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Message: [QUOTE="sutomcat, post: 2424078, member: 27"] [IMG]http://www.churchmousepress.com/images/jollyholly_main.jpg[/IMG] [B][FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=6][COLOR=#ff0000]Welcome to Holly Day![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [I][SIZE=3]Today celebrates holly, the evergreen plant long associated with [URL='https://www.checkiday.com/67a8f300a6be5b59c52cb0df8edcc495/christmas-day']Christmas[/URL], and used in wreaths, boughs, and other trimmings. Before being connected to Christmas, it had many other associations, and has been used as a winter decoration since ancient times. Holly was identified with [URL='https://www.checkiday.com/fe0eaf856243ba7aae05225e28fb0749/the-first-day-of-winter']winter solstice[/URL] festivals, which celebrated the lengthening of days. In Norse mythology it was associated with Thor, and was grown around the home as a way to prevent lightning strikes. It was used in the Roman festival of Saturnalia, dedicated to the planet Saturn, and the god of agriculture, creation, and time. The festival celebrated the darkest time of the year, but also the movement towards a time of sunshine and Spring. In ancient Gaul, Celtic people wore holly sprigs and wreaths as a way to ward off evil spirits. Holly historically represented new growth and eternal life, freshened the air, reminded people of the coming of Spring, and was believed to have magical properties.[/SIZE][/I] [B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=6][COLOR=#ff8000]SU News[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [IMG]http://image.cleveland.com/home/cleve-media/width960/img/sports/college_impact/photo/sean-lewisjpg-8e5a2ca01343b977.jpg[/IMG] [URL='http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2017/12/syracuse_sean_lewis_anticipate.html']Syracuse's Sean Lewis to be named Kent State's new head football coach[/URL] (Cleveland.com; Alexander) Sean Lewis, co-offensive coordinator at Syracuse, is expected to be named Kent State's next head football coach. No official announcement has been made, but a university source confirmed to The Plain Dealer that a press conference is being planned for Thursday at 1 p.m. If Lewis is indeed the man, he comes with a ringing endorsement. "He's too big for Kent State,'' Syracuse head coach Dino Babers said recently when Lewis was initially mentioned as a candidate for the job. If that is the case, then Kent athletic director Joel Nielsen's deliberate nearly one-month search to replace Paul Haynes could prove to be worth the time and effort. ... [URL='https://accsports.com/acc-news/football/what-to-expect-in-the-acc-with-the-early-signing-period/']What to expect in the ACC with the early signing period - ACCSports.com[/URL] (ACC sports.com; Powell) The new early signing period for Division I college football begins on Wednesday, Dec. 20, running through Friday, Dec. 22. How will the new change impact the way ACC coaches recruit, and how will it affect the players involved? For decades, college football fans and participants have been used to one major National Signing Day in early February. With few exceptions, only mid-year enrollees and some post-grad and JUCO transfers could sign in December. But with the new rules allowing all prospects to sign before the end of the calendar year, there will now be two major days – the first day of the December signing period, and the first day of the February signing period. [SIZE=3][B]Coaches approve[/B][/SIZE] College and high school coaches largely support the December early signing period. It will allow the college coaches more time and resources to recruit uncommitted prospects in the weeks leading up to the February signing period. Almost all of the players who made early decisions, and know where they want to go, can now complete the process before Christmas. ... [URL='http://www.roanoke.com/hokies/sports/football/in-the-region-acc-to-get-its-own-siriuxxm-channel/article_10563719-bfa1-54c8-a98f-07200662f362.html']In the region: ACC to get its own SiriusXM channel[/URL] (roanoketimes.com) SiriusXM Radio announced Monday it will give the ACC its own channel beginning early next year. The satellite radio company already has several channels that air play-by-play of ACC football and basketball games. But the new channel, SiriusXM ACC Radio (channel 371), will not only have play-by-play broadcasts but also its own exclusive shows, as well as simulcasts of coaches shows and news conferences. It will also air rebroadcasts of classic games. Sirius XM also announced Monday it will give the Pacific 12 its own channel next year. ... [B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=6][COLOR=#ff8000]Other[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [IMG]http://image.syracuse.com/home/syr-media/width960/img/news/photo/2017/12/18/blog-2012-09-20-dl-rail1jpg-93730b37d245d19a.jpg[/IMG] [URL='http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2017/12/cny_inland_port_cuomo_administration_reaffirms_commitment_to_dewitt_rail_yard.html#incart_river_home']CNY inland port: Cuomo administration reaffirms commitment to DeWitt rail yard[/URL] (PS; Knauss) New York transportation officials today responded to criticism of their decision to invest in enhanced container-handling facilities at the DeWitt rail yard, saying the project has already been delayed for too long. State Department of Transportation officials say the key to the project, at least initially, is lowering transportation costs, not building warehouses that would create jobs. They were responding to criticism from Rob Simpson, president of CenterState CEO, and Assemblyman Al Stirpe, D-Cicero, who faulted DOT for selecting a site without much room for warehouses. ... [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?