Town of Lebanon Seeks Residents Interested in Election Official Duties.

Residents of Lebanon
The Town of Lebanon is in need of

Election Officials

 

An Election Official is an appointed employee who attends Elections to work. The work performed can range from Registering People to Vote, Checking Residents into the voting place and helping to count election results. Election Officials should be enrolled in a qualified party (Democrat-Republican).

The work of Election Officials is extremely important and requires diligence as well as patience. These officials hold office for 2 years and may be asked to work any or all elections in that time period. Hours can range from a full election day to a shift of a few hours.

Lebanon has had a wonderful crew in the past and we hope to see some of those faces back however, there are vacant seats that need to be filled.

Interested parties are asked to submit a request for appointment to the Board of Selectmen or the Town Clerk on or before April 1st 2016. Our first Election of 2016 will be the Town Election with a Selectman seat up for grabs along with other vacancies. The Town will also vote on the School Budget that same day; May 10th from 6am-8pm.

Thank you for your important contribution to democracy.

 

 

Read more: http://www.lebanon-me.org/node/2021

Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule to Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

 

Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule to Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

Businesses will save $30 million in unemployment taxes next year

The Maine Department of Labor has released the 2016 Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Schedule. Rates will drop to the Schedule B level, the lowest rate since 2009. This drop represents an approximate 21 percent decrease in unemployment taxes paid per employee.

The 2016 Rates per $1,000 paid an employee

• Minimum rate will be 0.57 percent
• The maximum rate is 5.40 percent
• The average rate, which is also the new employer rate, will be 2.04 percent.

Examples:

• Employers paying the minimum rate will see an annual decrease of $20.40 in taxes per employee paid at least $12,000 in wages.
• Employers paying the average rate will see a decrease of $67.20 per employee.
• Employers paying the maximum rate will see a decrease of $175.20 per employee.

Employers should receive their individual 2016 rate notices in mid-to-late December. Employers with questions about their 2015 or 2016 unemployment contributions should visit the department’s webpage on unemployment taxes at http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/tax.html or call (207) 621-5120.

State Officials Continue to Warn About Phoney IRS Telephone Scams, and Give Pointers on How to Identify Telephone Scams!

State Officials Issue Warning about Phony IRS Calls, and Offer Free Anti-Scam Publications

12/09/2015 12:26 PM EST

Maine's Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (www.maine.gov.pfr) is warning about a scam making its rounds again, just in time for the holiday season.

The Bureau has received multiple reports from consumers in Washington, Aroostook and Kennebec Counties about phony calls from scammers posing as IRS agents, demanding payment immediately to avoid arrest and jail time. The Bureau's Principal Examiner, David Leach, outlined several recent cases:

-- A Pittston man reported his household received a call from a man saying he was an IRS agent, stating his family was in danger of imminent arrest unless money was wired to him the same afternoon.

-- An Aroostook county woman reported a caller saying she was working for the IRS and there was a pending federal lawsuit against her, and the only way it could be stopped was for her to send money that day.

-- A Washington County man stated a neighbor had sent money to a caller purporting to be an IRS agent to settle a tax obligation and avoid a federal action, and later learned he had been scammed, and the money sent was lost.

"Governmental tax agencies will not call consumers and demand immediate payment of overdue taxes," Leach said. "Maine citizens are reporting the same approach by scammers. The calls were their first notice of owing supposedly overdue taxes, and in each case, because it was a scam, no monies were actually due. Legitimate authorities will start their communications with correspondence on agency letterhead, sent from an actual government office, while scammers do not operate in this manner."

Leach noted that scammers typically attempt to scare potential victims into writing funds immediately using such money transmission options such as Western Union, Money Gram or a Green Dot Card. Once the money is wired and received by crooks, it's generally gone for good. The Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection offers the following guidelines:

-- Never send money for alleged overdue taxes in response to a single call from someone claiming to be working for a taxation authority. This is especially true when the caller threatens arrest unless funds are sent by money transmitters or prepaid cash cards.

-- Never disclose personal information such as Social Security number, date of birth, credit card or bank account numbers to unknown callers; this could lead to identity theft.

-- If the caller claims to be from a federal agency like the IRS, ask for the exact name of that agency, the agency's physical address, and the supervisor's direct dial (not an 800 number). If the caller claims to be in Washington DC, the number should have an area code of 202. When in doubt, locate the actual number of the tax authority and call to determine if you are the subject of an overdue tax bill.

