to make glad jthe heart of child-
hood.
Casual Essay of THE SUN

Vol. XXVm, No. 4

MERC1AD MERCYHURST COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNA. December 19, 1956
Many Revisions Planned
Fort AAMWintetiCatnival
I With the[dates of February 8,
9, and 10 set f for their Winter
informal dance in the campus au-
ditorium on fFriday night. Un-
Carnival, Ithe Athletic Association like other Jyears, the music )ior
Frosh Snowman Land'
f
is busily! arranging the schedule this soc dance will be provided
of activities. W> . ^ H B R H N H H by records instead of a band.
| Assisting the general chairmen, ffc Saturday afternoon's schedule
Jane t Hagedish, |Nancy-ft Stubler, will be greatlyvchanged this year
Open To College Tonight and Mary Frances Lymph will be
Dot i Morrell, |Friday chairman;
by a | fuller and more active sche-
dule of activities, featuring a
Tonight members of? Mercy hurst became the first people to enter Marge Mack, Saturday chairman; parade and float!in honor of the
Snowman Land — a wonderland created in the gym for the Freshman a n d Cathy Misfeldt, \ Sunday queen. Climaxing the day's activi-
Christmas Party. chairman. I • S t i 1 \- ties will be the formal Sopho-
Instead of the cold blasts you might expect, they were greeted |" Winter sports are being planned nade held at the Lawrence Hotel.
by a warm, colorful, merry atmosphere. Fromfthe walls and tables for Friday afternoon and evening, Mass; in the college chapel, fol-
the gay snowmen hosts set the mood, one of friendliness and merri- with the queen ) being crowned, lowed by a brunch, will highlight
ment. Special lighting cast a holiday spirit on the crowd as th r\ en- and beginning *her jrreign? at the Sunday, and end the weekend. H
tertainment began. f 1? ^fflffHfflwIf
• Action began I with the | snappy
Lillian Egnot dance of the servers. Short, lively uiture Serie s Brings{ Oldt ew
skits built around dancing, sing- 4| Four of l the five scheduled at- Psychological Association will re.
ing, comedy, land drills delighted tractions for the)' cultural series turn. After finishing her training
TKE ueen even Jthe Isnowmen. 1 Then fthe
servers* appeared Iagain, this time
have been announced. Vincent R.
Tortora, t popular young 'i writer
at London University, I she helped
children who were funsatisfactory
Around the corner from Mercy- bringing chocolate cake, covered and • commentator will" speak on for placement in families become
hurst a | telephone rang the eve- with mint I ice cream, I whipped Dr. William F. Ehret January 14. He is featured in an- suited for society. £?£|SiS8^|H0B
a
ning of December 4? cream, and topped with a cherry. other art|cle on this page/:'^S ?;
?> A native off Erie, Pennsylvania,
"Isf this Miss Lillian Egnot of |5 In keeping I with the holiday |»". For the fourth time Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst College?" I | | p spirit £ the j freshmen I presented Lect ureoubject: wilt be honored by the internati- Eugene § Bossart t will f appear Ion
March 10. After completing a six-
"Yes." I f §§-? gifts to the] priests, the sisters, onally famous singing group, the
year scholarship in musical edu-
"I am happy to inform you that the lay faculty J and the students,
you have been chosen sweetheart bringing the Ichristmas Party to
Atomic Energy| Silvertones. * Formerly ** scheduled
for November 26, an automobile cation^ at the Curtis Institute of
1 As one of theiVisiting Scientists accident postponed their visit un- Music in Philadelphia, he receiv-
of the Delta' Chi Chapter of Tau a close for another year, jgjffgSfflB|j in J Chemistry, I Dr. | William | P. edlthe Curtis Award. This season
Kappa Epsilon." til February 4. #*$£'.;'^:&£Wm m
Ehret of New York University will Mr. Bossart will] appear as piano
So it was that Lillian heard the
wonderful news from Jack Rimp,
Santa's \Dolls I visit Mercyhurst on| January 16,
I o n | February &8,i|Dr. gVera
Denty, one of England's best- soloist with the Flint and Battle
17. He will give an address to the known psychologists, and also a Creek | Michigan Symphony | Or-
historian of the fraternity.
Lillian, a freshman English '.ma- To Visit Party student!-body f concerning fboth
the I benefits | a n d j hazards f of
member of the American Catholic chestras. s*ERBMiiffi2BmKmBuKBUm
