Photo taken at Central Alberta Co-op Garden Centre
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E2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014
C hristmases Past F ond Christmas Remembered Memories Growing up
By Michael Dawe
in Red Deer for Mayor By Mayor Tara Veer With the holidays upon us, all the movie classics are, of course, being played over and over again on television. This year, I have been especially amused how often Mayors appear in various Christmas storylines, and how they are portrayed as trying to put an “end” to their community’s holiday spirit. In response to this common characterization of Mayors dressed in black ripping down festive decorations in the town square, I would like you to know that I absolutely love Christmas and was thrilled to be able to launch the holiday season with Red Deerians at the annual “Festival Lights the Night” tree lighting festival in downtown Red Deer In my family, Christmas is and always has been an opportunity for us to take time from the normal busyness of our lives and spend time with loved ones. As a born and raised Red Deerian, I have many memories growing up here enjoying the season with family and friends.
Michael Dawe and his brother Robbin in front of their fireplace during Christmas 1956 I was very fortunate as a child to grow up in a beautiful old brick house that had been built by my paternal grandfather on the northside of Michener Hill in 1912. This was not only my childhood home, but it was also the childhood home of my father, Harold Dawe, and his two brothers, Wellington and Ellswood. The house had two large brick fireplaces, complete with tall brick chimneys. They had been constructed by Julius McIntosh, Red Deer’s most famous early bricklayer and the builder of the old McIntosh House that still stands on Ross Street, east of 47th Avenue. One of those fireplaces was in the living room. The other was in a small adjacent den. It was the living room fireplace that became the focal point for our family Christmases. The large wool stockings were carefully hung off the large oak mantle. Since we had a real chimney and fireplace for Santa to use on Christmas Eve, our belief in the traditional Christmas stories became absolute. The only glitch to the scene was the large piece of tin that had been placed across the flue to cut off the cold winter drafts and the small natural gas heater that had been inserted into the fireplace opening. We were always concerned that these would be obstacles for Santa. However, my father always promised that he would at least take that tin piece off before Santa arrived. My Father must have been true to his word because each Christmas morning (probably between 5 and 6 a.m.) we would rush downstairs to find our stockings bulging with the small gifts from Santa. There was always a mandarin orange, a candy cane, some pieces of chocolate and often a small toy and puzzle for our excited little hands to find. Those were not the only things left for us by Santa. Next to the chimney, there was a large wooden window seat upon which my father placed our real live Christmas tree. Under that tree, there was a Christmas present from Santa for my brother Robbin, my sister Dorothy and myself. There were numerous other presents from our parents, my Uncle Wellington and often other family and friends. Christmas breakfast was always eaten in the kitchen, usually after we opened our stockings, but before we were allowed to touch the main gifts. Christmas lunch was eaten in the dining room, which was an eastward extension of the living room. After the morning’s excitement, we were bundled up for the trip to the family farm at Pine Lake where my mother’s parents lived. Before we left town, we would stop by St. Joseph Convent to pick up my Aunt Alva, who was my maternal grandfather’s sister and one of the nuns (Sister Henri Marie). The trip to Pine Lake was not always an easy one. Highway 42 was not plowed as quickly as it is today after a blizzard. Consequently, a couple of scoop shovels were put in the trunk in case my father and Uncle Wellington had to dig us out of a drift. Once we arrived at the old farmhouse, we were warmly greeted by my grandparents and all the other relatives who were joining us for Christmas that year. The old house had a coal furnace, but there was also a large Quebec heater in the living room to provide additional heat. The kitchen was never cold, because there was a large wood and coal cook stove, that my grandmother — assisted by my Mother and usually some of my aunts — used to cook the enormous Christmas dinner. Before dinner, there were Christmas oranges, licorice allsorts and a large container of mixed nuts to snack upon. The nuts were particularly fascinating to us little kids, as there were metal nutcrackers and picks to use to get the eatable parts out. Dinner always consisted of a huge turkey, together with the traditional mashed potatoes, dressing, turnips, salads, gravy, cranberry sauce and fresh baked buns. We always ate far more than we should have. Consequently, while there was the excitement of the post-dinner gift opening, there was also a drowsiness from being overfull. As the evening drew to a close, we would head back to town. I always remember the wonder of the bright Christmas lights on the houses in the City, in contrast to the general darkness of the area around the farm. We usually did not need much encouragement to go to bed once we got home. The day had been long and full of excitement. As often as not, we had already fallen asleep in the car before we arrived back at the house.
