Article
Page 2
The worst best Christmas gift BY ABIGAIL GRAY ‘17
It started off just like any other Christmas of us who were sitting, staring back at them Eve: my mom, dad, younger brother, and blankly, on my grandmother’s bed. My I frantically ran around the house, trying mother was the first to speak, and I was not to get ready in time for our church’s ready to hear the words that came out of Christmas Eve service. My house smelled her mouth. “We decided to get you guys a of my mom’s baked goods and cinnamon really big Christmas present this year,” she candles, as it does every year around Christmas time, and family Photo courtesy of Abigail Gray members’ voices sounded throughout my house as we made sure all chores were completed before we left for the evening. After an hour-long service filled with candlelight and popular Christmas hymns, my whole family went to my grandmother’s house down the street to eat dinner and open gifts. I didn’t really ask for much that year, and I found myself staring frequently at the neatly wrapped gifts underneath the Christmas tree. Which ones were mine? said, grinning. “Y’all will be getting a little What if I get something absolutely horrible brother or sister!” because I didn’t tell anyone what to get me? It was as if my world had stopped at this I envisioned what I would do if I were to get point. My stomach churned at the thought something I didn’t like. I’d probably force of a baby’s screaming keeping me up at all a smile and act enthused, thanking whoever hours of the night and the smell of dirty gave me the gift, and then assuring them diapers permeating my home. It was as if that I love their gift if I sensed any doubt I could see my life folding right in front in their voice. I should have practiced this of my eyes. I tried my best to stabilize my scenario in my head more (much, much emotions, but I couldn’t. My palms were more) because the first gift I received that year made me deem the Christmas of 2013 “the worst Christmas ever”. Before we opened presents, my parents motioned for my younger brother and me to come into the back room, away from the rest of my family. Confused, I stood up, shot my brother a quizzical look, and proceeded to follow my sweaty and I realized I was shaking so hard parents into my grandmother’s bedroom. I thought I was going to pass out. I tried to They shut the door and looked at the two stand up, I tried to run, I tried to walk away,
I tried to just move, but I couldn’t. I was stuck in my place on my grandmother’s soft, red comforter. I was stuck in this moment, frozen in place in front of my brother and my parents. Although my body couldn’t move, my mind was abuzz with questions. Why? Why Me? Why now? How could they do this to me? How could they to this to my brother? How could they do this to us? Who would drive me to soccer practices, or school, or anywhere else I needed to go? Was I just going to be dropped, forgotten about and left to fend for myself? How would we be able to take a screaming, crying baby everywhere we need to go? What would our family look like now? Who would take care of my grandmother? Who would take care of me? I felt alone. It was at this point that the water works were in full affect and everything began to move rapidly in my mind. My old life was leaving me, and now I was expected to live a new life, with a new routine, a new family dynamic, and above all, a new family member. Gone were the days we could go out to eat at a restaurant peacefully without lugging around a small, screaming baby. The family that brought around the child who was acting up in public that we thought was so obnoxious? We were going to become that family. Gone were the days of going into the grocery store for
My parents motioned for my younger brother and me to come into the back room, away from the rest of my family.
Article a quick trip, because now there would be the hassle of bringing strollers, seat covers, and other baby items that might or might not be necessary for a simple going out trip. Were we going to be confined to our house
still give me grief about it to this day) When my parents announced their news to my family later that evening, everyone was laughing and happily chatting about baby names and outfits and due dates, meanwhile
Page 3 and nursery decorations warmed me up to the idea that maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t the worst Christmas gift I’ve ever received after all. Fast forward almost 3 years later, and I
Everyone was laughing and happily chatting about baby names and outfits and due dates, meanwhile I was sitting on the couch alone, brooding over the thought of the surprise “gift” until the baby was old enough to not need I was sitting on the couch alone, brooding million-and-one things brought with her? over the thought of this surprise “gift”, Unable to move or coherently form a amongst all my happy relatives. However, sentence, I began to sob uncontrollably, slowly but surely, I began to come around my body shaking violently with each sob to the idea of having a younger sibling. that escaped me. I think my brother tried to Although I was reluctant and scared to console me, but I was numb to the people face this huge change in my life, picking around me. It was at some point that I things out like baby clothes, baby names, became aware of my surroundings. My brother was seated next to me, gawking at me, obviously confused as to why I was acting how I was acting. My parents’ expressions mirrored his, mixed with a little bit more shock and horror. I wanted to explain to them Photo by Maggie Loftin ‘17 what I was feelingthe hurt, the fear, the anxiety, the betrayalbut I couldn’t put my emotions into words. How do you explain your feelings when your world as you know it is crashing right in front of your eyes? (Spoiler alert: my parents did get onto me severely for Photo courtesy of Abigail Gray acting like a spoiled brat that night, and
am positive that the gift of a new sibling is actually the best gift I’ve ever received. Sure, my house isn’t as quiet anymore, and toys are almost always strewn across every inch of the floor in my living room and kitchen, but I wouldn’t change having a rambunctious, yet so sweet, little sister for the world. Whether she is reading books with me, having Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on at all times on almost every single TV in my household, to running around the house in only a diaper while calling out for my mom a million times, my little sister certainly changed my life, but now how I thought she would. With my sister’s arrival, I have learned so many things about myself and I can confidently say that my life, and my family’s lives, has been changed for the better. I couldn’t be more thankful that I didn’t ask for much that Christmas, because I certainly got something so much better than anything I could ever ask for.
