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Noel, noel
posted 12/26/03 Noel back on top
posted 11/23/01 NOEL, no more at Friday Harbor ferry terminalBy Matt Pranger
A NOEL sign that welcomed travelers to San Juan Island close to 40 years rests on its side on the roof of the Friday Harbor ferry terminal. A complaint is prompting Washington State Ferries to unplug and remove the sign. posted 11/23/01
"It’s not hurting anyone," Jeremy Talbott says of the sign, maintained by the San Juan Lions. Talbott, a Lion, dubbed the complainer "The Grinch Who Stole NOEL!" "When one person forces their will on a whole community, it’s not healthy," says Andy Provchy, also a member of the Lions. The NOEL sign might not shine from the ferry terminal roof the rest of this holiday season, but it will continue to greet San Juan Islands’ travelers: The Lions plan to move the sign across the street to the balcony of the Dr.’s Office building on Saturday, Dec. 16. The structure’s owners, Bill Giesy and Dave Moorhouse offered their space before the Lions could ask, explains Lions President Minnie Knych. "They said, ‘We’d be honored to have the noel sign up on our building.’" Lions have placed the sign each holiday season since the early 1960s, according to several members. After S. Jon King filed a complaint with the state, the sign was put on its side Thursday. Someone stood it up again that night, but Friday afternoon it was placed down again. King, in his complaint letter to the Washington State Ferries, says the sign violated the state’s constitution, which prohibits using public money or property for "religious worship, exercise or the support of any religious establishment." A message left on King’s answering machine was not returned Friday. Darrell Edmonds investigated King’s complaint for the state Department of Transportation. Provchy says Edmonds visited Friday Harbor and told the Lions that non-denominational decorations are acceptable -- Santa Claus, trees, "Happy Holiday" signs -- on state property but those with religious connotations are not. Webster’s New 20th Century Dictionary defines noel and noël as: n. [from French noël, replacing Middle English nowel; Old French nowel, nouel, from Latin natalis, pertaining to birth, a birthday, from natus, born.]
Provchy believes most islanders identify with a secular "joy" definition. Other holiday decorations also were removed from WSF property: Angels and wreaths have also been removed from the inter-island ferry, says Talbott, who travels the islands regularly. "It’s just a little too far," he maintains. Talbott and Provchy can’t understand why decorations from any denomination are not welcome. "I don’t have a problem if someone would put up a ‘Hanukkah’ or ‘Season’s Greetings’ sign," Talbott says. Even though the NOEL sign has a new spot, the signs’ supporters plan to explain their position again Monday when they meet with Edmonds. "The ferry workers," Provchy says, "they don’t want it down. We don’t want it down. It seems like most people I talk to don’t want it down." "It’s carrying political correctness too far to punish a whole town, to break a long-standing tradition," Knych says. "To S. Jon King, I wish bon noël." |
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