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Crowsnest Pass
Herald
Vol. 93 No. 48
December 20, 2023 $1.25
Serving our communities since 1930
Shop Local Contest Winners
Lisa Sygutek photos
The Pass Herald wrapped up their “shop local” Christmas contest on Monday December 18. Five lucky winners went home with prize baskets and wreaths decorated with gift certificates, all donated by participating local businesses. Based on completed stamp passes that were dropped off at The Herald it was calculated that $37,450 was infused into the local economy with this campaign!
Contest Winners: Donna Olchowy (top picture), Megan Painter (bottom left), Carol Wasylien (bottom middle), Darlene Newsham (bottom right). Not pictured: Henri Gousseau
16 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
CNP Thunder Hockey Update THUNDER U7 Lindsey Michalsky On December 16th the U7 Thunder travelled to Taber for an exhibition game against the Taber Grey team. It was an evenly matched, action packed game. Goals scored by Gus Trotz, Nixon Lafreniere, Bowden Williams. At the end of the game all players took turns in a fun shoot out, shooting their best shot to score on the net. It was a great way to end the game. U7 will resume games in the new year.
THUNDER U9 WHITE Sarah Bjorgan
Crowsnest U9 Thunder White played at home
against Fernie A on Saturday. Both teams hustled hard and played a great game. The Thunder White team saw goals scored by Beau Houda, Reggie Davis, Will Trotz, and Mason Bradbury. Crowsnest Thunder’s goal was guarded by Jax Bjorgan. A huge effort was put forward by all players and lead to a great end to this year’s games. The Thunder White team will return to the ice at home on the 6th of January versus the Fernie B team.
THUNDER U9 GREEN Lindsey Michalsky Saturday December 16th, U9 Thunder Green hosted a home game versus Fernie C. It was an evenly matched and exciting game. Thunder goals scored from Hudson Priest, Oliver Samaha, Chase Plowman and Levi Michalsky. In net, Jesse Ball stopping the pucks with his effortless moves. All players continue to showcase their skills and skate hard as our season remains strong. On Sunday December 17th U9 Thunder Green headed to Elkford for an early morning game against the Elk Valley Kodiaks. Guarding the net and diving to stop the pucks was Jack Kaprowski. Goals scored from Aleksei Zbrodoff, Hudson Priest, Oliver Samaha and Levi Michalsky. Throughout the game we saw strong back and forth passing and fast play from Emmet Riewe, Hudson Parks, Kacy Patrick and Chase Plowman. Together the team worked hard! Thunder Green will resume games in the new year.
THUNDER U11 Rhonda M
Memories of you at Christmas Thinking of you on The day you went away Today like many other days brings special thoughts of you of happy times we shared and caring things you used to do And once more. it’s a reminder that life’s road is sometimes rough because the time we shared just wasn’t long enough
The U11 Thunder hockey team wrapped up their regular season hockey action for 2023 this past weekend with two wins, bringing their current win-loss-tie record to 7-1-1, winning the last five in a row! They had the home ice advantage Friday night and won against the Vulcan Hawks 6-3, with Nash Lafreniere (#19) scoring five of those goals. Griffin Luini (#11) scored one goal and had two assists, with Noah Burton (#3), Jax Fulkerth (#8), and Tristen McKerracher (#14) with one assist each. The next day, on Sat. Dec. 16, the U11 Thunder faced the Mavericks in Fort Macleod for the first time in two months; this proved to be a very close game, with lots of action at both ends of the ice! Nash La-
freniere (#19) got a hat trick in this game, with Cruz McKee (#5) and Jax Fulkerth (#8) each scoring a goal as well. Chase Legroulx (#2) and Jax Fulkerth (#8) each got one assist. The final score was 5-3. Zander Fulkerth (#1), the U11 Thunder goalie, saved 38 of the 41 shots on goal. His save percentage so far for the regular season is an impressive 89% -- saving 241 of 270 shots on goal, wow! The U11 Thunder currently have 15 points, a winning percentage of 83.3% and are at the top of the U11 Tier 4 Blue league they are part of. They return to the ice for more regular season hockey action on Fri. Jan. 5, 2024, with an away game in Cardston. Keep up to date with Thunder hockey events at www.crowsnestpassminorhockey.com and on their Facebook page: CNP Thunder - Crowsnest Pass Minor Hockey Association. And remember: save the date for the U11 Thunder home tournament Jan 19-21, 2024!
THUNDER U13 Lauren Kirkman
The Crowsnest Pass Thunder U13 hockey team played two games over the weekend resulting in a loss on Saturday and a win on Sunday. On Saturday, Thunder hosted the Vulcan Hawks for a close game. By the end of the first period, Nico Gillespie and Aidan Bishop each scored one goal leading with a 2-1 score. The Hawks then tied the game up by the second period. Heading into the third, Thunder scored another goal by Jack Bishop, but the Hawks snuck ahead sinking in three more goals and a final score of 5-3 for the visitors. Assists made by Ryder Jorgensen (2) and Nico Gillespie. Goaltender Branson Gillard stopping a total of 34 shots. Sunday afternoon, Thunder hosted the Taber Oil Kings. The first period, Thunder was on the board with three goals made Sam Graham, Nico Gillespie, and Parker Bunnage. Thunder kept up the pace for the second with another three goals all made by Sam Graham with the Oil Kings trailing by four goals. During the third period, two more goals were scored for our green team. Another by Sam Graham and Jameson Patrick. Final score being 8-4 for the Thunder. Assists coming from Jasper Patrick (2), Jameson Patrick (2), Jack Bishop, Nico Gillespie, Sam Graham, and affiliate player Griffin Luini. Branson Gillard had a whopping total of 58 shots on his net. Thunder will enjoy some time off for Christmas and will be back on the ice in January.
For you were someone special who was thought so highly of who’ll always be remembered with affection, warmth and love So sending thoughts to heaven on the day you went away and hope you know you’re missed more than words could ever say.
Love, Mom and Love, Mom andDad, Dad,Charlie, Charlie, Kelly, Carol, Reggie and Kelly, Carol, Reggie andRylee, Rylee Terri, Cailley and Presley and Terri, Jeff, Jeff, Cailley and Presley and family Family
Thunder U7 working hard at their game in Taber. Herald Contributor photo
December 20, 2023 - CHRISTMAS GREETER www.crowsnestpassherald.ca • 403.562.2248 • passherald@shaw.ca
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR ENTIRE PASS HERALD TEAM Lisa, Nick, Tina, John, Avner, Leanne, Shirley, Meechie and Quinn Thank you for your continued support!