Page 4
North poll
Poll
BY AVERY BOALS ‘19 This holiday poll was sent to all Upper School Hutchison students, teachers, and staff to find out which holidays they celebrate and what their favorite things are about them. Here are some responses:
Favorite Holidays: Christmas Christmas and Hanukkah Christmas and Kwanza
Favorite Tradition: Being with family Eating dinner with family Decorating the tree Exchanging gifts
Favorite Song: “All I Want for Christmas is You” “Jingle Bell Rock” “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” “Santa Baby”
Favorite Movie: Elf Home Alone Polar Express Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Favorite Decoration: Christmas Tree Lights Wreath Ornaments
My favorite holiday memory is… “Falling down the stairs on Christmas morning” – Mary Chapman Morrow “The Christmas my brothers came home after being gone in the Marines for over a year.” – Madelyn Woodard “In 4th grade I got the full Harry Potter series in hardback. It was the best thing that had ever happened to me.” – Sally Crow “Having an “elf” who I wrote notes to” – Caroline Pollard “Serving food to the homeless on Christmas morning” – Monica Fleck “We caught our tree on fire (accidentally)” – Emma Tillmanns “Making Argentinian pancakes with my mom” – Miccaella Lewja
“My little brother broke a snow globe because he thought it was a bouncy ball” – Olivia Wilkinson “Getting a toy car and running it into my mom’s flower pot and watching all the dirt fall out.” – Audrey Jones “My cousin once gave my brother a cabbage for Christmas” – Becket Monaghan “One time when I was a little girl I lost a tooth on Christmas Eve. I was very concerned that Santa might collide with the Tooth Fairy that night.” – Mrs. Gintz “Going out of town for Christmas and getting engaged on New Year’s Eve. It was snowing and people were shooting fireworks off for NYE, and my husband proposed in a gazebo over a frozen lake.” – Mrs. Woodruff “Going outside at night when I was younger and sprinkling ‘Reindeer Food’ on the ground so that Santa would come to my house” – Mallory Mullis
Early Childhood
Page 5
Trip down memory lane BY ELIZABETH MCVEAN ‘20
Christmas is right around the corner, Barbie Dolls or the Barbie house. and to get in the spirit, the Signpost has We asked the next group what their decided to ask some of the kids Photo by Elizabeth McVean what they want for Christmas. When we went into Mrs. Grinder’s classroom, all of the kids were playing with puzzles and drawing pictures. We took 5 kids at a time and asked them what they want for Christmas, their favorite holiday snack, their favorite gift they have ever gotten, and their favorite Christmas decoration. We asked the first group of girls what they want for Christmas. One girl named Amelia wanted Barbie dolls and the big Barbie dream house that she could put all of her favorite Christmas gift was. Many of the Barbie’s in. She also wanted to make girls could not choose a favorite but some sure that Santa brought the big one and of their favorites were Ariel bath toys, the Photo by Elizabeth McVean
gift was a Kitty surprise and I’m not really sure what this is because she didn’t say anything else about it but she was very persistent to say that this was her favorite gift. The next question we asked the girls was what their favorite thing to eat during the holidays. Many of the girls said that their favorite thing to eat and make around Christmas was Christmas cookies. The girls said they liked putting icing and sprinkles on them to decorate and then eating them all. Some of the other girls said that they liked eating cake and cupcakes that they either helped make or bought. The last question we asked was what their favorite decoration either in their house or on their Christmas tree. Almost
Photo by Elizabeth McVean
Monster High not the smaller one so that she could fit Accessories, and my little ponies. One of them all. Meriam said that all she wanted the girls said that her favorite Christmas for Christmas were skittles so that she could have a very large amount. Merrill said that she wanted American Girl Dolls and the accessories that come with them like the clothes, bed, and stroller. Ainsley said that all she wanted was stuff she could give her baby sister. She didn’t want anything for herself and if she did get something, she said she was going to give it to her sister. The most popular items that almost all of Photo by Elizabeth McVean the girls included were either just
all of the girls said they liked ornaments that they helped hang on the tree. They especially liked the ones that they had made but they also liked the other ones they had bought. They also liked the lights that they hung on the tree and some of them said that just the tree in general was their favorite Christmas decoration. Overall, the EC kids were extremely enthusiastic to talk about their Christmas wishes and the Christmas season in general. As the EC kids show us, it is never too early to get into the Christmas spirit because it will be here before we know it!
