Christmas Essay Contest 2019

The Best Gift

I Have Ever Given In this issue you will ďŹ nd all 5 of the prize-winning essays plus many more entries from area students!

9 1 0 2 Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. • townlively.com

2 - December 4, 2019 - Christmas

2019

Essay Contest

- The Best Gift I Have Ever Given

Welcome, Readers!

Merry Christmas!

We were overwhelmed at the excellence of this year’s essays, and the effort put in by local students aged 11-14. Due to this high standard, we’ve decided to reveal not only the winners this year, but to recognize all top 15 essays considered by our judges!

Congratulations to each of the students in that elite group, and a huge “thank you” to every student, and every supporting family that participated.

We hope readers will feel the Holiday Spirit as they enjoy this section!

About Our Judges About Our Judges

Amy Clisham owns Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in New Holland with her husband Bill. She has worked for both LS and Garden Spot school districts and her daughter currently teaches in Garden Spot.

R049833

Dr. Robert Garfield has been practicing Greg March is one of the Sales optometry for 30 years at Adamstown Eye Managers at Engle Publishing. He is Care alongside his wife and partner father of two grown children and has Dr. Lois Wida. His interests include music been in print media for well over 30 years. and the arts, history, boating and raising Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

The Best Gift I Have Ever Given - Christmas

Essay Contest - December 5, 2019 - 3

$250 Grand Prize Winner $250 Grand Prize Winner

O

Samantha Greer, Age 11, Honey Brook

ne Friday night, I was at home talking to my parents and my Mom saw on Facebook that someone’s house nearby caught on fire. We later found out that it was someone from my school, who was my friend. The fire happened a week before Christmas and it was snowing that night, there was snow on the ground. Me and my family felt bad, so we decided to do something. The next day, we went through all of our stuff and we made boxes for the family. I gave the girl that was my age some clothes, books and some other things she may need and like. My brother gave some of his toys and stuffed animals to the little boys. We went to drop the boxes off to family members to give to them. We struggled to find the place, but eventually we found it! We dropped the stuff off and we went back home. A few days later, I saw my friend at school. I noticed her wearing a jacket that I put into the box for her. I smiled at her and told her that I made that box for her. A few days later, I also saw her wearing a jacket and pants that I gave her!

It was fun going through stuff to give to her; I had plenty of things to share. They are living smoothly again, they now have a new house and new furniture. This was the best gift I have ever given to someone. It was the best gift because I gave to someone who lost all of the things they had in the fire.

$150 2nd Place Winner $50 3rd Place Winner $150 2nd Place Winner

Kayla Parry, Age 14, New Holland

H

ave you ever wondered what it would be like to give your time away to someone else? I have, and I enjoyed every minute of it. In fact, if I had the chance, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

It happened in July, 2018. A group of teens from our church raised monies to travel to Louisiana to help build homes for families whose homes had been destroyed in the 2016 flood. We traveled approximately 18 hours by van, covering more than 1250 miles to arrive in Baton Rouge, LA. It was a long trip, but the experience made it worthwhile.

We began our work early Monday morning. A group of people were instructed to work on building the structures and porches of the homes. We put screws into wood planks to form porch outlines. We used electric nail guns to attach metal supporters into the wood for the roofs. We installed insulation and drywall and also painted boards and rooms in the homes. We laid sod and grass. We made sure to clean up, keeping everything in perfect order. All chores included time, hard work, and effort.

This experience made me realize just how much people can accomplish in a small amount of time and how happy these people were to have homes once again. They believed they had been forgotten, and our efforts showed them we cared and had not forgotten. I felt proud to be a part of this trip and realized how fulfilling it is to give to others. In the future, I hope to continue to brighten others’ days by giving generously of my time.

$50 3rd Place Winner

Echo Patterson, Age 13, Marietta

W

hen I think of Christmas, many things come to mind. Mountains of food piled on the dinner table, gathering with loved ones to share love and affection, endless movies and songs watched and listened to with glee. And the inescapable; presents. One of the most exciting things of all. Gathering by the tree and tearing off wrapping paper at lightning speed while your family records you and smiles wide at your excited reaction. It’s beautiful.

Admittedly, I have given a few lackluster gifts in my time. Cards colored with crayon and plenty of spelling and grammatical mistakes, stuffed animals that were just re-gifted from my room, and candy that I found tucked away in the furthest corner of the cabinets that was probably not at all safe to consume. However, amongst the never ending list of terrible presents is actually some pretty good ones.

The best Christmas present I have ever given was in fifth grade.

That was the year I had decided I was going to donate my gifts and instead use the money to buy presents for a less fortunate family. So I reached out to my guidance counselor and they directed me to a family with less money. I was glad to be helping them out.

My family and I were sent a list of things that may interest the children and we were off to the store, buying whatever caught our eye. The feeling of helping out another family was magical.

For many reasons that is the best gift I have ever given, and a Christmas I will never forget. Because while receiving presents is great, that is not truly what the holiday is all about. No. Christmas is about giving and sharing love with others, and that year I did just that.

