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By Lynne Vance The tradition of Saint valentine's Day goes back a long way, This holiday wasn't always celebrated in the current manner but has developed from two distinct sources. When the Christian reli- gion began to gain power priests trietrto change the philosophy of this celebra- tion. They substituted the names of saints for the names of girls. The youths each drew from a box a patron saint's name whose deeds he was to emulate in the upcoming year. Because the death date of the mar- tyred Saint Valentine and the Roman festival of Luper- calia coincided it was natural for February 14 celebrations to take Saint Valentine's name. i The early beginning of a Valentine Day tradition likely originates with the Roman festival of Luper- calia. This was a feast- festival held in mid-Febru- ary to honor the god Luper- cus who corresponded to the better known Greek god Pan. As well as paying tri- bute to Lupercus, the mother goddess Juno was worship- ped during the two weeks of celebration. March was the beginning of the Roman year and a common practice of young men during Luper- cus was to draw the names of young women from a box. The woman whose name was selected in this manner was to be the partnered in love for the next year. Vajlentine's Day has certainly developed FOUR STAR ENTERPRISES - WATERLOO-ONTARIO - Increases Fuel Economy . Contributes to Pollution Control Increases Fuel Distribution Efficiency Especially in Larger Displacement Engines Most Beneficial in Cold Weather and Longer Drives to Requirement of Engine Warm Up . Reduces Raw Fuel Deposits in Crankcase Keeps Combustion Chambers and Plugs Cleaner Removes Noticeable Exhaust Stench Improves Performance and Acceleration Response There is some confusion ings might accompany the about the identity of the delicately trimmed hand- Christian martyr Saint made cards. Valentine, Early lists of Early in their history val- martyrs name three. 'lhere entine cards were individual- is little known about the first ly cut-out. embossed, gilded of these but it is believed the and trimmed with feathers, other two were both im- lace or ribbon. Later many prisoned, beaten and be- were commercially made headed by the Roman Em- with a variety of trim in- peror Claudius 11 in 269 AD. _ eluded for the sender to take . pa rt in their design. .'l‘here " a sttry. recorded By the 1820's valentines tr one of ,th.e Saint Yalen- were being lithographed as ',f,f: !ailly tn love with le; well as embossed. Tradition- :z'.::s htirnduteft'ired're al symbols such as love- his idgath he was supposed birds. forlet-r.rrttts, hearts and Cupid with his arrows é? havefsent her avletter adorned these sentimental 3"? rom your alen- remembrances. tine . Whatever the actual . events in Saint Valentine's . Comic and sometimes life he has become the patron insulting or "vinegar valen- of sweethearts and romance. tines" began to appear by Even lovers' quarrels come the turn of the century. By u'nder his special jurisdie- the 19305 it was possible to tion. choose from a variety of The Christian religion wasn't really successful in changing the practise of name drawing from lovers to saints and by the 16 cen- tury young people in France were exchanging names through a Valentine box. This game soon spread to other countries. Besides the name drawing as a way of choosing a partner it was believed the first person seen on Valentine's Day was destined to a marriage mate. Eve? the mating season of ttj ds was thought to begin on February 14. By the middle of the 17 century "poetical or amor- ous addresses" were sent on Valentine's Day. Traditional gifts such as gloves or stock- 35 Durward PI. 884-8200 Valentines can be tender, romantic or humorous and even downright rude. There is such an abundance and va- riety you can usually find a relevant card for friends of either sex. You might some- times wonder if Valentines Day hasn't gone a bit too commercial. YetrFebruary 14 can still be a special day not only for lovers but for everyone to remember those for whom they care. By the 1820's valentines were being lithographed as well as embossed. Tradition- al symbols such as love- birds. forget-me-notes, hearts and Cupid with his arrows adorned these sentimental remembranees. Comic and sometimes insulting or "vinegar valen- tines" began to appear by the turn of the century. By the 19305 it was possible to choose from a variety of specially decorated tele- grams. School children today en- joy the game of a valentine mail-box to exchange cards and many adults are senti- mental enough to appreciate receiving and sending valen- tine greetings. Early in their history val- entine cards were individual- ly cut-out. embossed, gilded and trimmed with feathers, lace or ribbon. Later many were commercially made with a variety of trim in- cluded for the sender to take part in their design. On Saturday. the Grand River Experience Program is sponsoring a hike of the scenic Elora Gorge, in con- junction with the Elqra Heritage Festival. The festival is the first of an annual event sponsored by the Town of Elora. The day will be history and par- ticipation oriented, with an old-fashioned skating party on the mill pond, pioneer MONEY -BABK "HAL OFFER With St. Valentine's Day just around the corner this year's Timmy decided to give Canada's beauty queen. Terry Lynn Meyer or Edmonton, a king-size card. Timmy, representing all the crippled children of Canada. is Jeffrey King, 13. of Windsor. On February 27 the Ontario Society for Crippled Chil- dren will launch its Easter Seal Campaign to raise more than " million for the 12,000 youngsters who receive help from the society. Have VAPO-MATE installed by Four Star Enterprises of Waterloo, Ontario, and after 14 days Trial Period if not fully satisfied Receive Total Refund of Full Purchase Price Elana Festival day event increases in fuel economy VAPO-MATE is made in Waterloo. Ontario and is a Product of Canada (Guaranteed Minimum 15% m.p.g. increase) Waterloo Chmnicle, Wednesday, Februety 12. 1975 _ P. " The evening will be filled with contests. events, square dancing and a wide variety of activities to delight both young and old alike. T foods, craft 'displays, and history tours highlighting the day's activities. For the Grand River Con- servation Authority's por- tion of the day. geological tours will be conducted of the gorge, explaining the unique rock formations and history of the area. Groups will meet at the beach house in the conservation area with tours running continu- ously from 1 pm. to 5 pm. Reservations are not neces- sary, snowihoe demonstra- tions will be given. and a bonfire and pioneer refresh- ments will be held after the hike.