Page 6
Recipes
Ode to chocolate brownies BY CORRINA BROWN ‘18 Ingredients: Brownie Mix Water Vegetable Oil Eggs Christmas Colored Icing!!! Sprinkles Directions: Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Step 2: Place paper baking cup in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups. Step 3: Make batter as directed on brownie mix box Step 4: Fill each cup 2/3 full Step 5: Bake for 25 minutes Step 6: Allow them to cool for about 5 minutes Step 7: Remove from the pan Step 8: Allow them to cool completely Step 9: Decorate in your fun Christmas icing colors! Step 10: Add sprinkles! Step 11: ENJOY! *Make sure to store properly!*
Photo courtesy of Sarah Grand
“Seventh day of Christmas” layer bars BY ABIGAIL GRAY ‘17 Ingredients 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs ½ cup butter, melted 1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels 1 cup butterscotch morsels 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut 1 cup chopped pecans Directions Heat oven to 350F. Spray 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray. Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, mix well. Press the mixture to the bottom of the pan. Layer the mixture with coconut, butterscotch, chocolate, and pecans. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the layers. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool and cut into bars. Photo by Abigail Gray
Santa’s Squash
Recipes
Page 7
BY JASMINE MCGILL ‘17 Ingredients: 4 cups sliced yellow squash 1/2 cup chopped onion 35 buttery round crackers, crushed 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 teaspoon salt ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons butter
Directions: 20 m Cook: 30 m Ready In: 50 m Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place squash and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in a small amount of water. Cover, and cook Photo courtesy of Back to Organic.com until squash is tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well, and place in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, mix together cracker crumbs and cheese. Stir half of the cracker mixture into the cooked squash and onions. In a small bowl, mix together eggs and milk, then add to squash mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup melted butter, and season with salt and pepper. Spread into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cracker mixture, and dot with 2 tablespoons butter. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Jolly ginger cookies BY ELIZABETH MCVEAN ‘20 Ingredients: 1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix ½ cup of butter ½ cup of packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 ½ cups of all purpose flower ½ teaspoons of baking soda 1 ½ teaspoons of ground ginger 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon Directions: In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, Photo courtesy of Food Network butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; stir into the pudding mixture. Cover, and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. On a floured board, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into man shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are golden at the edges. Cool on wire racks.
Culture
Page 8
The history of Santa Claus BY ABBY HAYS ‘20
Every December, children across the flying sled led by eight reindeer. Moore country put on their best behavior in order portrayed St. Nick not as a Bishop, but to make it on Santa’s “Nice List” to avoid as an elf with a pipe, a backpack full of coal in their stockings. The kids create gifts, and a sparkle in his eye. If this story and mail their wish lists to the North Pole sounds familiar, it might be helpful to where they expect an elf to work on their know that millions of Americans read A requests. They jump into bed the night of Visit from St. Nicholas as a Christmas December 24th and dream about waking Eve bedtime story, only the name has been up to presents, snow, and a plate of cookie crumbs. Caught up in the hubbub of the Season, most kids never question this tradition, but it is actually interesting. How did Santa come to be? Do the traditions of Santa differ in other countries? Santa Claus’ origins date all the way back to the time period between 270 and 344 A.D., the years in which St. Nicholas lived. Most people know the Christian saint for his Photo courtesy of taylormarshall.com generous gifts using the large sum of money his parents left for him; he famously changed to The Night before Christmas. left gifts in stockings. Nicknamed the However, this representation of Santa wonderworker, St. Nicholas preformed Claus still differs from the modern many miracles in his hometown of Myra, interpretation of Kris Kringle. In Moore’s modern day Turkey. December 6th marks poem, Santa is not a fat man who resides the day that Catholics celebrate all of the at the North Pole with his wife, and saint’s works; St. Nicholas remains an inspiration to numerous people across the world, but particularly to Catholics. During the year 1822 in New York, Clement Clark Moore used the inspiration of St. Nicholas and a Pagan there are no elves who work to fulfill God named Oden to write a poem that the requests of children in their letters to changed the American Christmas forever; Santa. In addition, Moore did not describe he created A Visit from St. Nicholas. This any lists that determine whether a child poem featured him delivering presents will receive coal in replacement of their to children throughout the world via a desired presents.