The photo above in front of the tree was taken in 1981. I was four years old and obviously excited about my first Barbie doll, likely purchased at Toys & Wheels in Parkland Mall (wasn’t that a great store?). Shown in the photo are my sisters Marti and Kelly and my cousin Davin. The four of us were very close growing up and continue to be to this day.
The second photo is off my sisters and I (I’m behind the sled) enjoying the holidays tobogganing at Michener Hill in 1981 as well, and speaks to the many opportunities Red Deer offers to enjoy the season. Hopefully you will all have time over the holidays to participate in community life by: skating at Bower Ponds, enjoying the light display at City Hall Park and the old Court House, cross-country skiing at River Bend, hiking our trail system and, of course, tobogganing at Michener Hill, to name just a few. While the holidays bring joy to many, they can also be a difficult time for those in our community experiencing loss or who find themselves in less fortunate circumstances. For these reasons, it is imperative that we give support to those who are missing someone, and keep them in our thoughts and prayers during what can be a very difficult time of year to get through. May we all give as generously as we are able to of our time and financial resources to those in need. There are many local charities and agencies who need our practical support to enable them to serve the many, many Red Deerians who find themselves in unexpected life circumstances. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Mayor over the past year. I hope you have a Merry Christmas & enjoy the holidays. May the New Year be filled with many blessings & opportunities for you and your loved ones.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Season’s Greetings
Garbage and Recycling Collection If your normal pick-up day is Thursday, your garbage and recycling collection will be impacted by Christmas Day and New Years Day holidays. Your collection schedule will be as follows:
• Friday: All Anders neighbourhoods • Monday: Morrisroe, Eastview, Michener Hill east of 40th Ave. and Clearview Meadows • Tuesday: Clearview Ridge and Garden Heights The holiday season is a magical and exciting time of year! Jackie and I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful and safe season with health and happiness for the New Year.
After the holidays, the garbage and recycling collection schedule will return to normal. If your pick-up day isn’t Thursday, it won’t be affected by the holidays.
Jackie and I always feel very fortunate to live in Red Deer! With all the good friends and neighbors, beautiful Christmas lights and festive cheer we feel extremely blessed to call this city home.
Please Remember, Christmas Wrap And Styrofoam Are Not Recyclable
2014 has been an exciting and busy year for me as the MLA for Red Deer South. It continues to be a privilege to represent Red Deer South in the Provincial Legislature. My staff and I have been working hard to represent your interests and concerns and look forward to doing so in 2015.
For more information call the Blue Line at 403-340-BLUE (2583) or visit www.reddeer.ca
Season’s Greetings
Our family wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2015! Constituency Office 503 – 4901 48 Street, Red Deer, AB T4N 6M4 Phone: 403-340-3565 Fax: 403-346-9260 Email: reddeer.south@assembly.ab.ca http://dallas.mypcmla.ca
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from the management and staff of:
RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 E3
A Christmas Story A Message from a Farmer for Your for 2014 Holiday Meal
By Mary Anne Jablonski, MLA - Red Deer North
By Mike Kozlowski, Steel Pony Farm
The Christmas Holiday Season brings childhood memories flooding back to me of family, food and festivities. Every year from as far back as I can remember, after Mass on Christmas Day, my grandparents hosted a fabulous feast at their house. Squeezing 40 or more people into a small bungalow brought a new definition to a “close family.” No child could escape the hugs of numerous Aunts and Uncles or the warm feelings of comfort and joy in my grandparents’ house! The Christmas Season always brought with it an emphasis on giving of your time and allowance to the poor. We were expected to make an extra effort to help others. We worked with our two church communities, St. Denis Catholic Church and St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church to achieve these expectations. Excitement always reigned on Christmas Eve as we visited with good friends and family and awaited the arrival of Santa Claus. We couldn’t get into our beds soon enough because we knew that Santa would not come until we were sleeping. Although every Christmas morning was filled with plenty of presents under the tree, eggnog to drink and chocolates to eat, there are two Christmas mornings that I seem to always remember. The first one I remember was when my two sisters and I woke up one cold and frosty Christmas morning to see three large beautiful display boxes of the doll called Tiny Tears! Do you remember Tiny Tears? The other Christmas morning that I clearly remember was when I received a small leather craft kit and was very disappointed. I was a very ungrateful child and I let my mother know how upset I was. It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned and understood that my Dad, who worked for General Motors in St. Catharines, Ontario, had been on strike for 2 months. The gift came from a “Christmas Bureau” set up by the Union (UAW) for the hundreds of families that had been without a pay cheque for over two months. To this very day I am sorry for how ungrateful I was, knowing how difficult it must have been for my parents. As the years passed and I began celebrating Christmas with my husband Bob and three children, the traditions of our two families merged and we began celebrating Christmas just as we had when we were children. A big Christmas tradition for Bob was to open the parcel that always arrived from his family in England. They would joyfully find little cherished gifts and English Cadbury treats that could not be found in Canada at that time. One year we went to Disney World for Christmas. As exciting and magical as that was we were not able to celebrate Christmas as we normally would. No Christmas Mass, no Christmas turkey dinner with Armenian delights, and no family and friends! Bob and I were informed by our youngest child that she never wanted to be away for Christmas again! And so, to this day, we celebrate Christmas at home with our faith community and our family and friends. Now with five grandchildren, Christmas has become more meaningful and more magical every year. As we all celebrate age old traditions that may include celebrating faith, showing love and appreciation for friends and family, and remembering those in need and those who cannot be with us, may the Christmas spirit fill you with comfort and joy that a baby born over 2,000 years ago wanted you to have. My family and I would like to wish you and your family all the best for the holiday season and may the New Year of 2015 bring you happiness, health and peace!
