The only thing traditional about our New Year's fare in Jefferson County's Town of Hounsfield was had on New Year's Eve -- it was oyster stew - Mom would save the little cream which had accumulated on the top of the milkcans, adding that to make it good and tasty. Most of the children would have nothing to do with the oysters, but not me -- I was a born connoisseur of everything. Still am. Problem is, oysters are so very expensive nowadays that I don't buy them for just myself -- I wonder if they were expensive in the 40's and 50's -- don't see how they could have been -- my folks were poor farmers. In those days, January 1st thru 15th were evil times of taxes and license plates, etc. -- not much money around. I'm writing this on Christmas Eve just after having the traditional Italian supper of cod fish salad -- fish, vinegar/oil, lots of raw garlic and canned green peppers -- and then we also had anchovies/garlic and plain spaghetti noodles -- plus a little vino -- I thoroughly enjoy my husband's Italian customs -- but our kids could care less!! So sad. We know Florence will come up with something great. It is true, different sections of the country have different things -- down here in Ohio, it's saurerkraut and pork cooked together for hours. Can't say as I like it -- but I share Nan's memory of pork baked with stuffing. Shirley Conklin Farone