In 1862, Thomas Nast changed America’s views on the legend by bringing in these additions to Santa Claus. A popular magazine called Harper Weekly commissioned Nast to illustrate all of their Christmas illustrations; this opportunity gave Nast the freedom to recreate the well-known figure of St. Nick. He died in 1902, but his influence on this holiday tradition continues to live on. Today in the United States of America, the vast majority of the population continues the tradition of Santa Claus. However, in other countries across the globe, people interpret Santa Claus in a completely different way. For example, the Dutch celebrate Christmas on December 6th and maintain the values and ideas of the original St. Nicholas. In the Netherlands, Santa Claus is referred to as Sinterklaas. During the weeks leading up to the event, Sinterklaas comes to visit; he dresses in an outfit very similar to one that a Bishop would wear and begins to check on the children. Sinterklaas walks around the city and investigates to find out if the Dutch children are behaving. Many of the kids put on their best behavior at this time of year in order to receive sweets from Sinterklaas instead of a bag of salt or coal. In order to receive their gifts, Dutch children are sent on a scavenger hunts with rhymes and hints that discreetly point out the ways that the children could improve their behavior. Australia also celebrates Christmas in
During the weeks leading up to the event, Sinterklaas comes to visit; he dresses in an outfit very similar to one that a bishop would wear and begins to check on the children.
Culture a unique way. Because Christmas comes under the Christmas trees of all of the in the summer time in the southern children on the night of December 25th. hemisphere, the popular activities on In lieu of cookies and milk, children stuff Christmas day include having a barbeque their shoes with straw for the camels that and going to the beach. However, when travel with Papa Noel. However, eleven the children go to sleep on Christmas Eve, American and Photo courtesy of thekoreanway.wordpress.com Australian Christmas are evidently similar. Santa circumnavigates in his sleigh filled with an abundance of toys, but instead of reindeer, six kangaroos hop across the outback to the next chimney. Commonly known as the Six White Boomers, these marsupials even have their own song dedicated to their annual journey leading Santa Claus’ sleigh. This song features the story of an orphaned joey that joins the Six White Boomers on their expedition. The kangaroos aim to get Santa across Australia without becoming overheated in his fur attire. In Mexico, believe it or not, they have another way of celebrating the Holiday Season. The first event consists of a reenactment of the Nativity, the time in which Jesus was born in a barn. Every year, on December 25th, children gather in order to attempt to break a piñata to devour the candy inside. On January 6th, the children who have days later, all of the Argentinian children behaved receive another present from the receive more gifts; this time, the presents Three Wise Mean, also called the Three come from the Three Kings, also known Kings. In contrast to the other countries, as the Three Wise Men, or in Spanish, los Christmas is not celebrated the same way Reyes Magos. These men also arrive to the throughout the country. In the North, homes of Argentinian children via camel. they began celebrating nine days before In Asia, most of the population does not Christmas. In the South, the celebration celebrate Christmas, making Santa Claus lasts until after the New Year. a less well-known figure. However, in Down in South America, the South Korea, Christians make up about Argentinians celebrate a cosmopolitan 30% of the population, so the government Christmas; they combine many traditions has declared Christmas a public holiday. found across the globe to form the The entire population receives a day off Argentinian Christmas. For example, from school and work, so they get to people display nativity scenes in almost relish in the holiday season for the day. every house in the country. They call Koreans celebrate by decorating Seoul in Santa Claus “Papa Noel”; he places gifts neon lights and putting up Christmas trees.
