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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>These events will be happening this week in Parkersburg and Marietta. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Edwardian Script ITC";color:#4F6228'>Brenda Stetson<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#4F6228'>for Soul Connections Group</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#4F6228'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>7 to 9:00 pm <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>1400 Washington Ave, Parkersburg, WV </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>(corner of Latrobe St./Washington Ave.; </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>1st Christian Church Basement) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>Yule-Solstice Folklore (Open to the Public, but NOT child friendly)</span></u></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>(Chris Friend)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>Yule, one of the oldest known winter celebrations, is also known as Winter Solstice (northern hemisphere) or Summer Solstice (southern hemisphere). It signifies the longest night of our year, after which days begin to lengthen again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'> In pre-Christian times, fires were lit symbolizing heat, light and the return of the Sun with it’s life giving properties; the sun’s “rebirth” was joyfully celebrated. Yule logs were burned on hearths; herbs such as evergreen, holly, laurel and mistletoe might be found around the homes, along with decorations of red, green, gold, yellow or orange. Gifts were exchanged and foods such as cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, spiced cider and wassail were enjoyed at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'> Notice the similarity to some of our modern day celebrations at this time of year? Come learn about the origins of this winter festival and how it has been celebrated through the ages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>7 to 9:30 pm <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>232 Third St, Marietta, OH </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>(UU Church Basement) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>2016 Soul Connections Group Winter Holiday Potluck & White Elephant Gift Exchange <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'> <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>Bring a simple, easy food or snack to share<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>An item for the white elephant gift exchange <i>(this can be something you have around the house that you no longer want or even a gift you received previously but have no use for. If you want to purchase something, it should be an inexpensive item, no more than $10. Wrapping is optional.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>Feel free to wear your ugliest sweater—there might be a prize offered for the “winner”...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'>Open to the public. Love donations accepted to cover group operating costs and allow offering free events.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F6228'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>