Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Coral Gables Times
Thursday, December 21, 1961, page 5 (of 24)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
'I Wish All Would Be Treated As Well As We...'
By JOE C. MORRIS Correspondent Not far from the Gables City Hall lawn where Christmas carols are being sung these moonlit nights, a number of foreign students, attending UM, are spending their Christmas holidays in San Sebastian Hall. DEMETRIOS FLEGAS, spending his first Christmas in the Gables likes the weather here better than in his home town of Athens, Greece. He's not a stranger to the States like some of the other boys. "My uncle John Angellis, a former Kentucky senator lives in Lexington, Ky.," he remarked, "and I have visited there with him. I feel as close to home as some American boys who'll hold over here for the holidays." GUILLERMO CHUQUI CONDER, 21, and a long way from Rancagua, Chile, will miss his family and friends who gather on Christmas Eve from 11 till 12, toasting one another with champagne while opening their presents. "From midnight until 2 and after they'll dine on chicken or pig and as the wine flows so the party goes," he said. "It breaks up in time for Viejo Pascual (old man of the Christmas) to slip in before dawn and place the presents for the little children under the tree." JOSE ROSELL, who still calls Havana home, wants to work during the holidays. "I'd work right through Christmas Day if I could get a job," he said. "I don't know if I can continue my studies next semester unless I can work. My English is not so good yet and it is very difficult to get a job. But all I plan to do is look for an opportunity." JOSE DONIS, also from Cuba, will eat Christmas dinner with Cuban friends who now are American citizens. Although he can telephone his father in Santiago de Cuba once a week he couldn't send Christmas presents home to the family. He mailed a few automobile and motorboat magazines recently but periodicals such as 'Life' and 'Time' are not permitted. "I don't feel so far from home," he said, "but this is my first Christmas away from home and it's not the best Christmas I've ever known." KIN-HING LUK, a Hong Kong boy whose almost perfect English and straight A's in Math and Physics make him an outstanding 18-year-old student said, "My family and I have never celebrated Christmas. It is just another day to Buddhists." When asked whether he had begun to believe in Santa Claus since he came to America he answered, "No, but I may change my mind." KULDIP SINGH ANEJA, a Sikh from New Delhi, India, has several places to partake of Christmas dinner. His difficulty is in making a choice. "In my country, Christmas is a national holiday. All the government and religious leaders join in celebrating Christmas. "Clubs, hotels and public parks all have music and dancing and Prime Minister Nehru, attending various parties, usually makes a public statement regarding community harmony, and refers to Jesus Christ as a master contributor toward world peace. "Christmas trees are lighted but the streets are not decorated. Moslems and Hindus give presents to their Christian friends, then in return are given presents on their festival days. "I thought I was friendly to foreigners when I was in my own country," Kuldip Aneja said, a blue turban tight on his head and a hair net strapped under his chin pressing his heavy black beard close to his face. "But the American people are more friendly, more helpful than it was ever possible for me to imagine. "I wish all the American boys and girls who can not go home for Christmas will be treated as well as we who are foreigners."
MAILBOX
EDITOR: Am returning your notice of expiration of the Times without renewal check. During the past year I have seen a noticeable "trend to the Left" in your paper, which is the reason for dropping it. Two examples of this trend are (1) Your Editorial comments on the Kamen situation, and (2) Your stand on the Loyalty Oath in the People to People controversy. I could list more, but these two are sufficient cause to drop your paper. NORBERT F. GARIETY 267 Alhambra Cir.
IN THE RED-BIRD SHOPPING CENTER IT'S Belk's Home of Better Values LAST MINUTE GIFTS
Belk's Home of Better Values IN THE RED-BIRD SHOPPING CENTER IT'S LAST MINUTE GIFTS Dear Friends: We at Belk's want to extend to all our friends our heartiest wishes for the finest Christmas in your lives. The Pre-Christmas season here at our store at Red and Bird Roads has been extra-lively this year ... Thanks to you! Please accept our best wishes for the Holiday Season and for the Year Ahead. ... We look forward to serving you again ... and again ... and again ... in the months to come. God Bless and again a very Merry Christmas. Sincerely, J. B. Allen, Manager S. Snyder, Ass't Manager P.S. In order that our employees may have Christmas Eve with their families and in accordance with our policy of never staying open on Sunday ... we will close all day Sunday, Christmas Eve ... BELK'S - RED & BIRD ROADS