Page 9 Although gift-giving remains unpopular, many South Koreans give each other money. The citizens of South Korea know Santa Claus as Santa Grandfather; however, Santa Grandfather differs slightly from Santa Claus. Santa Grandfather may be seen around town, especially in Seoul, and he wears blue rather than red like most adaptations of the American Christmas. Santa Grandfather does not bring presents to children. And finally, Christmas in South Africa consists of the combination of some traditions of the Dutch and the Australian. Similar to the Netherlands, the citizens of South Africa refer to Santa Claus as Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas delivers gifts to obedient, behaving children. But because Christmas falls during the summer in South Africa, they celebrate with barbeques and feasts outdoors just like in Australia. Almost 80% of South Africans identify as Christian. However, throughout a great deal of Africa, people celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday. Although the traditions of Christmas and Santa Claus differ immensely across the globe, one common theme remains present throughout each variation of celebration: all of the traditions of Santa Claus seem to be for the children’s benefit. In the Netherlands, Dutch children go on scavenger hunts to find their presents as a reward for behaving. In Australia, Santa and his Six White Boomers hop across the outback to deliver gifts to all of the children. Even in South Korea, where the strict government often prevails, they award children with a day off from school in order to enjoy the holiday. So, if you find yourself in another country for Christmas this year, keep an eye out for Sinterklaas or even the Six White Boomers.
Koreans celebrate by decorating Seoul in neon lights and putting up Christmas trees.
Page 10
Traditions
NORAD tracker
BY AVERY BOALS ‘19
Every year at my grandmother’s house everyone is ready to exchange presents. on Christmas Eve, my extended family Around 10 or 10:30 p.m., gift giving has gathers to exchange gifts, but the most finished, and we go downstairs to check exciting event is always tracking Santa on on Santa. By this time, he has moved into the NORAD Santa Tracker. My cousins, the United States, usually like California three of whom are five or younger, my sister, and I all gather around the computer in my grandfather’s study. We sit and stare at the Santa icon, which is usually somewhere on the other side of the world. Although the icon rarely moves, we scream with excitement when it jumps from one place to another. Meanwhile, as we wait for the Santa icon to move, we ask our youngest cousins what they want for Christmas, making them eager for Christmas morning. During dinner, Photo by Avery Boals we all sit around the cousins’ table; occasionally, one of us is sent back to the study to look at the tracker. Once or New York. Even though Santa was that person returns, they make a great not even close to Memphis, when we announcement telling where Santa is at were little, we would all worry that Santa the time. When we have finished dinner, would get to our houses before we did
or Santa wouldn’t come to our houses because we weren’t there. Driving home, I remember making mental estimates of where Santa was, which were most likely very incorrect. Every year when we reached home, I was always surprised how we beat Santa to our house, but I still raced upstairs to go to bed as quick as I could. On Christmas morning, my sister and I always waited downstairs for my father to wake up, while my mother got breakfast ready, but we are never allowed to go see our presents. After breakfast, we go into our living room and open gifts. I remember being relieved every year after seeing my gifts under the tree because we had made it back to my house in time for Santa to find it.
The Midnight Mass MAGGIE LOFTIN ‘17
Once I was old enough to attend my his dinner party. It was very disorienting, church’s midnight mass on Christmas Eve, but the constancy of the midnight mass I excitedly attended. I was so excited to calmed my anxieties about the coming carry a candle through the aisle of the church and to sit beside the Photo courtesy of St. Andrews Episcopal Church altar; however, I was terrified I would not be able to stay awake. Now, around 7 years later, I still attend this service. Although many aspects of my family’s Christmas Eve traditions have greatly changed, this has stayed constant. Ever since I was young, my family has all congregated at my maternal grandmother’s house, but last year there was simply too much going on for everyone to attend. Instead, I floated between Christmas dinners, stopping by my aunt and uncles and visiting my dad’s friends who had decided to attend
few days. The service was the same as it always had been in the past, and even when I returned home from church to find my dad and several of his friends all surrounding my dining room table, I was not perturbed by the many changes in my family’s Christmas traditions. There’s a certain comfort in sameness, in the unchanging traditions practiced from year to year. This coming year, I expect I will observe the same tradition and be comforted by the sameness of the tradition, though both my faith and my entire life have greatly changed over the past year.
