Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • February 10, 2010 For Your Valentine Cupid is a symbol of Valentine’s Day, but many do not know how this winged matchmaker came to be associated with the holiday. Do you believe in love at first sight? How many friends or relatives have said they met their dream guy or gal by a chance encounter of eyes meeting across the room? Perhaps Cupid played a role by shooting his arrow and finding a target. Cupid is represented in several ways, but the best-known image of Cupid is a winged, naked boy shooting arrows to join potential lovers together. Cupid has two types of arrows he can set sail. Gold-tipped arrows are what link people in love. However, Cupid also has a devious side. He can fire lead-tipped arrows, which cause people to feel hatred. This side of Cupid is little-known. In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus. Greek myths called him Eros, the son of Aphrodite. Stories say that Venus, the goddess of love and Don’t forget! Valentine’s Day is Sunday, February 14th. Hit by Cupid: The story of the winged matchmaker Psyche was not able to look at her husband. She resisted until one day her sisters persuaded her to look at him, wondering why he would want to hide himself from her. Upon doing so, Cupid punished Psyche by leaving her and making all of their belongings vanish. Psyche wandered looking for her lost love. She eventually came upon the temple of Venus and wanted to plead her case and apologize. However, Venus was still jealous of Psyche. Venus ordered her to complete dangerous tasks to try and win back Cupid, in an effort to destroy the mortal. In one of her tasks, a visit to Pluto in the underworld, Psyche failed and fell under a deadly slumber. Cupid was beside himself, found Psyche, and rescued her. Both Cupid and Venus forgave Psyche. Eventually, the rest of the gods, moved by Psyche’s devotion, made her a goddess. Today Cupid is the mascot of Valentine’s Day. His mischievous or devious nature is downplayed, and he is best known as an adorable matchmaker with heart-tipped arrows. You can evoke Cupid this Valentine’s Day by drawing arrow-pierced hearts on steamed-up mirrors in the bathroom for your mate to discover. Or send valentines with hearts and arrows as the theme. beauty, became jealous with a mortal woman named Psyche. She ordered her son to punish the mortal. However, Cupid became enamored with Psyche and married her instead. But being a mortal, Happy V alentine’s Day Nothing says Spa & Boutique LOVE Grooming Accessories Day Care like a Furry Heart! GrEoo/10/10 xp. 3 $5 Ofif g mn 26 Central Avenue • Midland Park, NJ 07432 201-447-WOOF (9663) Acting Mahwah Postmaster Kenneth Weite recommends that customers add a special touch to Valentine’s Day gifts this year and offers these gift ideas. Package your gifts with love using USPS decorative padded envelopes and gift tags. Remember the one you love by sending them a collectible Ella Fitzgerald musical CD, “Love Letters from Ella,” in time for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. This year’s special edition CD also boasts a full reproduction of Fitzgerald’s commemorative postage stamp, available for the first time since the CD’s original issue in 2007. The USPS paid tribute to the famous singer as the 30th honoree in the Black Heritage Stamp Series. The CD is $10.99 and can be ordered and mailed directly to your recipient if you visit the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop. While shopping at the online Postal Store check the PS: I Love You Collection for great gifts. See what’s behind the Love from the Mahwah Post Office tabs labeled “For Fun” and “Collecting.” Choose from a variety of gift ideas, including a beautiful “love” pendant with chain, framed artwork, and more. Postmaster Weite added, “We’re always happy to see our customers for all their shipping needs or when browsing for a gift. A book of ‘love’ stamps makes a great gift, too! Your local Mahwah Post Office has something for everyone in the community.” The www.usps.com website offers customers the convenience of shipping a package, purchasing stamps, order shipping supplies, locating and managing a post office box, plus over 100 other services and shopping at the Postal Store, 24 hours a day and seven days a week from your computer. Postmaster Weite concluded, “I invite everyone in the community to feel the love this Valentine’s Day by visiting us at your local Mahwah Post Office or at www.usps. com!” 2-10-10 Ester/Janine LeChienValentine3x2(2-10-10) 3 x 2” ��������������������� ������������ ������������������������� ������������� ������������������� �������������������������� ���������������������� ����������������������������� ������������