I do not usually read the newspaper anymore; nor do I watch mainstream news programming. I have a vague feeling that one of the original reasons for me turning away from traditional news media was the constant focus on lurid sensationalism, fear mongering, and general bad news. Yet, I have been spending plenty of time in the Chronicling America project. Do news papers now-a-days have articles on holiday customs around the world? Do they have suggestions for your next Halloween party, and serialized stories about plucky youngsters in a fairyland adventure? ‘Cause that might get me back to reading newspapers.

Anyway, La Befana is the Christmas witch of Italy (wikipedia). This article from the Midland Journal is just one variation of her legend. Like an old fashioned Santa Claus, she doles out presents and punishment as appropriate.