davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
SOUTH LONDONDERRY.

Bessie Castle is teaching school in Win
hall.
Joseph Cummingss little daughter is
i'll with measles
A f. Cudworth was in Rutland on bust
ness last week. His wife accompanied
him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene Hall of Worcester
came to r. L. Bostwick's on Saturday
night
Mr.. and Mrs. l.. NJ. Stickney of Brat
tleboro spent Christmas with her son, w.
w. Head.
Elmer Cummings had the misfortune to
cut his knee Saturday. 1t is doing as
well as could be expected.
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. E. Johnson of New
Haven, Conn, are visiting her parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. r. A. Ross
NJ. ]. Hapgood of Peru spent Christmas
at DR.. Millington's. George l.. Richard
son was also guest there.
The library has received another NUM-
ficent gift from the same source from
which such substantial aid has come be-
fore.
Charles Charlton of Boston and Isaiah
Charlton of Colgate university, Hamilton
N. Y, spent the Christmas vacation with
their parents here.
Among the young people who came
home from their respective schools to
spend the Christmas vacation were Olive
Churchill and Hazel Burbank from North
| field Mass, Mary Davis, Harry Huntey
and Willie Howard from Burr & Burton
seminary in Manchester and Lena Land
man from Townshend.
The Baptist Sunday school elected these
officers last Sunday: Superintendent, John
McAlister; assistant, George Coombs
secretary and treasurer, Lizzie Hulett; Ii
brarian, Minnie Tyler; chorister Bernice
Babitt; assistant chorister, Bessie Castle ;
organist, Warren Head; assistant or
ganist, Bernice Rabbit
The Christmas exercises at the town
hall We're very entertaining. The cantata
Santa Claus's Busy Day." was finely
rendered by the children, doing credit to
the painstakng efforts given them by
Miss Mary Pierce, 1t was followed by
songs and a beautiful tableau represent
ing THE News of Christ's Birth"
The social and clam chowder supper
given by the Baptist ladies' aid society
passed off successfully on Wednesday
evening. The chOWder was excellent and
the entertainment following it was pleas
ing. one of the attractions of the evening
was the display of pictures taken long
ago, which proved very interesting.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
IN WINDHAM COUNTY
BROOkLlNE.

The friends of Clarence w Bush of Bel
lows Falls are sorry to learn of his serious
Illness at the home of his uncle, II. J.
Jandfear.
A genuine thaw set in Friday, but was
frozen out by Saturday morning. 1t took
away most of the snow, but left plenty of
ice in its place
Clara Wooley of Dummerston Hill is at
home for the holidays at j. Wooley's.
Mrs. Morris Wares.
The Christmas exercises and tree at
the Baptist church Saturday evening were
well attended, although some were pre-
vented from coming by the icy travelling.
The children did well with their recita
lions and music, and the tree was well
loaded with it's annual fruit for both old
and young
People here will be sorry to learn of the
death in Claremont on Nov. IA of John
A. Marshall formerly employed here in
Deacon Pierce's mill. Mr.. Marshall was
in town about year ago and visited old
acquaintances He was much esteemed by
all his friends.
Mr.. and Mrs. Stanford Morse of West
Brattleboro, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin
Of Northampton. Mr.. and Mrs. Park Hol-
land and little daughter and Mary Allbee
of Townshend were Christmas guests at
7. NJ. Allbee's. Mr.. and Mrs Hugh All
bee from Michigan were expected, but
on account of the illness of Mrs. Allbec
they were unable to come
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
Where Portland Cement Comes From.

