Vintage prayer cards from a Cajun collection and  fava beans to remind Italian Americans of plentiful crops are featured in the Port Arthur Public Library’s holiday display, up through Jan. 10. Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, is represented in a colorful Asian display from Buu Mon Buddhist Temple in Port Arthur.  In 2012, The Year of the Dragon will be ushered in on Jan. 23.
“It’s a huge success,” Carolyn Thibodeaux , library organizer, said of the collection reflecting the area’s cultural diversity. Kawanzaa  candles, Mexican bingo and paper flowers and Jewish dreidels  help show how cultures decorate, eat and worship during holidays.

Ahsan Tariq, a native of Pakistan and a library employee, helped assemble a display that includes dolls in  traditional garments. He said he hopes   Holidays Around the World will promote a better understanding of people  who call Port Arthur home. Port Arthur Noon Sertoma Club sponsors the exhibit.

The library is at 4615 Ninth Avenue. While in town, soak up more history at historic homes along Lakeshore Drive, such as Pompeiian Villa and Rose Hill.