I hope that you are warmly bundled, enjoying time with your family and friends, and prioritizing good food this holiday season. I’m so grateful for a successful season of growing vegetables and for the support of the many families our farm team was able to feed from May through November of this year. One of the things I have come to love about vegetable farming is the clear distinction between the on and off seasons. In the summer months our days can be so full of seeding, weeding and packing that we have very little time to consider anything more than the day to day tasks that keep our business running. But the pace changes as soon as snow falls. In addition to working the odd side job, wrapping up farm tasks, and business planning for next year’s food box program, I have had an opportunity to consider the burgeoning local food movement in Red Deer. In the four years since I started Steel Pony Farm I have witnessed a huge shift in the culture of food in our community. Changes are taking place in the world that are hard to ignore. Droughts in California, unpredictable weather patterns in our part of the world, and international trade agreements that make it harder for small farmers to thrive are a part of the reality we face. In confronting these challenges it is important to recognize that farmers are not the only ones struggling. Eaters – you, your family, your friends – are now negotiating increased food prices, less choice, and a lower quality of food. I’m glad to say, however, that there is hope, and that hope is becoming ingrained in the fabric of Central Alberta. Eaters and farmers together are beginning to support a new food system – a parallel food system, if you will. This system provides nutrient dense food, grown by people you can get to know, in ways that add to the ecological, social, and financial health of the Parkland Region we call home. This local food movement helps to protect us from the vagaries of the world market, the challenges of changing world climate patterns, and from food grown using technology and methods that have not been proven safe. We are building resilience, we are providing abundance and we are having fun. This holiday season, you can be a part of furthering the movement. The shift to local food doesn’t start in the field or the pasture; it begins in the kitchen. Let’s slow down, sharpen our kknives, oil our old iron pans, and sspend more time in the centre of tthe home. Every time you celebrate aaround a home made meal, eevery new skill you teach to your yyoungsters in the kitchen, every ttime you choose whole food, you sset the stage for a more robust food ssystem, add to your self reliance, aand increase the security and joy tthat we share through food. Have a safe holiday season full of love and sharing.
Have A Safe And Happy Holiday From All Of Us At Red Deer Motors
RICH ANDERSON
ANDREW LERNOWICH
BARRY EBBS
CHAD M C DONALD
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JEREMY DEWAR
DWAYNE TORRIS
JIM IRVINE
ROD MCWILLIAM
MELODIE JOHNSON
GORD HYNES
TOM SKINNER
LYNDSY DECLERCK
ROB SICARD
MARC PILON
ADRIENNE BUCHANAN
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E4 RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014
Mountains, ice and snow: A New Canadian’s Christmas Tale As told to Jackie Ammeter, Settlement Practitioner-Connecting Newcomers Program, Central Alberta Refugee Effort, Red Deer
“Christmas in Canada is very different from Christmas in Colombia,” exclaims Narda Alvarez (whom I am interviewing for this story). “Well, especially as I never saw snow before!”
to warm up. After a few minutes he went out again to compose the shot and focus the camera. Back into the car for a warm up. Next, as he got the self-timer set, Narda would run out of the car, throw off her toque, mitts and big parka and they would pose with happy grins. Then dash back into the car as fast as possible!
