I was in charge of VBS last year, and our theme was "The Road to Rome." One of the crafts we did was make laurel wreaths...which is when I realized I was the only one who knew what a laurel wreath was and its significance. Which was a little weird, because I usually feel behind on the intellectual measure. But anywho:

So, since the Olympic games begin today, I thought I'd paste some crafts for kids:Enchanted Learning (one of my teaching supplemental staples...you can find ANYTHING on here. Great for putting together activity/worksheet books for trips! If you're going to Apple Hill, find a bunch of pages on apples, have the kids work on it in the car! Learning about the bugs in your yard: do a lesson/lab with some insect sheets. This is just a great site. It has my $20 membership/year every year. This link is straight to the Olympics section, where you can find laurel wreath crafts! )

And a good dose of Wikipedia:

A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head. In ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics[citation needed], and in poetic meets; in Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph. Whereas ancient laurel wreaths are most often depicted as a horseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings.

In common modern idiomatic usage it refers to a victory. The expression "resting on one's laurels" refers to someone relying entirely on long-past successes for continued fame or recognition.

Academic use

Ovid with laurel wreath, common in poets.

In some countries the laurel wreath is used as symbol of the master's degree. The wreath is given to young masters in the graduation ceremony of the university. The word "Laureate" in 'poet laureate' refers to being signified by the laurel wreath. The medieval Florentine poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri, a graduate of the Sicilian School, is often represented in paintings and sculpture wearing a laurel wreath.

At Connecticut College members of the junior class carry a laurel chain, which the seniors pass through during Commencement. It represents nature and the continuation of life from year to year. Immediately following commencement, the junior girls write out with the laurels their class year, symbolizing they have officially become seniors and the cycle will repeat itself the following spring.

At Reed College members of the senior class receive laurel wreaths upon submitting their senior thesis in May. The tradition stems from the use of laurel wreaths in athletic competitions; the seniors have "crossed the finish line," so to speak.

[edit] Architectural and decorative arts motif

Alexander Garden Grille

The laurel wreath is a common motif in architecture, furniture, and textiles. The laurel wreath is seen carved in the stone and decorative plaster works of Robert Adam, and in Federal, Regency, Directoire, and Beaux-Arts periods of architecture. In decorative arts, especially during the Empire period, the laurel wreath is seen woven in textiles, inlaid in marquetry, and applied to furniture in the form of gilded brass mounts. Alfa Romeo added a laurel wreath to their logo after they won the inaugural Automobile World Championship in 1925 with the P2 racing car.

[edit] Wreath of Service

Wreath of service.

The "wreath of service" is located on all commissioner position patches in the Boy Scouts of America. This is a symbol for the service rendered to units and the continued partnership between volunteers and professional Scouter . The Wreath of Service represents commitment to program and unit service.[1]"

Enjoy!

"Dolly - who has been wed to Carl for 44 years - said: "I usually get up at 3am. I don't require a lot of sleep and if I get tired, I'll take a powernap during the day.

"When my Carl is awake, I'll put on my make-up and roll my hair a little, because I don't want to look bad for him, do I?"

I'm not saying I can do this, but I do make an effort when I can. Some days are spent in pajamas (truth be told), but other days I wear what would make Ben happy. Why? Because I love him, and men are very visual...and I like him to be visual with me

I know this is a pretty anti-feminist way of thinking, and women these days are more likely/encouraged to do what they want instead of what anyone else; which is fine. It's certainly a great step out of bloomers for those of us with a little more tiger in their spirits. But that doesn't mean you leave your man out in the cold! A good marriage is made of gifts. The gift of service (he cleans the kitchen), gifts of voice (you actually tell each other you love each other), gifts of sight (your smile, your appearance, your demeanor), gifts of intimacy (sex is important! Don't think it isn't!).

So anyway, I have to get my day started. I just wanted to pass along Dolly's words of wisdom :)