Special Features - Holiday Celebrations 2017

Red Deer Family

holiday celEbrations

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Red Deer Express & Central Alberta Designs

2 Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Red Deer Holiday Celebrations

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CHRISTMAS

CATERING

PARTIES

PARTIES GOLDEN FORK AWARDS

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157, 2325-50 Ave. Red Deer - Located by Value Village | 403.340.3388 | 403.340.3332 Appetizers

Pork

1. Egg Roll 2. Spring Roll 3. Crispy Wonton (12) 4. Dry Garlic Spareribs 5. Fried Wonton Szechuan Style 6. Pork Dumplings (12) 7. Deep Fried Chicken Wings 8. BBQ Pork

38. Salt & Pepper Pork 39. Sweet & Sour Spareribs 40. Sweet & Sour Pork 41. Honey Garlic Spareribs 42. Diced Pork with Cashew Nuts 43. Palace Style Pork 44. Peking Sweet & Sour Spareribs

74. Beef Fried Rice 75. B.B.Q Pork Fried Rice 76. Shrimp Fried Rice 77. House Special Fried Rice (Yang Chow) 78. Mushroom Fried Rice 79. Steamed Rice

Chop Suey (Mixed Vegetables)

Seafood Soup

45. Deep Fried Shrimp 46. Shrimp in Black Bean Sauce 47. Shrimp with Cashew Nuts 48. Pan Fried Prawn 49. Palace Style Shrimp 50. Scallops in Black Bean Sauce 51. Salt & Pepper Squid 52. Shrimp with Snow Peas 53. Shrimp with Fresh Tomatoes 54. Curry Shrimp 55. Scallops with Snow Peas 56. Shrimp, Scallops & Squid with Mixed Vegetables 57. Seafood Tofu Hot Pot 58. Salt & Pepper Prawns 59. Szechuan Shrimp 60. Szechuan Scallops

9. Wor Wonton Soup (for 2) 10. Wonton Soup 11. Wor Mein Soup (for 2) 12. Chicken Noodle Soup 13. Hot & Sour Soup (for 2)

Chicken 14. Chicken with Black Bean Sauce 15. Lemon Chicken 16. Chicken Hot Pot (boneless) 17. Szechuan Chicken 18. Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls 19. Curry Chicken 20. Almond Guy Ding (stir fried) 21. Almond Soo Guy (deep fried) 22. Chicken with Cashew Nuts 23. Moo Goo Guy Pan 24. Palace Style Chicken 25. Ginger Chicken

Chow Mein (Noodles)

Beef 26. Beef Tenderloin with Black Bean Sauce 27. Special Beef Tenderloin 28. Beef with Broccoli 29. Beef with Green Peppers in Black Bean Sauce 30. Beef with Fresh Tomatoes 31. Beef with Snow Peas 32. Ginger Beef 33. Curry Beef 34. Beef with Satay Sauce 35. Szechuan Beef 36. Mushrooms with Beef Hot Pot 37. Beef Ginger Hot Pot

61. Chicken Chow Mein 62. Beef Chow Mein 63. B.B.Q Pork Chow Mein 64. Shrimp Chow Mein 65. Special Chow Mein 66. Vegetable Chow Mein 67. Seafood Chow Mein 68. Beef with Satay Sauce Chow Mein 69. Beef Chow Mein (Cantonese Style) 70. B.B.Q Pork Chow Mein (Cantonese Style) 71. Jumbo Prawn Chow Mein (Cantonese Style) 72. House Special Chow Mein (Cantonese Style)

80. Chicken Chop Suey 81. Beef Chop Suey 82. B.B.Q Pork Chop Suey 83. Shrimp Chop Suey 84. House Special Chop Suey 85. Scallop Chop Suey 86. Hot & Spicy Chop Suey 87. Stir Fry Chop Suey

DIM SUM BUFFET! ALL DAY BUFFET 7 Days a Week

Specials 88. Mussel in Black Bean Sauce 89. Teriyaki Wings 90. Honey Garlic Boneless Pork 91. Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Egg Foo Yong 92. Plain Egg Foo Yong 93. Chicken Egg Foo Yong 94. Beef Egg Foo Yong 95. B.B.Q Pork Egg Foo Yong 96. Shrimp Egg Foo Yong 97. Mushroom Egg Foo Yong 98. Oriental Special Egg Foo Yong