As for most people who have lived their lives in warm climates, snow is indeed a wondrous novelty and becomes a prevailing part of the whole Canadian Christmas experience. “Everything about winter is like a Christmas card or a Disney movie!” Her friends back in Colombia, after seeing her Facebook photos or videos posts comments that, “it looks like a dream!” Narda says. In Colombia, the Christmas season kicks off on the evening of November 30th and into December 1st with a festival where friends, neighbours and strangers hug each other in the street heartily proclaiming, “Welcome December!”. I assumed this was some kind of connection to the Advent season, but Narda explained it is more like the beginning of “vacation season” – much like the end of June is for Canadian school kids. The “Welcome December” celebration is a very noisy street festival with outdoor socializing, lots of delicious food cooking on open fires, lights ablaze, Christmas music playing, singing and general merry-making with no scarves or coats required! A week later, on December 8th, the official Christmas season begins; streets become a blaze of light, with sidewalks, balconies, and terraces covered with lighted candles. This is the traditional Noche de las velitas; that is, night of the little candles.
Near Banff, Carlos & Narda in -37 degrees What a contrast to some of the Canadian experiences that Narda had last December, which was her first winter in Alberta. Together with her new husband, Carlos (who has lived in Canada for a few years), they travelled from Red Deer to Banff to take in the winter sights. She was awestruck at the beauty of the snow-covered mountains and trees, but taking a photo in the -37 degree weather was another matter. First they had a discussion about the plan – Carlos would attach the camera to the tripod and rush out of the car to set it up, then come back in the car
Narda driving on Ghost Lake December 18th – 24th is a nine day celebration called “Novena,” which commemorates the birth of Christ. It is Narda’s favourite time of the year and what she misses the most about Christmas in Colombia. Every evening gatherings happen across the country – even workmates will pause and participate. They will pray together, read from the bible, sing “villancicos,” and share food and fellowship. Adding to the homesickness, Narda also finds the lack of Christmas decorations in Canada to be somewhat of a letdown and it makes her feel a bit sad when she is used to every home and workplace being completely decked out for Christmas.
And then there was the drive from Montreal back to Alberta in a car they had purchased…. At some point in Ontario, the heater fan stopped working. After an hour of frigid travelling, even being wrapped in sleeping bags, Narda thought her time to meet-her-maker had come. She couldn’t feel her hands and feet and began to seriously make her peace with God and with her husband thinking she was going to freeze to death. Mercifully, the heater fan began to work again and hope was restored. Soon afterward, they slid into the ditch; but that’s another story. The second scariest moment after facing her own death, was watching what she thought was going to be her husband’s death. Stopping at Ghost Lake near Cochrane, they got out to take pictures and have a look at the winter wonderland. Narda watched in horror as Carlos got back in the car and drove onto the lake! She screamed in terror knowing the car and her beloved would plunge to the bottom. Amazingly, the car was magically gliding on the lake and within minutes, to her delight, she too was driving and spinning around on the ice. “It was craaaaaazy!”
Celebrating Novena with friends in Colombia Christmas 2013 was a difficult one for the newlyweds as Narda had only arrived in Canada in October and had not yet established a circle of friends. This year, she has expectations of a more enjoyable time and is planning to cook a turkey (for the first time!) and embrace some of the Canadian traditions she is learning about. It won’t be quite like Colombia, but the beauty of watching the snow fall (“it’s sooo romantica,” she says) and celebrating her second anniversary with Carlos on December 24th will make it all the more special.
