By Coggin Herringa
Winter Solstice occurs at the exact same instant everywhere on planet earth. At Crossroads at Big Creek (and the rest of our Central time zone), that instant in 2019 will be 10:19 pm, on Saturday, December 21.
Archaeologists believe that humans have been aware of the Winter Solstice since the Stone Age. There are no written records, so we can only speculate what our ancestors actually believed. What we do know is that in prehistoric times, long before science as we know it, early winter must have been terrifying. Each day became shorter than the last. Plants died. Animals disappeared. Rain turned to sleet and snow. It must have seemed like the world was coming to an end.
One legend is that the people would light bonfires to encourage the Sun to come back. And it seemed to work. Soon after the Solstice, the days began to get longer, and eventually the plants would start growing and animals would come out of hibernation and the time of starvation would pass. So every year, people would light the fires and every year, it seemed to encourage the Sun to return.
More recently, but still long ago in Europe, the Winter Solstice was a time of feasting. But this celebration was pragmatic. People knew that during the winter famine (and winter truly was a famine –– a time of starvation), they would not have enough to feed their families and their livestock, so they slaughtered their cattle. Fresh meat was plentiful, and as one reference pointed out, the wine and beer had, by that time, fermented, so it became a celebration.
It probably is not a coincidence that Christmas is celebrated very near the Solstice. The Bible does not mention the season of the birth of Jesus and for several centuries, Christians did not celebrate the Nativity at all. A date very near the Solstice was selected in the year 336 during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Around the Solstice, those of the Jewish faith celebrated Hanukkah and Romans partied enthusiastically and gave gifts during the pagan holiday called “Saturnalia.” Perhaps that date was chosen because people just needed something to celebrate during the dreary dark days of December.
At Crossroads, we celebrate the First (Astronomical) Day of Winter with the opening of our Ski for Free Program and in the evening, we’ll light a Solstice Campfire.
Ski for Free is a gift to the community from the Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports. On Saturdays from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, and on Sundays from 1:00 – 3:30 pm, you can use, free of charge, an array of ski and snowshoe equipment in sizes to fit kids as young as age 3 through adult large.
When trail conditions permit, go to the Crossroads Maintenance Building where the volunteers will fit you with equipment, share a few pointers and a trail map and send you out the trails. When you have finished, return the equipment and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Please check www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for current trail conditions and/or closings.
We truly don’t believe that our fire will influence the Sun nor are we going to slaughter any cattle, but between 4:00 and 6:00 pm, we will have the Solstice Campfire going in the Council Ring. Crossroads will provide marshmallows and roasting sticks, and families are welcome to bring suppers or snacks and prepare them on the open fire. Check the website. We will cancel if conditions become unfavorable. It will be dark – really early – so dress warmly and bring a flashlight.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported learning center made up of the Big Creek, The Cove and the Ida Bay preserves. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, is open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm weekdays and 1:00 – 4:00 pm on weekends. Trails are free and open to the public. Check www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for current trail conditions and cancelations.
UPCOMING CROSSROADS EVENTS IN LATE DECEMBER
Friday, December 20, 2 pm: Archaeological Workshop. Researcher-in-Residence Emily Rux will conduct an open lab so those interested in archaeology can experience the cleaning and sorting the artifacts unearthed at The Cove and Ida Bay Preserve. No experience necessary. Participants can choose whether to work or to just watch and ask questions. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center. Free and open to the public
Saturday, December 21, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm: Ski for Free (conditions permitting) is a gift to the community from the Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports. An array of ski and snowshoe equipment, in sizes to fit age 3 through large adult, is all free of charge! When trail conditions permit, go to the Crossroads Maintenance Building where our volunteers will fit you with equipment, share a few pointers and a trail map and send you out the trails. When you have finished, return the equipment and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Check website for current trail conditions and/or closings.
Saturday, December 21, 4:00-6:00 pm: Winter Solstice Campfire. Crossroads will celebrate the shortest day of the year with a Campfire at our Council Ring. Take the trail on the east side of the parking lot, cross the long bridge and you will be there. We will provide marshmallows and roasting sticks. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and roast the food over the open fire. Flashlights will be helpful.It gets dark EARLY and dress warmly. Free and open to the public.
Sunday, December 22, 1:00-3:30 pm: Ski for Free (conditions permitting) is a gift to the community from the Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports. An array of ski and snowshoe equipment, in sizes to fit age 3 through large adult, is all free of charge! When trail conditions permit, go to the Crossroads Maintenance Building where our volunteers will fit you with equipment, share a few pointers and a trail map and send you out the trails. When you have finished, return the equipment and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Check website for current trail conditions and/or closings.
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