2 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Merry Christmas and all the best wishes for the new year from all of us here at
Blairmore Precision
A last Christmas as I know it LISA SYGUTEK Pass Herald Publisher I’ve been thinking about what I want to write in the Pass Herald Christmas Greeter for a while. This is my last Christmas as a mom with children that are not adults. Quinn is close to 18, but still five months away. It blows me away that I am heading into that part of my life where my kids are adults. Keiran is now 25, Aiden 21 and Quinn 17. I remember being a terrified 26 year-old woman getting ready for the responsiblity of being a mom. I was excited, but mostly terrified of the responsiblity that was soon to be my life. I remember holding Keiran for the first time, albiet a bit groggy from the caesarian, and feeling the most intense love I had ever experienced and with each boy that love just grew exponentially. Each of my boys is completely different. Keiran is kind, I think that might be the best way to explain him. He’d give the shirt off his back for anyone. He will talk to anyone and has the ‘gift of the gab’. He loves the outdoors, whether playing hockey or fishing, he can’t stand sitting around and he checks up on me pretty much every day. The older he gets, the sweeter he is with me. Aiden is brilliant and quirky and might be the funniest person I know. He can tell a story like no one and he is loud, and incredibly loving. He will holds my hand and give me the biggest, longest hugs. He will be the one to move away and rarely come home. Quinn is my baby and we are incredibly close. He’s the quietest of my boys. He’s also brilliant, perhaps the most academically gifted of the boys, and certainly the most driven when it comes to being successful. We wake up together every morning and visit over breakfast. He tells me about his life and includes me in it. He’s responsible and loyal. When I had Quinn I already had an eight-year old and a four-year old. The boys were in every sport and we were busy.
Often, I would just drag Quinn along to everything. I often forgot him at places like the pool when I was coaching the Pass Pirahas. I let him run around the arena like a crazy person when we were at hockey games. As a result, he was a bit ‘bad’. We always said we just hoped he wouldn’t go to jail as an adult (just kidding, kind of). That rambuncious boy has really turned into an incredible young man. When he was ‘bad’ I’d write down his antics and call them Quinn stories on Facebook. He had so many episodes that eventually, people would comment to me that they were waiting for the next thing Quinn would do that I’d put on my feed as the Quinn story of the week. Often people would tell me that I should do a book of them as they were so funny. I’m so glad I kept a diary of Quinn’s antics. It only seems fitting that I reshare them with you, my readers. I asked his permission and he laughed and said, “sure mom, you write about us so much, I’m not sure there isn’t anything people don’t know about our lives”. So for your reading pleasure and a chuckle, get a cup of coffee and enjoy the read. I laughed reading through them. Remember, these are posts from Facebook and read as vignettes from my feed. I have not edited them. I hope you find them as joyful as I did, and if you are my Facebook friend, I’m sure there are many you will remember as well. They are long but bear with me, they are funny! Quinn Story: Note to self, never bribe your toddler that if he poops on the potty he can go to Toys ‘R Us. One month later every time he poops on the potty, which he still seems pretty surprised about, he yells from the toilet, “I pooped on the potty, now can we go to Toys ‘R Us”, like it’s down the street. He’s smarter than me! Quinn Story: So ... I’m in Sobeys at 8:45 buying groceries. I’m in a rush, and all the tellers and people in line are laughing at something outside. Suddenly I hear, “whose kid is that”? I look outside and see Quinn in the empty parking lot, pants down to his ankles, peeing a large fountainous stream of pee. I rush outside to hear him screaming, “well I had to go”! Quinn Story: Went on a date with my littlest man to Toy Story 3. He’s such a dream when he’s not fighting, swearing, farting or burping. Quinn Story: Yesterday my sister came over and while we were talking in the kitchen I noticed, after a while, that I didn’t hear any Quinn noise. I walked into the front room, no Quinn. I looked in all rooms, no Quinn. By now I’m panicking that he’s left the house without me hearing him. By this point I’m screaming for him, no Quinn. DeeDee now in her car driving around to find him. I call 911 and as I’m screaming that I’ve lost my child I hear a small giggle. The little bugger is hiding in the pillows of my bed. I calm down, hang up from 911 and while hugging him I ask what he was thinking. His response, “I didn’t want to visit with auntie today”. Little fart. Later the police came to make sure he was still alive .... but I really could have killed him! Quinn Story: So today is Quinn’s first day of Kids Kollege. Last year he quit. He’s doesn’t want to go this year either. I feel like those parents from Sixteen Candles who are forcing their geeky son through the gymnasium at the school dance while he yells that he just wants to spend time with them as the parents are running away before he can catch them! Quinn Story: Chris and Niki came over for dinner last night. Chris comes in early and Quinn asks him where his mom is? I laugh realizing he’s talking about Niki! Cont’d on page 3
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 3
Quinn stories cont’d from page 2
them. Just before bed Quinn informs me that he’s got the, “God thing covered”. In his words, “Guess what God made?” I smile waiting for his profound answer. This is what I get, “God is important cause he made rubber trees!” WTH.
Quinn Story: You know you’re not parenting well when ...... you’re working on your computer, wrapped up in what you’re doing when you hear your four year old yell a racial term. You go to the front room and see him watching Platoon! Yikes!
Another Quinn Story: Quinn told me he has a new friend and her name is Kiera and asked if she can come over for a play date soon. He said, “Mom, Keira’s is a vegetarian”. I said, “Oh she doesn’t like meat”. He replies quite sarcastically, “It means she doesn’t like pizza, don’t you know what a vegetarian is?”
Quinn Story: Quinn’s packing his toy bag for our hockey marathon weekend. I say, “Quinn bring your Leapster so you can practice your letters”. He says, “I’ll bring it on the next holiday”. I say, “kiddo you need to learn your letters”. He says I already know them, “F, F say FFFFFF and F says FFFFF”. He them smiles at me and says, “do you know a word starts with the letter “F””, and starts laughing!
Quinn Story: so at Power Skating last night the kids in the room, all various ages, were talking about Hitler. After the conversation went on for a while a surprisingly quiet Quinn yells out, “that’s one bad dude”. One if the older boys asks him,” do you know who Hitler is”. Quinn replies, “you betcha, he plays in the NHL”.