4 - December 4, 2019 - Christmas

Essay Contest

- The Best Gift I Have Ever Given

Finalists

$25 Honorable Mention

Finalists

$25 Honorable Mention

Marian Martin, Age 12, Lancaster

I

t doesn’t have to be Christmas to be able to give the best gift ever. Think about it its more fun to give presents than to receive them.

It started on a Saturday when me and my grandparents helped a family we new move. I saw how they lived and it wasent not the nicest place. I wanted to help so I brainstormed and decided to see cookies. In a week we made 36 dozen of chocolate chip cookies. When I finished I made $175 and we ordered 8 pillows we also emailed them to ask if we could get a discount but then a few days later we got 8 free pillows from My Pillow We thanked them and decided to buy them a mattress and then they gave us a discount on the matress for $75. Then We bought things for the pillows and mattress.

I was able to deliver the gifts with my grandparents and they were excited and I was happy to help a family in need.

$25 Honorable Mention $25 Honorable Mention

Sarah S. Lapp, Age 14, Honey Brook

O

ne cold February night my Brothers and I went down to shovel the snow off our neighbors driveway. The mother of the house was at the hospital very sick with cancer. And the family stayed by her bedside and seldom came home. When we went their garage we heard water running. We opened the door to investigate and water was running down the walls and light fixtures. We could not find the key to get inside the main part of the house to stop the main water line. I ran home to get my Dad and the rest ran to the neighbors for help. We still couldn’t get inside to find out where the water was coming from. Finally we thought of the outdoor Basement entrance. We shut the water line off then we went up to the kitchen.

We did not dare turn on any Electric lights. We did not find anything on that floor except water running down the walls. We went upstairs and in the mother’s room there was a door that led to a small washer and dryer room and attic. A couple of pipes had frozen and Burst.

Water was then going down thru the garage and family room. We decided we’d Better get outside Because it looked like ceilings and walls might collapse. A couple minutes after that some plaster came down over the furniture. It was a mess! We had stopped all the water But it was still coming down abit. We hated to contact our dear neighbors with the mom in such a condition. But we tried to clean up a bit and the neighbors came home around midnight.

I think God sent us over there, not to clean off the driveway, But to help our neighbors save their house, The end

E

Josie Morrison, Age 14, Honey Brook

veryone says that Christmas is about giving not just receiving. I think It is the most fun to give a present that you worked hard to get. The satisfaction of knowing that you worked hard to get that gift into their hands makes it more fun and memorable.

The best gift that I have ever given was a picture Bible to my sister for Christmas. It took nearly all summer to earn. It was not even my intention at first to give it away but sometimes things have a way of not going as planned.

In order to get the picture Bible, I had to read 2018 pages. I was doing a summer reading challenge. At the time I did not even know that I would get the picture Bible as my prize. I only knew if I read 2018 pages within the months of summer, I would get a prize. When I finished the challenge, I sent in my paper and waited for the prize.

After waiting for two months or so I gave up thinking a prize would ever come. Then one day I got a package in the mail. It was my prize!

I opened it up and saw the picture Bible. Realizing it was a bit under my age level I decided to give to my sister for Christmas.

Although my prize did not turn out as a prize for me. I think it turned out well, if not better the way it did because I had a present for my sister now, and the joy of knowing that it was from me. My true prize was seeing my sister open the present that I had worked hard to get.

THE END

T

Preston Benz, Age 12, Elverson

he best gift I have ever given is an agate sculpture with sea turtles and quartz coral. This gift was given to my mom from my sister and I. I chose this as the best gift mainly because of my moms’ reaction.

The sculpture is mainly crystals. It is not very heavy. The sea turtles are made of metal. The blue agate is meant to be the sea, the quartz is coral, and the two plants represent the ecosystem. This is very special to my mom because she loves crystals and sea turtles.

My sister and I pooled our money together to buy this for our mom at a rock and gem show. When we gave it to her, she burst into tears.

She cried because she had wanted to buy it but it was out of her budget so my sister and I bought it for her.

This gift means a lot to her because he loves sea turtles and gems.

She has also been wanting something like this for a while. When we gave it to her she cried for many reasons, but the main one was that my sister and I worked together to buy her something she really wanted.

There are many other good gifts I have given, but this is by far my best. I say this because she had the best reaction to this gift.

I

Anastasia Keyser, Age 12, Birdsboro

n December of 2015, when I was eight years old, there was a lady named Mrs. Ruth who went to the chapel that I go to. She was really nice, but in late 2014 she was admitted to the hospital because of pancreatic cancer. I wanted to give her a gift for Christmas, so my grandma helped me make a basket. We cut out strips of fabric and sewed them around a long piece of rope. Then we coiled the rope into shape and sewed it into a colorful basket. My grandma also helped me make some cards. We cut and folded two pieces of white paper to make four cards, and then we cut out four different kinds of birds from some cloth. Then we ironed a bird onto the front of each card. I wrote a nice note inside of one of the cards, placed it inside of the basket, and the next time we visited, I gave it to her. She really liked it, but a few months later, on March 8, 2015, she went to be with the Lord in heaven.

