Start of tsunami anniversary marked with quiet tributes
In Phuket mourners prayed by the ocean as Christmas lights shimmered on a Thai beach. The Moken sea gypsy tribe held a drums and incense ceremony to ward off ill omens. Officials assess a year since the 9.0 earthquake spawned waves that killed or disappeared up to 223,000 people across 12 nations. Relief efforts include housing, seeds, and boats, yet camps remain crowded and aid disputes hinder progress in Sri Lanka. Survivors describe ongoing hardship and loneliness after the disaster.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phuket
Thailand
Indian Ocean
Moken Sea
Sri Lanka
Aceh
Sumatra
Malaysia
East Africa
Indonesia
Maldives
Associated Press
United Nations
U.N
Nila
Bang Niang
Pilgrims gather for Benedict XVI first Christmas service
Pilgrims tourists and Romans filled St Peter's Square for Pope Benedict XVI s first Christmas service since his election. He lit a candle in his studio window and a large creche scene highlighted poor conditions. Cardinal Szoka spoke of the Nativity display and the upcoming Midnight Mass and Urbi et Orbi blessing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vatican City
St. Peter’s Square
Benedict XVI
Benedict
John Paul II
Edmond Szoka
Jesus
God
St. Peter’s Basilica
John Paul
Holidays Work Keeps Bluefield Heroes On Duty
Workers across Bluefield echo the same message as Christmas nears one truth remains: holidays are just another day for those on the front lines. Patrolman McPherson and Officer Palmer note the need to be present, while hospital staff stress patient care over personal celebration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beggs
M.D. McPherson
Bluefield
McPherson
A.B. Palmer
Tara Miller
Bluefield Regional Medical Center
E.R
Karen Wasilewski
Wasilewski
Czarnik
Wczarnik
Bottonline
Christmas in Raysal Coal Camp Town Memory
This reminiscence recalls a coal camp life at Raysal with a company store packed for Christmas. The narrator recalls the store, toy loft, and holiday lights, and describes a child’s surprise wagon and a Santa visit during a mid 1930s parade with a sleigh and reindeer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Raysal
New York
Jim
Christmas memories from Mercy County church and small town gifts
A collection of personal memories from Mercer County Windmill Gap to Abbs Valley and Mt. Airy about church Christmas play customs, brown bag fruit gifts, Santa coal fear, chrome Mylar trees, powder scented feet, and village donations from Alton and Maude Douglas. Narratives span the 1960s with family bonds, neighbors, and enduring holiday traditions. Delores Hall Weese, Cathy Harless Whitt contribute recollections.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mercer County
Windmill Gap
McComas
Alice (Bowman) Taylor
Chuck Terry Jr
Princeton
Douglas Sporting Goods
Alton
Maude Douglas
Delores Hall Weese
Alton and
Santa Claus
Abbs Valley
Cathy Harless Whitt
Mt. Airy, N.C
Also Mentioned on This Page
LYS
India
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Bay of Bengal
Port Blair
Andamar
Andame
BANC
Nicobar
WSU
INDO
Ann m
Ources
Esri
Vatican
Pope Benedict XVI
Austria
A-1
A-6
Santa
Greg Pruitt
Mom
Old St. Nick
East River Mountain
Brnury
Firstcentury.com
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!