FALL FOR FUN, FUN FOR ALL MONKS' ANNUAL FESTIVAL DRAWS VISITORS FROM ACROSS SOUTHLAND.Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer VALYERMO - The tree-shaded grounds of St. Andrew's Abbey St. Andrew's Abbey is a Benedictine monastery of men located in Valyermo, California. In 1929, St. Andrew's Abbey in Bruges, Belgium founded St. Andrew's Priory in China. Until 1953, the monks of St. Andrew's Priory conducted missionary work among the Chinese. provided a nice haven on Saturday for the thousands of visitors to the 44th annual Fall Festival hosted by the Benedictine monks. Crowds filled the walkways, where food items including fresh peaches and homemade apple products were for sale, along with artwork by more than two dozen artisans. Cathy Maynor and her family came to the festival after seeing a poster in their market in Canyon Country. ``It's marvelous, it's wonderful,'' Maynor said as she stood in line to have the Rev. Maur van Doorslaer sign her ceramics. She bought ornaments for their Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. and ceramic decorations for their patio wall. ``We want to put angels on the patio,'' explained Maynor. Van Doorslaer has been creating ceramics for the abbey since 1965, and this year the Belgian monk has created a new ceramic piece of an angel with an American flag to commemorate the events of Sept. 11 - but it won't be ready until after Christmas. With a full packet of marking pens waiting on the table, van Doorslaer said he is prepared to sign ceramics for customers all day. ``When I sign (the firemen angels) my mind goes to Sept. 11,'' he said. The annual event at the abbey offers a variety of goods, along with fare from the Roast Beef Dinner House, the Tea Garden restaurant and Cafe Vincent, and the usual hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and ice cream. Over at the snow cone snow cone n. A confection made of crushed ice and flavored syrup inserted into a paper cone and mounded on top. stand the Anastazi family waited to get multicolored cones for 4-year-old twins Mary and Elizabeth Mary and Elizabeth the two pregnant women meet after many years and rejoice. [N.T.: Luke 1:39–56] See : Reunion . Katy and her husband, Jim, came from Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. to get information on the abbey's retreat and to try out the roast beef dinner. ``This is our first year. So far we love it,'' Katy said. ``It's just a nice place to take the kids.'' The family was taking a break from the kids' area, where Elizabeth said she really enjoyed the swings. ``I liked the choo-choo train,'' Mary said as she munched on her snow cone. Also in the children's play area is a petting zoo, hosted by the Littlerockers 4-H group, with geese, chickens, lambs, turkeys and a very large Belgian horse Belgian horse, one of the largest breeds of draft horses of pure European descent. It has a long history, antedating the Christian era, but became especially popular during the Middle Ages. In the 15th and 16th cent. . Other kids' activities include swings, slides, a train ride and a rock climbing rock climbing Sports medicine An 'extreme sport' in which the participant climbs rock formations, with or without ropes Injury risk Fractures, abrasions, death. See Extreme sports. tower. Morgan Keck v. i. 1. To heave or to retch, as in an effort to vomit. [ imp. & p. p. os> r>; p. pr. & vb. n. os> n. 1. An effort to vomit; queasiness. from the Valyermo Ranger Station was manning a booth with information for kids on fire safety and a bean bag game. He said Smokey Bear Smokey Bear is a fictional character of the longest running public service campaign in United States history. The character's mission is to raise public awareness to protect America's forests. is expected to patrol the festival all weekend. The abbey usually averages 30,000 visitors on a weekend and the Rev. Joseph Brennan Joseph Brennan may refer to:
``There's a wonderful spirit. Even since 9 a.m. the parking lot was already filling up,'' Brennan said. ``We're very excited, very excited.'' The festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Admission is free but there is a $4 fee for parking. For information call (661) 944-2178 or visit the Web site at www.valyermo.com. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Benedictine monks mingle with visitors at the St. Andrew's Abbey's 44th annual Fall Festival, which continues today. (2 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Virgil Messer, 8, of Norco does the rock climb, one of the attractions at the annual Fall Festival at St. Andrew's Abbey. (3 -- ran in AV edition only) Alexandra Jonassen, 3, of Lancaster enjoys a snow cone at the annual Fall Festival at St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo. (4) Ceramics are one of the more popular items at the annual Fall Festival at St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, hosted by the Benedictine monks. The festival continues today. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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