I am glad I could give a gift to her before she died, and that is one of the reasons why I think that that was the best gift I have ever given.

The Best Gift I Have Ever Given - Christmas

t was December, in the year of 2018, a couple days before Christmas, and I was arguing with myself whether or not I should my younger brother a bantam hen for Christmas. (I started raising bantams as a hobby in May, 2018, and during the summer my hen had 12 little chicks.) So I kept arguing with myself until, finally, on Christmas Eve, I bounded into the house and whispered to Mom, “We don’t have any tiny boxes in the house, do we?”

Mom asked, “What do you want to do with it?”

“I want to put a piece of paper in the box, then wrap it and give it to Chris”! (my younger brother.) I answered.

“Well,” said Mom, “we don’t have any small boxes right now, but we will have one once you get your presents. You can go into the bedroom and wrap it once everyone opened their presents.”

“OK,” I replied, “I’ll just wait till then.”

About half-an-hour later, when everyone was done opening their presents, (including me), I slipped into the bedroom with the following items: a scissors, a piece of wrapping paper, Scotch tape, a pen, and a piece of paper. On the paper I wrote “one bantam hen,” then I stuck the paper in the box, wrapped it and took it out to Chris.

Chris looked at the box and laughed. “There’s nothing in here,” he said.

“Open it and see,” I was laughing too.

Chris ripped the wrapping paper off, opened the box, and tipped it upside-down. The piece if paper fell out, and he picked it up and read, “One bantam hen.” Then he looked up and smiled, “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” I replied. “Merry Christmas!”

T

Audrey Grace Buchhalter, Age 11, Birdsboro

he best gift I have ever given is the gift of love. Granted, I do buy gifts for my cousins, siblings, and parents love is a gift that nothing can top. Love is worth more than a million dollars. Someone who is wealthy but has no one to share his riches with will be unhappy. So that is, in my opinion, the best gift anyone can give. Ever. In their entire lives.

Here is a poem I composed about what I think: The Gift of Love

By Audrey Grace Buchhalter The gift of winter; The gift of snow, Though none are as splendid as the one I know.

Greater than Stockings, Greater than Toys.

The gift I know is love.

So there it is. But before I end my letter, I challenge you to answer the question I present. How do you think of your family Christmas?

I

Mia Parry, Age 11, New Holland

t was a warm, fall day in September of 2018. I had been invited by a friend to participate in a Purse and Basket Bingo, a fundraiser for Warwick XC and the Lititz Community Chest. It was held at the St James Catholic Church in Lititz, PA. I couldn’t wait to go!

My sister and I arrived at the church at 12:30 pm and were so excited to play Bingo! After getting our game cards, we sat with anticipation at the table with our friends. All of a sudden, the game started. I felt eager to win when they started calling numbers. After a couple games, they held up a beautiful, dark blue, Coach purse. I thought to myself, “Wow! That would be an amazing gift. My mom would be thrilled if I gave her a gift like that! I hope I win it!”

The game continued. The caller shouted loudly, “B3, N36, O71, I17, and G47. I quickly raised my hand and shouted, “Bingo!” I couldn’t believe I had won the beautiful, dark blue, Coach purse! I thought Mom would say, “Mia, I love this! Thank you so much!” I was so happy and proud as I left the church that evening because I knew my mom had NEVER gotten a gift like this before, one that had a $350 tag on it!

A few months passed. It was finally Christmas day—time to open gifts.

Eventually, it came time for the last Christmas gift to be opened. It was my present for my mom. When she opened it, her eyes got huge. “Mia, this is stunning. Thank you so much. I love it!” Everyone said, “That’s beautiful.” It felt wonderful to give my mom the best gift I’ve ever given. It was a day I’ll never forget!

I

Clara Witmer, Age 11, Elverson

’m not very good at giving gifts, only one year did I really know what I wanted to give my brother. I’ve always tried, even since I was little.

This made it hard to find the best gift I’ve given, but I think it’s being there, caring, and doing things I’m not asked to do. Sometimes this doesn’t happen often. Sometimes opportunities are slim, but this is why I don’t give this gift on Christmas or birthdays, I give it when I can, and when it really matters.

When my dad is away it is hard. We have so many activities, me, my brother and Mom. Sometimes, it’s hard for Mom to get us everywhere, or what to do if my brother and her have plans, but I don’t. I try to help. My brother is in high school, so he has lots of homework. When he has things going on after school, he has to start homework early. Some nights he will be up late. This is when, if I’m in a good mood, or if Mom asks me to, I will do some of his chores. This is the best I can do as an 11 year old. I can’t go out and buy something special, so this is how I try.

I also try to care. It’s hard after a long day of school, but i try to offer to do things that will relieve stress. The most I can do is seeing the trash sitting outside, and put it in the trash can, a least favorite of my chores, or reloading the dishwasher, another low one. I try my best with the little things, like bringing in the groceries.