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RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 E5
Wand ithout the ribbons A Christmas of wrapping Discovery paper:
By Ken Jonhston, Red Deer City Councillor
The Grinch and Rediscovery at Christmas
By Dianne Wyntjes, Red Deer City Councillor
Throughout the season, one of my enjoyable traditions is to watch Christmas and holiday themed movies. One of my favorites is the Dr. Seuss classic movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Jim Carrey’s performance and Faith Hill’s music and the lyrics to “Where Are You Christmas?”. It’s a story that questions the true meaning of Christmas. And a song that expresses not finding the Christmas spirit. We’re often reminded of the commercialization of Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the holiday feeling in the air, the decorations and lights, the shopping, the carols, the glow of the Christmas tree lights, the planning and preparations, the festivities and the eats and treats. The movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a glimpse into a community, Whoville, the characters of the town and their preparations for Christmas. There’s a house decorating contest among the neighbours. There’s a community competition for the town Cheermeister. There’s the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation. Clearly, Whoville is a community who is decorating, buying, and wrapping up Christmas. Then there’s the Grinch’s life. He lives on a mountain, in a cave and alone. He’s doesn’t look like others in Whoville; he’s green and has hairy whiskers. He’s different. He’s been excluded and rejected by his community. He’s someone carrying some unhappy childhood memories of being ridiculed and teased. His dog Max is about the only friend he has. The Grinch doesn’t feel any Christmas spirit or goodwill. The Grinch turns Whoville upside down by taking all the presents, decorations, food and steals any sign of Christmas from their village. And a child, Cindy Lou Who, with her innocence, goodness and love in her heart, wonders about the true meaning of Christmas. She wonders about the Grinch as “no one should be alone at Christmas”. With her kindness, friendship and courage she reaches out to make a new friend. At the end of the story the Grinch wonders “What if Christmas doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas....perhaps...means a little bit more?” He sees a community singing and having a Christmas without all their stuff and that having each other is more than enough. His small heart grows three sizes bigger and his heart is healed. And the community welcomes the Grinch back into Whoville. He joins them, even rekindling his relationship with a childhood sweetheart. And he carves the Christmas “roast beast” for a community dinner. I enjoy this story as it’s a reminder of rediscovery. That sometimes when we lose something, like the spirit of Christmas, we can find it again. The story reminds us that life and people can change. By choice or by experience. We can be better people. Like the people of Whoville, who shed their intolerance and included someone they once judged and chastised. Like the Grinch who was once lost and alone. He did some naughty things, but made it right, asked for forgiveness and began again. It’s a reminder that we can make a difference through our actions - big or small. Like the child, Cindy Lou who befriended an outcast. And the story reminds us that the celebration of Christmas can happen without all the ribbons and wrapping paper. The people of Whoville weren’t deterred by commercialism but recognized that family, friends and community were the best treasures they had. I’m blessed that my Christmas planning brings special times and making memories with friends and family. It’s a time of hope, peace and love. And at our community church, sharing the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ and his message to love one another. At this season and throughout the year, let’s remember that some in our community have a hard time finding the Christmas and holiday spirit. The lonely, the outsiders, the poor, those experiencing sickness, conflict or disappointment. At this season and throughout the year, let’s remember them and like Cindy Lou, reach out. May your hearts be big with generosity and love this season and a Merry Christmas to one and all.
To paraphrase the Danish philosopher Kierkegaard, ”God…..does what is still more wonderful, he makes saints out of sinners.” That is how I will always remember the Christmas of 2009. It was an ordinary Christmas season, marked by the usual family and community traditions, the gatherings, the music, the food. A magical yet predictable few weeks of December or so I thought. I have had the very good fortune to know and be known by many of our homeless and marginalized citizens over the years. They have touched my life in many ways and each one has contributed to my journey as a person. Thus so it was on Christmas Day 2009, my daughter and I were a part of the celebrations at Berachah Place Outreach, downtown. Like other volunteers we were bringing food and assorted gifts , boots, coats and the like. Berachah had steep stairs to its basement entrance and on our last trip up those stairs one of the homeless folks was waiting at the top to talk to me. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Ken,” said Dwayne. I had met him a few years back and despite his rough persona, his addictions and difficulty with the law, I liked him. He was a small time criminal with a sorry family life, I learned over time. I introduced my daughter and after some seasonal pleasantries he announced, “I have something to show you, come outside.” Quite frankly I anticipated the worst as he reached inside his winter coat and after bringing out a large wallet , I was only slightly relieved. “It’s a lady’s wallet. I picked it up this morning at the Royal Bank cash machine.” “Wow,” I said quite surprised, “what are you going to do with it?” Before he could answer, I thanked him for showing it to me but said he should go to the RCMP, which seemed to be the logical solution. “Oh Mr Ken,” he laughed, “do you really think a person with my record could walk into a police station much less with a full wallet and say, I found it?” Great point I mused, who knows what outcome that could have! “Wait a minute,” I said. “Did you say full wallet Dwayne?” “Yes”, he said. “I haven’t touched anything; I knew you were coming today and I wanted to give it to a Banker.” I don’t know who was more dumbstruck, my daughter or I! “But why?....., how?.....” I stammered. He smiled and said, “It’s Christmas, Mr. Ken. I am sure the owner wants to have a great Christmas too.” Then he handed me the wallet and said, “Go, find the owner for me and wish her a good Christmas from Dwayne.” I thanked him as did my daughter for giving us a Christmas memory we would never forget. As we drove home we marvelled at how the spirit of the season touches the soul and how Dwayne was able to give an incredible gift to a stranger. When we arrived home a call to the young lady on the driver’s license soon had us travelling to Lancaster. She was relieved beyond measure as you can imagine to have the wallet and all its contents untouched. When she found out that a homeless person had found it she was as incredulous as we were and I dare say touched forever by his act of kindness. Dwayne’s Christmas “discovery” confirmed our belief that good lies in all of us, and that Christmas, in all its magical, fanciful, spiritual splendor reveals it time and again. Dwayne still lives in Red Deer, but he has housing now and a more stable life. I see him from time to time. We laugh at the memory of Christmas 2009 and the discovery that touched us all.