jor, was chosen as sweetheart at
peacetime atomic energy.^^SW|u
the annual? spaghetti dinner held| # "To help satisfy today's
for this purpose. Any frat brother Santa's I Doll I Department J will
youth,"
a Visiting Scientists in Chemistry 'Communist\Close-up lAuthorl
may submit a picture. The chosen come to life in Santa's Workshop, tours tare arranged £by a commit-
girl?ireigns as Frat Queen for the Mercyhurst College gym on Dec-
ember 20. ll^'^MBBBBB£i8ii5K
tee of i the {Divisionjf of Chemical
Education* of f l | t h e | American
ToiVisit Mercyhurst SoonmjjM
ensuing year.
Lillian will be pinned.lthe for- |n Hollywood land J television per- Chemical Society using funds pro- *^5 Mercyhurst College will hear an eminent author and commentator,
vided by fthe |National i Science Vincent Rj Tortora, speak January 14. Hejhas Just returned from a
mal recognition of her reign as sonalities will appear in the form four-month visit in Europe, • including^ the fMiddle East and North
Frat Queen, on January 10 during of talented dolls from the Junior Foundation. Inaugurated ini 1955,
theseftours have three objectives: Airieft •*•"•
intermission of the Founder's Day Class* #Escorting IMr. ] andl Mrs. Aided by h i | keen sense for a news story and his command of sev-
Santa : Claus 4 will J be I bustling first, to strengthen and stimulate eral languages, he has witnessed many present-day historic events. His
Dance. the {chemical 1 programs I in a col-
elves, who will assist Santa) dis- recent book, "Communifb Closeup" is often used as a reference book in
tribute presents. Before their long leges; second, tof provide oppor- scholastic institutes. i P T ^ ^ v " mm^^^wUSS^m^BKm^m
New Scholarship trip back to the North Pole Santa tunity If or contact with I creative n
chemists | to I the chemical v staff In his search for material he
and his crew|will share irefresh-
Standards Set ments with all. S^flf§^^BH|RB and I students jin j small I colleges; has intefviewed I leaders in politic
third, to aid in motivating able cal. industrial, academic, and art-
Standards for honor scholar- Slated 5 for the eve beforefvaca- istic fields p along with the jj "man
ships for incoming freshmen have tion, the junior and jTfreshman college J students land I secondary
school students toward careers in on the street." ^ ^ i J I P ^ I K i S i i
|been altered this year. Eleven full Big-Little Sister Party will follow m Bom in Brooklyn, New York, he
ItuitionM and'! * lve h a l f
tuition the annual Christmas Dinner. Co- chemistry j and «the 1 teaching I of
chairing the entertainment are later ^joined | the funitedj States
scholarships will be available. chemistry. ^ M B J P I I B M Navy land * served tin theiPacific
To be ^eligible for these | honors, Pat Murphy and Cathy Carrig..'^ • D r . Ehreti received Ihis Ph.D.
during # the| war.f He | attended
a student must take the scholas- from Columbia ^University in 1927
and is at present in charge of in- Franklin andjMarshall College in
tics aptitude test of the College Lancaster, g Pennsylvania. 1 After
Entrance Examination Board. The stuction in inorganic chemistry at
Washington $ Square I College I of winning l a | scholarship fori study
award will also be abased on her Two lectures on Parliamentary in Europe he did graduate work
high school record and the recom- Procedure by Dr. JamesJWaldron, New York University. He has en-
gaged fin teachingl and research in International Relations at uni-
mendation of the principal. head of the Business Administr- versities in Italy vand Austria. In
Unless scholastic performance ation department of Gannon Col- at the University lof Edinburgh,
University of Stockholm,! Univer- 1951 he was an important corres-
in college lis steady, the scholar- lege. This will be J one feature of pondent for a European news syn-
ship will^be withdrawn. the Leadership Program to be sity of Hawaii, and Columbia Uni-
versity. He is the author of* two dicate. He was a guesti lecturer
Should the student transfer to sponsored by Student Council in fori American affairs? at the Uni-
another school, she must repay February. Every student Is invit- textbooks and a laboratory: man-
ual in college chemistry. I 'ffm versity of Padua, Italy. '0&ftt*£& Vincent R. Tortora
the amount of the scholarship. ?? ed to participate.