If it’s not physical gifts I give well, I hope it’s ones like these that make memories.

Powerfully Good Gifts Starting from just $ 14999

Gift s rt Ce ificate le b Availa

at 40-70%* Savings!

Parts • Sales • Service Route 625 • Bowmansville • (717) 445-6657

R048630

*Compared to traditional grocery stores.

R050721

I

John Ivan Fisher, Age 13, Honey Brook

Essay Contest - December 5, 2019 - 5

6 - December 4, 2019 - Christmas

Essay Contest

- The Best Gift I Have Ever Given

Will Lorenzi, Age 11, Elverson

M

e and my Dad walked into Tractor Supply. It was Christmas in a couple of days. We were very excited for Christmas, but we were on one mission and one mission only. We were aiming to get tomato seeds. That probably doesn’t sound too exciting, but it means a lot to my Mom because, well, first she loves the taste of tomatoes and second when she plants the tomato seeds it is exciting to see how many tomatoes we get and what different shapes and sizes the tomatoes are.

I think it was a really good present because she had a wonderful surprise every time she went to water them. Six months later my mom would go outside to see if there were any tomatoes and she would come back with a huge bowl of them that were all different colors and types, and one more thing - a huge smile on her face. My Mom loves to eat tomatoes when they are warm from the sun. The one downside was that we had to eat tomatoes in every meal and we would talk about how we couldn’t believe how amazing the tomatoes tasted. We would compare the tomatoes to the ones in the supermarket and we would always say that our tomatoes are better of course. So that is the reason why I thought that tomato seeds were the best present I have ever given.

I

Shalom Meree Kravets, Age 13, New Holland

think the very best gift that I have ever given is a quilt that I made for a friend. It took like three years to make. Well sort of‌ It started when our neighbor gave us a lot of quilt blocks. And I started making the quilt and didn’t finish it till like three years later. I think its the best gift that I have ever given because it had a lot of love put into it. I also think that something that you take a long time to make or save up for a long time has a lot more love put into it then those cheap little toys you get for a dollar at dollar tree or places like that.

Thats why I say the quilt is the very best gift I have ever given.

B

Oscar Lorenzi, Age 13, Elverson

ehind our house there is a hill with a woods on it. Some of the trees on that hill were very big and old, on windy nights we would hear them squeak and crack, so we decided to get them cut down. The trunks of these trees lay for many years beside the woods unused and kind of getting in the way. We had always talked about getting them cut into planks but it was not until a year later that it actually happened. We hired a guy called Pat with a giant saw mill to come to our house and slice the trunks into planks. It was a multi day job so Pat stayed overnight in a side room that was currently not rented out. It was a very fun few days filled with chainsaws and forklifts and at the end one of our friends the idea of blowing up a log that did not fit in the mill. After milling, the planks had to be stacked and kept dry for about a year before they could be used. About a year and a half later, I decided to make a coffee table for my mom’s Christmas present. I asked my dad if he had any nice pieces of wood that fit my description. There was a perfect piece of maple with the bark still on it and a disease that slightly darkens the wood called marbling. First I sanded down the beautiful piece of wood and then varnished it and screwed on some skinny steel legs that I found lying around in our garage. My mom was delighted when I unveiled it. The little table was made in two days, but it will last forever. This computer is on that table right now.

Other Exceptional Essays

Other Exceptional Essays

T

Jonathan Nelson, Age 11, Morgantown

he greatest gift I ever gave anybody was a snow globe I gave to my mom. The snow globe was super nice, my mom loved it. You have to give somebody something really cool for Christmas because sharing is caring. I like when people give me presents because it makes me feel happy.

I try to give people really cool presents that they like and appreciate.

Sometimes presents are hard to give to people who have everything. I’ve done that before. My friend has everything but sometimes If l think hard enough I can find something he doesn’t have. I like my friends. They give me presents and I give them presents. The snow globe I gave to my mom was a lot of money. When you love someone so much you’ll buy it just for them. She really liked it. My mom and dad give me a lot of presents too.

If you really like someone you’ll give them what they like. You can’t get them everything they want. I worked hard for the money for my friend’s present. I hope he likes the present. He’s a really good friend, but he’s not greedy. He’s pretty hard to give a present for. I like how snow globes if you tip them upside down snow falls. There’s no greater joy than giving and not receiving. People appreciate that; believe me, I know. Just remember to give cool presents like the one I gave to my mom.

Archery Gift Ideas Buying B i a Bow B tthis hi Y Year??

We carry ELITE, CENTERPOINT and other manufacturers of compound bow and crossbows!

Your loved one will enjoy something practical, comfortable and fun. Here are a few choices, but we have lots more.

A Great Selection!

SweetwaterArchery.com

Give a Gift Certificate!

1620 Cambridge Rd., Honey Brook PA 19344 • (610) 273-2990

Old-Fashioned Fitting & Repair

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-5; Friday 8-8; Saturday 8-2; Sunday Closed

R048855

BRANDYWINE SHOE SHOP

Sma for thelleAr Gifts rcher!