Rice Noodles 99. Beef Chow Mein with Soy Sauce 100. Beef Rice Noodle with Soy Sauce 101. Beef Rice Noodle with Black Bean Sauce 102. Singapore Vermicelli (Curry) 103. Hah Moon Vermicelli (sweet & sour) 104. Special Shanghai Noodle 105. Chicken Shanghai Noodle 106. Beef Shanghai Noodle

Fried Rice

Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (10) Steamed Pork Shaomai (10) Steamed Cuttlefish with Curry Sauce Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce Steamed Spareribs with Garlic Sauce Stuffed Sticky Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf (4) Steamed Beef Tripe Chu Mao Sauce Steamed B.B.Q. Pork Buns (5) Beef Short Ribs with Black Pepper Sauce

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73. Chicken Fried Rice

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COMBINATION DISHES Dinner for Two

Dinner for Four

Dinner for Six

2 Egg Rolls Dry Garlic Spareribs Chicken Fried Rice Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls Beef Chop Suey Fortune Cookies

4 Egg Rolls Dry Garlic Spareribs Deep Fried Shrimp Beef with Broccoli Chicken Fried Rice Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls Sweet & Sour Pork Fortune Cookies

6 Egg Rolls Deep Fried Shrimp Ginger Beef Lemon Chicken Sweet & Sour Pork Beef with Broccoli House Special Fried Rice House Special Cantonese Chow Mein Fortune Cookies

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Histories of our treasured Christmas traditions

BY MARK WEBER mark.weber@reddeerexpress.com

There are all kinds of Christmas traditions that folks hold dear, but sometimes little is known about when or where they originated from.

“The celebration of Christmas is accompanied by numerous traditions and customs which have developed in many parts of the world over a long period of time,” writes Rudolph Brasch in his book Christmas Customs & Traditions. “No other festival has produced such a wealth and variety of customs, and each one has its own fascinating story.”

First of all, the word ‘Christmas’ is derived from ‘Christ’s Mass’ – the first religious celebrations which honoured Jesus Christ’s birth. Pinpointing a date for the celebration didn’t come until AD 350, when Pope Julius I designated Dec. 25th as Christmas Day. “He did so mainly to counteract the effect of the popular feast held in honour of Saturn – Saturnalia – which occurred at the time of the winter solstice.”

Christmas trees took a long time to become part of holiday celebrations in English-speaking countries. Royalty was responsible for helping to establish the tradition in Britain.

“Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German-born husband, had a Christmas tree erected in Windsor Castle in nostalgic remembrance of his homeland. The royal example was soon copied by the general public, and the custom then spread throughout the world.”

Although Christmas cards may not be as common as they once were, it’s still a popular tradition with many during the holiday season. According to Brasch, the Christmas card was invented

by Sir Henry Cole in 1843. “He was a well-known London art dealer who aspired to improve the general public’s taste.

“He came up with the idea of the first Christmas card, a simple yet attractive token of friendship which, he felt, would further enhance this special day.”

Still, it took about 20 years for the idea to really catch on. But by

the 1860s, stationery companies were producing thousands of cards and during the following three decades, printers in Britain supplied a whopping 163,000 varieties of Christmas cards.

Poinsettia plants’ connection to Christmas dates back to Joel R. Poinsett, who served as the United State’s first ambassador to Mexico from 1825 to 1829.

“During that time, he came to admire a beautiful indigenous plant with large scarlet leaves encircling small, greenish-yellow blossoms, which the Mexicans had adopted as their Christmas flower. He liked it so much that he sent specimens back home, where they soon flourished.”

As for the presentation of nativity scenes, this custom stretches back centuries to the time of St. Francis of Assisi.

“After receiving permission from the Pope, he erected the first one during Christmas of 1224 in a cave outside of the Italian town of Greccio.” Live animals were included of course, and it was a “Novel and eye-catching way to celebrate the memory of the child who was born in Bethlehem.

“When people gathered to view the spectacle, Francis stood in front of the manger and recited the Gospel related to the scene, then he delivered a sermon.”