Quinn Story: Quinn wakes up in the middle of the night, crawls into my bed and snuggles up to my back, one little hand around my waist. I smile thinking I’m so lucky and close my eyes. I feel something warm on my back and realize he’s just peed on me. I jump out of bed and he says, “but mommy I was so snuggly, I just didn’t want to get up and you wash all the time anyway”. Gotta love him! Quinn Story: Oh my Quinn. We just sat down and had the talk about his slashing and body checking and retaliation against Fernie at his Pre-Novice game today and about his lack of sportsmanship and I think I got through. Then as he’s walking away I hear him mutter “whatever mom, it’s hockey and I’m the Quiminator! Quinn Story: At Kindergarten on Thursday the kids were supposed to write a Thanksgiving card to those they love the most. Most kids gave one to their moms, dads, brother/sister. Quinn in true Quinn style did one for Nathan Sydora. WTH! Quinn Story: So we are driving to another hockey game and Quinn is in the back seat singing his own words to the song “moves like Jagger” which to him is “moves like a dragon”. Makes the trip more bearable to laugh! Quinn Story: Quinn’s First Day at Kindergarten: So we go to class, late of course, and draw each of our handprints, cut them out and kiss them. The thought is we each keep a handprint with us to comfort us if we miss each other. As I’m cutting out his handprint he says, “wow that’s lame”. When it’s time to go I say, “Quinn do you need me to stay, will you be okay”. He looks at me and says, “get outta here I have some learning to do”. Who is going to miss whom! Quinn Story: This morning Quinn informed me that it’s blankies birthday. He blew up balloons, got cupcakes, wrapped a present - a facecloth with a golf ball inside. We sang happy birthday, opened presents and lit candles. I said, “Quinn you’re just like Linus”. He said, “well if anyone made fun of me like Lucy does to Linus, I’d just kick them in the face and stop that crap”. Another Quinn Story: Quinn - “I have to pee”. I’ve taught him to sit on the toilet. I look over and see him peeing standing up, missing all parts of the toilet. As I’m about to tell him to sit and pee, he spits on his shirt using it to clean the rim, which is full of new and old pee. He says, “I’ve been peeing standing up for a while mommy, let me get my pants back and have dinner” - no washing of hands involved! Quinn Story: Keiran and his friend Kyle are really worried about the end of the world on Friday so I spent quite a bit of the night talking religion and God with
Happy Holidays
from all of us at the Bellevue Legion #19
Quinn Story: so my beautiful Shaylee went to the Justin Beiber concert and I was asking her how it was. Quinn was with me while she gave me the low down. Later while I was in his room with him he says to me, “Mom, isn’t he Canadian”. I say yes honey. He says, “I just saw him on TV and that Justin Beaver he ain’t that bad”. Quinn Story: Today Quinn started Grade 1. I’ve had a baby at home with me for 14 years. I took my little man to school and he jumped out and said see yah later. I asked him if I could come with him. He said, “I guess so”. As he was waiting in line I started crying. He looked at me and said, “Oh come on mom stop the waterworks ... you’re embarrassing me”. The look on his face as he said it was priceless! A Quinn Story: Swimming just ended on Sunday and on Monday Quinn started hockey camp. Today on the way to the arena Quinn said in the car, “Mom, I think I’ve lost some of my talent”. I asked him where he thinks it went. He replied, “I’m not sure but I’ve looked in my hockey bag and it’s not there”. During the morning skate I could see him talking to his gloves and having a heated talk to his stick. It was pretty weird. I said afterwards “what were you doing”? He replied, “my talent was caught in my stick and gloves so I gave them heck. It worked cause my talents back at 100%. Nice to know I’ve found it”. Quinn Story from the holiday: Quinn is obsessed with middle names. He can’t understand why we have them, so on the way down to the dock to go boating he says: tell me again our middle names. Keiran says mine is John, Aiden says mine is Gailen Ricky and I say yours is Sygutek. He says, “why did you pick those?” I say Keiran has the same name as Dad, Aiden is named after Nana and my brother, and you are named after my last name. He thinks for a bit and says, “okay, Keiran John, Quinn Sygutek and Aiden Jo Bob”. Aiden quite disgusted says, “that’s not my middle name”. Quinn says,” But you look and act like a Jo Bob so I’ve renamed you .... I’m a great brother, not sure what mom was thinking”. Quinn Story: we have been in the States for the last week. Last Sunday we decided to eat at the Olive Garden, along with the rest of Spokane. So Lyle and I go into the lounge to have a drink while Keiran plays with his brothers on the lawn. Finally three Mojitos later it’s our turn to get seated. Quinn comes in to get me and says, “Mom are you coming or are you going to have another drink.” Me being a smart ass say, “No honey every time mom has too many of these she has another baby”. Quinn then yells ACROSS the restaurant, “Hey Keiran mom finally told me how babies are made, you go to the bar and drink and poof you grow a baby in your belly. She said that’s how I was made”. Guy behind me spits out his drink laughing and I about die! Cont’d on page 4
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4 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Quinn stories cont’d from page 3
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Quinn Story: So Quinn’s good enough to go to swim club with his brothers. During practice tonight he pooped in the pool clearing out the facility. No public swim tonight for anyone. When I asked him WTF he said, “I was swimming so hard it just flew out before I knew it was coming out”! Lord grant me the Serenity. Quinn Story: On the way home from swim club in Sparwood Aiden decided to school us on the history of the Greek and Spartan war. At the end of a very long explanation Aiden ends with, “... and they fought for over 50 years”, upon which Quinn pipes up, “ geez that’s a long time, almost as long as mommy is old”.
Our holiday hours are
Dec 24: 8:00 am – 3:00pm Closed Dec 25 & 26
Dec 31: 8:00am – 3:00 pm Closed Jan 1 SUMMIT 10701 20 ave Blairmore 403-562-8282
Christmas Eve Candlelight Family service
December 24 at 7pm Everyone is welcome!
All donations go to the local Food Bank Crowsnest Christian Centre 8534-24th avenue Coleman
Thank you for all your support in 2023. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Quinn Story: From his car seat in the back Quinn says, “Don’t worry mommy we will go to Canadian Tire and get you some OxyClean it takes out all stains. Just a few drops in your laundry and your whites get whiter”. Quinn story: Quinn and Keiran’s rooms were a mess and so we asked Quinn to clean his and low and behold he did. We were so proud of him and asked him if he knew what a tornado was cause that’s what went through Keiran’s room. He said, “a tornado is a big swirl of air that wrecks houses”. Wow were we proud and then he goes on to say, “and the Devil causes it”. Quinn Story: So Keiran was picking on Quinn to the point where Quinn decided to move out. He packed everything a man needs ... his backpack, his blankie, his iPad, his Angry Bird game, his hockey stick and a set of golf clubs. With his essentials in tow I saw him walking down the street. No jacket, only his winter boots! He never even warned us that he was leaving. I told him I loved him and would miss him if he left. His response, “tell Keiran I’ll move back in, but if he bugs me again I’m gonna shove this golf club up his a**”. He then went back in and unpacked, golf clubs by his bed. Quinn Story: Quinn is trying to convince us that getting him a Hamster is a good idea. He rented a book from school from the library and in it is two hamsters mating one on top of the other. He says, “look Mom Hamsters even know how to play leapfrog. We do that in school all the time. Look at how much fun they are having, but the one on the bottom looks a bit tired”. I’m so not ready for that talk. Another Quinn Story: So at hockey the other night I was informed that Quinn was swearing in the park during recess. That night I told him if he swore he would have to go to the principal’s office for some major trouble. So ... when I picked him up today he yells, in front of many parents, teachers and of course the principal, “Mom, I was so good today I never swore at anyone at school and a lot of them just kept pissing me off”. Yikes. Well, at least he was out the doors! Quinn Story: so Quinn has a hockey game and the ref - Brock says to Quinn, “quit hitting everyone, you’re 5 and it’s Pre-Novice and that’s not allowed”. Quinn, who knows him really well cause Brock plays with Keiran says, “come on ref I barely touched him he fell over all on his own ... I was just feeling his jersey”. Apparently he skated off with a disgusted look on his face. Needless to say Brock is still laughing. Quinn Story: so I pick Quinn up from school and he says to me,” Mom I’m really popular with the girls”. I said, “how do you know sweets?”. He says,