Traditions
Page 11
A very cousin Christmas
BY GRACE GALLER ‘19
My favorite family holiday tradition to nineteen, in Christmas pajamas ready is something I like to call “a very cousin to eat and open a special secret Santa gift Christmas.” Every year since my cousin purchased just for them. You will also Ella was born we have celebrated her find a little blonde girl, normally wearing birthday, December 18th, the week before a birthday sticker or crown on her head Christmas at our Grandmother’s house. Because of my extremely large Italian family, we choose to open Christmas gifts from our cousins on the night of Ella’s birthday celebration. The planning starts right after we have Thanksgiving lunch. All ten cousin’s names go into a large bowl and all ten kids draw one piece of paper. Once everyone has their paper, we double check to make sure siblings don’t have each other, Photo courtesy of Grace Galler and then everyone goes on their merry way off to buy gifts before the night ready to celebrate another year in her life. of Cousin Christmas. Once everyone arrives children are When Cousin Christmas comes around, running up and down the stairs, uncles are you can find many cars all lined up at my sitting watching a sporting event on the grandmother’s home in Germantown. television, and everyone else is helping set You will also find 10 children, aged six tables and eating hors d’oeuvres. When
Cissy and Nene call out that dinner is ready we then all sit down at the various card tables set up around the dining and living room and eat. After the children have scarfed down their foods and rushed their parents to finish, we all pitch in to clean up the dining room and the fun then begins. We start by letting the birthday girl open her gifts up first then it is fair game for all. Wrapping paper is flying in the air with sounds of screeching coming from all the young children. It’s really hard to get a large family of 22 people all in the same room for one night so having this tradition is something I cherish greatly. It’s amazing to get to look back at all the photos and see how our family has grown and how although everyone may not look the same, each and every person has the same expression of joy on their face.
Tartan ties BY ABBY HAYS ‘20
Every December, my parents force me comes in. Due to supply-and-demand to eat dinner and bond with strangers. complications, the real Santa is typically There is no need to worry though because unavailable, so we call in our family friend according to my family, all of the adults with a big white beard to pass out candy know me. Otherwise known as the Hays Family Christmas Party, this event consists all of my extended family gathering in one location (usually one of their houses) in order to put on the most cliché Christmas party ever. All of the attendees dress up in matching Christmasthemed outfits. Seriously, we have a tradition in which all of the men wear a red and green plaid tie known as the Hays Tie; a specific tartan-patterned tie to represent our family. Some of Photo courtesy of Russel Hays the women obtained scarves in the same pattern as well. Once everyone has arrived and each child’s canes in return for present requests. Two growth has been commented on, Santa years ago, my cousin Madeleine spotted
him at the Fresh Market about an hour before his scheduled arrival stocking up on candy for the get-together. Now, I know it sounds as if I am bashing the event, but I really do appreciate the Hays Family Christmas Party. I get to make new friends, eat a great deal of mini ham and cheese biscuits, and convince my dad to explain the family tree again. I will never get tired of the abundance of Hay Ties, either. Because it is important for me to know my family, I understand the purpose of catching up every year. There are lots of aspects I love about the annual gathering such as my family, the food, and the of course the height comments. So, I love and appreciate the Hays Family Christmas Party, tartan ties and all.
Media
Page 12
Merry movies and more BY JASMINE MCGILL ‘17 It’s that time of year again! Yes, it is time to bake gingerbread cookies, string popcorn for Christmas tree ornaments, and stuff your face with pumpkin pie and turkey. Aside from the food aspects of the holiday season, what else is there to put you in the holiday mood? Of course! You guessed it. What is the holiday season without festive songs and movies? We know the classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Grandma Got Ran over By A Reindeer, Jingle Bells, A Holly Jolly Christmas, and a thousand more but what about the new stuff? In the next couple of months there will be several new movie and album releases dedicated to the holiday season. Some artists have jumped ahead of the game and have already released their albums. For instance, musician songwriter and actor Jimmy Buffett just released his Christmas album titled Tis’ the season in late October. Pentatonix (PTX), an acapella group who became prominent by winning the third season of the Sing-Off on NBC, also released a holiday album in late October titled A Pentatonix Christmas. In addition, the American country music trio, Rascal Flatts, have recently released a very joyful, festive album composed of some of “the group’s favorite Christmas songs,” according to group member Jay DeMarcus during a media interview on their Rhythm & Roots Tour stop in Indianapolis, Indiana. Singer and
songwriter Kenny Lattimore released his first Christmas album as he too has also decided to spread the holiday cheer this year with his new album. The album
that’s what I Call Christmas 2016 album which consists of various artists. On the other hand, in the film sector of holiday releases, there are two very comical yet festive movies that will be released in mid to late November. The first movie, Almost Christmas, features actors J.B. Smoove and Omar Epps, as well as actresses Nicole Ari Parker, Mo’Nique, and Kimberly Elise. The movie description depicts the movie as being the story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family members for one gift for the holiday season which is to get along. He believes that if they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be an absolute Christmas miracle. The other movie, Office Christmas Party, featuring actors Jason Bateman and T. J. Miller and actresses Photo courtesy of Jasmine McGill Olivia Munn, Jillian Bell, Courtney B. Vance, Kate consists of numerous songs written by McKinnon and Jennifer Aniston, is a the song writer himself such as “Real comedy film about co-workers who are Love Christmas” and “We Want to See hoping to close a sale and save their jobs, two co-workers in particular, actors Jason Bateman, T.J. Miller, decide to rally their colleagues to throw an epic Christmas party. Are you in the Holiday spirit yet? How could you not be with so much going on in the media world? With such an array of artists and actors and You.” In addition are both albums A Very actresses who have created festive albums Kacey Christmas by country singer and and movies, it is hard not to be in the songwriter Kacey Musgraves and the Now holiday filled mood! Happy Holidays!