As for St. Nick, the original Santa Claus was St. Nicholas, a fourth century bishop of Myra which is now part of Turkey.

The Dutch, in particular, came to love the legend of Nicholas. In their language his name became Sinter Klaas.

“The British eventually anglicized his name, thus creating the modern Santa Claus.”

Of course, music is an enormous part of the Christmas season from traditional carols to modern classics. White Christmas, one of the most wellknown holiday hits, was written in 1942 by Irving Berlin. “He composed if for the film Holiday Inn, a musical which starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.”

White Christmas went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Song of 1942, and according

to Brasch, the sale of its sheet music has never been surpassed by any other single song.

On the traditional side, few carols have resonated quite like Silent Night, first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818 in the Austrian village of Oberndorf.

According to tradition, Father Josef Mohr was preparing for his midnight mass, and found

that the organ was out of order thanks to some pesky mice.

“Father Mohr felt that the service would lose much of its beauty and warmth if there was no music. Something had to take the place of the organ.”

He had penned a Christmas poem which he took to the local school master, Franz Gruber who also composed music on

an informal basis and played the guitar.

“Mohr asked him whether he could quickly set this poem to music so that it would be ready that night. He should do so for two solo voices to be accompanied by guitars.”

It only took a few hours for Gruber to come up with the simple yet elegant tune, and the

song was sung that night for the first time. Its popularity spread quickly across the country and eventually throughout Europe.

A century passed and singer Bing Crosby, as he had done with White Christmas, lent his golden voice to the melody and a truly global classic was born.

“Almost 100 years later, Bing Crosby gave it world fame.”

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THE MUSTARD SEED is expanding services to create a sense of

holiday welcoming

BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

The Mustard Seed is expanding their services this holiday season to help out some of the most vulnerable people in Central Alberta.

“At the Mustard Seed, Christmas is a really big deal for us seeing as it represents the birth of Christ,” Byron Bradley, managing director of Central Alberta, said. “We like to extend our hours and add some really family-friendly events during the Christmas season for people of all ages to feel at home.”

Bradley said it is important for the organization to create a sense of home for people who may be estranged from their families and are going through a tough time during the season.

“We want to create a place that is really welcoming,” he said.

“During December, we have a lot of fun things going on, starting off with a Christmas party for our differently-abled volunteers. Starting on Dec. 18th, we will serve a meal every day for eight days.

“So either a lunch or dinner. Typically we serve dinner Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

but we will serve everyday through and including Christmas Day.” During the eight days before Christmas, the Mustard Seed will also be hosting a variety of events including: showing a Christmas movie everyday, creating gingerbread houses, Christmas karaoke, decorating stockings and holding a Mexican fiesta.

“We will have extended hours. Often we will only be open the times we have dinner, but during the eight days we will be opened from 12 to 7 p.m. or 12 to 3 p.m.

“Christmas Eve we will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. serving dinner at 4 p.m. Christmas Day, we will be open 12 to 6 p.m. and serving Christmas dinner at 4 p.m.”

Providing these expanding services is “crucial”, according to Bradley.

“Our most vulnerable citizens during Christmas and other holiday times are often going through some of the hardest times of the year,” he said.

“Many of them are thinking about family members they may not be in contact with. They may be thinking about parts of their past and are feeling seasonal depression.

“The feelings of loneliness and hopelessness are definitely on the rise during the Christmas season.”

Bradley said it is important for everyone to take time during the Christmas season to try to love everyone, whether it be smiling at someone on the street or donating their time through volunteering at the Mustard Seed.

“If you go to our web site, which is theseed. ca, our main page is already Christmas themed and it will say ‘Angels of Hope volunteer with us through the Christmas season’,” he said.

“We are looking for people who want to come in more than once and help us out. We try to

get volunteers to come in as often as they can.

It is a very warming experience for volunteers at Christmas.”

He added that the Red Deer Food Bank will also be going above and beyond at the Mustard Seed during the Christmas season.

“Last year they were in our building and doing about 20 Christmas hampers per day,” he added.

He added the work they do around Christmas is due in part to the generosity of the community.

“We are so pleased that over a dozen different organizations have stepped up to sponsor dinners as well this Christmas season. We are pleased to showcase those businesses,” he said.