“cause one girl has my name on her pencil case with a heart around it and another drools when she sees me”. Keiran says,” buddy are they HAWT?”. Quinn say,” I don’t know, but they sure are tall”. Quinn Story: So my little guy has been asking to help more around the house. This morning he asked for payment on said jobs. I said,” seriously buddy I thought you were just helping out and I didn’t think you were expecting to be paid”. He throws his hands up in the air and says,” seriously mom chicks are expensive and I’m saving up for the future”. He then stomps off to his room mumbling about me being too old to understand how girls work anymore. Quinn Story: So Keiran is harassing Quinn again by taking photos of him, modifying them so that it looks like Quinn is picking his nose, or in some cases worse, when Quinn yells out, “Keiran I’m so mad at you I want to call you the ‘F’ word a 100 times and I want to give you the ‘middle finger’ 25 times. I’m kinda proud cause I’m kinda getting him not to swear. Quinn Story: a sweet one this time .... So as you all know my family is struggling lately. Quinn has picked up on the sadness. He was getting ready for school this morning and said, “Mommy when you get old tomorrow, I’m gonna take care of you and when uou die the day after that I’m going to bring you flowers to your grave everyday”. Then he paused for a moment and said, “at the hockey game some kid made me so mad that blood was coming outta my eyes. I’m gonna kick the crap outta him next time”. He has another bite of his toast and says, “I love you momma”. Quinn Story: So today I lost the Mother of the Year Award. The morning started off bad with the boys fighting, Aiden was making us late, so I’m yelling at them to get in the car and Keiran’s driving which scares the bejesus out of me. We drop Aiden off and are half way to the High School before I realize that we don’t have Quinn. I swap Keiran driving and we race home to get Quinn. I turn into town and see him walking on the sidewalk by Dr. Maritz’s clinic. He’s got his backpack on, his jacket in his hand and is munching on an apple without a care in the world. He had to cross the railway tracks and Main Street. I said, “hey buddy I’m soooooo sorry I forgot you. He says, “seriously don’t worry about it I know how to get to school. I was gonna run there along the highway”. His school is in Coleman. Quinn Story: Sometimes you wake up and think, man I’m lucky, look at all the wonderful things in my life. That is until you hear Quinn singing in the shower, “it’s 40 below and I don’t give a f@*k, got a heater in my truck and I’m off to the rodeo.” Thanks Tyler Sagrafena. Quinn Story: So Quinn swam 25 m back today and came in first in the preliminary race and second in the 25 m free. In finals he won a silver medal in back and swam slower than he did in the morning. He came to me bawling that he didn’t get a gold. So in his free race he said, “I’m gonna kick this kids a**,” and guess what he did. Three golds, one silver and smashed every club record we have. When medal time came Quinn slept through his medal. They just placed it on him cause we couldn’t wake him up. Finally when he woke up I said,” buddy you missed your medal. You slept through it”. He said, “Mom it’s okay, I fell asleep cause I left it all in the water”. Quinn Story: Quinn just informed me that this winter he would like to: play hockey, take Tae Kwon Do, play piano and learn how to knit. What a Renaissance Man.! Cont’d on page 5
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 5
Quinn stories cont’d from page 4 Quinn Story: Today my little man and myself are on our way to the dentist in Lethbridge to get some cavities filled. We are listening to the radio when ‘Safe and Sound’ song comes up. Quinn says, “Mom why do all the songs talk about boys and girls loving each other”. I reply, “as you get older you will start looking at girls that way too”. “No way,” is his reply. I say jokingly, “you can stay with me always Quinn”. His reply, “why? You’re gonna die soon, but I will love you even when you are dead”. Quinn Story: Swim Club just ended and of course I’m visiting. Quinn is over with a couple of boys his age. I look over to see them arguing over a stick. Quinn, being the mediator says,” I think you should give him back the stick, he had it first.” The kid says no. Quinn says, “What do you think God would want you to do”. Kid says I don’t care. Quinn grabs the stick and gives it to the kid and proceeds to say, “fricking God’s in charge you little piece of cra*... respect that”. Hmmmm I wonder what Father Ben would think of that!
Drain Brothers Construction Ltd. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the staff!
Quinn Story: So Quinn’s class went to Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek on a field trip. When they left it was overcast and cool. Everyone was dressed in jeans and shirts. The class was asked to wear their Horace Allen T-Shirts over their clothes to help keep track of the little kids. In the afternoon it got really warm and Quinn’s teacher said that she was hot and was going to take off her shirt (remember she had a shirt underneath). According to the teacher Quinn sits a little closer to her, cups his hand over his mouth and whispers very quietly in her ear, “So, just checking if you’re taking your shirt off, can I ask what you’ve got underneath there”. I pity any father when Quinn starts dating. Quinn Story: so we are at our final spring hockey tournament in Calgary and we are in the Gold Division and having a tough time. By the fourth game the kids are discouraged and tired. Quinn though is having the game of his life. After the game we said, “Wow you played amazing, did you just quit trying so hard and have fun?” His response, “Ah no, I just put my stick on the ice and prayed to God, and guess what, he came through!” “Didn’t you see me laying on the ice praying? Come on mom”. Quinn Story: Just because it’s his birthday, I’ll share a story from yesterday. As he’s coming up the stairs from a shower, naked as the day he was born, I hear Quinn singing a song. I listened for a minute and then had to stop and really listen as he was singing Poison’s ‘She’s My Cherry Pie’. Wow I said what the heck are you singing and where the heck did you hear that song. He laughs and says, “Dad and I listen to Boneyard in the truck when you’re not around. I love Quiet Riot, Rat and of course a bit of Metallica.” “Hmmm”, I said, “do you know what the story means”. He says, “no, but it’s my favourite flavour of pie so it’s my favourite song and there’s a lot of swears in Dad’s music but he told me it’s okay to sing them as long as I don’t repeat them to you!” Quinn Story: so after school Quinn told me that one of his “girlfriends” is dating his best friend. I asked him how he feels about this, and he replied, “angry and hurt”. I sat down ready to have the girlfriend talk when he looked at me and said, “I’m not mad about the girl. I am made because he didn’t listen to my talk with him about the “bro’s before ho’s rule, that’s why I’m angry and I’m gonna tell the teacher cause we were told not to date”. Quinn Story: Quinn just came into my room holding his bowling trophy he won tonight. He’s proud as punch for having the high score in the league. He bowls with my sitter and her girls on Fridays. I told him I was
