1985 [PDF] - Yosemite

4L~Ii...BRACEBRIDGE DINNER AT THE AHWAHNEE HOTELation, and was sacrificed to ensure the birth of many healthycalves and lambs in the spring, Next, the Baron of Beef, which istwo enormousirloins, joined at the backbone. Legend has itthat Charles II named this cut one Christmas by "knighting" it,dubbing it "Sir Loin!" Plum pudding, the dessert, was probablyfirst made around 1670, and appears to be a more elaborateversion of a porridge, which was made of similar ingredients.This pudding took weeks to prepare, cooking in large copperports, as the entire household helped. A ring, a coin, a buttonand a thimble were baked into the pudding and when found onChristmas Day, each took on a special meaning. Superstitionalso held that a plum pudding left unconsumed would mean theloss of a friend in the coming year. This pudding was the crowningglory of the Christmas meal.Final y, the presentation of the Wassail Bowl brought the gaycelebration near its end. This great bowl of spiced ale wasconsidered indispensable at Christmas feasts in olden England.’,,Meaning "to your health," the word "Wassail" was an ancientAnsel Adams played an important role in the presentati6n of the Anglo-Saxon toast, whose origins are found in paganism, asPageant as well as in its history.part of an annual agricultural festival held to ensure bountifulcrops in the coming year.words and melodies were used to introduce each of the banquet’scourses, although more traditional and appropriate songs Lounge of The Ahwahnee, is also a part of this grand celebra-The Yule Log, presented on Christmas Eve in the Greatwere used whenever possible, including "O, Jesu, So Sweet" tion. Originally part of a pagan custom, those ancient peopleand "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent," undoubtedly two of the believed the world stopped for twelve days, during which timemost beautiful chorales ever heard. In addition, Eugene Fulton, the log must be kept burning. If it went out, bad luck wouldhired by Adams as Musical Director, wrote many vocal pieces for abound in the coming year! The ancient Celts of Northern Britainthe pageant which have managed to capture the flavor and also worshipped mistletoe, and a sprig was placed on the Yuleessence of the male chorus singing of ancient times. After Log prior to igniting it with a flaming brand. Holly, traditionallyAdams’ retirement from the pageant in 1972, Fulton took over as placed around homes to ward off evil spirits, eventually came toDirector, a post he held until his untimely death on Christmas symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the peace andDay, 1978. His daughter, Andrea, then assumed responsibility goodwill for which He stood, it is presented, as a part of thefor directing the pageant and its musical production.pageant, to the Squire, with the wish that "peace and love abide’ The Bracebrid~le Dinner is an "audience participation" celebration;a program describing the events is distributed to the Recrossing the meadow now, heading home, you notice thein o-ur hearts forever."guests with the understanding that they are as much a part of the sun has slipped behind the western horizon, and the onset of thepageant as the costumed characters roaming through the great cold winter night has begun. You are warmed, however, not onlyhall. While the Squire, his family and staff are the most visible by the good food and drink so recently consumed, not only byroles, each part in the show is played with the most enthusiasm the glorious music still ringing in your ears, not only by thethat can be brought to bear, ranging through singers, jugglers, festive traditions hande down through the years, but warmedmagicians and even including the "Cheese Mouse," a character from the inside out by the spirit of the Bracebridge Dinner andwho in appropriate costume, roams from table to table offering Christmas in Yosemite!the celebrants bits of cheese from a tray.The menu for the dinner, as traditional as the music, is a feastfor both the eyes and the tongue. Each of the five courses, in theform of large paper-mache models, is presented to the Squire forhis approval, after which the guests are served, each course inturn, beginning with the fish, an early symbol of Christianity.All of the dishes served are rooted deep in both Christian andpagan lore. The peacock, served in full plumage, was a favoritedish, its dry meat accompanied by a generous helping of gravy.The presenting of the Boar’s head had its beginnings in thepagan ritual during which a boar symbolized the god of regener-