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Moravian custom of family putz on exhibit in Nazareth

Morning Call - Allentown, Pa. Author: ALYCE TEMPLETON Special to The Morning Call

Copyright Morning Call Dec 23, 2001

A representation of a Moravian Christmas custom, once reserved for family and special friends, is on display in the Whitefield House in Nazareth.

The exhibit, entitled "The Family Putz" and presented by the Moravian Historical Society, is an annual event much anticipated by families who enjoyed this rich holiday tradition.

Many local residents know of the Moravian putz, an elaborate miniature Nativity scene complete with lights, moss, and sometimes water.

The exhibit illustrates how the custom was practiced in the home, where the putz was built in a family parlor and kept hidden until Christmas Eve, when it was illuminated in the presence of the family. Between Christmas Day and Epiphany, families would go "putzing"-- going to the homes of friends to admire the different putzes and to enjoy fellowship and special Christmas treats.

The exhibit, assembled annually under the direction of Moravian Historical Society Executive Director Susan Dreydoppel and the society's curator, Mark Turdo, is on display through Jan. 9. A dozen family putzes, some from the past and some still in use, are represented in the exhibit through photographs, clippings, figures and scenery, a video, and actual complete putzes. The Whitefield House at 214 E. Center St., is open 1-4 p.m. daily except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Nazareth resident Ruth Bortell was honored as the Northampton County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Volunteer of the Year during a luncheon recently at St. John's United Church of Christ in Nazareth.

Bortell, a native of Reading and a graduate of Albright College with a major in home economics, became a home economist for Hershey Foods Corp., where she developed a chocolate cake recipe which appeared on the Hershey cocoa can. She and her husband, Tom, served as house parents for the Milton Hershey School.

After moving to Nazareth in 1971, Bortell became a substitute teacher for the Nazareth Area School District and a full-time home economics teacher.

Her exemplary volunteerism is an inspiration to all who know her. She is a member of the Nazareth Heritage Foundation, serving on its board of directors as treasurer, in addition to having served as vice president and president.

She volunteers with the Nazareth Visitors Center, the museum/ craft shop in Nazareth, Musikfest and Chriskindlemart and St. Johns UCC, where she is a member, as well as secretary to the Northampton County Extension Service board of directors.

While in California during the Christmas holidays each year visiting family, she lends her talents to the South Pasadena float for the Rose Bowl Parade.

Her volunteerism with the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees includes planning afternoon tours for the state convention in Hershey each year and serving on its community participation committee. Her extraordinary service to mankind made her the outstanding choice for the 2001 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Alyce Templeton is a free-lance writer. If you have information to share through this column, please write to: Alyce J. Templeton c/o The Morning Call, 400 Northampton St., Easton, Pa. 18042.

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