proud upon which he replies, “I’m a man of many talents mom”. Quinn Story: Quinn decided that he wants to try his hand at skiing again. I told him we couldn’t go tonight because I was worried about him falling and breaking his nose again. He stomped off to his room. I was in my room reading a book when he comes in dressed for skiing with his hockey helmet on which of course has a cage. I’m not even sure what to say to that! Quinn Story: So as everyone knows we are a hockey family, however we all love to ski too. Both the older boys are amazing skiers, however, Quinn has only been out a handful of times. So its school ski day at the hill and I go to ski with him. It was his second time this year on the hill so I thought he would need some help. Well as you can guess he flew down the hill and wouldn’t wait for me. He was too busy with his buddies so I went home. I get a call a few hours later from the school that he fell while racing down the hill and his nose wouldn’t quit bleeding. So I arrive to blood everywhere. He says, “just stuff some paper up there I can get a few more runs in before I have to leave”. Needless to say we went home and after a four-hour bleeding nose and an emerg visit find out his nose is broken. His response to the whole thing, “well at least I won the race”. Quinn Story: at our Timbits tournament our team ‘the Thunder’ played a team called ‘the Lightening’ after an amazing game by my little guy who scored, passed and back checked hard I thought what an awesome and wonderful little bugger who thinks about his team mates and shows good sportsmanship .... that is until after his fourth goal. He skates by the other teams bench and yells, with his stick in the air, for ALL to hear, “you know what comes after lightening, that’s right boys, thunder! Suckers”! Then skates off. Worst part is he still won player of the game. Quinn story: Quinn loves his teacher and she thinks he is a sweet angel who can do no wrong, that is until yesterday. So ... A little boy in his class gas been hitting him every day. So on the way to school Quinn informs me of this. I asked him if he hits him back, upon which he replies, “not yet”. I’m a little worried for this kid if Quinn loses it so when we arrive I pull the teacher aside and tell her what’s going on. She says to Quinn, “honey are you okay”. He replies, “I haven’t hit him back yet, but if he keeps this sh*t up I’m going to f**cking destroy him”. He then smiles and says,” have a nice day and mom see yah later”. The teacher and I stand there with our mouths open. Quinn Story: My little man is pretty serious about his hockey. Tonight at Keiran’s game he was changing the wall photo on his iPad and was working pretty hard to find his favorite team. I said, “Hey buddy whatcha doing”. Quinn, “I’m finding my favorite team but I’m having trouble finding their logo”. Me: “want help, what is your favorite team”? Quinn, in a very loud voice so I can hear him in the arena replies, “the Vagina Pats”. I spit out my coffee totally embarrassed. Quinn Story: we are at Kaylen’s graduation in Spokane. There are two beautiful babies here. Quinn has spent most of the day playing with them. He asked me to have another baby. I said, “sorry bud the pipes are no longer working”. He said, “it’s okay we will go to the dump and pick one up”. Hmmmmmm, that’s some kinda baby. Quinn story: So I picked Quinn up from school on his birthday and all the little girls were trying to hug him. He hugged a few and then just kinda started to ignore the rest. I said, “Quinn you need to acknowledge the love.” He responded with, “Mom if I hug every girl back that wants to hug me we will be here all day and I’m kinda hungry .... they will wait!” Cont’d on page 6
6 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Quinn stories cont’d from page 5 Quinn Story: This morning Quinn and I were talking and he said, “I sure love my brother Tyler Sagrafena. He’s the best, but man I sure can piss him off”. Quinn Story: so Quinn has a final hockey weekend starting Friday. If they win, they play Saturday for the banner. Problem is he’s got strep throat. So we are in the
doctors office and he says very seriously, “Dr. Fisher will I be able to play by Friday”. Dr. Fisher says, “I’m not sure buddy, depends on how you feel”. Quinn replies,” you better give me lots of drugs, cause if I’m not playing we are for sure gonna lose”. Dr. Fisher looks at me and says “well, he doesn’t lack confidence.” Quinn Story: So tonight I have to go to a hockey game of Keiran’s. I said to Quinn, “buddy you have to come cause I have no one to watch you”. His response,” will any of my friends be there”. I reply no. He says, “that’s okay, I’ll make friends”. I told him it’s awesome that he is able to make friends so easy. He replies with a look of disgust, “ummm mom, making friends is a skill and I’ve got it in spades”. The world needs more Quinn’s I think.
The gallery will be closed from Dec 20 - Jan 31. We look forward to seeing you again in 2024!
Quinn Story: we are going to a hockey tournament with just Quinn when he informs me out of the blue that if I get divorced he’s, “gonna hire Chuck Norris to give me a roundhouse kick”. Then proceeds to tell me he’s gonna play defense in today’s game like Chuck Norris too. Hmmmmmm!!! Penalty box here he comes! Quinn Story: And ..... Quinn gets another penalty for body contact. I’m trying very hard to explain there is no hitting in Novice. His response, “well that’s just stupid.”
Quinn Story: so Quinn, who doesn’t lack confidence in anything, says to me today after skiing, “I’m a great skier”. I said, “buddy you’ve barely skied at all in the last couple of years cause we are too busy playing hockey”. He replied, “until I fell and broke my nose racing I was the best skier on the hill, ask anyone”. Quinn Story: So Quinn wanted a rocking chair and stool from my moms. He begged for it. This morning I went into his room and he’s rocking on the chair just looking out the window. No TV. No electronics. I asked him what you doing sweets. His reply,” contemplating life mom”. Quinn Story: Only those who know my family situation will get this Quinn Story: after school Ricky picked up Quinn. I say, hey Quinn there was a lockdown in Keiran’s school. Quinn says ,”what happened”. I explain that a guy was walking in the school parking lot with a gun (turns out it was a pellet gun). Quinn looks at Ricky and says, “Ricky, did you do it”. I bust out laughing. Ricky’s not so impressed. Lol. Quinn Story: Quinn, like his mommy and all kids in my family, has started working for the family business delivering papers. I forgot to pay him the last few weeks figuring I’d catch up next week. He just called me from home to tell me that it’s ludicrous that I don’t pay my staff and he expects a pay cheque today or he’s quitting to work at another newspaper who will appreciate his work ethics and talents. So, I know the ‘Quinn Stories’ were a long read, but I hope deep down you will enjoy them as much as I did re-reading them. I will miss being a mom to three young boys. Change is on the horizon for me and I hope the second part of my life will be as enjoyable as the first. Merry Christmas to you and your family and a safe and prosperous 2024!
From all of us here at the Pass Herald
Dr. Mark Leishman Dr. David Baker Dr. Regan Evanson
w w w. as c entdent a l.c a
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 CROWSNESTPASS PASSHERALD HERALD- - 77 Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from -CROWSNEST
My Childhood Christmas memories TINA PEDERSEN Pass Herald Staff Some of the most fond memories I have from my childhood Christmas is the way that my parents waited to decorate the tree until the day before Christmas Eve. They would do this in secret and then cover up the Christmas tree with big sheets hanging from the ceiling so that we couldn’t see it - even though we did try to sneak a peak or two! The tree, in all its beautiful glory, would be revealed to us on Christmas Eve after dinner. Now imagine this: We would be having our turkey Christmas dinner in the dining room right next to a tree that was covered in sheets! But it was indeed a special and magical moment when the tree was finally revealed. Once the table was cleared, and the dishes were done, of course! Back then, our tree was partially lit with actual candles and partially with electric lights. I remember that this tradition of covering up the tree went on for many years until we were older and my parents decided that it wasn’t worth the effort anymore to cover up the tree and keep it a secret until it was revealed. I also remember, in the early years, after our Christmas dinner, that my JOHNPUNDYK.COM little brother and I would be told to go into the hallway and hide until Santa jpundyk@shaw.ca had made his grand entrance. We were not al-
Merry Chris as to my past, present and future clients! I look forward to serving you in 2024!
JOHN PUNDYK
403-563-0771
Royal LePage South Country Real Estate Services Ltd.