4 Ran ge Fin

4 Trail C der amera 4 Lucky Buck Min eral 4 Mon ster Mix Seed 4 Pack of Range Hy podermic 4 Targets

216 Maple Street • Honey Brook, PA Mon.-Fri. 5:00pm-8:30pm; Sat. 8:00am-2:00pm or by appt.

484.798.9148

R049149

The Best Gift I Have Ever Given - Christmas

he best gift I have ever given was to my grandma. She just had back surgery and her back was really hurting. It was wintertime and it snowed. My grandma asked me to shovel because she couldn’t, so I did. It was really hard and cold, but I did it. My grandma really appreciated it. Another gift I gave my grandma when her back was hurting was I gave her a back rub. i put lotion on her a rubbed her back. She really appreciated that to.

H

Desiree Dubroski, Age 12, Honey Brook

ello, my name is Desiree Dubroski, and this is my story. It was 3:30 in the morning and it was my grandfathers 63rd birthday. I woke up before my grandfather to decorate for his birthday. A couple days before my grandmother and I went to the store and bought streamers, balloons, a party hat, and a “Happy Birthday� banner for him. I got dressed and ready and grabbed the decorations from under my bed. I went down to the kitchen and started to decorate. I put the balloons on the table, streamers along the doorways and on the table. I also put the “Happy Birthday� banner along the doorway too. For his gift’s, I gave him Doritos (because whenever we buy them I am always the first to eat them all), beef jerky, weather’s original sugar free Carmel candy, and two movies. Since my grandmother never makes my grandfather breakfast, I decided to get his cereal, bowl, and spoon out.

It was about 4:30 and my grandfather woke up and came downstairs.

I ran to him and said “ don’t go in the kitchen. Wait till mom-mom comes down�. I tell him to cover his eyes. So that I can take him in the kitchen and show him his birthday surprise and let me tell you he was shocked, he absolutely loved it! The fact that I woke up early and did all of this for my grandfather’s 63rd birthday. That’s how you know I love him with all my heart.

T

Nathan Tidball, Age 13

he best gift I’ve ever given is the gift of kindness. Everyone I meet, I try to be as kind as possible to them. One time when I was younger, at the doctor’s office I was playing on my phone and a kid sat next to me as I played. I offered to let him play angry birds and he smiled as bright as the sun. Kindness is something you can’t buy, but it’s something you can return. I learned that, now being right around the corner of 14, I can confidently say that kindness is something everyone deserves, at least once in their life. The best gift I’ve ever given wasn’t something that you can buy from the store. It wasn’t a physical object. No. It was the unbuyable gift of kindness. Nobody knows what each other are going through, and kindness is simple folkways in this spiral we call life. We all need to show a little more kindness. Without kindness, I can’t even imagine what this world would be like. For sure, without a doubt the best gift I’ve ever given is Kindness, and nothing will ever change that.

T

Nicholas Marth, Age 12, Morgantown

he best gift I ever gave, is the gift of Love. My mom was very sick Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, my mom mom was there to help. all I wanted was my mom to feel better, nothing else mattered, a few days later she started feeling better, it’s not about gifts which were nice, but family, Love and just being together, to help her feel better, like she does when I am sick. Love is the best gift and it’s free, for ever.

It’s not a gift you can hold in your hands but one you hold in your heart.

T

Jivien Rose Horrocks, Age 10, Elverson

he best gift I have ever given was a little book that tells about Jesus! That’s right... the one who died for your sins. He loves you and that’s why He died for you. I am a Christian, and I love to give little books to people I see around me.

Spruce

6Q :PVS

Holiday Home!

0OF 4UPQ for )PMJEBZ %FDPS É $ISJTUNBT 5SFFT É 8SFBUIT (SFFOT

É 1PJOTFUUJBT Æ " )6(& 4FMFDUJPO É (SBWF -PHT #MBOLFUT É "TTPSUFE (JGUT )PNF 0SOBNFOUT .BJO 4USFFU 3PVUF +VTU 8FTU PG #JSETCPSP

R048858

XXX TQSJOHHBSEFOGBSNT CJ[ TQSJOHHBSEFOGBSNTJOD!ZBIPP DPN

R049994

T

Maysie Riblett, Age 11, Honey Brook

Essay Contest - December 5, 2019 - 7

8 - December 4, 2019 - Christmas

Essay Contest

- The Best Gift I Have Ever Given

T

R049734

Merle Eberly and His Staff Wish You a Meaningful & Joyful Christmas

he best christmas gift I have ever given, is a Splits & Giggles gift card.

Now I know that a Splits & Giggles gift card, doesn’t seem like it would be on a person’s top best gift given list, but it’s on mine. It wasn’t the gift itself that made it such a special gift, it was the person that I gave the gift to. That made the gift that I gave so special. I don’t know if the receiver really liked the gift, or if they even used it, but it was special to me.