In the next couple of months there will be several new movie and album releases dedicated to the holiday season.
Editorial
Page 13
A Christmas Eve story BY MAGGIE LOFTIN ‘17 Christmas Eve 2005: The family is nowhere in sight, but there is food set on the table. If one was to look into the room, they would be very confused for there is food, still warm, set on the table. There were garlands and many Christmas decorations, as well as there were many presents stacked under the tree. Still, there were no people. A door opens, then closes, and a family walks in, happy and smiling. Where had they been?
is back from wherever they go. Christmas Eve 2008: The family is still not home. Where are they? There’s Christmas music playing from a set of brand new speakers. It’s
Christmas Eve 2006: Yet again, the family was not present. This year there was snow outside. No one was outside playing in the snow and there wasn’t any evidence of that they would be inside either. No snowmen had been Photo courtesy of Pinterest made, and there were no tracks across the yard and no evidence of a snowball fight. I’d say clear the children are getting older. it was very disorienting to look around Instead of a new bike, there’s a set of this beautiful house that was filled with fancy headphones and a phone case lying children’s Christmas presents. And, just on the sofa on a pile of wrapping paper. like the year before, the family walks in, The puppy from the previous year is still close to midnight. They are dressed for the there, and this year it is viciously ripping cold. up some of the wrapping paper left on the floor. Christmas Eve 2007: This year, there’s a puppy running around the room. It still has a bow tied around its neck, clearly a Christmas present. Other presents have been opened as well, and there are large quantities of wrapping paper strewn across the room. There are stockings hung from the mantle, but they are not full yet. Above Christmas Eve 2009: them is a plate of cookies and a glass of The clock strikes 11, and the family is milk, untouched. A door opens, and a child gone. The dog lays by the fire surrounded laughs, full of Christmas cheer. The family by a pile of shredded wrapping paper.
If you had looked in the house an hour earlier, the scene would have been very different. The young teenager would have been trying to make her way upstairs, away from the family, to call her friend. Minutes later, her mother would be yelling for her to come downstairs and partake in the Christmas festivities. An argument would follow, and the mother would win. When the family finally came back, the teenager was happy. She was smiling, laughing, and she hugged her mom to thank her for making her go. Christmas Eve 2010: Per usual, the living room is strewn with wrapping paper, most of it shredded by the now fully grown dog asleep on the sofa. There are stockings, food, Christmas music, and cookies. Yet there are no people. Outside, there is snow once again. This time, however, there is a trail of footprints leading to a ladder leaned up against the side of the house. At the top of that ladder, on the roof, a family of four can be seen. They are curled up against each other, trying to keep warm. They face north, and in the distance a figure grows larger. Flying through the sky is a sled pulled by reindeer. In the sled is a jolly figure, dressed in red and surrounded by dozens of beautifully wrapped parcels. As the sled draws closer, the family stands and waves, obviously excited to see their guest. Finally, the sled lands on the roof and hugs are exchanged all around. From inside, a clock chimes 12 times. Christmas had arrived.
As the sled draws closer, the familys stands and waves, obviously excited to see their guest.