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GIVE BACK through the adopt-a-family program

this Christmas

BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

Every year around Christmastime comes the Adopt-a-Family program done through the Salvation Army.

“It’s our Christmas assistance program, so basically it’s people who feel they need a little help at Christmas. They can call to make an appointment and come in to register for Christmas assistance,” said Major Larry Bridger, pastor of the local Salvation Army.

Bridger added that they collect information from those wanting to participate like the size of the family, age of the children and other general information they should know about.

Registration has already begun, but runs until Dec. 13th.

The program links people and families struggling to make Christmas happen with those in the community who can help, and the Salvation Army needs more sponsors for the program who want to sponsor a family.

“What we do is we provide the sponsor with basic information.

Obviously, because of privacy, we don’t give them full names or addresses. We just give them a family,” said Bridger.

He said sponsors will tell the Salvation Army what they are able to do, and once they get sponsors they match them up with the families.

“We try to match them so that the sponsor will be looking after this family.”

The Salvation Army suggests that instead of groceries, because of different ethnic groups and certain food preferences, they suggest sponsors provide gift cards for food or gift cards for toys.

“They would also provide gift cards for various gifts but they can also purchase gifts, and a lot of the sponsors like to go and purchase gifts for the kids.”

When families in need apply, the Salvation Army asks them for a wish list, but specifies that no electronics be asked for.

“Those that we don’t have sponsors for, the Salvation Army will see that they would be treated as the other families are treated,” he said. “We make sure that they have proper toys, food cards and that sort of thing.”

Bridger said the feedback for the program has been very positive, but that they’re always looking for more sponsors.

“We do get a lot of sponsors each year, but we can always use a few more sponsors, because our needs are going up,” he said.

Families in need are required to make an appointment to register

so that they can be matched with sponsors.

“We have a designated day, and the families are told when they register, ‘This is your delivery day. You need to have somebody at home’.”

ATCO Gas employees volunteer their time every year and go out on one day to deliver all the packages across the City to those families in need.

“Last year we had 221 families and 23 seniors, I believe, that were helped through the program.”

The Salvation Army also works in conjunction with the Red Deer Christmas Bureau and Women’s Outreach, meaning that people can apply for assistance at one of the three.

The Salvation Army also offers a Christmas Day dinner open to anyone wanting to attend between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. at their church location.

For more information on the Adopt-a-Family Program, call 403-346-2251.

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6 Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Red Deer Express

Christmastreats ICEBOX SUGAR COOKIES Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen 2 1/2 inch cookies INGREDIENTS 1. Thoroughly stir together, then set aside: • 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) baking powder • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt 2. Using an electric mixer, beat until very fluffy and smooth: • 160 ml (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened • 160 ml (2/3 cup) sugar 3. Add and continue beating: • 1 large egg • 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) finely grated lemon zest (optional) PREPARATION Beat in the flour mixture until just smoothly incorporated. Cover and refrigerate until slightly firm, 20 to 30 minutes. Place the dough on a long sheet of wax paper. With lightly oiled hands, shape into an even, 28 cm (11-inch) long log. Roll up the wax paper, twisting the ends to keep from unrolling. Place on a tray and freeze until completely frozen, at least 3 hours. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight plastic bag and freeze for up to 1 month. To bake: preheat the oven to 190 ºC (375 ºF). Lightly grease cookie sheets.

Carefully peel the wax paper off the log. Cut into 0,25 cm (1/8 inch) thick slices, then immediately transfer the slices to sheets, spacing about 5 cm (2 inches) apart. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, on the upper oven rack for 7 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are golden all over and just slightly darker around the edges The longer the baking time, the crisper the cookies. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cookies firm up slightly. Then, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Store, airtight, for 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months.