And it made me feel very good. If you would like to know more about the best gift I’ve ever given, read on!

About five years ago, I went to my first ever Christmas Gift Exchange party. I was a little nervous, because I had never been to a christmas gift exchange party before. But of course there’s a first for everything, so I went, mainly because my mom insisted on me going. And because my friends were there, of course. So, me and my mom went to the party. Everything looked so normal, and so I was questioning myself to why I was so nervous about going to this party. But then I saw this beautiful christmas tree, with beautiful bright lights, magnificent ornaments, and such a lovely pile of pine needles. After that I saw the presents that everyone had brought, all of them were mostly box shaped. But mine was just an envelope shaped looking onet. So I kind of felt left out, for some ridiculous reason. I was nine so I guess it kind of made sense. I wanted to be just like everyone else I guess. After a while I saw some of my friends, and decided to hang out with them.

About an hour and a half, to two hours later, after everyone was settled and had eaten some food. A person had announced that it was time to open gifts, so I got kind of nervous. Because I didn’t think the receiver of my gift would enjoy the gift that I got them. So while all of my friends were excitingly opening their gifts, I was just thinking about what the receiver of my gift would think about the gift that I gave them.

At the end, it turned out that the receiver did like their gift that I got them, not only was I relieved. But I had also learned a lesson, the lesson that I learned was,”It’s the thought that counts”. So not only was this the best christmas gift I’ve ever given, but it was also the best christmas gift I’ve ever received. This is by far the best Christmas Gift I’ve ever gave to someone.

I

Brian Nolt, Age 11, New Holland

very year near Christmas our school exchanges names for christmas gifts. We each write on a paper what we want then we put it in a little box or something like that. Then we take turns picking a paper out of the box. One time I picked a paper and it was a girl. She wanted something with pictures of deer on it or something with deer. We got a picture frame with pictures of deer on. And false antlers around the frame. We wrapped it then on the day we ex changed gifts I took it along to school.

When she got it she was very happy. It was fun seeing her happy face.

REALTORS

AUCTIONEERS

T

R050719

www.horningfarmagency.com

Ezekiel Stoltzfus, Age 11, Honey Brook

t was 2016, 22 or 23 days till Christmas break. It was the day we played games, watched movies, and had contests. It was always the best day of the school year. The one thing that was the highlight of Christmas time at school is gift exchange. The teacher would get a cup and write the names of all of the students and out it in the cup, I had my friend, Micah. What I thought is what things he does, what sports he likes, and…. If he’s into Legos™. First I didn’t want to give him Legos™ because I gave that every year, and I didn’t think he wanted a book, so I decided to give him a basketball. We went to wallmart and picked a basketball. We had 3 weeks to get the gift and wrap it, So it didn’t take me long to ask my mom to go and get it. 3 weeks pasted quick, We sat in a circle, then the teacher asked us to exchange, I was first. I went and gave the basketball to Micha. He loved it! Plus the funny thing was when Micha gave his gift, It was to me! Now that was the best gift I gave.

E

2404 Main St., Narvon, PA 17522 • 610-286-5183

Keira A. Shirk, Age 14, Lancaster

Joshua Causey, Age 11, Honey Brook

he best gift I have ever given was a box of delicious Hot Tamales.

And I gave it to my friendly brother, who is an expert on coin collecting, because my brother likes hot Items or candy. He also likes all sorts of candy especially chewy ones. And that’s why I picked up a box of Hot Tamales. So that is the best gift I have ever given.

The end

The Best Gift I Have Ever Given - Christmas

or me the best gift I have ever given would be the gift of time. Now that probably sounds confusing but let me explain…. The way i have given the gift of time is by jobs really. Now i’m not talking about chores. Im talking about jobs that take hours, maybe even days!! When i could’ve been outside skateboarding or rollerblading i helped my older friends. (like 50 and up) one day i was having a blast with my friends and then i saw mrs nancy (in her 70s) who was struggling with her groceries. I stopped playing and ran over and helped her. She tried to pay me but I denied. As much as I wanted that money i didn’t want to take her money! All that took was such little effort but for her it was a workout. I have dedicated my Saturdays and days after school to help my friends and sometimes even my mom. (not ALL my Saturdays and days after school though) it is also something i enjoy to do. I love the smile on their faces once they say thank you.

That reaction is a valuable as them giving me a billion dollars or more!!

Another time I was outside and my friend aunt pat (not actually my aunt) was outside and was talking about how her front yard didn’t look good. So i said i could help her. It took me almost the whole afternoon!! It was worth it though! I was so glad to get it done!! It looked so good! It made a big difference.

I

Jaclyn Horrocks, Age 13, Elverson

love my brothers, but sometimes they’re stinkers...so for Christmas, I played Santa. I decided to give my brothers a gift that they would never, ever forget. Wahaha! Christmas day finally arrived. It was time for my splendid gift. They gave their gifts, so I gave them mine...Coal!

