Happy and Safe New Year From Columbia Orthodontics

New Year’s Eve implies a ball dropping in Times Square, fireworks, food and the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

The dropping of the ball in New York City began in 1907. Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent arriving exactly at midnight. I

n the southern states, a traditional meal of black eyed peas and ham hocks are consumed. An old saying goes, “Eat peas on New Year’s day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year.”

In many places there are great firework displays.

This crazy night became an official holiday in 1582 when Pope George XIII declared January 1^st to be the day on which everyone would celebrate the New Year. On midnight people would yell, holler and blow horns to scare away the evil spirits of the previous year so the New Year would be joyous and filled with luck and opportunity.

Some of us still do this at midnight. Several year ago I had a roommate who was from Virginia. At eight o’clock in the evening, the Eastern native would say, “It’s midnight where I’m from,” and go to bed.

Most of my friends have been a little more enthused about celebrating.

Be safe. That’s the most important thing we can tell you on this New Year’s Eve. There is no way to predict the behavior of others on New Year’s Eve, but you can make wise decisions.

And if your New Year’s resolutions include being healthier, may we at Columbia Orthodontics suggest you continue to take care of your teeth. Call if you have any concerns. 360 883-3800,