Editorial
Page 14
Barkin’ around the Christmas tree BY SAMANTHA TANCREDI ‘18
New year, same old tricks. My family’s Christmas card is a great hassle, with our two rambunctious dogs running about causing high stress levels and yelling that the neighbors surely do not understand. Usually, parents struggle to calm their children down to take a picture, but not in the Tancredi household: we sit perfectly still, put on our best smile, and just try to get it all over with. But it is never that easy—our dogs refuse to listen to my mom’s constant commands. “Sit. Sit down, sweet dogs. Smile. Look at mom. SIT!” Yes, they mastered English at a young age. It all started when we introduced a new member to the clan: Greta. Greta is our youngest dog, a German Shephard who lives her own life in every situation. She tricks us on the daily, and she somehow always gets away with her deceit. At one point, she had our family convinced that my younger brother had eaten an entire pizza and shred the box all over the floor. After we saw the sauce smeared across her nose, we knew this dog was going to be more than we could have ever bargained for. Greta rocks the world of our older dog, Ellie (a sweet Great Dane who is constantly sleepy and looks great in a holiday sweater) with her constant barking. As you can imagine, a picture is the last things these dogs would ever want to sit still for. Greta barks and nags at Ellie’s neck while Ellie pins Greta to the ground with her huge paw. From there, the chasing, the chaos, the screaming—it all begins. Christmas 2015 was particularly memorable. Everyone was ready to go, all prepped and pretty for the picture that all of our family and friends would see. We called the dogs over, and they could not
have looked more depressed; I suppose we learned to never interrupt a playing dog. So, we took a break to cheer them up: we ran around with them, pulled on some ropes, gave them treats, anything we could think of. The five minute process has already taken twenty minutes. We brought them back to the bench where we were going to take the photo, and their smiling
followed calmly behind. That’s when my mom saw her baby German Shephard covered in mud—she looked like a completely different dog, an unknown species, but now, she smiled back at us. After we hosed Greta off, we tried to take the picture one more time. She sat, Ellie sat, we hugged together behind them on the bench, and I had to keep a hand on Greta to make sure she didn’t take off again. Though they look depressed, we kept that picture just for our own sake. My older brother missed his friend’s party, my mom ordered us a pizza instead, I called my friend to tell her I would not be there, and the dogs won the battle. A few weeks later, we took our dogs out to play in the small misting of snow that Memphis got, and they looked so cute with their little noses frosted over. I couldn’t resist Photo courtesy of Anthony Tancredi a few pictures, so I grabbed my nice camera and pretended to shoot a few pictures of the faces sank. At this point, my older trees and grass. Only then could I take brother is late for a friend’s birthday, my pictures of the dogs without them sprinting mom’s dinner is burning, I have missed away or acting insane. my friend’s Christmas party, and the dogs All in all, if you want a nice picture of are not responding in the slightest. This is your dogs and they are stubborn, you have where my dad stepped in. to think like them, trick them, and take the picture fast. There is no time to fix your own hair or adjust your sweater—you have to hurry. They only sit still for a few minutes before they realize what you are doing. If you need your dog or dogs to look at the camera, start talking to your pets and distract them from their surroundings; then, get whoever is holding the My dad trained the dogs when we first camera to say their names. You’ll be able brought each of them home, so both Ellie to get them to look up out of interest, and and Greta look to him for directions and you might even get a model-esque look will always listen to him. After my dad from your German Shephard or Great walked over to put the dogs into place, Dane. Or maybe your dog will run to a pit Greta took off sprinting ferociously; we of mud—it’s all part of the holiday fun.
That’s when my mom saw her baby German Shepherd covered in mud - she looked like a completely different dog, an unknown species, but now, she smiled back at us.
Arts
Page 15
A tale as old as time...
BY SAMANTHA TANCREDI ‘18, PHOTOS BY NICK SIMPSON, FACULTY Congratulations to the cast, crew, and musicians of Beauty and the Beast who created a wonderful show, and to Jay Rapp and his team who produced stunning costumes and outstanding choreography. Hutchison seniors Lydia Fisher, Hayley Bell, Sarah Austin, and Olivia Wilkinson left their hearts on the stage and had a great last winter musical. This year, the musical ran for four showtimes, and each of them was equally impressive and captivating; the talent in the Hutchison theater is surely some of the best. We cannot wait for the next Hutchison production, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which will be showing in the Spring of next year!
Olivia Wilkinson and David Fabian Sarah Austin and Haley Bell
Oakley Weddle
Lydia Fisher and Matthew Horton