Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
January 4, 2024 |Vol. 144 No. 1
“Nadolig Cymreig”—A Welsh Christmas Samaria is usually a calm and slow-paced town, though several times a year it becomes a busy center of activity. 2023 saw many visitors at annual events such as the Baby Animal Show and Renaissance Faire, Samaria Days, the Heritage Harvest Festival, school education days, and other calendar highlights. 2023 ended with the addition of what will hopefully become a tradition, the observance of Welsh holiday traditions related to both Christmas and New Year. “Nadolig Cymreig” means “Welsh Christmas,” and the Heritage Square in the middle of Samaria presented a series of decorated and interactive cabins introducing visitors to some of the traditions and customs from the old country. The historic cabins that create the perimeter of the historic square were set up as a series of learning and visiting stations, where volunteers were stationed to present the materials to those who made their way out into the seasonal cold. “Calennig” is a Welsh tradition somewhat similar to Trick or Treat in practice, though it has been associated specifically with New Year for hundreds of years. Donna Whipple explained the history of the tradition, and how to prepare an apple in the Welsh fashion. The apple is taken from house to house in the hopes of receiving small gifts and songs from neighbors during the New Year and Christmas time. Famed Welsh poet and fantasy writer Arthur Machen described the tradition this way in the biography “The Pleasant Lord of Gwent”: “When I was a boy in Caerleon-onUsk, the town children got the biggest and bravest and gayest apple they could find in the loft, deep in the dry bracken. They put bits of gold leaf upon it. They stuck raisins into it. They inserted into the apple little sprigs of box, and they delicately slit the ends of hazel-nuts, and so worked that the nuts appeared to grow from the ends of the holly leaves ... At last, three bits of stick were fixed into the base of the apple tripod-wise; and so it borne round from house to house; and the children got cakes and sweets, and-those were wild days, remember-small cups of ale.”
NEWS IN BRIEF Earthquake hits western Japan
On Monday, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the west coast of Japan, near the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa. Aftershocks and tremors were felt as far away as Russia, and tsunami alerts were issued around the Pacific. So far, 30 people have been confirmed dead, and many more missing. Recovery efforts are underway early Tuesday morning as the damage is surveyed. The town of Wajima is the most populous city affected by the quake, with nearly 30,000 people and many more in the surrounding areas.
New Years car collision investigated
The Andersons and Caroline Whipple enact the Mari Lywd tradition.
Cherrie Higley hands out wassail to vistors to the Nadolig Cymreig.
Luke Waldron demonstrates making a tin Welsh Christmas ornament.
While the concept of door to door visiting and caroling is not unusual to most of us, another related tradition might be a bit more unfamiliar. “Mari Lwyd” is a uniquely Welsh aspect of the Christmas tradition, involving a person costumed with an animal skull. The phrase “mari lwyd” is of unclear origin, as even expert native speaker linguists disagree on whether it derives from a connection to “Holy Mary” or “Grey Mare,” which are both possible derivations. The custom involves a group of singers going from house to house in the
countryside, knocking on doors and requesting entry through song. The homeowners would refuse the group entry with a song of their own, and the two groups would go back and forth until, usually, the group would be let inside for refreshment and continued song. The group would include costumes of different kinds, but always the mari lwyd itself, which is created by placing an often decorated horse’s WELSH CHRISTMAS On Page 2
Oneida County Welcomes First Baby of 2024 This year’s First Baby of the Year was a little earlier than expected, being born on press day, January 2 to Kelli and Jeremy McClellan. It shouldn’t have been as much of a surprise as it turned out to be, as last year’s first baby, Cedar Hill, was born exactly one year earlier on Jan 2, 2023. While Lainey Jo McClellan’s due date wasn’t until February, this little one just couldn’t wait to get started, and made her way into the world around 5:00 a.m. the day after New Year. Lainey Jo was born to parents Kelli and Jeremy McClellan. Her grandparents are Casey and Marla McClellan and Jeff and Natalie Smart. She joins brother Emmett (6), brother Stratton (4), and sister Laikyn (18 month). Since Lainey was born right in
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the middle of preparing this week’s paper, a full story catching up with Cedar Hill on her first birthday and introducing the world to Lainey Jo will run next week. Several Malad merchants are once again teaming up to shower the new first baby with gifts. Included in the list of 2024 sponsors are the following: CWC Video, Malad Drive In, Thomas Market, Do It Best Hess Lumber, Subway, Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital, K-C Oil & RV Park, NAPA Auto Parts Hess Truck Auto Ag, Central Service Sinclair, Allen Drug and Variety, Oneida Family Dental, Salt Creek Realty, Thomas Electric & Furniture, Edith's Collective, Northern Title Co. of Idaho and The Idaho Enterprise.
An odd car wreck early on New Year’s day in Rochester, New York is being investigated for possible terrorism, though the facts in the case are unclear. What is known is that a Ford Expedition rammed a Mistubishi Outlander that was exiting a parking garage. The Expedition was loaded with barrels of gasoline, and the resulting fire took over 30 minutes to extinguish. Two occupants of the Outlander died at the scene, and five additional people, as well as the driver of the Expedition, were transported to the hospital. The driver is in critical condition, so information is being gathered elsewhere in the meantime
Michigan and Washington on to Championship
The Washington Huskies and the Michigan Wolverines will be heading the College Football Championship game. In Monday’s two semifinals, No. 1 Michigan edged the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in overtime 27-20 in the Rose Bowl while No. 2 Washington defeated the No. 3 Texas Longhorns 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl. Michigan’s overtime victory in the Rose Bowl was only the second time in the bowl’s history it has ended in overtime. The Longhorns nearly completed a potential game winning touchdown pass on the last play of the game, but it was incomplete as the horn sounded. The Championship game will be broadcast on January 8.
Missing hunter recovered from Snake River
A number of local news outlets have reported that the body of 16 year old Jayden Jensen from Pocatello was recovered from the Snake river near the American Falls Reservoir. Jayden disappeared into the river while duck hunting with a group of friends in December. The harsh weather and low temperatures delayed the search, which is now officially concluded. Jayden’s body was located by an underwater drone which was donated anonymously for the search, and physically recovered by the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office.
Lainey Jo McClellan was born early on January 2. Welcome to Oneida County!
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE Obituaries..............................................Pg.2 Winter Art Show................................................Pg.10 Kids Scoop............................................Pg.7 Year End Photos...................................................Pg. 11 Looking Back........................................Pg.8 Sports................................................................Pg.11-12
Baylor Bean featured on EastIdahoNews.com
Regional news website EastIdahoNews.com featured a story on local student body vice president and three sport athlete Baylor Bean. Bean, who is a familiar face to anyone in Oenida County, is a great ambassador for the community. Congratulations on the much deserved recognition!