-- Report suspicious activity to the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, 1-800-332-8529, or to an IRS office, or a federal law enforcement office in Maine or Boston.

Additional information about the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection and its resources, including its free (to Maine residents) anti-scam titled Gone Phishing, is available by calling the Bureau or online at www.Credit.Maine.gov.

2,200 Moose Harvested in 2015 Maine Moose Hunt, an 80% Success Rate of 2,740 Permits.

Preliminary Moose Hunt Numbers Are Up For 2015

 

 

 

 AUGUSTA, Maine -- With the preliminary numbers in, it looks as though moose hunters were more successful in 2015 than in 2014, and Maine's moose population looks healthy.
"We had a number of moose that weighed in excess of 1,000 pounds,” said Kantar.  “The moose we examined looked very healthy, with good percentage of body fat stored for the winter.
Approximately 2,200 hunters harvested a moose in 2015, an 80% success rate for the 2,740 permits issued. This is up from 2014, when 2,022 of 3,095 hunters were successful for a 65% success rate. With approximately 12% fewer permits issued in 2015 than 2014, approximately 180 more moose hunters were successful in 2015.
“The numbers are still preliminary, but it looks as though better hunting weather, later seasons and fewer permits all contributed to a higher success rate for moose hunters,” said Lee Kantar, moose biologist for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Maine’s moose hunt is designed to manage the moose population. By modifying the number and type of moose permits available to hunters, the department can manage the moose population in order to provide for hunting and viewing opportunities, maintain a healthy moose population, and limit the number of moose/vehicle accidents.
The moose hunt also provides thousands of pounds of wild game meat that is high in nutrition, sustainable, free range, and organic. On average, an 850-pound field dressed moose will provide over 450 pounds of meat.
“Hunting in Maine is a tradition,” said IFW wildlife division director Judy Camuso, “Not only does it help us manage healthy wildlife populations, but it also provides organic, free-range protein to thousands of families in Maine and beyond.”
The preliminary harvest results are calculated through biological data collected at moose registration stations during the September, October and November moose hunt seasons.
“Each year at moose registration stations, we examine over 90 percent of the moose that are harvested. By comparing the data to years past, we can get a fairly accurate estimate of how many hunters were successful,” said Kantar, who added that a final harvest number on the moose hunt would be completed by the end of January.
Moose hunting in Maine continues to be extremely popular, with over 52,374 hunters applying to the moose lottery for a chance to hunt moose.

Governor Paul LePage Moves Ahead with Hiring New Maine Drug Enforcement Agents as Promised.

Governor Takes Action to Address Maine's Heroin Crisis

12/09/2015 12:51 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage today took action signing a financial order to authorize the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to hire 10 drug agents to help combat Maine's drug pandemic.

Please see the attached letter attached letter and financial order  delivered Wednesday to Senate President Michael Thibodeau and Legislative leadership.

Dog Licensing Due by January 31, 2016...Online Options Available

Online Dog Licensing Now Available

All license renewals must be completed by January 31, 2016

AUGUSTA, Maine – December 10, 2015 – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Animal Welfare Program would like to remind citizens that all dog licenses need to be renewed by January 31, 2016. In order to streamline the licensing process, the agency offers an online service to complete this transaction. Online Dog Licensing (www.maine.gov/online/dog_license/) was created in partnership with InforME, the state’s eGovernment service provider, and currently has over 110 participating municipalities. The service provides citizens in these municipalities with the opportunity to purchase new licenses and file renewals. 

The online service is available to the public each year between October 15 and January 31. During this time, an individual can request a new license for their dog or renew an existing license with their municipality. In order to complete the licensing process, customers will need to supply veterinarian and vaccination information. If a customer is renewing an existing license, they will also need to enter their dog’s current tag number.

Funds received through the dog licensing program are used to support numerous good causes throughout Maine, such as: 

• Investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws
• Compliance with rabies vaccination of dogs
• Care for sick and injured stray animals
• Return of lost dogs to their owners

Online Dog Licensing is just one of the many local government services now available through Maine.gov. For more information about this service, contact the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry at 207-287-3846 or by email at animal.welfare@maine.gov.