A recent bulletin OF the United States
geological survey says: The "Lehigh dis
trict" Of the engineer and cement manu-
facturer has been so greatly extended in
recent years that the name is now hardly
applicable. 1t originally included one
small area, four miles square. located
along Lehigh river partly in Lehigh
county and partly in Northampton
county, Pa, which contained the villages
OF Egypt. Copay. Northampton, White
hall and Siegfried. The cement plants
which were located here at an early date
secured control Of most of the cement
rock deposits in tie vicinity, and plants
OF later establishment have therefore been
forced TO locate farther and farther away
from the original center of the district
At present the district includes parts of
Berks. Lehigh and Northampton counties
Pa, and Warren county, n. j., reaching
from near Reading Pa, at the southwest
to a few miles north OF Stewartsville
y. J.. at the northeast. II forms. there
fore, an oblong area about % miles long
from southwest to northeast and about
four miles wide. Within this area about
twenty Portland cement plants are now
in operation, and the Portland cement
produced in this relatively small district
amounts to approximately two-thirds of
the entire United States output.
Throughout most Of the Lehigh dis
trict the practice is to mix with n rela-
tlNeiy large amount OF the cement rock, -
or argilaceous limestone. a small amount
OF pure limestone, I'm order to bring the
lime carbonate content Of the mixture up
to the percentage proper for Portland
cement mixture. In the plants located
near Bath and Nazareth however, the
practice has been slightly different. In
this particular area the cement rock
quarries usually show rock carrying from
20 to so per cent. of lime carbonate The
mills in this vicinity. therefore. require
practically no pure limestone. as the
quarry rock itself is sufficiently high in
lime carbonate for the purpose Indeed
II is at times necessary for these plants
to add clay or slate. instead of limestone
to their cement rock. in order to reduce
its content of lime carbonate to the re-
quired figure.
The cement rock Is dark gray TO
black, slaty limestone, breaking with an
even fracture into fiat pieces. which
usually have smooth. glistening surfaces
AS the percentage of lime carbonate in
the rock Increases the color becomes a
somewhat lighter gray. and the surfaces
OF the fragments lose their slaty appear
ance. The pure limestones added to the
cement rock are commonly gray. and
break into rather cubcal fragments The
fracture surfaces show a finely granular
structure, quite distinct in appearance
from the slaty cement rock In compo-
sition the limestones commonlyused will
carry from 30 To 90 per cent of lime car
Donate, with rather less magnesium car
Donate than is found in the cement rock
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
WILLIAM SViLLE.
Death of Charles Tyler.

Charles Tyler. nephew of the late
Charles +. Tyler of this place, died at
Hinsdale, n. H.. Dec. 20. and the body
was brought here for burial Wednesday,
He was a son of Lewis Tyler and was
born and brought up in this town. but
had not lived here for % years. He had
travelled a great deal. He had been in
every state and territory in the Union
except Arizona, besides the Hawaiian
Islands, South Africa and Alaska. He
was taken sick In Alaska and came to
Hinsdale from there last October. He had
three children. The oldest he buried in
Alaska The other two survive The flu
neral was held in the Methodist church
here Wednesday afternoon, Rev. J. G..
Hazelton officiating. As Mr.. Tyler was an
odd Fellow the three odd Fellows OF this
village, c. u. Lazeile +. II. Richardson
and w. +. Wheeler, with Geo. Manches-
ter, acted as bearers.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
GUIlFORD CENTRE.

School in district No. l will begin next
Monday.
Mrs. Will Baker was in Farley, Mass,
last week on account of the illness of her
mother.
The officers of Broad Brook Grange will
be installed by District Deputy Sargent
Thursday evening, Jan. 5.
Mrs. w. w. Barney and Mrs Park
Shearer of Brattleboro have been spend
ing Christmas and this week with their
son and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. F. l..
Welman.
Mrs. e. w. Legate entertained a neigh
borhood party Christmas eve. A tree
loaded with gifts was despoiled by a real
Santa Claus, much to the amusement of
old and young
The annual meeting of the Universalist
church and society will be held at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. George Wilder Sat
urday afternoon, Jan. Z. Business of i'm
portance will come before this meeting,
and large attendance is desired.
The annual meeting of the Grange Dra-
matte club will be held Saturday evening,
Jan. Z, at the home of Mr. and Mrs s.
NJ. Bullock. AS no annual meeting was
held last year it is important to have a
full attendance this year
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
WEST WARDSBoRO.

Miss Bernice Boyd is at home after
long stay with her sister, Mrs. Decell.
NJ. w. Brown and son, Leonard were
at home from Ticonderoga, n. Y. over
Christmas.
Mrs. f.. L. Rice and SON. NJ L. Rice
and his wife went Tuesday to Brattleboro
to attend George Burns's funeral.
On Monday evening a tree was enjoyed
at the parsonage by Royal Bradley and
Floyd Robinson. Royal has been the hap
Ply recipient of good presents from many
of his friends in other towns. as well as
here, besides from places in other states
Much sympathy is felt for him, and all
are pleased that he is gaining so rapidly
in health.
The Christmas exercises Saturday drew
a full house, although the roads were
dangerously icy. The house was trimmed
profusely with evergreen and flowers, and
the children showed careful training. Four
schools We're represented, and all were so
excellent 1t is hard to say which was
best song by members of three
schools. christmas at Sea" by Miss
Payne's school and a duet by A. r. Rob-
inson and Mrs II. A. Waite. "Oh, Haste
on Swift Pinions." We're among the Sc
lections much enjoyed. The choir, with
Mrs. r, Roberts organist. sang several
times.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
WINDHAM,

