Year of the Ox: Prosperity through hard work and fortitude

Ceramic Ox from Pier 1, sold out when I checked on it Friday.

Monday begins the lunar New Year, 4706 in the Chinese calendar. This year is the Year of the Ox, in which the notion of prosperity through hard work and fortitude is celebrated.

Fitting, as Plainfielders and the nation face the toughest economic climate since the Great Depression of the 1930s. And fitting also in light of President Obama's call to all of us to join in the task of recapturing America's greatness.

The Lunar New Year, the highlight of the Chinese and Vietnamese calendars, is a fifteen day period of feasting and celebrations.

Links below give some background on the lunar calendar and feast as well as special foods, games and craft projects.

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• "Chinese New Year: Foods, decorations, taboos and superstitions"
• "Chinese New Year: About the celebration; fun, crafts and games for kids"
• "Chinese New Year, or 'Spring Festival'" | "Other Lunar New Year observances"
  

-- Dan Damon