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STARRY CHRISTMAS CUPCAKES Makes 12 INGREDIENTS • 1 egg • 60 ml (4 tbsp) unsalted butter at room temperature • 80 ml (1/3 cup) packed brown sugar • Grated peel of 1 unwaxed orange • 125 ml (1/2 cup) self-rising flour • 15 ml (1 tbsp) brandy • 4 dried figs, chopped • 45 ml (3 tbsp) golden raisins • 125 ml (1/2 cup) glacé cherries, halved To decorate • 105 ml (3 1/2 oz) blue ready-to-roll fondant icing • 750 ml (3 cups) confectioners’ sugar, sifted • 3 egg whites • 12 ml (2 1/2 tsp) freshly squeezed lemon juice • Edible silver balls (dragées) • Edible clear sparkles • A mini star-shape cookie cutter • A 12-cup cupcake pan, lined with paper liner PREPARATION Make the star decorations the day before you plan to make the cupcakes. Roll out the fondant icing, then use the cookie cutter to cut out 12 stars. Set aside and let dry overnight.

To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 175 ºC (350 ºF). Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until creamy, then gradually beat in the egg, followed by the orange peel. Sift the flour into the mixture and fold in, then stir in the brandy, followed by the dried fruit and glacé cherries. Spoon the mixture into the paper liners and bake in the preheated oven for about 14 minutes until risen and golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. To decorate, gradually beat the sugar into 2 of the egg whites in a bowl until smooth and creamy, then beat in the lemon juice. Spoon the mixture over the cupcakes and scatter over the silver balls. Let firm up slightly. Place the star decorations on top of the cupcakes, brush with the remaining egg white, and sprinkle with edible sparkles.

EGGNOG FUDGE Makes about 1½ pounds INGREDIENTS

All the best in 2018, Happy Holidays!

- 2 cups sugar - 1 cup refrigerated eggnog - 2 Tbsp butter - 2 Tbsp light corn syrup - ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted - ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped - ½ cup chopped red candied cherries - 1 tsp vanilla extract PREPARATION 1. Line an 8’’x4’’ loaf pan with aluminum foil; butter foil and set aside.

2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a 4-quart heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Wash down crystals from sides of pan using a pastry brush dipped in hot water. Insert a candy thermometer into eggnog mixture.

3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 238F. Remove pan from heat and cool sugar mixture, undisturbed, until temperature drops to 190°F (15 to 18 minutes).

4. Stir in pecans and remaining 3 ingredients; beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose its gloss (5 to 8 minutes).

5. Pour candy into prepared pan. Cool completely; cut into squares.

Wishing your family a

Kim Schreiner MLA, Red Deer North 403•342•2263

Very Merry Christmas!

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Wednesday, December 6, 2017 7

It’s the deeper meanings of the season that mean the most I’m one of those people that just can’t resist digging out the Christmas music in, well, mid-October. Much to the chagrin of many family members, co-workers and friends. I can’t help it. I love the season with all of its charm. Music essentially mirrors what it’s all about, and it helps me settle into the Christmas spirit.

Ultimately, for me, the word that comes to mind when I think of Christmas is ‘warmth’.

My parents made every holiday season as special, memorable and fun as possible – I have nothing but a collection of wonderful memories of childhood Christmases.

And to this day, it’s by far my favourite season.

Looking back, I don’t have so much a specific year in mind that stands out in terms of Christmas. It’s more like

looking through a big book of memories packed with photos, mementos, cards and such – all kinds of moments come to mind.

Even school became a relatively fun place to be, with parties and the rehearsals of our annual Christmas productions.

Teachers seemed to grow quite a bit more relaxed as the holidays approached and it wasn’t lost on us kids.

Another highlight - the living room of our Eastview home was always decorated in fine holiday tradition. As a child, I recall my favourite moments being in the evening when the lights on the tree would be glowing and making the room appear much more magical.

Of course, family was and is integral to our Christmas celebrations.

Both sides of the family were

visited in those years – one set on Christmas Eve; the other on Christmas Day. So it was a tiring couple of days for sure. But it was that ‘good’ kind of tired.

Other memories are quieter but are just as important to me. One of my favourites is recalling how we would pile into the frozen car on Christmas Eve to attend the 11 p.m. service at Gaetz United Church.

Even though it was usually freezing cold out and the car wouldn’t want to start, it was exciting for a youngster like me to be venturing outdoors at such a late hour.

I can still remember the effects of the flickering candles on the stained glass windows, the carols that were sung and the true meaning of Christmas being shared through a simple message and scripture readings. I remember those services like they were just days ago – surrounded by all the grown-ups and taking in the wonder of it all.