Merry Christmas
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E6 RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014
O Angel Tree
By Sandra and Joel Cadieux on behalf of Unity Baptist Church and Angel Tree Ministries
It was 5 or 6 years ago that our hearts were first called to get involved with Angel Tree Ministries. Joel had been volunteering at Bowden Institution and saw first hand the pain and devastation caused by separation between parent and child, which was magnified during the Christmas season. We did some searching and discovered Angel Tree Ministries, an organization devoted to bridging the gap and bring healing between children and their incarcerated parent at Christmastime. For the 350,000 Canadian children who have a parent that is incarcerated, the guilt, confusion and abandonment issues can be overwhelming. On the other side, the helplessness that an incarcerated parent feels not being able to provide a Christmas gift for their child adds to the heartbreak and loneliness they often feel during Christmas. This is where Angel Tree steps in. The parent is given the opportunity to choose whatever gift they would like to give their child and send them a handwritten note along with it. We took this opportunity to get involved to our church, Unity Baptist, and were overwhelmed by the response. We are a small church, less than 200 attendees, but take on more children each year than any other church or organization in Central Alberta. This year we will be providing gifts for 54 children on behalf of their parents. Many volunteers are needed to make Angel Tree a success, starting with donations to purchase gifts, typically we need approximately $1,500$1,600. People have been so excited and willing to give that we usually only need to ask for financial donations every second year. It’s such a busy time of year, we’ve been so grateful that as well as people giving financially they are also willing to sacrifice their time to shop for gifts for these kids, wrap and deliver them. Our volunteer sheets are usually filled up in the first 20 minutes. It’s been exciting to see so many people have a heart for such an important program. I can remember one year when everything seemed to go wrong especially with the deliveries. A large number of the gifts we deliver are in Edmonton. As we all know Alberta highways aren’t exactly stress free to travel on in the winter months; that mixed with the bitter cold, directions that didn’t make sense, vehicles with tired kids, people being car sick and couples ‘disagreeing’ on directions didn’t exactly make things easy on our volunteer delivery drivers. Then the moment comes when you finally find the house and that bright eyed little boy or girl runs to greet you, knowing that you hold a gift from their parent. More than just the Barbie doll or Lego that might be inside the wrapped box, is the gift that they are remembered and loved. Knowing that you were a part of bringing that joy makes it all worth it, being able to experience a little piece of what Christmas is really about.
MRecollections agical By Syneva Baltimore, member of The Norwegian Laft Hus Society I was born in 1934, the third child to a Norwegian mother and Swedish father. We lived thirty miles from town. It was the beginning of The Great Depression and we did not have many luxuries; although we always had a Christmas tree with homemade decorations and a Christmas goose on the table. When my older brother and sister started school, I was very lonely at home. I was 4 or 5 years old at the time. My mother made me a rag doll to keep me company while my siblings were at school. I must have whined a little about my doll not having a face and my mother knew how to solve the problem. She took my doll with her down into our cellar, giving me strict instructions not to peek! When she came up, my doll was beautiful. It had blue eyes, pink cheeks, red lips and brown eyelashes. I knew that the only liquid we had in the house was dark blue ink. I thought that my mother was truly magical to be able to turn that dark ink into all of those different colors. A month or two later it was Christmas. I received a coloring book and a metal box of water color paints. I was in my 20’s when I finally put 2 and 2 together and realized where my doll’s magical colors came from all those years ago. I still think that my parents performed many magical tricks in our lives. Their motto was: “ You make it, you make do, or you do without.” Syneva Baltimore of Red Deer takes in the traditionally decorated Christmas tree at the Norwegian Laft Hus in Red Deer earlier this month.
May the Christmas Spirit bring you comfort and joy over the holiday season. MaryAnne Jablonski MLA Red Deer North
#200, 4814 Ross St., Red Deer, AB T4N 1X4 | Phone: 403.342.2263 e-mail: reddeer.north@assembly.ab.ca | http://jablonski.mypcmla.ca
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78324L17
347-6388 4945-54 Ave
(Corner 52 St & 54 Ave.)
