As befits its coal mining roots, Black Diamond based Palmer Coking Coal is giving free lumps of coal this Christmas for use as a gag or gift for family and friends.
In traditional English folklore, a lump of coal was left in the stocking hung over the fireplace for those who had been naughty the previous year. However, the lump of coal tradition may date back to Italy. On the evening after Christmas Day Italian children would be visited by an elderly woman named La Befana (from epiphany) who flew on her cleaning broom and left treats for good children, but lumps of coal for naughty kids. Danish children put a shoe out on Christmas night with the good ones receiving chocolate and naughty ones getting coal.
Gladys Gilbert, a Scottish Highlander who now lives in Maple Valley tells of one of the more interesting legends dealing with coal. The Hogmanay tradition in Scotland or first footing holds that the first visitor after midnight on New Year’s Eve should be tall, dark and handsome and come bearing a gift of coal, so as to bring good luck in the forthcoming year. According to popular folklore, a man with dark hair was welcomed because he was presumed to be a fellow Scotsman; while a blonde or red-haired stranger was assumed to be an unwelcome Norseman/Viking. Lang mae yer lum reek or long may your chimney smoke is a toast given by Scots on Hogmanay/New Year, a salutation wishing long life and prosperity.
This year, Palmer’s staff is raising funds for Vine Maple Place. A donation box will be available for those wishing to support this local non-profit organization providing homes for single mothers. If there’s someone on your Christmas or New Year’s list for whom a lump of coal is fitting, stop by 31407 state Route 169 in Black Diamond and pick up a free gift-wrapped piece of coal.
Palmer Coking Coal no longer sells coal but does provide landscape products including sand, gravel, rock, topsoil, beauty bark, play chips, lava rock, red cinders and compost to homeowners and contractors alike. For directions call 425-432-4700 or visit their website at palmercc.com
For information contact William Kombol, manager, Palmer Coking Coal Company, at 425-432-4700 or 360-886-2841 or by e-mail at palmercokingcoal@aol.com.