Yup, the black stone rocks they use for fire; plain old coal. Boy, were they flabbergasted! I had a great chuckle while they just stared, but no worries, I did give them something else. It was still a great laugh and a gift that they would remember forever!

Entertaining Made Easy!

Yoder’s would love to prepare Hot Items for your guests.

• POT ROAST WITH GRAVY • GLAZED HAM BALLS • ROAST TURKEY IN GRAVY • LASAGNA - MEAT OR VEGETABLE • BROASTED CHICKEN • REAL MASHED POTATOES • AU GRATIN POTATOES • SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE • MACARONI AND CHEESE Or ask us to make your favorite food for your party.

Large Assortment of Party Trays: Meat, Cheese, Veggie, Sandwich & More

O Come Let Us Adore Him

A “ nd she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; for there was no room at the inn.” - Luke 2:7

Call Yoder’s Restaurant at 717-354-4748 and ask for Kathy or Email at: Kathy@yoderscountrymarket.com

Merry Christmas 4270 Horseshoe Pike (Rt. 322), Honey Brook, PA 19344

(610) 273-3131

R049596

Honey H oney B Brook rook O Outdoor utdoor P Power, ower, L LLC LC

14 South Tower Road, New Holland 717-354-4748 • yoderscountrymarket.com

R049735

F

Emma Tidball, Age 12

Essay Contest - December 5, 2019 - 9

‘

T

Essay Contest

- The Best Gift I Have Ever Given

Peter Weaver, Age 13, East Earl

was a cool, clear night in mid November when ‘Lil’ Pep first thrust her fuzzy little head through the wall of her imprisoning eggshell.

Then pieces flew in all directions as she fought to rid the shell. At last she managed to snuggle upto her mother’s toasty warm breast. “’Lil’ Peep,” Henny clucked the next morning. “Today we’ll go search for food in the barnyard.”

That memorable day was spent in ‘Lil’ Peep’s first training. Within the week Henry had taught her chick all of the many things that young chicks have to learn.

Each passing day brought colder weather with it, and ‘Lil’ Peep, who thought herself quite grown up, spent most of her time scratching alongside her feathered friends inside the immense barn.

One day, when ‘Lil’ Peep was in the barnyard she overheard master Peter talking to himself. “I know what!,” he whispered. “I’ll give my cute ‘Lil’ Peep to Albert. He’s wanted some small pet for a long time now.”

“Henny!” ‘Lil’ Peep gasped as she raced toward her mother. “Peter wants to give me away, what if I never see you again. What can I do?”

“Listen Peepy,” Henny said. “Please don’t panic. I think his brother is simply wonderful. Just wait and see.”

On Christmas morning Peepy wasn’t surprised to hear excited voices and running feet come pounding through the barn’s wide doorway.

“Thank you, Peter! I can promise you that she can stay in this barn as long as she wishes.”

T

Amanda Joy Causey, Age 13, Honey Brook

he best gift I have ever given was silver horse earrings to my best friend. Why? My best friend loves horses, because she takes riding lessons and has about 500 animal books and horse posters on the walls of her room. My friend was delighted, because she just got her ears pierced.

That is why the horse earrings were the best gift I have ever given.

O

Nathan Stoltzfus, Age 12, New Holland

ne blustery, cold day, it was five degree weather and six inches of snow on the ground. I decided that I would scrape a path from my great-grandparent’s house to to their barn so that they could do there chores. They are ninety years old and live next door.

I put on a lot of thick winter clothes and went outside. Grabbing the shovel, I headed down to their place. I worked for half an hour with the snow swirling in my face. Just before I got done, Grandpa saw what I was doing and told me to come inside once I was done. A couple minutes later, I walked into their cozy little house to the wonderful aroma of hot chocolate. Sure enough, a plate full of cookies and a steaming mug of hot chocolate were sitting on the table. I sat down and started eating. While I was eating, Grandpa told me about how they used to scrape the roads with shovels. They kept on chatting until I needed to insist that it was time to go. They told me to come again, and thanked me for doing it. I came home with the feeling of a job well done.

THE END!

Skylar Riblett, Age 11, Honey Brook

ne time in 2017 me and my sister made a dance a couple of days before Christmas. On Christmas day we had learned the whole dance and we had learned to play jingle bells on the piano. We did the dance and played the piano and everyone loved it.

But my grandmothers back got surgery and couldn’t stand so we did stuff for her and she really appreciated it. We also made ornaments for the Christmas tree and still hang them.

We Carr y Leanin’ Tree Cards

Here’s hoping your holiday season is a whole lot of merry and bright! May your Christmas and the New Year deliver an abundance of health, happiness and good fortune to you and the ones you love.

5004 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA 19344

610-273-3724 Mon.- Fri. 6am-6pm Sat. 7am-3pm; Closed Sunday

O

Hard to Wrap, Easy to Give!

Tools make fantastic gifts!

These are in stock now, with plenty of “Egg-cessories”!

Birdhouses and Feeders make for great fun all winter!