Red Deer Legion Branch # 35 Many Blessings and Merry Christmas from the Management & Staff of Montgomery Auction Services Ltd.
2nd Prize $5,00000 3rd Prize $5,00000
For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Draw Date: May 30, 2015 5:00 pm at
RED DEER LEGION
2810 Bremner Ave. Phone 403-342-0035 Licence # 395355
5,000 Tickets Printed
Auctioneers & Sales Management
www.montgomeryauctions.com
(403) 885-5149
Tickets may only be Sold or Purchased within Alberta
76219L17
78281L17
www.frontierbuslines.com
Purchase at Branch 35 $ 00
1st Prize 25,000
403.347.4990
Toll Free 1.888.Let.S.Bus
2500
78082L17
We wish you a Happy Holiday Season! Thank you for your continued patronage.
$
76222L17
Have a Merry Little Christmas
Tickets
First Christmas
RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 E7
By Doreen Scott
Heasy oliday living made
A few simple strategies can help you save time and reduce stress this holiday season.
(MS) With so much on our plates between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the holiday season can be hectic. Fortunately, there are many ways to save time and make the holiday season more manageable. • If you don’t have plastic clips to hang lights around windows and to the eaves of your home, inexpensive clothespins will work just as well. If you’re concerned about the color of the wooden clips, paint them holiday hues before stringing the lights. • Put a bath mat, rug-side down and rubber-side up, beneath your Christmas tree stand. This allows you to spin the tree as you hang lights and ornaments without damaging the floor underneath. It also makes it simple to undress the tree once the season is over. Use a tree skirt to hide the mat. • Squeeze artificial tree portions into concrete form tubes. First wrap the tree portions in twine and then slip them into the concrete sleeves. Each tube can be stowed in attic or garage rafters, freeing up precious space. • Use empty squirt bottles to make baking and cooking easier. Pancake and cookie batters can be squirted from the containers for less mess. • Store one or two strings of lights in a plastic shopping bag to keep the strands from getting tangled. Hang the bags from a hook in a garage or stack them in a storage bin. • Use plastic zip ties to attach garland and lights to bannisters. They’re easy to assemble and will not damage the bannisters. • A paper towel holder can be screwed to the wall in a craft room to neatly hold spools of ribbon. Simply pull the length you need from the spool and cut for easy decorating. • Mount a tree stand to a piece of wood with screws or glue. This prevents spills from reaching the floor while stabilizing the tree. • Old maps make interesting gift wrap and are a nice change of pace from commercially produced paper or newsprint. • Wrap duct tape or another type of sticky tape around your hand. Pat over fallen pine needles that accumulate around the tree. In hard-to-reach areas, wrap the tape around a broom or a floor sweeper. • When traveling for the holidays, use a brightly colored suitcase or flashy tape to make your suitcase stand out from others at the airport. • Place hardened brown sugar in a baking dish, cover it with a moist paper towel and either microwave it on high for 20-second intervals or place it in a 300 F oven for five minutes. This will soften the sugar, making it easier to use the sugar to prepare your favorite holiday cookie recipes. • Save plastic bread ties, which can be used to make tags for the wires on certain devices. Such ties also can be used to organize decorating components and to keep your place on a roll of tape. • Measure the inside of your picture window and construct a wooden frame to its dimensions. Staple holiday lights to the frame and then easily slip the frame in and out of place each year. • Hang a live wreath or some boughs of evergreen in your home to give it that fresh pine scent if you have an artificial tree. • Color-code storage containers so you can easily find holiday decorations in the attic or basement. • Pack for a holiday excursion using a collapsible clothing storage hanger for closets. Fold clothes on each fabric shelf and then collapse it into your suitcase. When you get to your destination, unfold and hang it in a closet so all of your clothes will be at the ready.
