University Daily Kansan, December 7, 1982 Page $^{22}$
Local merchants woo holiday party crowd
By DAVID SWAFFORD Staff Reporter
Even though Guy Lombardo is no longer with us to celebrate the new year, many Americans from coast to coast will probably still sing the words to 'Auld Lang Syne' amid champagne bubbles and paper streamers. And when the big ball falls in New York City at midnight, they'll shout 'Happy New Year!'
No one knows exactly when celebrating the new year became a yearly ritual.
Some historians suggest that the ancient Chinese started the tradition. Others say the tradition started after Julius Caesar changed the Roman calendar in 45 B.C.
The celebration of New Year's Eve in America is a custom that was most likely first carried over by early American settlers from European countries.
Americans celebrate New Year's Eve so they can "ring out the old year and bring in the new." That night many bright, happy people visit homes and hotels as well as individual homes.
At the University of Kansas, all residence halls, scholarship halls, fraternities and sororites will be closed on New Year's Eve during the winter break. All fraternity and sororite houses will be closed until Jan. 4. The residence and scholarship houses will be closed this does not mean Lawrence will hold on New Year's Eve.
For a lot of KU students, New Year's Eve means one thing — parties.
Jim Bess, St. Louis freshman, said, "I'm pretty sure I must go to a couple big parties this summer."
Katy Breshanan, Kansas City, Mo.
sophomore, said, "I'm spending my New Year's Eve in Aspen, Colo., partying with my brothers and sisters."
Mike Hark, Paola freshman, said, "I'll go home and spend the evening with a few friends. I always make a resolution for at least the first three weeks of the year."
Several Lawrence bars and clubs will be open, Mike Kirsch, owner of Gammon's, 160 W. 23rd St., says, "we will have our traditional New Year's Eve party. And everyone is going to believe that we won't have any business." It's usually pretty crowded."
The Eldridge House Restaurant and Club, Seventh and Massachusetts streets, also has activities planned. An employee of the Eldridge House said, "We have already mailed out our invitations. It should be a very interesting evening."
Many, restaurants and hotels will treat the evening just as they would any other, conceding that most people will party at local bars. However, Jim Taylor, manager of the Lawrence Holdome, said that the hotel was planning several packages for the evening. He said it includes a buffet dinner and a live band in addition to live entertainment. Complimentary champagne will be served.
Even those restaurants without big plans don't expect to be alone. Darrell Mitchell, manager of Perkins restaurant, will illuminate the menu in a light that night. After the people get full of liquor, they'll probably all come here 'cause we got the coffee."
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