Maine Department of Agriculture Prepares for Impending Outbreak of Spruce Budworm

Maine prepares for impending outbreak of spruce budworm

12/11/2015 10:58 AM EST

 AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) today released its 2015 report on spruce budworm in Maine. Entomologists from the DACF's Maine Forest Service note a steady rise in the numbers of insects caught in pheromone traps concentrated along the Canadian border. Quebec's infestation now encompasses 15.6 million acres and has spread south onto the Gaspe Peninsula and toward Maine. The insect's potential to become an outbreak over vast regions of commercially valuable spruce-fir forests has scientists and public official deeply concerned. An infestation can spread rapidly via moths migrating to new areas.

"The total economic impact of Maine's forest industry is $8 billion with direct and indirect employment of 38,789 workers," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Fighting destructive pests like the spruce budworm is important to help protect Maine jobs and our economy. It is important that Maine's forest professionals identified the potential threat early on, are on top of recent developments and are preparing action steps to help minimize the damage from a future budworm outbreak."

Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed the DACF has been busy tracking the budworm by expanding the program used to determine its potential spread and impact.

"Permanent pheromone traps have been run annually for the past twenty years," said Whitcomb. "In light of the serious nature of the current potential threat to Maine forests, we significantly expanded our monitoring program last year. We are also working closely with stakeholders on a response plan to help minimize damage to our spruce-fir forests in the event of a major outbreak."

The report, Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) in Maine 2015, can be accessed online at: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/documents/2015sbwreport.pdf

**Maine's Response:**

Because the last spruce budworm outbreak during the 1970s-80s grew quickly, killed millions of acres of spruce-fir stands, and cost the region's economy many hundreds of millions of dollars, the Maine Spruce Budworm Task Force was formed in summer 2013 by the University of Maine's Cooperative Forest Research Unit (CFRU), Maine Forest Service (MFS), and the Maine Forest Products Council (MFPC) to begin the process of preparing for the next outbreak of the eastern spruce budworm.

Task teams including more than 65 experts on various aspects of the issue were assembled to address key aspects of the coming outbreak, including: wood supply & economic impacts; monitoring & protection; forest management; policy, regulatory and funding; wildlife habitat; public communications & outreach; and research priorities. Their pending report (which is in final drafting stages) includes an initial risk assessment of the coming spruce budworm outbreak and provides key recommendations for how Maine's forestry community can begin preparing for and responding to the coming outbreak.

 **Spruce Budworm:**

The native spruce budworm has long been recognized as a regular component of Maine's spruce-fir forests. Under normal (endemic) conditions populations of this insect are often so low as to be difficult to detect. Periodically, however, the budworm undergoes a population explosion (epidemic) and becomes so abundant that serious feeding damage occurs. Heavily infested stands appear reddish in July due to masses of dead, chewed needles clinging to the branches. Tree mortality may occur after several years of heavy feeding.

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dacf

AG Mills Shares Safe Shopping Tips for Families

12/11/2015 03:36 PM EST

AUGUSTA - Attorney General Janet T. Mills wishes to share information and resources to ensure that the brightly wrapped gifts being exchanged this holiday season contain no unwanted surprises and to remind families to set ground rules for the proper and safe enjoyment of digital devices year-round.

"There is nothing like seeing the joy of a child opening a gift," said Attorney General Mills. "But if that gift is a digital device, parents should be thinking now about how to most appropriately use that gift in the months to come. Ask yourself if your child should have 24/7 access to the internet and how you can establish clear, consistent rules for the use of these devices in your home. Review with your child what information they can share on social media and reinforce how quickly private' information and photos can become public. Remind them that the golden rule' also applies to their online behavior - they need to treat others with respect online."

Once families decide to purchase a gaming device, tablet, computer or smart phone, it can be difficult for parents to keep up with the rapidly evolving array of games, websites and apps that appeal to young people. Parents should review and monitor what sites and apps their child uses to ensure they are age appropriate. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB.org), the non-profit organization that assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps, offers a list of helpful tips for parents who want to ensure they make the right choices for their families, from fulfilling their kids' wish lists to ensuring their playing time is appropriately managed and safe. Local retailers are well versed in the ratings system and can provide advice at the point of sale.

"We are pleased that organizations like the Entertainment Safety Rating Board assigns age and content ratings to video games and mobile apps to help Mainers make the right choices for their families. We are glad that Attorney General Mills is helping spread the word to promote safe shopping this holiday season," stated Curtis Picard, executive director of the Retail Association of Maine.