The Holt family held a reunion at
George Hollis Saturday, Dec. "a.
Miss Elva Mack returned this week to
her school in South Londonderry
Lumbermen are anXiously waiting for
snow enough to make good shedding
Miss Winifred Chapman. who was taken
suddenly ill Saturday, is little better.
Miss Lucy Smith has been visiting her
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. j. Smith
Misses Mary and Helen Adams, who are
teaching in Athens, are expected home for
New Years.
a. S. Briggs of Springfield Mass. is
spending the Christmas vacation with his
mother, Mrs. NJ. NJ. Lamson.
The Christmas exercises at the church
Saturday evening were well attended At
ter speaking by the children there We're
several tableauX before the distribution
of the presents.
Glebe Mountain Grange held the an
nual election of officers Tuesday evening
as follows: Master, w. G. Adams: over
seer, j. w. Gould; lecturer, Mrs. Flora
Sawyer; secretary, II. L. Gould; treas
urer w. d. Bathric; steward, o. A. In
gals; assistant steward, Roscoe Ingalls,
gate keeper ID. ]. Frederick; chaplain,
L. b. Chapman; Ceres, Mrs. l.. b. Chap
man; Pomona, Mrs. A. L. Stone; Flora,
Mrs. Herbert Huntley; lady assistant
steward, Mrs. w. D. Bathric.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
MARLBORO.

Miss Mabel Hail was at home for Christ
mas.
Mrs. Henry Adams is spending a few
days in Claremont.
Miss Hattie Mathor is spending the
week with her parents.
Gerald Adams had Christmas tree in
his school Saturday afternoon. good
time was enjoyed by all
George Hamilton, a junior in Wesleyan
university. is spending his vacation with
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ham
ilton.
Mrs. Prentiss had a very pleasant gath
ering on the evening of the 23d. observing
Christmas in her school The exercises
consisted of speaking. singing and gifts
from the Christmas trees
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
DUN M ERSTON.

Mrs w. L. May is seriously ill.,
Miss Edith Dutton is at home for a two
weeks stay.
George Sheldon of Greenfield spent Sun
day in town.
Giles Reed is at home from Greenfield
for few days visit.
Alec Miller is spending part of his
Christmas vacation at his uncle's, Il. II.
Miller's.
Mrs Sprague did not return to open her
school in the north district on account of
illness in her family.
Miss Florence Miller and Miss Anna
Snyder of Mortified seminary are spend
ing the holidays at Miss Millers home.
Mrs. Sophia Craddock, who has been
visiting in Springfield, this state. the past
week. has returned to her sisters, Mrs
Benefits
Mr.. and Mrs. Jay Johnson of South
Vernon were with Mrs. Johnson's par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Hoyt Spaulding,
Christmas day.
Evening Star Grange will hold a special
meeting for the reports of officers and
the transaction of necessary business
Tuesday evening, Jan. 3.
The ladies' club will meet with Mrs.
J. ID. Reed Thursday afternoon, Jan. s.,
at $50 o'clock. The members are urged
to make a special effort to be present.
]. A. Miller is very enthusiastic over a
potato which he received as Christmas
present from his daughter. Mrs. Ernest
F. Piper of Pueblo. Colo. 1t weighs three
and one-half pounds.
About 60 persons, one-half of them chill
dren, met at the vestry Saturday and had
a merry time in the distribution of gifts
from a booth. Liberal provisions were
made in providing candy for the chill
dren.
The marriage of Miss Mary d. Miller,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry II. Miller
of this place, and Alexander C. Walker
of Farley, Iowa, took place at Bristol, Va,
Dec. "a, Rev. T. S. Russell, rector of
Emmanuel church performing the cere-
mony. The bride has taught in the South
and West, and at the time of her mar
riage was teaching in North Carolina.
Mr.. Walker is a son of DR.. Sewall Walker,
one of the early physicians of this place,
and is well known by old residents. In
his early life he began business in Farley,
Iowa, his present home.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
NEWFANE.