I*agc Two
-A* We [See
access Your Editors Congratulate:
CfforU Wark S, 3t
We salute the Sodality as deserving
Special recognition! It is fast becoming an
outstanding organization on campus.-
To foster further devotion to Our Lady,
the officers inaugurated the First Saturday
Communion breakfasts followed |by medit-
ation. The Sodality held two rosary proces-
sions, set aside a Day of Recollection early in
the year, and is holding regular monthly
meetings.
The officers purchased a new bulletiu
board to keep the Sodalists informed. It is
kept up to date by the Sodality sections.
Their display of religious books to be
purchased as Christmas gifts was well-receiv-
ed by the student body. Within the sections,
they make sure a regular check is kept on
daily duties.
With such enthusiasm and earnestness,
we predict the Sodality will keep its feet on
firm ground and continue to grow in sancti-
fication and good work.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE
Sister M. Anne Francis on her
original production for the sopho-
more pageant.
The sophomore class for the
wholehearted cooperation in mak-
ing the pageant a success.
Julie Matthews, of Villa, on her
queenship.
Freshmen Joan Connors and
Margaret Topping who were elect-
ed to Student Council.
Seniors, Sylvia Christie, Jo
Huggler, and Nancy Smith on
winning the rosaries awarded by
the Archbishop.
Your Editors Thank:
Archbishop Gannon for his kind
words regarding the pageant and
student body.
Thelfreshmenljfor a|"fabulous"
Christmas party.
Your Editors Welcome:
A much-needed Christmas vac-
ation.
Your Editors Wish:
A joyous Christmas and Blessed
MERCIAD
r
An Ounce Of Etcetera By Ann
f What's more fun than a theatre party?
With this thought in mind, the dayhops
royally entertained the residents at ROOM-
FUL OF ROSES at the Playhouse. Every-
one who attended specially enjoyed meet-
ing the players afterward, and Patsy Klein
reported that the cookies that were served
with the coffee were excellent. No objec-
tions would be heard from residents, we're
sure, if other such parties were arranged
throughout the year. By the same token,
were equally as sure that]no objections
would be heard from either of the school's
contingents if more open houses could be
held here in place of the Gannon dances
now and then. Dubby says the Sophs think
they're the "most fun" mixers all year. On
the other hand, maybe their scarcity makes
them so priceless!
"All for Gannon College standi up and
holler!" The Golden Knights, off to a
good basketball start this year, tell us
they appreciate the hollering 'Hursters.
Cheerleaders I n a | Smith, Linda Baldwin,
Elije Broscoe, and Dora Andrie, are cer-
December 19, 1956
McGinnis
"But I don't know anything about par-
la mentary procedure!" Remembering this
frequent outcry of club presidents, those in
charge of the student leadership program
in February have arranged for a parlia-
mentarian from the city to then explain
all the intricate simplicities of the gavel.
All future leaders take note!
Congratulations to the editors on the
MERCIAD'S brandnew personality! Favor-
ably commented upon, were its many
changes in policy and writing. It adopted
a more liberal and cosmopolitan viewpoint,
including more of everything, current lit-
erature, theatre, movies, music, happenings
in the city, etc. All of its articles were ex-
tremely readable, the well-known facts, for
instance, were disguised with a new angle
or slant. All in aU, it was very stimulating,
everything a college newspaper should be.
Congratulations also to Mary Bacon
for representing Mercyhurst so well at the
Christmas Carnival. Poised, attractive, and
friendly for the entire three days, she

