It's a very Chauncey Apartments Christmas now underway at Austin's newest complex.

Everywhere one goes, there are reminders of the holiday season.

Doors are decorated with festive-looking holly and wreaths, there are Christmas trees in alcoves and the main dining room.

Christmas music floats from apartments and the aroma of fresh-baked holiday pastries tickles noses.

Al Feuerhak, manager of the complex at 300 First Ave. NE, said residents, both young and old, are spreading Christmas cheer every day as the countdown begins toward Christmas Day.

All 81 apartment units are rented and everywhere one goes, Chauncey Apartments is filled with holiday cheer.

That was evident recently, when Chauncey Apartments hosted a holiday celebration that included the "Lucia Program 2002" and Anita Fisher Day Care performers.

But the holiday celebration was also the last public appearance for a special guest in one Austin family's home: Sinikka Nietzschmann, who had the starring role in the festival.

Prominent in the celebration was Storting Lodge No. 519 of the Sons of Norway organization.

Madlain Vander organized the performers and she said it was a big success.

The honor of portraying Saint Lucia went to Nietzschsmann, a 16-year-old German foreign exchange student at Pacelli High School.

Nietzschsmann is staying with Gary and Jane Handel and their daughter, Margaret, 8.

Several years ago, the Handel family also hosted Nietzschsmann's brother, Sascha.

The Nietzschsmann family lives at Ammersbek, which is near Hamburg, Germany.

The latest family member to visit Austin will leave Friday after a six-month-long stay. Her family sent her to live with the Handel family for much the same reasons they sent her older brother: to immerse her in American culture and to learn the English language by using it.

"I like it here," she said. "My host family is very nice. My teachers at Pacelli High School are very helpful and the students are fun."

"It's been a good experience for all of us," said Jane Handel. "We all get along very nicely and, just like her brother's visit, we're both learning about each other's culture."

The Handels have also visited Germany several times and become good friends of the Nietzschsmann family.

At the Chauncey Apartments celebration, Nietzschsmann was a perfect Saint Lucia with flowing, white gown, long blonde hair and a crown of candles atop her head.

Chauncey Apartments residents were treated to the Scandinavian Saint Lucia Festival, thanks to the Sons of Norway lodge members and children from the Anita Fisher Day Care.

According to the organizer, Howard, the ancient Nordic tradition of

celebrating "Lucia Dagen" or Lucia Day on Dec. 13, began as a mid-winter solstice festival.

The procession of adults and children -- Starboys and Gnomes -- in authentic costumes warmed the hearts of the Chauncey Apartments residents, judging by the smiles and applause.

Saint Lucia was a real Italian saint who lived around 304 A.D.

Legend says Saint Lucia wore a crown of candles on her head to find her way into caves, where Christians were hiding from the Romans.

The candles looked like a halo glowing in the dark.

Another legend says Saint Lucia helped guide a Swedish ship through a terrible storm and that the food-laden vessel saved Sweden from famine.

The modern ceremony started in Sweden, where young girls dressed in white night gowns with candle-crowns while serving breakfast.

Alice Anderson accompanied the singers on piano.

The evenings' holiday fun concluded with a special number introduced by Bob Davis. "The Angelicas," a group of not-so-angelic angels, entertained all with humor and music.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com