There will be a public installation of
Grange officers Monday evening, Jan. 2,
1905, at Union hall.
masquerade party will be held at
Union hall this, Friday, evening Specta
tors are invited. Masks will be removed
at the supper table.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. A. Carpenter received
word Saturday of the death of their
granddaughter, Louise, about seven
months old, daughter of Allison and An
ginette Bradeen of Somerville, Mass The
child had never been strong, and of late
had failed rapidly.
At recent meeting of the Newfane
Hotel company, incorporated In 1904, these
officers were elected: President, j. L..
Martin; secretary and treasurer, f. A..
Dewitt; auditor. G.. w. Shepardson; di-
rectors. j. l.. Martin, f. w. Underwood,
A. Grout, w. b. Park, n. +. Wheeler.
Other out of town shareholders besides the
first and last directors above named are
w. H. Goodnow of North Cambridge,
Mass, w. =. Eager of New York, f, l..
Fish of Vergennes and w. II. Newton of
Wallingford, Conn. The authorized cap
ital is $4,000.
The Moseler Safe company contractors,
have placed on the Windham County
Savings bank vault by their agent,
Mr. MARBLE of Boston, a four and one
DOORS the weight of both, with vestibule
frame being six tons. to replace the
parts blown off by the burglary of Aug. 8.
The new door has an automatic spring
opening device and time lock. a new
safe was previously placed in position in
side the vault Pending these repairs
Lewis Clapp has been night Waterman at
the bank since August
At the annual meeting of Birchard
Grand Army post the following officers
were elected: Commander. Col. \. b.
Franklin; senior and Junior vice-com-
manders d. 5. Balou and NJ K. Pratt
surgeon. w. G. Wright; officer of the day
l.. w. Bush chaplain, G. W. Parsons
officer of the guard II. II. Hobrooll; dele
gate to state encampment, II. H. Hol-
brook of Townshend; alternate, l.. w
Bush of Brookline. Following are the
officers of the Woman's Relief corps
President, Mrs Della Carpenter; senior
and junior vice presidents. Mrs. Stella
Franklin and Mrs Kate Wright: chap
lain. Mrs. Nellie Miles; conductor, Mrs
Anna Bush; secretary. Mrs Alice Pierce
treasurer, Mrs. Lovila Parsons; guard
Mrs. Phoebe A. Davis.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
A New Year.

Our other years have slipped away. as
slips the flower its sheath.
Once more with hands held out to grasp
a gift the Father sends
And give him thanks for length of days
for joy that comes with breath,
For home and books and happy work
for children and for friends
All in the midnight and the frost we sped
the old year out:
All In the dawnlight and the glow we
bid the new wear in,
The King Is dead, Long live the King!
it's aye the clamourous shout:
And ever It's with mirth and hope the
newborn reigns begin.
What yet may wait of care or grief to-
day We cannot tell
Another year, another start, another
chance To do
What lieth closest to our hand: God loves
us. all is well.
Dsdaining fear. we greet the year.
whose first white leaves are new.
Margaret +. Sangster
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
A. n. Sherman is i'll.

\. y. Sherman is ill.,
Sewall Hovey spent Christmas with his
mother in Fitchburg.
Minnie Hescock and Walter Tefts are
visiting in Greenfield.
George Houghton and Miss Amidon call
ed on friends here last week
Mr.. and Mrs. G. Il. Lamb are visiting
in Greenfield and Hoosac Tunnel.
The w. c. T. L. Will meet with Mrs
w. +. Wheeler Tuesday afternoon. Jan. 3.
Rev. George c. Perry will preach in the
Universalist church next Sunday morn
ing at 1l.45.
Douglas Malcolm of Harvard college and
Miss Flora Waterman OF Mortified are
visitors at f. II. Richardson's
Carrie Stedman and Frank Freyen-
hagen are visiting l.. ID. Stedman at
Gardner.
The Christmas exercises at the hall
Saturday night were well attended in spite
of the slippery travelling. Vocal selections
by both chors and the children were well
rendered and deserve much praise. es-
pecially those by the Williamsvile male
quartet Santa Claus appeared in time
to help unload the trees o ftheir burdens
and all went home with their arms full
of presents,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
JAMAICA.

Miss Nina Gleason is eat home.
Mrs. a. E. Shumway is i'll with qun-
sey sore throat.
Mrs. Z. A. Sprague has been at home
the past week.
The w. C. T. L. will meet next We'd
nesday with Mrs. Kellogg.
Halle Sprague is at home from Bur
lington for a two weeks vacation.
Bessie Boynton, who came Saturday
from Bellows Falls went back to her work
Wednesday.
Mrs. Addie Carpenter came last Friday
to spend several weeks with her mother,
Mrs. Betsey Boynton.
There will be meetings every evening
next week at the Baptist church. All are
invited to attend them.
c. f. Morgan will teach a singing
school, the first session to be held at the
town hall Saturday evening.
A correction of last weeks item should
be made. The receipts of the ladies' in
dustrial society's fair were nearly s24 in
stead of $3i
The Christmas cantata went off with
great enthusiasm Saturday evening and
the tree was laden with presents. Sew
eral people from Wardsboro and West
Townshend were in attendance.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
DUNN ERSTON HILL,

Hugh Betterly is spending the holidays
at home
Herbert Jillson has bought a horse pow
er feed grinder and will grind all kinds
of grain.
VIII Barbour and his sister, Miss Mabel,
and Miss Claire Kelsey of Mortified were
at ]. N. Betterley's Christmas.
Four inches of snow fell Monday and
the rain which came Tuesday froze to the
trees, and on Wednesday, with the sun
shining upon them they presented a
scene of wondrous beauty.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
WEST GUILEORp.