~Arre WeJn teres ted? New Year to all.

Dear Editor:
In the last issue, quantity of clubs was dis-
cussed. More important thanjthis is their quality,
or should I say, lack of it. It seems to me that our
clubs should increase our knowledge and our in-
tellectual capacities. However, the outstanding item
on,most agenda\is the refreshments. We end up
with a lot of wasted time. As students, we should
demand something more.
Betsy Schnatter, A Junior
We-Are f/ot rCobbed
Dear Editor,
My letter is in answer to one of last month's^
editorials, "We Are Being Cheated." Are we really|
being cheated? Let us stop to look. Is therei a
necessity for memorizing facts, formulas, andf
dates? Once again, let us look.
I agree that an educated man is one who knows
how to think. But what is he going to think about;
what is to be the basis of his thought? The answer
is facts, formulas, dates, etc. Man must have this
information if he is to think. Try thinking through
a chemistry problem without a knowledge jjof for-
mulas. Try a history comparison without a know-
ledge of dates and events, a moral problem without
a background of ethical fact. Unless one has some
intimate sense of the correct and exact (which I
have yet to meet) it would be impossible.
Now, how does one go about obtaining this in-
formation?!^ it possible to do it without memor-
ization? No, memory plays a great part in learning.
If man had to begin each day without the knowl-
edge of the one before, he would be unable to pro-
gress beyond i mere existence. Thus, memorization
is-vital to our learning process. Perhaps our diffi-
culty lies in the fact that we do not retain and use
what we have memorized.
In view of this I would hardly say that our in-
telligence is being questioned. It may actually be
that we are being overrated. Our college expects us
to have enough "grey matter" to assimilate into
practical knowledge the material we are taught. If
we cannot do this, we shall just have to better our-
selves until we are able to meet the standard.
Connie Renner,
A Senior
4* THE MERCIAD
<y£s&$ Mercyhurst College, Erie, Pa.
4mMj&& Member of %
* J?^SS^ Associated CoUege Press
Editor Kay King
Associate {Editor | Betsy Schnatter
Assistant Editors .Jeanne Cannon, Joan Imhof
Business Editor Mary \ Ann Bittner
Editorial Staff - „- Barbara Jakubowski.
A.| Hajduk, Noel Jaeger, Mildred Manzione, Del
Dwyer, Barbara Story, P. Cummings.
Business Staff : Marjorie Karaffa.
Ina Smith, Mary Ann Schmidt, Carol Elga-
broadt, Mary Ann Koss, Dolores Buttlccl, Deana
Derapsey, Eileen Rawa, Donna Nashwinter.
Your Editors Predict:
A successful New Year at
Mercyhurst.
Festive Spotlights Focus _JXeaaue
Promising Holiday Fun aroundNowthethatcorner,
"Pygmalion," George Bernard
Shaw's masterpiece of I comedy,
will be presented by the Erie Play-
house through two weeks begin-
ning January 8. Now playing
Broadway as the musical version,
"My Fair Lady"Jthe plot is built
around the ever-popular cinder-
ella-prince theme. The debonair,
rich fellow finds the fragged ur-
chin and makes her into a prin-
cess. Rick Risso plays the leading
character, Mr. Higgins. The stu-
dent body will remember the cut-
tings M i s s KeUy dramatized
from the play for Mother M.
Borgia's and Mother M. 3Eustace's
feast days last year.
Swimming Show
The Synchronettes Swim Club
will proffer the first acqua-cade in
Erie's history on Dec. 201 through
December 21 in the Strong Vin-
cent pool. It willlbe a Christmas
show featuring Erie's top swim-
mers and dancers plus sparkling
music, e x o t i c costumes, and
comedy routines.
"Lux Video Theatre" dispenses
with drama on December 20 to
present an*all-music show to be
be shown-over WICU TV . . . .
Sonja Henie's "Holiday on Ice"
will also be broadcast in color on
Student Critics Review
Passing Social {Parade
Mercyhurst student have not
been at a loss concerning the
lighter side of coUege life with the
abundance of entertainment faci-
lities available lately.
Rondoes and allegros attracted
Pat Stinneford to Strong Vincent
Audi for the performance of
Arthur Loesser and Ward Daven-
ny, duo-pianists. Pat felt the
selections appealed to varied mu-
sical tastes.
Texas, oil wells and romance
appealed to Mary Becker, Pat
Hooper, and Carol McCormack as
they attended |the Erie showing
of "Giant". It was agreed that
the plot was - rather drawn out,
that the roles of husband and
wife were well-portrayed and that
Jimmy Dean's acting ability is a
controversial lubject.
tainly doing a fine job as well as looking
very cute. All four are weUiexperienced
for the job, having cheered in high school
evoked many complimentary remarks from
the Perry Square men. Very flattering'in-
deed was "Those Mercyhurst girls surely do
as well. I have it.!"I I
eadel pi
the [basketball season is just
our varsity should begin
December 22 from 9 to 10:30 p. m. to line up its games for the coming season
. . . The musical, "The!Stingiest — but will it? For the past two years a var-
Man In Town", starring Vic sity has been selected and the team practic-
Damone and Patrice Munsel will ed every Tuesday and Thursday nights after
be televised on the Alcoa Hour school. The girls worked hard, but for what?
over Channel 12 Sunday, Decem- They only had one game each season. It seem-
ber 23 from 9 - 10 p.m. . . .'also ed as if no one was really interested enough
on December 23 WSEE TV will to*schedule a few games for them.
carryistudio One's jAjChristmas
Last year our varsity could not schedule
Surprise."
New Year's Opera a game with the Villa basketball team because
of supposed rivalry between the two colleges^
Christmas Eve, Robert Montgo-
mery will present "Amahl and the If there is such a "rivalry", would it not help
Night Visitors", a Gian-Carlo the situation if we played a few games with
Menatti opera, from 9:30 - 10:30 them f In fact, would it not be a good idea to
p.m. Again abandoning his I usual have an intercollegiate*league with some of
Monday evening drama, on New the nearby colleges including Villa, Edinboro,
Year's; Eve he will present a con- Behrend Center and Lake Erie College ? Such
cert of* popular music by Hugo a league! would promote better relations. It
Winterhalter and his orchestra. would also give some life to|our sports pro-
gram, which certainly seems to need it.
M Audrey Havunen
January!
Calendar ^4
7—Classes resume
9—Program^ about teaching the
deaf
With the continuing Hungarian crisis, it
13—Student Council Study Day is interesting to see the illusions of Russian
from 2 to 5 p. m.f
dictatorship that have been destroyed. A not-
14—Vincent Tortora able one is that people and particularly, a
16—Dr. WiUiam Ehret
younger generation, can be educated by force
21—Semester Examinations to /believe Sin communism. The free will of
Hungarian men w a s shown! invulnerable
a gainst* Russia's diabolical methods. Not only
the youth, but such; men as CardinallMind-
zenty have demonstrated that truth is too
great to be hidden even by Soviet might.
Attending the Erie presentation
of the Black Hills Passion Play Ttua gate I
were Maureen Jones and Betsy Complaints are constantly voiced on campus
Schnatter. Maureen stated that yet no one looks to see if they % are valid. Bitter
the story of Christ's life was ap- words were voiced recently over no evening mail.
pealingly presented to all religi- This is a service. We would have one mail call daily,
ous denominations. Betsy and
if it were not for the sister's trip to the post office.
Maureen agreed that the accent of
the Christus detracted from the
Secondly, weather conditions, at that time, were
such that unnecessary travel was discouraged by
character portrayal. local authorities. Next time, let us not be so hasty
Kathy Kurucz particularly en- in our accusation, but a bit more appreciative.
joyed the portrayal of the mother,
daughter situation mi the play-
house presentation of "Roomful
of Roses". Berley Schaaf felt that Art has at last found a home in Erie.
t h e teen-age characters f were After many years of hoping and planning, the
typical but the basic situation city will have an Art Gallery. The Victorian
was morally bad. Two lines which home of Captain W. Morrison, next to the
provoked a great deal of laughter Museum, will house Ishows that, formerly
were. "Who wants to be turned were held in the Library or Museum. We con-
down by a creep?" and "Don't you gratulate the Erie Art Club on this achieve-
think a co-educational school ment, and look forward to the opening of the
broadens a person?" | f Gallery in January.
December 19, 1956
THE MERCIAD Page Three