There are websites that can help parents and children learn about the best games and apps for them and how to learn about smart online behaviors. Parents can also review their individual device to install settings that limit the content available.

OnGuardOnline.gov offers tips to parents and has information for other adults as well. ESRB.org assigns age and content ratings for games and mobile apps and has information and tips to help parents strike the right balance for kids between time spent with the game or app and time spent with the family, school work, extracurricular activities and other interests. CommonSenseMedia.org reviews apps, beyond the ESRB ratings, to help you determine if the app is right for your child. NetSmartzKids.org helps to educate your child about what information about themselves or their families can be shared on social media and how to prevent cyberbullying. SafeSurfingKids.com has a model contract' so that parents and kids know the rules governing their device use and online behavior ahead of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics has established guidelines for appropriate limits on screen time and access to media for children. Between school work, entertainment and ever present smartphones, kids are exposed to much more screen time now than ever before. Parents should be mindful of how much of their child's time is spent looking a screen.

"People should also consider the safety and age-appropriateness of traditional gift items for children," said Attorney General Mills. "Most toys have a recommended age on the package because it may contain small parts that pose a choking danger to a small child who puts items in their mouths. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has a website with recalled children's products - everything from cribs and car seats to pajamas and toys. It pays to stay apprised of items that may have high lead levels or other hidden dangers."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC.gov) offers these three pieces of advice to holiday shoppers: 1. Choose age appropriate toys by reading the age label on the toy. For children younger than 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking. In particular avoid deflated or broken balloons, small parts or small balls. 2. Scooters and other riding toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times and they should be sized to fit. Avoid riding a scooter on a street or roadway with other motor vehicles. 3. Magnets - Children's magnetic toys are covered by a strong safety standard that prevents magnets from being swallowed. High-powered magnet sets, which are covered by a mandatory standard, also have small magnets that are dangerous and should be kept away from children. Whether marketed for children or adults, building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.

"However you celebrate, I hope this season is filled with joy," said Attorney General Mills. "Taking a little extra time now to think about some of the responsibilities that come with giving a child an electronic device will ensure these gifts continue to deliver that joy for many months to come."

I'D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida....Merry Christmas from the Palestine Territories

Christmas in the Palestine Territories

 

Christmas is very important in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank as it contains Bethlehem, the town in which Jesus was born. Bethlehem is about six miles (10 kilometers) south of Jerusalem (which is in Israel). Bethlehem means 'house of bread' and back in history was famous for growing wheat for making into bread.
Only about 20% of Palestinians are Christian, but many Muslim Palestinians are also proud that Jesus was born in a Palestinian Territory!
On Christmas Eve there is a parade through the town. This is very important to the Christian part of the population. There are bagpipe bands in the parade, which you might not expect! Playing the bagpipes is a tradition left over from when the British army occupied the area between 1920 and 1948.

People also dress up as Santa Claus and give out sweets. The streets and main square are decorated with lights.

Perhaps the most famous part of Christmas in Bethlehem is the church service of the Mass of the Nativity. It is held on Christmas Eve afternoon/evening/midnight in the Church of the Nativity. The Church is built over the place where it's traditionally thought that Jesus was born. There's a small door into the Church called the door of humility. The church was built, by the romans, about 500 years after Jesus was born.

The most holy part of the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, which is under the main altar. A silver star marks the place where Jesus is said to have been born.

It had been prophesied in the Bible that the Jewish Messiah or Savior (who Christians believe Jesus is) would be born in Bethlehem.
The Church is administered by three churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Mass service is led by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Jerusalem. Many local political people go to the service, Christians, Muslims and Jews. The church is crowded and lots of frankincense, one of the gifts bought to the baby Jesus, is burnt. People also sing Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve evening in Manger Square, a large paved courtyard in front of the Church.
The Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches don't celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but rather January 6th & 7th. They hold services on those days.

The main celebration of Christmas in Palestine centers around a special meal. Although what is cooked varies from family to family and from year to year, what remains unchanged in the meal is the red meat, and lamb in particular. What really distinguishes festivities in Palestine, Christmas being one of the most important of them, besides the lamb is the value of the dish, the scarcity of the cooked ingredients, and the time consumed in its preparation and cooking.
Feasts in Palestine are also recognized by the high consumption of sweets, such as Kunafeh and Katayef. Fortunately for the Christians this year, Christmas coincides with the month of Ramadan, during which it is possible to buy Katayef from special shops that operate only during the month of Ramadan. Dried fruits, such as dates, apricots, raisins and prunes are popular during feasts. They are used for nibbling along with nuts, for cooking and for making drinks. Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, pine nuts and pistachios, are also feast items. They are used for the preparation of dips, for stuffing meats, vegetables and Katayef, and for sprinkling over rice and drinks.