Mrs Alice Richmond will return this
week from Boston
Ethel Niles has finished her school in
Brattleboro and has returned to her home.
Miss Katherine Thomas of Boston is
spending the week at her fathers, r. b.
Thomass.
Mrs. II. l.. Nichols will leave today for
a weeks visit with relatives in Greenfield
and Springfield.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
GREEN RIVER,

Charles Booker began work Monday for
H. Stowe e. Son in the box shop.
Henry Lynde of Farley Mass, spent
Christmas with his brother, George Lynde.
Several from this place attended the
Christmas exercises at Hale Saturday eve
ming.
John Thompson of Greenfield spent
Christmas with his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
ID. NJ. Thompson.
Mrs. Alice Richmond is in Boston to
stay through the holidays with her
brother, c. t. Clisbee.
Miss Lena Reed came from Greenfield
Friday to remain over Christmas with
her mother, Mrs. S. j. Cutting.
Mr.. Ponds family, who came from
Gill Saturday, are now settled i'm their
new home in the west part of the village.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
Christmas Notes.

George Houghton, jr., is at home from
New York city for n holiday vacation.
Mr., Frazier has gone to his home in Am
sterdam,. n Y. Lottie Jones is visiting
her school friend, Lena Iandman. in
Londonderry, Ella Smith is at home
from the west village where she has
been some time Carrie Mason is at home
from Bellows Falls. Miss Christa NJ
Park is at home. Era Austin is spending
the holidays In Sandy Hill, y. Y. Mrs
Florence White has been at home from
Newfane. There was a family party at
dinner at A. A. Masons for Christmas
A. A. Blood and family partook of Christ
mas dinner in West Townshed at Frank
Blood's.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
Discovery of Anthracite Coal.

Anthracite coal was first discovered in
1891, and during the same year the BUSH
nessof marketing this new commodity was
started. Today it represents an industry
of wonderful proportions. It was in 1853
that Hostetter's Stomach Bitters was first
introduced to the public, and because 1t
contained true merit has progressed so
rapidly that for many years it has occu-
pied the first rank as a family medicine
1t positively cures sick headache, heart
burn, Indigestion dyspepsia, constipation,
biliousness, kidney ills chills, colds and
malaria. We urge all sickly men and
women to try it for it is we'll deserving Of
fair trial. For sale by all druggists and
general dealers. Apply to any Of them
for copy Of our 1905 Almanac 1t is
free and contains valuable information.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30

c. b. Switzer is boarding at w. b. How
ards.
Mrs. Switzer has gone to Brattleboro for
an extended visit.
f. A. Blood's mother and brothers spent
Christmas with him.
Mr., and Mrs. w. a. Lawrence are visit
ing their daughter in Farley, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Williams spent
Christmas with his father in Londonderry.
John Dompier had his five children all
at home for the Christmas dinner Mon
day.
The various committees on the Christ
mas tree exercises showed good work by
their program Monday night.
Pioneer lodge, l. %. G.. T., will hold
their usual Christmas tree enter tainment
on New Years eve a good program will
be given. Every one is invited who will
bring five cent present for the tree
Excitement prevailed Monday when the
cry of fire was heard and the church bell
was rung. The supposed fire was in John
Dompier's house, but 1t happened that the
chimney was clogged and the smoke came
into the attic and through the roof, giving
the appearance of house on fire.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
WEST DOVER.

Freeman Hager of Jacksonville visited
his sister, Mrs. j. A. Davis, last week.
Miss Viola Chamberlain, who has been
at White River Junction the past five
months, is at home for a visit.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Mcintyre of Monroe
Bridge are the guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
B. B. Collins.
Harold Mann of Wilmington is spend
ing a vacation with his grandparents
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-30
SOUTH WlNDHAM.

Christmas was observed by the Sunday
school Saturday evening.
Miss Efie Fisher came Friday from Put
ney, and remained until Monday.
Several of the children have been I'M
able to attend school the past week on
account of sickness.
Mr. and Mrs. Farwell, Mr. Barnes and
Clarence Jenison returned Tuesday from
Springfield, Mass, where they had been
to spend Christmas.