Junior Fire Fighters Soph Tableau

Salvage Boys Belongings
Third floor residence hall took on the aspect of a boys' dormitory
for a couple of days following the recent blaze in the deck house, which
Gannon boys share with the publications department.
Suits, jackets, coats and R.O.T.C. uniforms belonging to Al Blumle
and Don Zbiernowski, who were downtown in class at the time, were
rescued by a line of Mercyhurst students? led by the junior histology
class. These clothes were undamaged except for a heavy odor of smoke.
U r t l i r t a v l ^* «—*-
eason
Finds Students
Behiin Counter
As shoppers rush home with
their treasures, many Mercyhurst
lassies smile a sweet "Thank you
and Merry Christmas" after com-
pleting a holiday sale.$
Jeanne Wurst, Lois Wiedenhae-
fer, | Joan Goss, Berley Schaaf,
Sandy Balko, Fran?'ReynoldsIand
Judy Gordonj are among the
Mercyhurst girls seen on the other
side of Boston Score counters.
Alberta Hain, Ruth UlrichJcarol
McCormack, and Barbara Matts
send Halle Bros, shoppers fhome
smiling with satisfaction.
Once home for the vacation
Connie Frank will offer her ser-
vices to customers of Jerome's,
Inc.
Sue Ham mill encourages season
buyers to "say it with flowers"
from Tillman's Florist, while
Marilyn Callahan, Mary Stark,
Maureen Jones a ndg Eileen Raw a
are seen j "checking out" essen-
tials, goodies and trimmings for
holiday feasts, in various Erie
supermarkets. Burt's and Kinney's
Shoe Stores have employed
Martha Wurst and Kathy Reid,
Almost immediately, after th
boys' possessions were carried out
of the burning room, a movement
began on third! floor to collect
soap, bleach, starch,! and Woolite.
Armed with large quantities of
these, and {supplied by fthe sisters
quarters for the laundry, the
juniors washed the boys' shirts,
socks and, sweaters. f,
Next day, again led by the juni-
ors, sister class of the Gannon
boys, the 3girls finished all? the
ironing, including no less fthan
forty-one shirts. Thirty-six hours
after t*he fire, the laundry was
finished* and piled in the third
floor social room, ready for the
boys to claim.
They expressed their thanks to
all whoihad helped with a three
pound box of chocolates. The un-
expected reward was accepted
with great gusto.
As one of the girls put it, "It
was nothing we wouldn't have
done for our own brothers, and
the boys seem just like brothers
to us."
Mercyhurst Grads
Vouch For Value
O f C Y T O Tours
Each year, for the past eight
years, CYTO summer tours to the
Opens Seasonl
Of Yuld Flurry
Prefigures of Mary, the Mother
of the Savior, depicted in tableau
was the theme of the Sophomore
Christmas Pageant performed for
Bishop's Day, December 13.
After Eve, many outstanding
women rose in the Old Testament
to renew the promise of the Re-
deemer made to our first parents.
Sara, the wife of Abraham had
WHILE DEL DWYER touches up Santa's hair, June Schwartz adds her only son, Isaac, dedicated to
a bit of color to his already rosy mouth. This is a familiar face on God. Ruth's reply to the many
campus at Christmas time. crosses sent to her by God was a
submission to the Will of God, the
Christmas Spirit Brings same as Mary said, "Behold! the
handmaid of the Lord; be it done
to me according to t h y word."
Queen? Esther, a Jewess, was a
Santa, Snowman, Love leader when she pleaded with the
king,.: her husband, to save the
"Merry Christmas from rooms 2 and stars on one, snowmen and Jewish fpeople from death. The
and 3!" With these words Oper- stars on the other. rising of Judith as a renewal of
ation Christmas at Mercyhurst is Black Angels the promised Savior came when
Dayhops are lending to the at- she was hailed as the savior of
underway. In Freshman Hall,
the people of Judea when she be-
Helen Griffin has hung Christ- mosphere with the decoration of
headed the tyrant king, Holofer-
mas bells and her next-door their lounge. Lois Wiedenhaefer nes.
neighbor has Santa's face posted and Carol Conrath are using
on her door. black angel silhouettes on the A reading by Carol Bocan and
Pat Carlile, Sue Daschbach, and walls; there is a Christmas tree Anne Marie Bergen of the well-
Sandy Cronin are entertaining and a gaily lit entrance. known Christmas gospel of St.
their friends in a Christmas tree- Love, Above All Luke was the narration used be-
lit room on third floor residence. Yes, Christmas is here with its tween the tableaux scenes for the
This spirit is spreading'; to the Santas and reindeer, its bells and Annunciation, Visitation,, Nati-
faculty, too, for Doctor Haas has poinsettas, its angels and stars, vity, and the Adoration of the
silver and white poinsettas on her its trees and snow men, its carol- Magi.
door. Jean Grisdale's sole decor- ers, candles, and whatever. But
ation! consists of heri confederate there is One above all these things
Whose importance must never be
In his remarks, Archbishop
Gannon said the pageant was the
-flag.
dimmed, Whose love must never
On Dasher! most elevating stage show he has
At McAuley Hall, each apart- be 'forgotten.
•

respectively, for the Christmas- ever seen.