Wishing all our clients and their families a wonderful holiday season and all the best in 2024! Shauna Liebreich & Tina Pedersen
403-329-1562 w12931 20 ave w Blairmore
lowed to see Santa Claus. He did not have time to talk to the children on Christmas Eve. He would just knock on the front door and my mom would always answer the door and have a few words with Santa, telling him whether we had been good or bad, or something in between . Santa would place the presents under the tree and he would be on his way. I recall my brother and I having our ears up against the hallway door to try and hear Santa’s footsteps. It was all so exciting. Of course, in Denmark where I grew up, we unwrap the presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is generally spent playing with our new toys, visiting with family, eating good food and maybe watching a Christmas show. I have kept the tradition with my own kids to have our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve with their grandma and unwrap at least one present after dinner. So we basically combine European and North American traditions in our home as we unwrap the rest of our presents on Christmas morning like other families in North America. It is very rare that we have a white Christmas in Denmark. I only recall maybe two or three times that it happened during my childhood growing up overseas. In fact, it is so rare that now they have a “snow meter” on the TV weather forecast, and during the entire month of December, the meteorologists will try to predict the likelihood that there will be a white Christmas. I love living here in the Crowsnest Pass, where we often get to enjoy a white Christmas and I know that there are many people in my home country who envy this. This year we almost decided to go to Mexico for Christmas. Our friends are going to spend Christmas in Los Cabos this year and we had the opportunity to join them. When we brought this idea up with the kids and talked about it, they asked if we could stay home. They would much prefer to be home for Christmas. In the cold, snowy mountains. Although my husband and I would have liked to go on this trip, we realize that this holiday is much more for the children than it is for us. Once the children are grown there will be plenty of opportunities for us to go on a tropical vacation if we want. So this year, and for the foreseeable future, we will let our children continue to make snowy Christmas memories. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2024!
A message from MP John Barlow This holiday season, Louise and I, along with our family and the entire Foothills team, extend warm wishes for a Merry Christmas. It’s been our pleasure working for the residents of the riding this past year. It is a privilege to serve, and I am committed to working tirelessly to listen to your concerns, be a champion for our communities ensure the voice of southern Alberta is heard. Christmas is a time to cherish blessings, create lasting memories with loved ones, and reflect. In the spirit of the holidays, it is important we embrace a sense of community and compassion. Consider giving back to your community through volunteering or supporting local causes. Your involvement, whether big or small, can make a meaningful impact. I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in Foothills for a happy and fulfilling holiday season. May your Christmas be filled with joy, and may the New Year bring incredible opportunities, prosperity, and success. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
88--CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 13,PASS 2023HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST
Dear Santa Clause From Kids Kollege Nursery School
Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Remi and I am 5 years old. I live in the Crowsnest Pass, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by decorating. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: to love you and I love Christmas. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a Lego Crane for lifting. I also need crash up my toys track. I’d like to wear pyjamas with reindeer on it. Also, I’d like read a Santa book this year. I enjoy snacking on Christmas cookies these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Remington Hellawell. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Oaklen and I am 4 years old. I live in Blairmore, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by setting up our tree. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: I play with my brother, feed my dog and give my friends snacks. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a Drone. I also need a remote control. I’d like to wear boots. Also, I’d like to read a novel this year. I enjoy snacking on Welch’s these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Oaklen. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Owen and I am 4 years old. I live in Bellevue which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by decorating. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: invited Finn to gymnastics. For my family I have wrestled with them. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a remote control spider and a helicopter. I also need yummy chocolate. I’d like to wear fun socks. Also, I’d like to read Richard Scarry. I enjoy snacking on hot chocolate these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Owen McKenzie. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Grace and I am 4 years old. I live in Coleman, Canada, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by cutting and decorating a tree. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: help dad cook. Help mom bake gingerbread. I help my friends keep things tidy. I take care of Santa’s elf while he is visiting. I take care of Jack, my brother and like to write cards for my sister. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a Santa stuffed toy and a big cookie.. I also need a rainbow ring and a new nutcracker. I’d like to wear Christmas pyjama’s with snowflakes on them. Also, I’d like to read an animal Christmas book. I enjoy snacking on gum and all kinds of chocolate these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Grace. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Willy and I am 4 years old. I live in town which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by putting our Christmas tree out. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: play nice, not hitting, help mommy at the barn and help daddy work. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a remote control quad. I also need a bucking bull belt. I’d like to wear Wranglers. Also, I’d like to read a Christmas book. I enjoy snacking on chocolate granola bars these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Willy.
Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for the new year! Oliver Strickland Residential & commercial Realtor 403-563-0257 oliver.strickland@century21.ca
stricklyrealestate.ca
Happy Holidays and all the best in 2024
Prestige Cleaners
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 9
Dear Santa Clause From Kids Kollege Nursery School
Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Atlas and I am 3 years old. I live in Coleman, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by making Christmas lights. This year I have been naughty (I’m sorry). Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: helping my baby brother get out of his sleep sack. Making cookies and playing with my sister. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a present. I also need cookies. I’d like to wear a santa suit. Also, I’d like read Christmas books this year. I enjoy snacking on more cookies these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Atlas. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Jhessie and I am 3 years old. I live in The Pass, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by putting Christmas songs on. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: sharing and caring and give super big hugs. My biggest Christmas wish is to get Paw Patrol bear. I also
need more paint. I’d like to wear my Rapunzel dress. Also, I’d like read a monster book this year. I enjoy snacking on banannas these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Jhessie. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Jack and I am 4 years old. I live in Bellevue which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by decorating our windows. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: help my brother and read with mom and dad. My biggest Christmas wish is to get animals. I also need dinosaurs. I’d like to wear dinosaur hats. Also, I’d like read snow this year. I enjoy snacking on peanut butter sandwiches these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Jack. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Riley and I am 3 years old. I live in Bellevue which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by Christmas jammies and Christmas tree. This year I have been naughty (I’m sorry). Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: share my toys, help mommy and daddy clean, give layla (dog) treats. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a big haul truck. I also need a big digger. I’d like to wear Christmas jammies. Also, I’d like read ABC book this year. I enjoy snacking on fruit snacks these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Riley.
Merry Christmas and thank you for your support in 2023!
Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24th 5:00 p.m & 9:00 p.m
New Year’s Eve (Mary Mother of God) Sunday, December 31st 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Monday, December 25th 10:00 a.m.
New Year’s Day (Mary Mother of God) Monday January 1st 2023 10:00 a.m.
Merry Christmas From all the staff at
We are accepting E-transfers for donations. It is autodeposit. Please put in the box your name and address. Email: donation2holytrinityparish@shaw.ca
Wishing all residents and visitors, A very Happy Holiday and a Year full of joy in 2024!
Coleman Community Society
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support in the past year from the Doctors and staff at
13119 20 Ave Blairmore
403-562-7144
10 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Dear Santa Clause From Kids Kollege Nursery School
Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Kennedy and I am 4 years old. I live in Blairmore, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by decorating the tree to look cool. This year I have been a little bit of both naughty and nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: played with my friends and shared. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a camera. I also need crash up my toys track. I’d like to wear hmmm ... a puppy. Also, I’d like to read a kitty book. I enjoy snacking on cookies these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Kennedy. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Catherine and I am 4 years old. I live in my house, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by making cookies. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: behave, clean up my toys and feeding animals. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a puppy. I also need toys, and a pink castle. I’d like to wear unicorn t-shirt and jeans. Also, I’d like to read the big book this year. I enjoy snacking on watermelon these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Catherine. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Finn and I am 4 years old. I live in Bellevue which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by singing. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: I bring firewood, give lots of hugs, share my toys with Otto. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a lego car. I also need a remote control. I’d like to wear a demon sweater. Also, I’d like to read books this year. I enjoy snacking on candy these days, and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for you arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Finn. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Sadie-lou-ann-Barbara Jean and I am 3 years old. I live in Sadie’s house, Canada, which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by eating. This year I have been very nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: feed chickens. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a pink sparkle train. I also need whole bunch of trolls. I’d like to wear all dresses and pretty clothes. Also, I’d like to read my Sophia book this year. I enjoy snacking on butt fries these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Sadie Bala. Dear Santa. How are you? My name is Vera Madeleine Howe and I am 4 years old. I live in Revelstoke, oh, that’s was where we used to live which is very far from your home in the North Pole. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. My family has been preparing for your visit by ... Santa’s coming here. This year I have been medium nice. Some of the nice things I’ve done for my friends and family are: helping, teaching to be kind, but not my parents, they are already kind. My biggest Christmas wish is to get a telescope and ice skates. I don’t need anything else, just the things I asked for. I’d like to wear my greatest shirt - it’s the Grinch. Also, I’d like to read my new Elf book (am I gonna see an elf?) this year. I enjoy snacking on strawberries, not strawberries, I like blueberries, but not in yogurt, these days and I’ll be leaving you a plate by the tree for your arrival. I hope they’ll give you lots of energy as you drop off gifts to the other nice kids out there. Merry Christmas! Your friend Vera.