Our Sunday school class would also take part in the annual Christmas concert at the church too – a fun, lively and colourful evening of celebrating the season with lots of proud parents hap-

Mark Weber

pily snapping photos of their kids onstage.

Another local highlight for me as a boy was visiting City Hall Park, which at the time featured a nativity scene complete with Mary, Joseph, the wise men and of course the baby Jesus. But I was also drawn to the quiet, unassuming display. Nestled in the midst of the brightly-lit park with strings of lights decorating the nearby trees, it was a rather powerful sight to behold.

Ultimately, one of the best things to me about Christmas as a child was how little it changed year by year. I loved the comfortable predictability of it. We did virtually the same things year after year, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

From the food to the decorations around the City, to the sights and sounds that make

Christmastime that much more terrific - each Christmas was indeed a gift in and of itself.

These days, as a guy in my late-40s, the season is just as special. It’s different now in many ways, however. Other circumstances in my life these days – some extremely challenging – tend to pull things into a more serious light.

But somehow, someway – the comfort and peace of the season is still there. If you are willing to take the time to look for it.

As I get older, I also appreciate more fully what Christmas really points to – the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope, grace, salvation and joy that He brought and brings to our world. Presents are wonderful but their appeal – let’s face it – fades quite quickly. It’s the deeper meanings of the season that mean the most.

Christmashas always been about family This time of year always makes me feel nostalgic. The holidays are such a magical time of the year, and are probably my most favourite and memorable time of year.

It’s not about the decorations, the yummy Christmas treats and the amount of gifts under the tree, it’s about time with those we love.

Christmas for my family always began on Christmas Eve. We used to sit as a family, huddled in the living room by the fire, our large Christmas tree sparkling in the background, and we’d get to open one gift each.

That gift? Matching pyjamas. Let’s just say I have never run out of comfy pjs. That’s our tradition every year, and then, of course, we take a family photo in our matching attire, and proceed to having a few glasses of wine. For me, up until I was 18, it was a nice warm hot chocolate with marshmallows.

The next day, I’d be the first out of bed for many years, typically at 7:30 a.m., to greet my dad as he made the morning coffee for the family, often some delicious fluffy eggs with bacon.

Dad and I usually played Christmas

Carlie Connolly

music in the morning to which my mom would soon awake, followed by my sister and her significant other.

It’s been quite the site to see, as I’m usually the one wide awake at that point eating some chocolate from my stocking stuffer.

We’d all go and sit at our spots on the couch to open our stockings, each one initialed with the first letter of our name.

We’d later proceed to opening gifts, the soft sounds of Christmas music in the background as we enjoyed one another’s company.

Christmas to me has always been about family, and I began to realize that over the years, having to unfortunately move away from them to pursue my dreams of being a full-fledged journalist.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Michael Dawe City Councillor, Red Deer 403.346.9325

Over the past few years I’ve really started to realize that it’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.

Just sitting on the couch listening and talking to my parents and sister is something I value and love.

I’ve always been a home body and couldn’t have asked for a better family.

As time went on and I went off to university, Christmas really became a time I cherished.

Being originally from Ontario, and attending the University of Kings College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I always made it a priority to get home for Christmas. As the years went on and I entered the work life, which saw me off to Medicine Hat and then Victoria, B.C., timing became a challenge, but I still made it work.

I’d even have to take a red eye a lot of the time for only a four-day stay at home, but it was worth every minute.

This year, it’s time for a new tradition, as it’s my boyfriend’s turn for Christmas.

We’ll be heading to his grandparents farm in Rimbey, and will be doing a Chinese gift exchange, something I’ve never done before, but I’m excited.

Although this year is my first Christmas away from my family, I know it will still be special, spent with those I love. That is, after all, what Christmas is all about - family and those we love.

So I encourage all of you to take the time and reflect on what you are grateful for. Look to your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Season’s Greetings and all the best in

2018!

Earl Dreeshen, MP

Red Deer - Mountain View 4315 - 55th Avenue, Suite 100A 403-347-7426 5PMM 'SFF t XXX FBSMESFFTIFO DB

8 Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Red Deer Holiday Celebrations

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Christmas CHARITIES big for Bower Place and Parkland Mall

BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

Undoubtedly, you will spend some time at the malls this year before Christmas.