rush season.
K O P h i Keep
ounaers Day
At a candle-lighting service
held on December 9, members of
the Alpha Eta chapter celebrated
the thirty-fourth anniversary of
the founding of | Kappa Omicron
Phi, home economics honor fra-
ternity.
Joan Csernyicky, president of
Alpha Eta acted asj toastmistress
with the remaining members tak-
ing part in the ceremony. Tribute
was paid to the seven founders
of the honorary fraternity and 38
chapters were given formal re-
cognition.
Guests > at the service and din-
ner which followed were Sister M.
Collette, pjsponsor of Alpha Eta,
Sister M. Timothy/ Sister M.
Marcelene, Miss Nina Re illy, and
European continent have been
ment is individually decorated,
sponsored by the National § Feder-
ation of Catholic College Students and there lis? a Christmas tree in
and the National Newman Club
Foundation.
the lounge. Santa and his rein-
deer pace across the front window
1957 will be no exception.
Transatlantic travel is by one-
in Donna Nashwinter, Patsy
Klein, and Barbara Stone's apart-
class student liners, which sail ment.
from New York, Montreal, and Marian Hall is lookinglforward
Quebec. Total expenses are rea- to Santa's visit. The girls have
sonably low, varying from $695 to painted two front windows: angels
$1,000. Air travel can also be ar-
ranged for an additional fee. Travel! Office, 1 Thomas Circle,
Tremendous interest is being N. W., Washington 5, D. C, at the
shown in this annual project. earliest possible date to reserve
Most acclaimed of the four tours and insure ship passage. L a n -
,M
is CYTO Tour "D, by which, in guage guides and a priest-chap-
seventy days, an unbelievable lain are conveniently included on
amount of territory is covered, in- all tours. SJ
cluding Ireland, Austria,; Spain, Six Mercyhurst graduates of
Portugal, England, Holland, Ger- last year enjoyed the CYTO tour
many, Switzerland, Italy and so much that they would readily
France. do it again if given the oppor-
Sailing dates j-will be made tunity. Brochures >with detailed
known early in 1957. For those itineraries of all four European
who are interested, it is advisable CYTO tours may be obtained from
_

that application and a $100 de- Mercyhurst's NFCCS travel chair-

Mary Gene Lillis.f posit be sent to Catholic Youth man, Alberta Hain.
Inquiring Reporter

Lay Faculty RelatewChristmas Memories

Question:!Which Christmas
stands out in your mind?
Miss Patrizio remembers a
childhood Christmas. She, her
brother and sister, fixed a lunch
for Santa and got up at 3 o'clock
in the morning to discover his
many gifts.
Simplicity Marks Birth |
Miss Fratus immediately recalls
last year's gChristmas. Her parish,
Our Lady of Peace, was under
construction a n d | they had no
church in which to celebrate Mid-
night Mass. While others attend-
ed magnificent, elaborate cele-
brations of Our Lord's birth, she
participated in a simple but very
beautiful ceremony In McDowell
High School auditorium.
Good Will Toward Men
A desert town in India with no
snow, trees, or Church is the set-
ting for the story Dr. Haas has to
tell.: She and 26 other Europeans
were feeling blue on Christmas
Eve, for they had nothing sym-
bolic of the holidays but alpoin-
setta plant. When they awoke in
the morning they heard music
and! looked out to see many
natives dressed as Biblical char-
acters. They {were invited to the
palace of the Maharajah^ where
they had 0 feast from golden
plates. These Hindus, who don't
believe in our),God, hadfperform-
ed a great act of charity, which
proves that there can be under-
standing among nations.
The war was over.'Itswas 1945,
and for the first time in years
Christmas, lights .adorned .the
streets, houses, and every Christ-
mas tree. "That is the Christmas
I remember," says Mrs'. Dolce.
Peace on Earth
Nine years ago Miss Kelly spent
a Christmas filled with complete You feel so new and fresh and
peace. The true meaning of
Christmas lived in her heart as it good—all over—when you pause for
never hadlbefore and never will Coca-Cola. It's sparkling with
quick refreshment... and it's so pure
again.
Since her mother? was ill, the and wholesome—naturally friendly to your figure.
Let it do chines—good things—for you.
entire family was together for
Christmas for the last time, The
gifts and the tinsel were reduced
to a minimum and the spirit of BOTTLED UNDER AUTHORITY Of THE COCA-COLA COMPANY Vt
the Christ-Child seemed especi- ERIE COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY
ally strong. Her mother died on Cokt" Is o rtgittertd trademark. ® ^56, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Little Christmas.
 Page Foiif mm* MFRCIAD December 19, 1956

