Valentine’s Day February 14th
Valentine’s Day started during the rule of Emperor Claudius II. Rome had been involved in many bloody and unpopular wars. Claudius the Cruel, as he was known, was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join the military. He believed the reason was because Roman men didn't want to leave their families. As a result, he cancelled all marriages and engagements.

There was a Christian priest named Valentine who defended love in the empire. Valentine began to secretly marry couples despite the Emperor's orders. When Claudius found out, Valentine was sent to prison where he remained until his death on February 14 in the year 270.

It wasn't until hundreds of years later that Valentine's Day began to develop, as we know it. At the time of Valentine's death, Christianity was beginning to take control of Europe. Valentine's Day came to replace a mid-February pagan fertility festival. The names of young women were put into a box and drawn by lot. Boys and girls were matched and considered partners for the year. The men often wore the names of the girls who were to be their partners pinned to their sleeves. Even today we say that a man wears his heart upon his sleeve when he shows interest in a lady. Sometimes the couple exchanged presents. Ladies often received perfumed gloves or fine jewels.

In the 17th century a hopeful maiden ate a hard-boiled egg and pinned five bay leaves to her pillow before going to sleep on Valentine's Eve. She believed this would make her dream of her future husband. Later, people began to exchange valentine cards instead of presents. The Duke of Orleans is believed to have made the first valentine card. Imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, he wrote love poems, or valentines, to his wife in France.

Sweethearts exchanged handmade cards during the 17th and 18th centuries. The French trimmed huge paper hearts with yards of real lace. Valentine cards became popular in the United States during the Civil War. Elaborate cards trimmed with satin ribbons, mother-of-pearl ornaments, and spun glass were sold. Within a few years Valentine's Day received almost as much attention as Christmas.

This Valentine's Day why not host a Tea Party. You will need:
2 T loose tea
Tea strainer or cheesecloth
Saucer with lid
6 cups water
Cinnamon sticks
Teapot
Heart-shaped cinnamon candies
Lace paper doilies in heart designs

Heat the water. Steep the tea with the cinnamon stick in the water. Use cheesecloth if you do not have a strainer. Pour the tea in a teapot. Place the teapot on a tray with doilies for a festive look. Serve tea in cups. Use the cinnamon candies as sweetener for the tea. Share the tea at a Valentine's Day party. Include other treats at the tea: heart-shaped scones, shortbread cookies, and crackers would go well with sweet tea.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, these kids have some advice for Lovebirds:

How can you tell if two adults eating dinner are in love?
If the man picks up the check.
They only stare at each other, other people care more about the food.
They are dressed up. If they aren't, they just broke up.

How do people in love typically behave?
Like my dog.
They fall down after they kiss and don't get up for an hour.

What is falling in love like?
Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life.
If it's like math I don't want to do it, it takes too long.

What are people thinking when they say, I love you?
Hurry up so we can go eat.
I don't love him.

How do two people fall in love?
One of them has freckles, so he finds another person with freckles.
You get shot with an arrow, but the rest isn't that painful.

How do you stay in love?
Be a good kisser.
Don't forget your wife's name.

Flag Day – February 15th
In 1995, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien proclaimed every February 15th be known as Flag Day to commemorate the first time the Maple Leaf flag was raised over Parliament Hill.

Chrétien’s Proclamation February 15^th, 1995:

"At the stroke of noon on February 15, 1965, Canada's red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time. The flag belongs to all Canadians; it is an emblem we all share.

Although simple in design, Canada's flag well reflects the common values we hold so dear: freedom, peace, respect, justice and tolerance. Canada's flag is a symbol that unites Canadians and expresses throughout the world and always our pride in being Canadian. The maple leaf flag pays homage to our geography, reflects the grandeur of our history and represents our national identity.

Our flag thus honours Canadians of all origins who through their courage and determination, have helped to build and are continuing to build our great country: a dynamic country that is open to the future.

Therefore, I, Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, declare that February 15 will be celebrated henceforth as National Flag of Canada Day.

Let us be proud of our flag! Let us recognise how privileged we are to live in Canada, this magnificent country that encompasses our history, our hopes, and our future."

White Gold Festival in Miramichi, NB February 11^th – 15^th
Come and celebrate winter in all of its glory on the spectacular Miramichi River. This festival has something for everyone in the great outdoors. New this year is Snow Drag 2004, snowmobile drag races at Miramichi Dragway Park.

This year's festival will feature the third annual New Brunswick Chef’s Ice Sculpture competition and display, which is sure to be a treat. Other highlights include the Miss White Gold Pageant, cross-country skiing, outdoor skating, torchlight parade, dances, dinners and smelt fries.

Joan Cripps is a retired Domestic Engineer from Chatham, New Brunswick, and a frequent contributor to Bread ‘n Molasses. She’s also the founder of the Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society, a group she formed in 2001. Email Joan at rayjoanc@nbnet.nb.ca