M y C istmas
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Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 11
Donna’s ABC Day Care Dear Santa, My name is Quinn and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a Cocomelon musical bedtime doll, a Gabby’s dollhouse deluxe room, a Paw Patrol Skye and a Ms. Marvel toy. Merry Christmas! With Love, Quinn Dear Santa, My name is Lily and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a baby doll, a Disney princess Maximus horse, Barbie beach dolls and an Ami Ami mini plush. I like your reindeer! With Love, Lily Dear Santa, My name is Kensley and I am 5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a bracelet making kit, a cookeez makery cinnamon playset, a magic mixie and a magic mixie pixling doll. I love you! Thank you for bringing us presents! With Love, Kensley Dear Santa, My name is Renn and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a new baby bed and for Gus a new army base. Merry Christmas Santa! With Love, Renn Dear Santa, My name is Louie and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a dino, a reindeer, and a transformer dino. Leo would like a crib please. Merry Christmas Santa! With Love, Louie Dear Santa, My name is Hasith and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a Paw Patrol plush, a camera, a giant squishmallow and two Jurassic light-up dino eggs. I love your elves! With Love, Hasith Dear Santa, My name is Edi and I am 5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a slime making kit, slime, a lite brite and a toy kitchen. I like all the gifts that you bring me and I love Christmas Eve! With Love, Edi Cont’d on page 12
Holiday Hours Christmas Eve 8:00am - 6:00pm Christmas Day - CLOSED Boxing Day 9:00am - 6:00pm New years Eve 8:00am - 6:00pm New Years Day 9:00am - 6pm
Blairmore
12 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Donna’s ABC Day Care Dear Santa, My name is Reagan and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a big giraffe stuffy. Can I also get a candy cane for my mom? Merry Christmas! With Love, Reagan Dear Santa, My name is Emmett and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a panda stuffy, and a Chase might transforming cruiser. How are you Santa? With Love, Emmett Dear Santa, My name is Marly and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me pink makeup and nail polish. My brother Jay would like some Lego please. How are you and Mrs. Claus doing? With Love, Marly Dear Santa, My name is Finn and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a Lego car and a remote control car. I also want a Beyblade set. I love your elves! With Love, Finn Dear Santa, My name is Adelaide and I am 2 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a Bluey stuffy, some playdoh and a pink baby. Can you please bring my mom some new shoes and my dad a new hat? Thank you Santa! Please say hi to Rudolph! With Love, Adelaide Dear Santa, My name is Nash and I am 2 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring a fire truck with a firehouse and a car that goes fast. Please bring Harlyn some LOLs and Leo some Paw Patrol. My dad would like new tires and my mom would like a new necklace. Thank you Santa! I will leave you milk and cookies, With Love, Nash Dear Santa, My name is Hayes and I am 1.5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring some monster trucks and a new train set. Can you please bring Haven a squishmallow, my mom a new coat and my dad some new socks? Merry Christmas Santa! With Love, Hayes Cont’d on page 13
Merry Christmas to our current and future: Tenants, Property Owners and Contractors. All the best to you and your families in 2024!
Thank you to all customers past and present. We look forward to serving you in the new year.
Dawn & Mark Rigby
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 13
Donna’s ABC Day Care Dear Santa, My name is Ida and I am 2 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me Peppa’s cruise ship, a new phone and a tea set. Can you please bring Zoe rainbow stackers? I want to hug and kiss you Santa! With Love, Ida Dear Santa, My name is Wade and I am 1.5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a new tool set and a dump truck. Thank you Santa! Merry Christmas! With Love, Wade Dear Santa, My name is Oaklen and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a drum, remote control car and a race car. I like your elves! With Love, Oaklen Dear Santa, My name is Haxstyn and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a Cocomelon musical school bus and a slime making kit. Can I also get a bracelet making kit for my mom? Merry Christmas! With Love, Haxstyn Dear Santa, My name is Xavier and I am 5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a nerf gun, a remote control drone with camera, Tech Deck park creator, and a red lightsaber. Merry Christmas! With Love, Xavier Dear Santa, My name is Sebby and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a beast lab shark creator, a ghostbusters costume, a proton pack toy and a ghostbusters jet pack toy. I also want a Tech Deck Nyjah rail shredder Skate park. I love you Santa! With Love, Sebby Dear Santa, My name is Liam and I am 5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a remote control tarantula and Beyblades with a Beyblade dome. Can you please bring Lily a frozen art kit? I love you Santa! With Love, Liam cont’d on page 14
CLOSED
December 25TH & 26TH
OPENING
December 27TH
CLOSED January 1st
OPEN
January 2ND and returning to normal schedule
14 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
We wish to extend our most sincere thank you for a great year! Merry Christmas and all the best in 2024! From all of us at
Donna’s ABC Day Care Dear Santa, My name is Lawson and I am 5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a toy kitchen, a giant squishmallow, a Tech Deck skate park, and a baby Yoda. Merry Christmas Santa! With Love, Lawson Dear Santa, My name is Rowen and I am 4 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me an Orbeez grown tube and Mini Brands. Please bring my mom a pink parrot Lego set. You’re the best mailman in the world! With Love, Rowen Dear Santa, My name is Lincoln and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me Mario cards and Monster Inc. cards. Can I also get Monsters Inc. toys for my cousins? Merry Christmas! With Love, Lincoln Dear Santa, My name is Liam and I am 3 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me a Peppa pig cruise ship and a Hot Wheels race track. Lenny would like a Barbie dream phone. I like your reindeer! With Love, Liam Dear Santa, My name is Bennett and I am 5 years old. This year I have been very nice. For Christmas please bring me an imports dragon blaster RC, an imaginext DC super friends robo command center, a gemstone dig kit, and a beast lab shark creator. I also want a skull island treasure tower. Merry Christmas! With Love, Bennett
Merry s! a m s t i r h C
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Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 15
Unwrapping Christmas: Tracing the origins of a global celebration NICHOLAS L. M. ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter The traditions surrounding Christmas unfurl like a tapestry woven through time, connecting us to ancient rituals and diverse cultural influences. While modern celebrations often revolve around Santa Claus and the exchange of gifts, the roots of these customs extend far beyond the familiar narratives. December 25, a day marked by Christians to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, draws from pagan traditions associated with the winter solstice—a time of renewal and the triumph of light over darkness. According to Brittanica, the observance of the day of Jesus’ birth was “long in coming” as during the first two centuries of Christianity there was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays of martyrs or, for that matter, Jesus. One widespread explanation is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the