Volleyball Is Feature
everde Ok e roceaure;
Of Sports Calendar
ckoode y amilieiy Oken CotL eae
Most girls, upon entering college, aim for two goals — first, a
The "December sports program
featured a highly contested in.
tramural volleyball tournament.
career; second, marriage. Five Mercyhurst students have already Games of December 11 resulted
achieved this second goal, and are now working on the first. in the upset of the favored sopho- «
v
Dorothy Sheptow, mother of two children and the bridge expert more ?' team. Making a strong
on the ERIE DAILY TIMES, is a liberal arts student. She recently re- comeback, the Juniors rallied to
turned from New Orleans where she covered the Bridge Tournament defeat the sophomores 32 to 17
for the TIMES. t which meant that they and the
Biology Major freshmen would vie for the
Martha Hill is a biology major Alumnae To Sponsor trophy. I
and plans to work as a medical Previous to this game, the
technologist when she graduates. Luncheons, Dance sophomores appeared to be on the
She has waited 14 years to come H Vacation highlights during the road to winning the tournament
to college, so that her four chil- forthcoming Christmas season in- and trophy. In the first game of
dren would be in school and clude Alumnae-sponsored events the series, they defeated the
wouldn't require as much atten- for students from Pittsburgh and freshmen in a close battle, 27 to
tion as in their younger days. Buffalo. 25, and downed the juniors 29 to Roberto and Alicia smile as Carole Conrath and Betsy Schnatter
I 22. 1 v
With household duties and college play reporter at the Times' Christmas Show. t j I
In Buffalo, a dance will be giv. In the freshmen-junior game,
work, Martha doesn't have much en jointly for Mercyhurst and
spare time, but she "loves every Nazareth Collegiates, tentatively the juniors showed good form,
minute of it." 4
Art Major
set for Friday, December 28. A
easily taking the victory 37 to 13.
Another contest saw the freshmen
Adventuring Spirit Triumphs
luncheon is«also planned for the defeat the ^previously undefeated
Art is the major field of Nancy following day.
Shutts, who is the mother of three In Pittsburgh, Mrs. Elaine For-
sophomores 30 to 21. |
December 18 saw* the deciding
During Recent Times\Show
children. To teach art is her am- ge tte Murray,*; president of that
bition, although her "family al- chapter, announced plans to hold game played between the juniors This story is written for the adventurous, those who have wanted
ways come first." She attended a luncheon in Oakland at the and frosh. Scores were not avail- to peek into the show business world. Carol Conrath and I were such
Edinboro State * Teachers College College Club, noted for its | good able for this issue, but the possi- when we entered the stage door at the recent TIME'S Show.
for her freshman year, left to get food, especially its butterscotch bility was this: if the freshmen^ Challenged, we managed to mumble "MERCIAD and reporters"
married, and then returned to col- rolls and coffee. It will be held on won, there would be a three-way which turned a cautious policeman into a gallant host. From then on,
lege at • Mercyhurst a half year December 29. tie. Up to that date, the race stood we were plunked on a costume trunk, our headquarters.
ago.. M like this:
Versatile Man
These Christmas festivities pro- Won Lost
Foreign Students
Maria Tomaszewski and Maria vide opportunities for Mercyhurst Juniors 2 1 Glee Club Entertains We talked to everyone, such
people as Bud Richards. "I'm no-
Baron are special students taking girls, past and present, to get ac- Sophomores 2 2 Clad in blazers, the Mercyhurst
body" he declared, meaning he
English and Speech courses. They quainted . Freshmen 1 2 Glee Club made its second trip to
had done everything from teach-
are both natives of Argentina and the sixth floor of the Boston
Store to serenade the Erie Kiwan- ing in a drama school to breaking
are presently living in Erie. Mrs.
Tomaszewski has a small boy. IRC Poll Reveals Collegiates is Club yesterday. The girls
made their* first appearance be-
horses. He laughed hopefully as:
we | consoled him about the busi-
ness that had gone wrong in his
Show Conservative Tendencies fore this group in 1955. To make
the club luncheon enjoyable, the role of straight man for tha-
comedy act.
Not, being a mathematician, the Mercyhurst is definitely conservative in its attitude toward world Mercyhurst Glee Club, under Mrs.
Dolce, presented^ selections from Talking with the Kussol Sisters;
MERCIAD mistook its figures fin affairs. This fact was brought out forceably when the results of the a young singing team, we got so
the November issue. In the Civil recent IRC poll were tabulated. This I pollj was sent} to all affiliated the December 8 telecast over
"vVSEE. I i excited that the stage manager
Service 'article, salaries should Catholic colleges by the national IRC Commission of the NFCCS. I had to shush us. Gates of the
have read $2,690; ,$3,455; $3,670; novelty dance act, was a chat-
and $4,885. V The results showed? that the
students here feel that the United teryJ person.

