Unfettered Letters

Celebrate freedom with the Greeks

“Freedom or Death” is a slogan that both Americans and Greeks uttered in their respective revolutionary struggles. The two peoples also share an identity based on Western civilization, which started in ancient Greece. Thomas Jefferson called ancient Greece “the light which led ourselves out of Gothic darkness.”

The American people have been on the side of Greece since its War of Independence, starting in 1821. During that struggle, philhellenic committees were established at East Coast colleges to help the Greeks. Americans helped the Greeks fight for their freedom because of their connection to ancient Greek ideals and their Christian religion. Those committees are still a part of the fabric of American higher education today as fraternities and sororities.

The Greeks of 1821 had felt the weight of almost 400 years of Ottoman oppression and had enough. They longed to freely practice their religion and to freely educate their children in their own language.

Today is Greek Independence Day. It is a day of celebration not only for Greeks, but also for all freedom-loving people who strive for the dignity inherent in self-expression and self-determination.

Thimios Zaharopoulos
Shawnee

Message of love

We want you to have this Valentine’s Day message to share from your heart.

Hold the arm (or hand) of your sweetheart and say, “Here is a message for you.” Look into the eyes and squeeze gently three times. The message is, “I love you.”

The results are lasting, beautiful and wonderful.

Doug and Twila Sutherland
Raymore

Holiday spirit rings a bell

Several weeks ago I rang a Salvation Army bell in a prosperous shopping mall. People of all ages and walks of life dropped money into my red kettle. As I thanked each one, I began to have feelings of joy. Some people smiled shyly, others gruffly looked away and mumbled, “You’re welcome.” Others repeated my enthusiastic, “Merry Christmas.”

Children wanted to put something in the kettle. They pulled on their parents’ hands, pointing to the kettle. Sometimes I had to tip the kettle so they could reach it. Grandparents gave their grandchildren coins or bills. One little boy cried, “But I wanted bubble gum.” When I thanked him, he stopped crying and smiled.

Last year when I was bell-ringing, I thought of the Iraqi families experiencing terror and death and destruction. Tears came to my eyes as I realized how fortunate we are in the safety of our country.

Despite the noise of the mall, my small bell sent its Christmas message. People responded generously. As I left, I knew joy would remain in my heart until next year’s bell ringing. For those who heard the bell and gave, I hope some of the Christmas spirit stays with them also.

Nancy Cramer
Kansas City

Traditional carols

It was our pleasure to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary in a most memorable way. My wife, De, and I were engaged the weekend that President Kennedy was assassinated. We married a month later on Dec. 20.

On the evening of Dec. 20, we attended a music program by the Dickens Carolers at the Chestnut Fine Arts Center. This group of eight singers delivered a wonderful hour and a half program of Christmas music. We will always remember this event on a most memorable date.

In this day of “political correctness” it was nice to hear the traditional Christmas music of our growing-up years.

N. Richard Gehlback
Olathe

Powell Gardens poinsettia display

Like Linda Coon (12/31, Letters), we at Powell Gardens also wish Kansas City could have continued its traditional poinsettia display. But the city’s display did not move to Powell Gardens. The poinsettia exhibit that just wrapped up at Powell Gardens is one of six indoor conservatory exhibits offered throughout the year in our Visitor Education Center. These popular exhibits change with the seasons and are designed (and grown) by our own talented horticulture staff.

The conservatory next will be transformed into “The Fragrance Garden: A Journey for the Senses,” opening Saturday. This exhibit celebrates the unique aromas well-chosen plants can add to the garden, and visitors will be treated to “scent stations” ranging from spicy to balsamic to honeyed.

We hope Kansas City one day can bring back its poinsettia show. But in the meantime, we hope those looking for a burst of color in midwinter will visit Powell Gardens. Besides the conservatory exhibit, you can enjoy lunch at Cafe Thyme (Wednesday through Sunday), shop in Perennial Gifts and enjoy the inspiring architecture of the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel. Our winter admission fee of $6 helps keep the Gardens growing for the entire region to enjoy.

Eric Tschanz
Executive director, Powell Gardens
Kingsville, Mo.

Missing Swope Park’s poinsettia display

Several weeks ago I read in The Star that the poinsettia display that traditionally had been at Swope Park would be at Powell Gardens this year. I had mixed emotions about this.

If you have never been to the Swope Park greenhouse to see this fabulous display of poinsettias, then you have been missing something truly beautiful. I started going to see it several years ago, and it became a tradition each year. I did not know that there were so many different kinds of poinsettias, and the park people displayed them throughout the building with waterfalls, Christmas decorations, Christmas scenery and so much more.

What has upset me with having the display at Powell Gardens is that it is a longer drive for many people, plus it costs $7. It was free at the Swope Park greenhouse. Oh, did I mention, there was also free coffee and hot cider?

It was such a wonderful place for all ages to see something so beautiful and magical. I hope they rebuild the Swope Park greenhouse and bring it back to where it was.

Linda Coon
Kansas City

A holiday thank-you to Children’s Mercy

Special thanks and congratulations to CEO Randall O’Donnell and his staff and all volunteers of Children’s Mercy Hospital for delightful “Holiday Festival.”

This special event was held recently at Crown Center for staff and children of Children’s Mercy Hospital. What a joyous seasonal event as Borders Books donated books and games to all children and one parent in attendance.

There were also magic shows, face painting, arts and crafts, food and beverages and a special visit from Santa Claus, who posed with all for free color portrait.

How exciting to see all parents and children talking and eating together as one big family.

Thank you to all involved for a great holiday surprise and for spreading joy at this special time of year. It put us all in the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Joanna Stusse
and Mason Michael Stusse
Kansas City

The true meaning of Hanukkah

While Jews all over the world kindle lights on Hanukkah, as mentioned in recent articles in The Star, the lights on the eight-branched candelabra are but a symbol of a holiday with important historical and contemporary meaning.

In 165 BCE (BC) Ancient Israel Judea was ruled over by the Syrian Greeks. Many Jews were becoming Hellenized, straying from Jewish practice. The Syrian-Greek king, Antiochus IV, eventually forbade Jewish practice, occupied the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicated it to the Greek god Zeus.

For the priest Mattathias and his five sons, the king had gone too far. They formed a small army known as the Maccabees, and through guerrilla warfare were able to overcome the Syrian-Greeks, retake the Temple, and rededicate it to God. The word “Hanukkah” means dedication.

The holiday of Hanukkah commemorates a successful battle for religious freedom and the right of each person to openly observe the religion of his choice.

And the lights? A legend created by the sages of ancient times because of the danger for Jewish people, under foreign rule, of celebrating a military victory. Thus the lights became the symbol of the holiday we know as Hanukkah.

Rabbi Linda Steigman
Overland Park

Clap away the gloom?

Every Christmas time, TV has had numerous ads for “Chias” — those little figures that grow leaves. There’s also the ad with the old lady in bed clapping her hands to turn off the lights.

If wishes could come true, I would like to see a Chia sprout greenery one more time and, maybe, when the old lady clapped her hands, the bad news we hear every day would go away.

Marie Watson
Prairie Village

Decorating on a ‘budget?’

Just wanted to give you my thoughts about the article “Holiday decorating on a budget” (12/7, House + Home). Are you kidding me?

In today’s dire economic circumstances, with people losing their jobs, how can someone suggest that snow globes for $100 or sets of mercury glass ornaments for $29 to $49 are ways to “decorate on a budget?”

Mary Farnin
Overland Park