Both Bower Place and Parkland Mall have been gearing up for the holiday season and are hoping to help bring holiday joy to Red Deer.

This year Bower Place is offering a one-of-akind chance at a trip.

“The big promotion we have this Christmas is we are giving away a trip for two to see The Ellen Show in Los Angeles,” Dallas Hand, marketing director at Bower Place, said.

“You can enter daily, both on our web site and in our contest area in front of Bell. You can also get an exclusive bonus entry by picking up a free copy of our Bower Place Life and Style Magazine at guest services.”

Bower Place recently just wrapped up their big charities with the annual Santa’s Brunch and the annual Red and White Night.

“We are excited for the turnout for both events.

Both increased from last year, which means increased money raised for charity,” Hand said.

Along with charitable opportunities, Bower Place also has many seasonal vendors including Hickory Farms, the Calendar Club and the Pink Society.

Hand said spreading holiday cheer is important to Bower Place.

“Our holiday spirit starts on our first weekend with the brunch and Red and White Night,” he said. “They are both charity-driven events, which gets people into the giving mood.

“We also have our brand-new Christmas display that we unveiled last year. That creates a whole different atmosphere in the mall with

Santa’s bells going off and our live train going around our giant 26 ft. tree. It creates a really unique, family friendly atmosphere.”

He added they also have a gift wrapping store open which provides gift wrapping in exchange for a charitable donation to the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter. “It takes stress off shoppers and the money is going to a good cause as well,” Hand said.

At Parkland Mall, they too have kicked off the holiday season with Black Friday and Santa’s arrival. Their next event is on Dec. 7th at 11:30 p.m. for the Seniors VIP Day. “The first 100 seniors will receive a tote bag full of gifts and all seniors will receive a free lunch in the food court, catered by Tim Horton’s,” Melody McKnight, marketing director at Parkland Mall, said.

McKnight said Santa has brought in a huge increase of shoppers.

“He has been busier than usual. Santa has been here for 17 years and we have people who show up with photo albums with 17 years of photos with Santa,” McKnight said.

“He is famous for his photo bombing. If you have a kid who is a little bit scared of Santa, they won’t even know he is in the picture. You let your kid play in front of the sleigh and the minute they look at the camera, Santa is behind him and you get a really good shot of your child smiling.”

Parkland Mall is also offering gift wrapping, with donations going to the Central Alberta Ronald McDonald House.

“If people look for the gift guide that was mailed out recently, if you get a certain number of gifts wrapped, you can get another one wrapped for free,” she said.

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Red Deer Holiday Celebrations

Film favourites for the season A few years back, an organization called ‘What To Do With The Kids’ compiled a list of the top holiday films to enjoy over the Christmas season.

Organizers polled followers and asked them to give their lists of the top Christmas or holiday movies or television shows that the whole family can watch.

The list was well received and judging by the feedback was very popular. A few years later, however, they decided to ask their followers again and there was quite a shift in popularity of some of those classic movies.

Looking at the list, it seems that black and white movies are now out.

Many parents suggested that once the movie started, the kids would complain about the colour, or lack of it. And many families have said that although they enjoyed watching the old black and white movies in past years, they tend to agree with their kids that it has very little appeal today.

In this particular list, the Frank Capra classic It’s a Wonderful Life dropped from second to third place while Miracle on 34th Street went from a tie in fifth to eighth place.

Animated features are as popular as ever but many adults commented that they were not able to watch them on regular television as they normally would because of their busy schedules so they opted to purchase a copy on DVD. Most respondents however had said that they still do get the family together to watch at least one holiday movie. It’s an important part of the holiday season and a great way to spend time together as a family.

1. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 – animated) 2. The Polar Express (2004 – animated)

4. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964 – animated) 5. Elf (2004) 6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 – animated) 7. The Santa Clause (1994) 8. Frosty the Snowman (1969 – animated) 9. The Grinch (2000) 10. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 11. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 12. A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Here are the movies that are no longer on the list: A Christmas Story (1983); A Christmas Carol (1951); White Christmas (1954) and Home Alone (1990).

Other gems worth noting include The Nativity Story (2006).