Is it tinkling bells, or od'rous

States should continue aid to the
Arab countries, evenlthough Rus-
sia is making overtures in that
pine section of the world. The majority
Or holly, Christmas red,
It is flaky snow, or) Santa Claus
felt thatflsreal did not have just
provocation for her attack on
Or stories that you've read? Egypt. Some felt!that, while she
had provocation, she still had no
Is it colored lights or tinsel
right to resort to armed warfare.
bright,
Or car'lers singing mild? The Suez issue should i have been
taken immediately to the U. N.
Do you think of what a
Christmas means, last July, thereby possibly avoiding
Do you think of Mary's Child? the latest conflict in the East, ac-
Is it twinkling stars, or soft cording to Mercyhurst opinion.
warm straw,
The students of Mercyhurst feel
Or angels singing praise?
that the situation in the East
Do you think of giving!willing
should be handled by a special
hearts
committee of the U. N., such as
To Christ, these Christmas days? the United Nations Emergency
Arlene Haduk
Force that has been set up.
An encouraging note was ob-
YAPLE'S (DAIRY served by the poll-takers - most
of the students are well-informed
AND ICE CREAM BAR enough to have definite opinions
onf these questions. There were
very few "I don'ti'know" answers.
We Make Our Own
Jlce Cream
BLILA HARDWARE
38 th and Pine Ave.
4026 Pine Avenue
Phone 0-7464
Phone 01349 Erie, Pa.
ART'S
ICE CREAM BAR
Luncheonette and Magazines
3709 Pine Avenue
Mercyhurst Girls Snow Missed?
Surprise at the lack of snow was
expressed by Flamenco dancer
Are Talking About ! I Alicia who had read of our storm.
She and Roberto related their
start in Puerto Rico as well as
TOP TOPICS: Only one concert is scheduledlwith CANISIUS this
year, May 5 at Mercyhurst . . . Goren and Jacoby, look out! Lounge dancing I experiences with Jose
lizards are taking up bridge in a big way . . .ANNA MARIE BERG AN Greco. Larry Griswold was a sur-
prising person, a zany trampalin-
and MITZI McGAUGHEY celebrate January birthdays . . . HOTCH
finally took those Belafonte records out of her room (oh yes* watch ist who possessed a master's De-
gree and had written a book.
for his tour this summer) . . . Semester tests begin January 21 . ....
MERCIAD plans a questionnaire on the issues after vacation . . . MARY Professing to be 102 years old,
RACHEL SHINE is beaming as Mike's departure is delayed 'til Feb- Paul Gray, master of ! ceremonies,
ruary. declared we were a bit elderly, but
nice.
JUST TALKING ABOUT: arrival of class rings . . . snow
Stars Wave
today and gone tomorrow . . . Home Ecers serving for Bishop's
James Melton may have I been
Day . . . mole family in the non-smokers lounge . . . ANNE
the star, but these became our
McGINNIS' amazing vocabulary ; . 8 ARLENE HAJDUK'S
poetry in the MERCIAD . . . odors floating through college friends. Roberto and Alicia, Bud,
hall from the chem lab . . . fashion revival of -the roaring and policeman Gus Buettner, re-
quested MERCIADS and we even
twenties.
got them coffee. They waved from
I CROSS COUNTRY: Sunny Florida is DOROTHEA MORELL'S holi- the stage door as we drove away
day destination . .1. Long letters from Notre Dame are keeping JANE with memories of an exciting
McKENNA'S mailbox dust free . . . Weekend visitors to Allegheny were night.
CAROLYN HEYL and PEGGY HIRSCH . . . Junior day-students will Betsy Schnatter
hop to MAUREEN JONES' and JOANNIE GOSS' for Christmas and
New Year's parties . . . JEAN OWENS treks to Case for an!SAE for-
mal . . .MICKEY SPILLANE will welcome BUNNY WALTERS for New Burhenn's Pharmacy
Year's . . . Rensselear visitors included BETTY McLAUGHLEN and Corner 38th St. andfPine Ave.
SANDY CRONIN . . . NANCY SMITH is in Natalie North's February 4
wedding party. Spencer Place Store No. 3
Erie, Penna.
MORE TALKING ABOUT: Gannon mottott if you cant
fight them, cooperate them to death . . . NOEL JAEGER off
to another NE jaunt in January . . . "Mary's Little Boy Child"
. . . the Hurst trek to Canisius' side at the recent basketball
game . . . Tennessee Ernie's listenable and likeable TV show...
PAT STINNEFORD'S term paper, The Inquisition. ||
HOLIDAY NOTES: LINDA COLLIN'S family features traditional
Swedish dishes and decorations . . . December 22 will find LIL EGNOT
at TEJKE'S Christmas party . . . Did you know the first Christmas card
was sent in 1843? . . . SUE HANRAHAN now sports a holiday bandage
on her wrist . . . CAROL CONRATH is decorating the Dipson Theater
mirrors . . . Junior League Ball is being attended by PAT M I L L E R and
PEGGY QUINN . . . Birthdaying January 1 is MOME DONATELLI . ,-•*
CONNIE RENNER plans to graduate Magna Cum Praterita (no holi-
day rest for her). ^-i