INSIDE COMMUNITY EVENTS B2

KATHY FLORITTO

Horseshoes, sneezes and ladders

F YOUR calendar says it’s Friday the 13th, do you shudder? Does spilling milk or salt give you the Willies? (Anybody: know who Willie was?)

Do you walk around, not undermeath, a lad- der? Got any particular feelings about black cats? How about mistletoe, shoes on the table, ravens, owls...

Are you superstitious? You bet you are!

You're net alone. Around our world, millions of otherwise sensible, intelligent people don’t step on cracks in the sidewalk.

Being superstitious is an honourable tradition.

We may not know wiy we give what appear to be rather idiotic notions credence, but it may be comforting to know that most superstitions have their origins with people who also thought their heads were firmly attached to their torsos.

Horseshoes, for instance, are still regarded as symbols of good luck, partly because they are formed in the shape of the new moon. Consider the often heard linc, ‘“‘He’s got horseshoes...””

If you find one lying in the road, especially if. it’s beet: thrown from the hind leg of a prey mare — your troubles are over. Thal promotion, the new job, the new house will be yours. If you’re married with children, your kids will be well-behaved and your mother-in-law will move out. If you’re single, ihe perfect mate will ap- pear very soon.

Although the borseshoe symbolizes good luck even today, as a common mode of transporta- tion, the horse is history. Unfortunately, there are no superstitions, yet, about finding a Ieft rear tire.

We still knock on wood to prevent bad luck aud a caution against Murphy’s Law. But the ancient Celts worshipped the tree as the primary earthly representation of the gods. Trees forced all evil demons into the ground and Druidic priests performed all their rituals and incanta- tions within the sacred arbors,

The 13th of the month is. an not a good day to begin any new enterprise, including marriage. However, to be born on the 13th of the month is thought to be lucky.

We're not all descendants of those ancient Celts, granted, but we're still touching wood today to put the fix to those evil spirits.

And then there’s the number 13. From ancient times, 13 was ill-fated, primarily because of the violent deaths of various ancient 13th gods and, of course, the fate of one of the 13 at Jesus’ Last Supper.

The 13th floor does not exist, at least not on the clevator panel, of the majority of hotels and rarely is there a room numbered 13. Hotelicrs may not be superstitious, but they’re not taking any chances with us!

The 13th of the month is an nota good day to begin any new enterprise, including marriage. However, to be born on the 13th of the month is thought to be lucky. Someone bom on the thir- teenth is expected to prosper in anything be or she begins on this day in later life.

One of ovr daughters was born on the 13th. That "in later life’ doesn’t sit well with her.

To round off this short list of the superstitions we cling to, there aren’ many who, when some- one sneezes, don’t say ‘‘God bless you’’y or “'Gesundheil.”’ |

Sneczing was common among bubonic plague victims and the custom of blessing the sneczer continues to this day as a Worthy precaution.

But that’s not the only superstition surround- ing the sneeze, Here’s a little poem that says it all:

‘Tf you sneeze on a Monday, you sneeze for danger; Sneeze on a Tuesday, kiss a stranger; Sneeze on a Wednesday, sneeze -for a letter; Sneeze on a Thursday, something better; Sneeze ona Friday, sneeze for sorrow; Snceze on a Sat- urday, sec your swectheart tomorrow. Sneeze

ona Sunday, and the devil will have domination

.?

over you all week Wow...God bless the hay-fever sufferer!

io STANDARD

Tie-dyeds and toddlers loved Rosswood music

By SALWA FARAH

GRASS ROOTS, blue grass and grass stains — that was

the first annual Rasswood Music Jamboree.

Amed with lawn chairs and blankets, about a thousand people enjoyed the home-grown event. al: the Rosswood community grounds on September 6 and 7.

The rough two by four and plywood Stage withslood the

“raucous stomping of over a dozen musicians’ from across

the northwest. .

The musicians hardly needed the power from generator bul were instead: electrified by the energy from: the audience. 7

From down-home country twang to down-south blues, the music attracted an equally eclectic mix of people, from the long haired festival die-hards to diapered toddlers.

The latter enjoyed face painting, puppet shows and story telling in a teepec.

“Tt was Breat, it was fantastic,”’ val organizer Christine Clark who secmed overwhelmed by the large turn-out of people.

“Tt execeded all our expectations, especially for the first year,” she added.

The Ole Johnson Blues Band wrapped things up at around midnight as people moved to the campfires with their guitars and harps for the less formal jam sessions,

Many of the volunteers were speechless — literally for some — from the excitement and buzz from organizing such a successful event in only two months time. '

Most people were thrilled thal it was a family oriented event and would like to sce more of the same thing next year,

said musician aud festi- |

FROM THE TOP LEFT: Jaron Freeman takes a turn on the fiddle at the

SECTION B CRIS LEYKAUF 638-7283

Rosswood Music festival, Sept. 6-7. Terrace’s own Magpie was a big hit with the crowd. And Kristian and Brenden (they didn't know their last name) practice what they learned during juggling lessons at the festival.

Bikers have teddy bear image here

MOTORCYCLISTS collected hundreds of toys in last year's annual Toy Run. This year the Toy Run starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept, 27 at the waigh scales,

YOU DON’T need to own a Harley to be part of Ter- race’s Roadrunners club. If what you ride has two wheels and is motorized, then you’re in,

“Tt doesn’t malter if you ride a Munch Mammoth or a Vespa Secooler,’’ says founding member and exec- utive director James Gillam. The club isn’t brand con- scious, and “that way promotes a welcoming, not threalening image.

Even today bikers can have a rough reputation — witness the blker gang wars in Quebec — but the Ter- race Roadrunners have litle in common with that image.

Instead the: club. stresses community involvemeiit and supports charitable causes. Aad at 68, club president Ed Willims is likely old enough

to be trusted nal to mix it up.

with any potential rival clubs.

The club Is celebrating: its 15th year and this‘ month is

featured in Canadian Biker -

magazine; There are 34 active meni- bers. in the club which

covers a wide teritory’ —

James Gillam

trom Prince Rupert to Ter- race and Kitimat, Members ages are diverse and range from 20) to the Jate 60s.

Ever since the club’s start

in 1982, members have been. -

active in: (he communily; They: provided safety: along Highway 37 that first year for people’ taking part in. a

fundraisiig: walk/rua front.

Terrace to Kilimat

- From there elub members . went onto provide traflic es- cort service to the’ Skee’

Valley . triathlon, the bike race from ‘Terrace lo: Rupert,

the Riverboat days parade and the Kermode Classic, among olbers.

Mere recently members have helped organizers of the popular drag races, which take place on the Riverboat Days weekend.

And of course there’s the upcoming aunual Toy Run, which lakes place Saturday, Sept. 27. Watch for it at 2 p.m. .

Motorcyclists. bring new loys on a parade through town. They donate the toys to (he Salvation ‘mys help- ing the charity kickstart its Christinas campaign.

The first Toy Run in 1983 saw 16 motorcycles and 23 riders turn oul, Last year

- those numbers were 120

bikes and about 200 riders, Gillam says the Roadnun- ters. are unique in north. Molorcycle clubs aren’t common in. northern climates due. to ‘the shortened riding ~ season, from April to October,

But that just means mem-

bers: appreciate even more - diformal- Sunday’ rides to-

gether, taking in the scenery around the northwest.