Katayef: (stuffed pancakes)

Pancakes:
8 cups water

4 cups farina (smeed) or 4 cups cream of wheat

1 cup flour

¹⁄₄ ounce yeast

1 dash salt

¹⁄₄ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup rendered butter

2 cups thin syrup (attar)

 

Stuffing:

6 cups walnuts, chopped

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¹⁄₂ teaspoon nutmeg

¹⁄₂ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons rendered butter

 

Mix all stuffing ingredients and set aside.

Mix smeed, flour, and salt.

Place warm water in an electric mixing bowl (I use my blender). While mixing on high speed, add the smeed mixture gradually to form a thin pancake mix.

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup of water and a dash of sugar. Add to pancake mixture, and mix for 1 more minute. Set aside for 40 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes (so the water won't separate from smeed to avoid a lumpy mixture).

Add the baking soda and keep stirring. When the dough bubbles, it is ready to be baked.

Use an electric frying pan set at 450 degrees (I use one of those flat frying pans, for pancakes, but I do believe any nonstick frying pan should work).

Pour 1/4 cup dough and cook like a pancake, on one side only. Remove from fire when pores form on the surface on each cake. Place the pancakes on a smooth surfaced towel until they cool.

Fill each pancake with the nut mixture (I place one spoonful of the mixture in the middle of the pancake).

Fold by pressing edges together to make a semi-circle. Pinch the edges firmly to close. Brush each on both sides with warm butter.

Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees in a preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until light gold.

Remove from oven and dip in cold syrup (Thin Attar).

Makes about 35 pieces. Enjoy!

Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Merry Christmas from the African nation of Ethiopia!! Christmas Around the World

Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Merry Christmas from the African nation of Ethiopia!!

Ethiopia (and especially the Ethiopian Orthodox Church) still use the old Julian calendar, so they celebrate Christmas on January 7th, not December 25th! The Christmas celebration in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is called Ganna. Most people go to Church on Christmas day.
Many people fast (don't eat anything) on Christmas Eve (January 6th). At dawn on the morning of Ganna, people get dressed in white. Most people wear a traditional garment called a shamma. It's a thin white cotton piece of cloth with brightly colored stripes across the ends. It's worn like a toga. If you live in a big town or city you might wear 'western' clothes.

The early Ganna mass starts at 4.00am!
The Ethiopian capital city is Addis Ababa. It's a modern city. Most people who live outside big cities live in round house made of mud-plastered walls which have thatched cone-shaped roofs. Sometimes houses in the country are rectangular and made of stone.
The design of Ethiopian Church is similar to the houses. In the country, they are often very old and have been carved out of rock. In cities, modern churches are built in three circles, each within the others.

The choir sings from the outer circle. Everyone who goes to church for the Ganna celebrations is given a candle. The people walk around the church three times in a solemn procession, holding the candles. They then go to the second circle to stand during the service. The men and boys are separated from the women and girls. The center circle is the most important and holy place in the church and is where the priest serves the Holy Communion or mass.
It's also a tradition that one of the Wise Men who visited Jesus came from Ethiopia.
Around the time of Ganna, the men and boys play a game that is also called ganna. It's played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball, a bit like hockey.

Ethiopian men also play a sport called yeferas guks. It's played on horseback and the men throw ceremonial lances at each other (sounds rather dangerous!).

People don't give and receive present during Ganna. Sometimes children might be given a small gift of some clothes from their family members. It's more a time for going to church, eating lots and playing games!
In Ethiopia, in the Amharic language, Father Christmas or Santa Claus is called 'Yágena Abãt' which means 'Christmas Father'.


Traditional Christmas foods in Ethiopia include 'wat' which is a thick and spicy stew that contains meat, vegetables and sometimes eggs (sounds yummy!). Wat is eaten on a 'plate of injera' - a flat bread. Pieces of the injera are used as an edible spoon to scoop up the wat.