They were not new to the game. Involved in friendships with other people, they had been introduced and talked briefly with each other. So when Bill called a couple days later, Sheila agreed to meet, but with serious reservations. He had a plastic sleeve in his shirt pocket with an array of ball-point pens and wore out-of-date blue jeans with bright red suspenders. A true farmer, he was proud and yet not comfortable in his own skin. She was too — not thin, not quite fat, varicosities notwithstanding and grey, wavy hair. Several dates later and after a couple of parties hosted by mutual acquaintances, they seemed doomed to become an item in their crowd. Gradually Sheila saw another side of Bill. He had been an exceptional baseball player and had an opportunity to do something as a career in ball. Fate had intervened and with his father incapacitated with an early stroke, he ended up looking after their large family farm just outside of Lydia. Married at age 29, Bill had shouldered the responsibility of five kids and when his wife suddenly died of aggressive cancer, he felt rootless and unsettled for a long while. “Time to get back into the game,” everyone told him years down the road, including his kids. So here he was, trying. But it was hard, so hard. Sheila did not fare any easier. She had also had dreams that did not come to fruition. Now, as a librarian in Lydia, she wondered if life had passed her by after the death of her husband in a multi-car pile up three years ago. She had no children — thank heavens, she thought — but a whole lot of unhappy memories, interlaced with a sense of relief and guilt. Now, here they were heading into the Christmas season. Bill had invited her to join his noisy brood but she had held back, not really sure she was ready for his family’s obvious evaluations of her. Was she too old? Perhaps too quick to comment when it would be better to stay quiet? Too late in the game for a venture into what lay beyond the master bedroom? Who knew? She hesitated for a few weeks and then decided. After all, what did she have to lose? Christmas Day loomed. Sheila packed her suitcase and left her neat, little condo to travel down to the farm outside of Lydia. As she neared the property, she knew she had to “cut bait!” Nervously she parked her little car beside the garage and noticed Bill coming towards her. He, too, looked nervous and that made her feel better. He pecked her cheek and took her suitcase. The next few hours flew by. The kids were indeed a noisy gang. But it was such fun! Everyone was laughing at Bill’s jokes and helping out with the enormous meal and then suddenly it was over and the house was once again quiet and relatively tidy. There they were, on the chesterfield in the front room, the television playing softly the most beautiful Christmas carols everyone knew. As Bill reached for her, Sheila knew that everything would work out. Their first Christmas together could only be a harbinger of happy times. What else could it be? They were just two past middle-aged people finding the true meaning of Christmas in a caring and enduring love for one another in a busy and troubled world. Bring it on!
Make the holidays even more enjoyable with a variety of timesavers and clever tips.
Happy Holidays from the Staff at
Gaetz Ave. Denture Clinic Denture Specialist
Losing TAKE THIS TEST: your dentures... your Are R Loose? R In your pocket? R Cracked or worn? teeth? grip? R Over 5 years old? RR Missing Sore gums?
Building B, 2319 Taylor Drive Red Deer
403-342-4005
403-358-5558
Please Call Today For Your FREE Consultation.
76218L17
#140, 2325 - 50th Avenue Red Deer, AB T4R 1M7 North of Value Village
Bower Business Centre
Ralph and Jane Bruinsma and the Triangle Group of Companies would like to thank our many customers for their support during the past year.
Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year TRANSPORT Ltd. 403-309-1999
855-446-1047
Contract Haulers for Lo Cost Propane
403-346-1106
Together, over the last 3 and a half years, we have raised $59,731.11 made up of payments to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society in the Lethbridge and Red Deer area through propane sales and related BBQ activities. We hope that during the New Year we will start up again with an increased awareness program using our ‘Pink Truck Fleet’. Out of the 45 trucks and trailers operating in Western Canada, 7 have been identified with ‘Fueling a Cure’ serving BC, Saskatchewan and
Wed. Dec. 24 .................... 9-3 Thurs. Dec. 25 ................... Closed Fri. Dec. 26 ...................... Closed Sat. Dec. 27 ...................... Closed Sun. Dec 28 ....................... Closed Mon. Dec 29 ...................... 9-6 Tues. Dec 30 ...................... 9-6 Wed. Dec. 31 .................... 9-3 Thurs. Jan. 1 ..................... Closed Fri. Jan. 2 ........................ Closed Sat. Jan. 3 ....................... 9-5
Alberta. We have additional specifically identified periods when we dedicate our sales to aid in the advancement of eliminating this disease. We are also raising funds for High River Flood Victims, with one of our propane trucks. To date we have donated $35,000.00 to this great need. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause in High River please call 1-888-446-1047. We would like to extend season’s greeting and a big thank you to our sponsors and customers who made this possible and look forward to seeing you at our fundraising events in 2015. Warmest wishes to everyone this holiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year.
www.lo-costpropane.com
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78375L17
David Fedechko DD
E8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014
a d i y l s o t o H A y p p l a l ! H The Red Deer Motor Dealers Association wishes everyone a safe, enjoyable Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!
GARY MOE
VOLKSWAGEN
RED DEER