“dies solis invicti nati” (day of the birth of the unconquered sun), which was a popular holiday in the Roman Empire. The holiday celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the rebirth of spring and summer. Though this is not for certain. One of the most easily recognizable symbols of Christmas is the tree. The iconic tree is generally a centrepiece of each household, covered in a variety of decorations, but where did it originate? Christmas trees saw their beginning in the 16th century in early modern Germany. It has been associated with Protestant reformer Martin Luther who it is said first added lighted candles to an evergreen tree. A possible predecessor is the “tree of paradise” from medieval mystery plays that were given on December 24, the name day of “Adam and Eve” in various countries. In such plays, a tree decorated with apples to stand for the forbidden fruit and wafers to represent Eucharist. Then there is the mistletoe that hangs in the doorway. If you meet someone under the mistletoe, it means you are supposed to share a kiss. Mistletoe was started by the Druids, who believed it was an all-powerful healing item from the sacred oak tree. The Celtic Druids were an ancient civilization of people who lived on the British Isles in what is now Ireland and Scotland. Because mistletoe could blossom during the winter, they came to view it as a sacred symbol of merriment, and they administered it to both humans and animals in the hope of restoring fertility. There are also connections to Norse mythology but how it made the jump from sacred herb to holiday decoration is still up for debate. The kissing tradition appears to have first caught on among servants in England before spreading among the rest of the population. Cont’d on page 16
A Christmas Message FATHER JOSEPH RAJU Holy Trinity RC Parish “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” Luke 2:7 Dear People of God, As we stand on the threshold of the forthcoming Christmas Festivities, let us take a moment to contemplate the profound significance of this sacred season. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Sovereign of the Sovereigns, embarked on a singular journey to unveil His eternal affection for humanity. He willingly relinquished His celestial throne, assuming human form, echoing the sentiments eloquently expressed by St. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians (2:6-&): ‘Jesus, though in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be exploited. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness’. Christmas beckons us to revel in this divine love. Our Saviour, the King, descended from the heavens to the earthly realm out of boundless love for each and every one of us. In the Gospel of Luke (2:7). We learn that there was no room for Mary and Joseph to welcome the birth of Jesus. Yet, Christ’s arrival transcends the mere setting of a crib; it unfolds in the profound presence of holy love between Joseph and Mary. Jesus is not merely born in a stable but in the overwhelming unity of love transfigures an ordinary family into the holy family. As we commemorate the birth of our Saviour, let the love and unity exemplified by the Holy Family serve as a beacon of inspiration for us all. May we embrace the true spirit of Christmas – a spirit characterized by love, unity, and joy. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to each one of you for your cooperation, active participation, and the generosity you’ve poured into our parish. May the Lord shower his blessings upon you and the endeavors of your hands, granting you health, love, and peace. Wishing you and your families a Christmas and New year 2024, blessed with profound joy and divine blessings.
Wishing you a
MERRY CHRISTMAS Chelsae Petrovic -MLA
Livingstone-Macleod
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE 4927 1st Street West, Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0 Livingstone.Macleod@assembly.ab.ca 587-424-2004
OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 22, 2023 TO JANUARY 2, 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 16
Unwrapping Christmas: cont’d from page 15 Mistletoe wasn’t the only sacred plant pagans had connected to the winter solstice. You may have heard the line “Deck the halls with boughs of holly” before as it was another plant connected with the god Saturn and the Saturnalia holiday, Romans made holly wreaths to exchange as gifts for good luck. Around this time, early Christians began to celebrate Christmas. To avoid detection and make it look like they were celebrating Saturnalia, Christians started hanging holly wreaths. Eventually, as pagans decreased, holly became a symbol of Christmas instead of Saturnalia. Exchanging gifts on Christmas morning is also a major part of the celebration. It is believed that gift-giving comes from the celebration of Sigillaria on December 19 as part of Saturnalia in Ancient Rome. It was a day of gift-giving. It has even been found that because gifts of value would give social status contrary to the spirit of the season, there was often pottery or wax figurines called “sigillaria” made specifically for the day. This included candles or “gag gifts” which Emperor Augustus was particularly fond of. Children received toys as gifts as part of the festivities. Santa himself has an interesting origin. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back to a monk named St. Nicholas who was born in Turkey around 280 A.D. He gave away all of his wealth then travelled the countryside helping the poor and sick, becoming known as the protector of children and sailors. Santa first entered American culture in the late 1800s in New York, when Dutch families gathered to honour the anniversary of the death of “Sint Nikolaas” which was Dutch for Saint Nicholas, or “Sinter Klaas” for short. From this we get Santa Claus. But even before St. Nicholas, there was another bearded old man, Odin. This deity was traditionally portrayed as an old man with a long, white beard with an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir who he would ride through the skies. Kind of like Santa’s reindeer. During the winter, kids would fill their boots with carrots and straw and leave them by the chimney for Sleipnir to feed on. Odin would fly
Happy Holidays From all of us at Teck, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy holiday season.
by and reward the children with little presents in their boots, much like we do with Christmas stockings today. The Christmas wreaths hung on doors and walls through the end of December have ancient origins too. The wreath dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where citizens would hand-make ring-shaped “wreaths” using tree leaves, twigs, small fruits, and flowers. They were worn as headdresses and represented one’s occupation, rank, achievement, and status. The Laurel wreath was most commonly used, involved in the crowning of victors in the ancient Greco-Roman Olympic Games. The Yule log, not the dessert, is another staple of Christmas celebrations. The Yule log is a specially selected log burnt as a winter tradition in regions of Europe and later North America. The origin of the custom is unclear but like other traditions associated with Yule, the custom may ultimately derive from Germanic paganism. Yule is a festival historically celebrated by the Germanic peoples. Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt along with the God Odin, whose name Jol became the modern version, Yule. The Wild Hunt is a ghostly procession in the winter sky. It includes increased supernatural activity, including the activities of draugar—undead beings who walk the earth. With all of the ancient traditions that have influenced the Christmas season, there are still new traditions popping up. Recently, a popular part of Christmas has become the “Elf on a Shelf” that moves around at Santa’s orders to keep an eye on kids before the holiday. The celebrations have even reached Japan where it is known more as a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. It is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as KFC and, apparently, people are able to place orders at their local fried chicken place in advance. There was an advertising campaign by KFC in the 1974 called ‘Kentucky for Christmas!’ which has been credited with the success of making KFC popular for Christmas. As the ever-evolving traditions of Christmas unfold, they showcase a complex tapestry of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular influences that have shaped this global celebration. Each December, we partake in the collective joy of decorating trees, exchanging gifts, and creating memories, honouring a rich history that transcends time and cultural boundaries. In the spirit of the season, may we appreciate the diverse origins that have come together to create the cherished holiday celebration we know as Christmas. Merry Christmas, Serendipitous Saturnalia, Joyful Yule and a Happy New Year to all!