The movie retells the true story of Christmas in a manner that feels authentic. With fine direction, great sets and superb acting, viewers get a feel for the experiences of Mary and Joseph as they prepared for the birth of Jesus. Thanks to the superb acting and having been filmed overseas, there again is that sense of realism – it helps viewers to imagine what life must have been like in those days.

Another treasure is The Bells of St. Mary’s (1949) which features Bing Crosby as unconventional Father O’Malley.

He is sent to a school which is on the verge of being closed, but works together with Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) to save the facility.

3. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

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Wednesday, December 6, 2017 9

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Red Deer Holiday Celebrations

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Gifts for Grandparents hopes to deliver gifts to

600 isolated seniors

BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

Family Services of Central Alberta is kicking off the ninth annual Gifts for Grandparents Campaign in Red Deer.

The program provides bags of donated gifts to isolated seniors in Central Alberta and last year the program delivered over 500 gift bags.

This year, the program hopes to deliver more than 600.

“The purpose of it was to recognize that seniors in our community were missed during the Christmas season,” Judy Scott, executive director of Family Services, said.

“We always think about the little people and the families, but seniors were a demographic that we didn’t celebrate enough at Christmas.”

Many seniors, according to Scott, are isolated and lonely throughout Red Deer, due to a variety of reasons.

“Lots of time family is far away.

Children have grown up and moved away,” she said.

The program is run completely off of donations and Family Services is accepting gifts until Dec. 12th.

“What we get in for products and cash donations determines

how many seniors we can support,” Scott said. “Along with cash donations, we are looking for lightweight blankets for seniors in wheelchairs to cover their laps; toiletries for both men and women; mittens, scarfs, hats, toques, and socks; coffee, tea, hot chocolate as well cookies and candies; crackers, jams and diabetic crackers and then of course the large print crossword and Sudoku books.”

Scott said the project is driven not only by donation, but volunteer time as well.

Children in schools throughout Red Deer create the bags that will be delivered; volunteers pack the bags with gifts and another group of volunteers delivers the bags in time for Christmas.

Cash donations need to be made in-person at Family Services, however there are several locations throughout Red Deer for gift drop-off.

“We do have drop-off spots for products at the downtown Coop, any Shoppers Drug Mart in Red Deer, Kinsmen Playspace in Parkland Mall, as well as PetValue in Timberlands,” Scott said.

If you know of an isolated senior that would benefit from this program, you can call Sandra at 403-309-8213.

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Wednesday, December 6, 2017 11

Celebrate the holiday season

with the Live Nativity

BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

The Live Nativity is something the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been doing since 1980, and it’s become a tradition for some families in the community.

With many moves along the way, the Live Nativity is now at its home at the Church’s building in Kentwood.

Doug Higham, stake president with the Church, said one of the reasons was that about 12 years ago they started a creche display inside.

“Last year, we had over 300 little creche displays of the Nativity from all around the world, so we thought it would be nice to put the two together so that people could come and see the creches and go outside and see the Live Nativity,” he said.

A creche, he explained, is a display of the Nativity.

“We have a Live Nativity re-creation, and usually it’s the youth in our church who will play the roles of the various participants in the Nativity scene.”

They have someone play Mary and Joseph, who enter in on a donkey.

“We have live animals there - donkeys and sheep. We have youth that play shepherds, wise men, the inn-keeper and that also play the angels.”

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He added the number of participants in the performance depends on the size of the youth groups that are doing it each night. “We’d have anywhere from 15 to 30. Sometimes we have more angels than shepherds and sometimes we have fewer angels than shepherds,” he said with a laugh.

The youth involved are those who are a part of the church and other congregations.

“We have five congregations in Red Deer, but we have three that participate in this,” said Higham.

Two of those congregations meet at the Kentwood Chapel and one of them meets at their Bower Chapel.

He said the Live Nativity is something they do every year, and they have had good feedback from the community.

“We get lots of people who come out every year and they seem to enjoy sharing in that part of Christmas.”

Dates for performances are Dec. 19th, 20th and 21st.

Times include 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and are all at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

No tickets are needed for the performance.

“We’d love to have everyone come and watch it, participate and help get in the spirit of the Christmas season.”

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