R048856

10 - December 4, 2019 - Christmas

The Best Gift I Have Ever Given - Christmas

Matia Esh, Age 14, East Earl

I

Clyde Stauffer, Age 11, Denver

was at my cousin’s and we were going to do a name drawing for a gift exchange. I got my 15 year old cousin’s name.

He is hard to please with gifts, at the time I didn’t know that. I went to a Walmart and got him a Nerf Rival gun. He liked it!

It even matched his other gun in his opinion. I think this is the best gift I have ever given, because he is picky and I pleased him.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 7:30am til 8:00pm Drawing for

GIFT BASKET Lots of FOOD SAMPLES Gift to each customer with $10 purchase

(Honey Brook Location Only. As part of the "Second Annual Christmas in Honey Brook" Celebration)

CHEWY DOUBLE GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES

Crispy on the outside, chewy in the middle, these Double Ginger Molasses Cookies are ones to make this holiday season.

Servings 3 dozen Ingredients n 2¼ cups all-purpose flour n 2¾ tsp ground ginger n 1 tsp baking soda n ¼ tsp salt n ¾ cup butter, softened n 12/3 cups Golden Barrel organic cane sugar divided n 1 egg, room temperature n ¼ cup Golden Barrel Supreme Baking Molasses n 3 tbsp finely chopped crystalized ginger

Instructions 1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together dry ingredients: flour, ginger, soda, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a bowl attached to a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream together butter and 11/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, molasses, and crystalized ginger and mix well. 3. With mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. 4. Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes (up to several hours, or overnight) so dough gets time to chill.

(If chilling overnight, set bowl out for about 20 minutes before scooping.) 5. Pour remaining 1/3 cup of sugar into bowl and using cookie scoop (I used a medium-sized one), scoop dough out and roll gently into prepared sugar.

I only rolled the tops of mine. 6. Line on parchment-lined cookie sheets about 1½” apart. (Refrigerating the dough helps the cookie not to spread so much, but it will spread some.) Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until tops look mostly done. There will be some cracks that look wet...that’s what you want. Let cool on baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Recipe Notes: Recipe slightly adapted from Noble Pig.

GOOD FOOD OUTLETS OUTL TLETS

L & S SWEETENERS

GOOD OD FOOD OUTLET

388 E. Main St., Leola, PA 17540

717-656-3486 1-800-633-2676

4960 960 Horseshoe Pk., ney Brook, PA 19344 Honey

610-273-3776 10-273-3776 800-327-4406 1-800-327-4406

R050418

have received many gifts but I have also given many gifts. I love giving gifts as much as I love receiving gifts. Receiving gifts makes you feel like someone cares. But giving gifts makes other people feel like you care. The best gift I have ever given was to my grandmother.

My sister and I worked as mothers-helpers for a lady my Mom knew.

We would do inside work like vacuuming, baking, and washing, or outside work like mowing and pulling weeds. One day we helped clean out her garage. There was a lot of cool and interesting things. She said we could keep anything we wanted. Since it was near Christmas, we agreed. One of the things I found was four, different shaped blocks.

They each had a different letter on them. The letters spelled: LOVE. I thought this was perfect for my Grandmother.

The day that we went to our grandparent’s house to celebrate Christmas, I was very excited! Before we left our house, I carefully put the four blocks in a gift bag. I could not wait to give it to my Grandmother.

When it was time to give gifts, I walked over to my Grandma and gave her the gift.

“Merry Christmas Grandma!” I said.

She opened the gift and pulled out the blocks that spelled Love.

“Thank you!” she said. Then she gave me a hug. I was so happy. I was happy that I made my Grandmother smile. I was happy that I had given a gift. I was happy that I had given a gift of love.

Thank You for the Gift of your confidence in us!

Dr. Miriam Pearson and her staff wish you a memorable Christmas!

We are looking forward to seeing you soon.

Serving the area for 30 Years

R050720

105 Morview Blvd., Morgantown

610 • 286 • 0206

www.MorgantownEyeCareCenter.com

R049997

I

Essay Contest - December 5, 2019 - 11

12 - December 4, 2019 - Christmas

Essay Contest

- The Best Gift I Have Ever Given

CLO THIN ERY N IO G • SH OES • FABRICS • STAT

E M O •H

NG I V LI

E • HARDWARE • GIFT R A WAR ENW E• H C TO T I YS K •

After 2,000 years, wise men and women are still following his star.

A blessed Christmas from all of us.

Rt. 23 717-354-4026

(Next to Shady Maple Farm Market)

EPHRATA

QUARRYVILLE

SCHAEFFERSTOWN

(Rt. 322, East of Martin’s Country Market)

(Rt. 222 & 372 Intersection)

(Rt. 501 N. in Dutchway Plaza)

1686 W. Main St. 717-733-7356

333 W. 4th St. 717-786-9028

2499 Stiegel Pike 717-949-2663

Store Hours: Weekdays 8am - 9pm, Saturday 8am - 5pm • Closed Sunday • www.goodsstores.com

R048853

EAST EARL