In our small ethnically1 Dutch2 town of Pella, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Sinterklaas Day3. In Holland it would be on December 6th but we celebrate4 it the Saturday after Thanksgiving so that grandchildren who come from out of town for Thanksgiving can stay and participate5.
Who was Sinterklaas? Let me tell you. A good man, Saint Nicholas6, (later known as Sinterklaas) lived from 271 to December 6, 342 AD in Myraa, Asia Minor7. He became the patron saint8 of fishermen and as a priest was known for good deeds9 all through the Mediterranean area10. He is the patron saint of Amsterdam11. As Dutch trade12 grew, so grew the tradition13 of Sinterklaas.
Traditionally, Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain and rides through the streets on a white horse. He is accompanied by a Moorish servant14, Piet, and many helpers. Sinterklaas listens at chimneys15 to check children’s behavior16. Wooden shoes17 are left by the fireplace18 with carrots or hay19 for the horse. Piet exchanges20 this for a small gift of candy.
Sinterklaas Eve21, December 5 and Sinterklaas Day, December 6, are days of festivity22 and merriment23. Sinterklaas parties consist of jokes, rhymes24 simple gifts, and lots of festive fun and laughter. Traditional spice cookies25, hot chocolate26, and Dutch donuts27 are served. Big pieces of Dutch chocolate in the shape of letters are also given.
In Pella there is usually a parade28 with Sinterklaas arriving on a big float29 made like a boat. Children dressed in Christmas costumes30 follow the float. Our eight year old granddaughter Cassie loves to come for the Sinterklaas festivities and did so again this year. Kim made her a costume for the parade, a snowman31 costume. She really looked cute in it. Unfortunately it was a very, very cold day so the people in charge cancelled32 the parade, saying it was too cold for little children to march33. Cassie was terribly disappointed but she got to wear her costume anyway to the breakfast party at 10:00. At the party we ate Dutch pastries34, which Cassie liked very much. Each person was also given a little pottery windmill35.
After the breakfast party we all walked to the Pella Opera House36, where there was a program of Dutch songs and a story. Then Sinterklaas read the name of each child there, announced37 a good deed38 the child had done (provided by parents or grandparents), and gave the child a big chocolate letter “S.” As we left the Opera House each child received a big spice cookie. Cassie and I had a wonderful morning, even though she was disappointed about the parade.
Notes:
1. ethnically: 在种族方面，就种族而言
2. Dutch: (of) people from the Netherlands, a western European country (荷兰人，荷兰人的).
3. Sinterklaas Day: the day in Holland in honor of Saint Nicholas (荷兰的圣尼古拉节).
4. celebrate: 庆祝
5. participate: be part of an activity or action, take part in an event (参加).
6. Saint Nicholas: the name of the patron saint who in the western tradition was known for his good deeds and kindness to children (圣尼古拉，是西方传说中的守护神，他对孩子非常仁慈，做了很多善事).
7. Asia Minor: the peninsular part of Asia between the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea, comprising an area now known as Turkey (小亚细亚，位于黑海，地中海和爱琴海之间，是土耳其所在地).
8. patron saint: the name given to the saint who is the “protector,” guardian or fatherly religious leader of a specific group of people (守护神).
9. good deeds: something good done by a person or group of people (善事，好事).
10. Mediterranean area: the land bordering on the Mediterranean Sea (地中海地区).
11. Amsterdam: an important sea port and commercial city of Holland (阿姆斯特丹，荷兰的海港和商业城市).
12. trade: commercial activity (贸易).
13. tradition: a practice based on a historical past event or an important activity (传统).
14. a Moorish servant: 摩尔人仆人。The word “Moorish” comes from the Moors, a group of Arabic people who were the conquerors of Spain and controlled the southern part of the country between the 8th and 15th centuries.
15. chimneys: 烟囱
16. behavior: 行为
17. wooden shoes: shoes made of wood which were characteristic of workers in Holland where dampness and mud were common in working places (荷兰木鞋，穿这种木鞋是荷兰工人的特色，因为那儿的工作场地潮湿多泥。).
18. fireplace: 壁炉
19. hay: the dried grass stem of plants such as wheat, alfalfa, etc. used for feeding animals.
20. exchanges: 更换
21. Eve: evening.
22. festivity: a joyful or gay activity (欢庆活动).
23. merriment: laughter, fun, and enjoyment (欢笑)..
24. rhymes: 押韵诗
25. spice cookies: traditional Dutch pastries made with traditional Dutch spices (香味小甜饼，用传统的荷兰香料做的传统荷兰糕点).
26. hot chocolate: a beverage made by mixing powdered chocolate with water or milk and usually heated and consumed in cold weather.
27. Dutch donuts: a round pastry with a hole in the center, cooked in hot oil and usually frosted with sugar (荷兰面圈，一种外面有一层糖霜的油炸面圈).
28. parade: a formal procession, usually well organized of people wishing to celebrate some important event (一种庆祝游行).
29. float: a decorative structure on wheels (彩车).
30. costumes: clothes that are typical of a particular place or period of time in the past (某地或某时期的典型服装).
31. snowman: 雪人
32. cancelled: deleted from a schedule, omitted, struck out or removed.
33. march: walk in a rhythm or pattern as in a parade or well organized procession (游行，行进).
34. pastries: sweet baked goods, often flavored with sweet coverings or fruit, and frequently eaten with coffee or tea (甜糕点，上面常常有一层甜的东西或水果，经常与咖啡或茶一起吃).
35. pottery windmill: a small replica of a windmill made of clay and glazed before heating to harden the clay and glaze (做纪念品用的小陶瓷风车房).
36. Pella Opera House: a building constructed in the late 19th century in Pella, Iowa, where the Dutch had settled and built a small town (派拉剧院，于19世纪晚期建在爱荷华州的派拉，派拉是荷兰人建立的小城镇，是他们的定居地。). It was recently renovated and serves as a place for performing musical and dramatic events for residents and tourists.
37. announced: said out loud, or voiced something (宣布).
38. good deed: an act of kindness or generosity; something done for another person without expecting pay for doing it (好事，善事).
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