For the Doro Wat:

• 3 pounds boneless chicken, breasts and thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1/3 cup hot smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons fenugreek seeds
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 lime, juiced

 

Place all the ingredients, minus the lime juice, in a slow cooker and cover. Cook for 4-6 hours--depending on your slow cooker settings--until the chicken is tender. Then mash the chicken to shreds with a potato masher (or the bottom of a ladle.) Stir in the lime juice and keep warm.

 

 

 

For the Injera Recipe:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups club soda
• 1 cup white or rice vinegar
• Oil for pan

 

 

In a large bowl, mix both flours, salt and baking soda together. Whisk in the club soda until smooth. Then add the vinegar and whisk. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour oil on a paper towel and wipe the skillet with the oiled paper towel.

Using a scoop, pour batter into the skillet creating a 6 inch circle. Carefully swirl the pan around to thin out the batter until it measures 8-9 inches across.

Cook for 1 minute, then using a large spatula, flip the Injera over and cook another minute. Remove from the skillet and stack on a plate. Repeat with remaining batter. The Injera will seem slightly crisp in the pan, but will soften immediately when placed on the plate.

Once finished cooking the Injera. Cut the circles in half with a pizza cutter, roll into tubes and stack. Keep warm until ready to serve. Serve the Doro Wat and Injera together, tearing piece of Injera and using it to pick up the Doro Wat.

Literary Advent Calendar 2015.... Day 11

The "Huron Carol" (or "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime") is a Canadian Christmas hymn (Canada's oldest Christmas song), written probably in 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, in Canada.^[1]
Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people; the song's original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, he is born"). The song's melody is based on a traditional French folk song, "Une Jeun Pucelle" ("A Young Maid").

The well-known English lyrics were written in 1926 by Jesse Edgar Middleton, and the copyright to these lyrics was held by The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, but entered the public domain in 2011.
The English version of the hymn uses imagery familiar in the early 20th century, in place of the traditional Nativity story. This version is derived from Brébeuf's original song and Huron religious concepts.
In the English version, Jesus is born in a "lodge of broken bark" and wrapped in a "robe of rabbit skin". He is surrounded by hunters instead of shepherds, and the Magi are portrayed as "chiefs from afar" who bring him "fox and beaver pelts" instead of the more familiar gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The English translation uses a traditional Algonquian name, Gitchi Manitou, for God, which is not in the original Wyandot version. The original lyrics are now sometimes modified to use imagery accessible to Christians who are not familiar with Native Canadian cultures.
The song remains a common Christmas hymn in Canadian churches of many Christian denominations. It is also found in several American hymnals, including The Hymnal 1982 of The Episcopal Church (#114), The United Methodist Hymnal (#244) and Evangelical Lutheran Worship (#284).
Because the melody spans a modest range, it is ideally suited to instruments that have a limited pitch range, such as the Native American Flute.
First, we will share the words in the traditional language of the Wyandote,  and then in English.

Jesous Ahatonhia

The original words of the carol in the Wyandot language (Huron).

Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia
O na wateh wado:kwi nonnwa 'ndasqua entai
ehnau sherskwa trivota nonnwa 'ndi yaun rashata
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Ayoki onki hm-ashe eran yayeh raunnaun
yauntaun kanntatya hm-deh 'ndyaun sehnsatoa ronnyaun
Waria hnawakweh tond Yosehf sataunn haronnyaun
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Asheh kaunnta horraskwa deh ha tirri gwames
Tishyaun ayau ha'ndeh ta aun hwa ashya a ha trreh
aundata:kwa Tishyaun yayaun yaun n-dehta
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Dau yishyeh sta atyaun errdautau 'ndi Yisus
avwa tateh dn-deh Tishyaun stanshi teya wennyau
aha yaunna torrehntehn yataun katsyaun skehnn
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Eyeh kwata tehnaunnte aheh kwashyehn ayehn
kiyeh kwanaun aukwayaun dehtsaun we 'ndeh adeh
tarrya diskwann aunkwe yishyehr eya ke naun sta
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.


To hear this beautiful carol in the original Wyandote language, and in English, click HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP_oDjUm1Bo

 

Jesus He is Born

English

The 1926 English version by Jesse Edgar Middleton.

'Twas in the moon of winter-time
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wandering hunters heard the hymn:
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapp'd His beauty round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high...
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory
On the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free,
O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heaven
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."