Text Box: Text Box: This Month’s International Spotlight: Turkey Text Box: Jolly Ol’ St. Nick Text Box: V.O.I.C.E.S.! Voicing Our Interest, Concern, Enthusiasm and Spirit YMCA Community Outreach Services ESL Literacy Newsletter Text Box: Turkey ranks as one of the 50 largest countries in the entire world, which has over 237 nations. Text Box: Turkish Etiquette A respectful greeting to an elder in Turkey would consist of kissing the elder’s right hand, then placing your forehead on the hand. If you enter a room in Turkey, and for some reason you are not greeted, it is polite to greet the oldest person first. Text Box: Since the holidays are just around the corner , I thought it might be interesting to learn a bit about a Christmas tradition. Good Ol’ Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus as we know him, was born in the city of Patara, Turkey back in the 3rd century. He was labeled a true Saint due to his compassion for giving to the less fortunate, a cornerstone in his faith in Christ. Charity was his goal. There are many stories relating to children that he rescued, and the gifts that he might have given. However, the lasting effect was his kindness and giving to others. Apart from all the holiday hustle and bustle of finding the hottest commodity this year, let’s remember the reason behind that Americanized red suit and beard. Text Box: Issue No. 12, November 2007 The United Way LogoThe Y Logo