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New Canadian families reflect on Christmas traditions past and present
Final push for kettle campaign donations
Christmas morning in Asmara (the Eritrean capital and city Ruta hails from) Christian families typically go to church and celebrate the Divine Liturgy, a Eucharist service that inSHERI REGNIER volves reading of Scriptures and the Trail Times Sacrament of Holy Communion. Mothers and daughters then bake Ruta Zaharias had only ever seen Injera, a thin spongy sour bread and snow and Santa Claus on television. So when she first saw the snow- cook traditional Zgni, a hot meat flakes falling in Rossland last month, stew. Prayer is said by a father, the eldest the Eritrean mother of two trembled or senior member of the family before with fear. the Christmas feast. “First I was afraid,” Later, to help digest the she laughed. “But now it’s “We are excited meal, Eritreans stroll good, it’s nice.” and happy for through the streets and This is the family’s first Christmas. And meet with friends and Christmas in Canada – traditionally end the this time last year the I want to say day in a coffee house three were living in a thank you very, to sip Myies (a liquor refugee camp in Egypt very much to made from fermented after fleeing the African honey) or cappuccino. my group (West country when her husFor her first white band disappeared a few Kootenay Friends Christmas in Canada, years ago. of Refugees).” Ruta’s sponsor helped For her first Rehus with tree decorating RUTA ZAHARIAS Beal Ledeat (Merry and introduced the Christmas) in a new family to the North country she brings her traditions, which include decorating American tradition of turkey and the a Christmas tree, new clothes as gifts fixings. “I tried (turkey) but we didn’t like for her young sons, and Zgni, a cusit,” she laughed. “Mostly (in Eritrea) tomary yuletide meal. But this first year outside the com- we use sheep. But if it’s expensive munity of her Orthodox Christian then we use goats most often (or) if religion had Ruta misty-eyed as she it’s a small family, then chicken,” Ruta recalled past celebrations which cen- added. “I (will cook) chicken (this tred around church services and fam- Christmas) because we are only three people.” ily unity. Though she misses her church “(We) would come back from church, my mother and brother, and community since arriving in get together to eat lunch,” said Ruta, Rossland this summer, Ruta and her now in her third month of learning sons Yonathan and Eyobed, are lookEnglish. “Then later we would go ing forward to their first Christmas to another nice place to (visit with in Rossland. “We are excited, happy for friends and family).” A few days ahead of Christmas in Christmas,” she said. “And I want Eritrea, the streets are crowded with to say thank you very, very much to people wanting to buy animals such my group (West Kootenay Friends of CONTINUED ON A3 as sheep, goat, cow or hen.
West Kootenay Friends of Refugees help settle newcomers in Rossland
Money stays local to help needy SHERI REGNIER Trail Times
“Ho, ho, ho, ” rejoices Robert Tarko, as he extends a white gloved hand to shoppers caught up in the holiday rush. “Merry Christmas and you have yourself a great holiday,” he says as people stop to shake hands with the man in red, and pop a few dollars into the Christmas kettle. “And thank you for helping.” Tarko is new to the city but well seasoned when it comes to playing jolly ole Saint Nick. He’s only been in Trail for little over a month, but already Tarko has dressed the part and jingled bells twice a week as the Trail Salvation Army’s newest Santa Claus. The Okanagan native brings singular gusto to the role, which he plans to fill right up until Christmas Eve. “I’m here until the 24th then I head back to the North Pole,” said Tarko, eyes twinkling behind faux Santa spectacles. “I did a lot of work with the Salvation Army in Kelowna before I moved here. They are good sponsors for so many things, so I am proud to help out here in Trail.” Seeing the instant reaction from little ones when they spot Santa is another perk of the job, says Tarko. “I love kids and kids love seeing Santa Claus, and it’s nice to see smiles on their their faces,” he shared. “And Trail people
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Robert Tarko was new to Trail last month, but wasted no time becoming part of the Salvation Army’s largest annual fundraiser, the Christmas Kettle Campaign. have been very, very good. As soon as they see Santa Claus, they come right up to the kettle and put money in, ” he added. “I’ve had a lot of people stop, it’s good to see money raised for the charity.” And Tarko doesn’t just transform into Santa for the Salvation Army - he’s already donned a red and white suit for other Trail charities. “I also do some work with people in the old folks home,” he said. “I’ve gone (to Rosewood Village) to visit and I’ll be going up again this week,” Tarko explained. “And I also did a party with the Special Olympics - I went as their Santa Claus and passed out gifts for them.”
Volunteering has long been part of his life, but Tarko says he’s always willing to do more. “It’s something I like to do, so if anyone needs a volunteer Santa,” he quipped. “Let me know, because I am not a hard guy to find.” All money raised in the kettle drive stays local and is used for Christmas hampers as well as the Salvation Army Family Services Program, housed on Rossland Avenue. Besides over 200 regular food hampers being handed up this month, an additional 330 Christmas hampers, laden with holiday goodies and new toys for children, have been assembled at the East Trail church.
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Merry Christmas!
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