Christmas in the Country

Now through January 3rd Elk’s Rodeo Grounds

“Christmas in the Country” Holiday lights at the Elks Event Center

Although many Central Coast Holiday programs have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elks Recreation invites you to join our first Annual “Christmas in the Country” this Holiday season at the Elks Event Center located at 4040 South Hwy 101 in Santa Maria. In true Team Santa Maria spirit and working together with the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce the event is well underway for this new, COVID-19 friendly, holiday tradition on the Central Coast.

“Christmas in the Country” opened Friday, November 27th, 2020 and will be open through Sunday, January 3rd, 2020. Visitors will embark on a

drive through magical holiday light experience at the Elks Event Center with displays presented by local businesses and families. Health and safety protocols will be followed in cooperation with County and State guidelines. Tickets are available online only at elksrec.com and will be sold in half hour increments.

We are excited to have a nativity scene with live animals created by St. Joseph High School and compliments of Kristina Oliver of Oliver Livestock!

Along with “Christmas in the Country”, we are excited to introduce “Stuff the Stocking” to bring awareness to Pediatric Cancer. All stocking proceeds will go to the Golden Circle of Champions program that is devoted to raising awareness of childhood

cancer and provides financial support to families enduring childhood cancer.

Elks Recreation is excited to bring joy to the community through our “Christmas in the Country”.

We have been working hard to continue to provide family entertainment on the Central Coast through an outlet that meets the guidelines of public safety while celebrating the community spirit. We would love to welcome you to our home at the Elks Event Center this Holiday season! Visit our website at elksrec.com for updated information.

For more information please call the Rodeo Office at (805) 925-4125 or email us at elksrodeo@elksrec.com

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS!

2 | December 2020 | Christmas in the Country | Santa Maria Times

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS! Frank Freda Properties

THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR ADDITIONAL SPONSORS! Tri W Enterprises

White Cap

We Would like to thank all our Light and Decoration donors 2020 Jr. Barrelman, Caleb Moon

Laurus College

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Allan Hancock Rodeo Boosters

Los Flores Ranch Park

American Red Cross

Michael B. Clayton and Associates

Battery Systems

Minetti Ranch - Tyke Sheryl

Best Western Plus Big America Bob and Sharon Lewis

Old Town Cups & Crumbs Homestyle Bakery

Bob, Eileen, and Lodene Blair

PCPA and Allan Hancock College

Bonipak Produce & Betteravia Farms

Photos by Spike

Boomers! Santa Maria

Righetti Water Polo

Boys and Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast

Rizzoli’s Automotive

Brian and Karen Feldpouch

Santa Barbara County Cattlewomen / Santa Barbara County Cattlemen

California Gymkhana Association District 40

Rod and Cheri Rodriguez

Santa Maria Bici Centro

CASA of Santa Barbara County

Santa Maria Public Library

Central Coast Truck Center CET - Center for Employment Training

Santa Maria Valley Sportsman Association

CoastHills Credit Union

Shoreline Concrete

Consolidated Electric Distributors Santa Maria

Steve and Maria Jones

Cricket Wireless

The Allen Sorenson Family

Deasee’s Design Boutique

The Barton Family

Duplicated Business Solutions

The Barton Family

Elks #1538 Kitchen Serving Krew

The Homestead Old Orcutt

Engel and Gray

The OASIS Center

Fix Auto Santa Maria

The Patch at Los Flores Ranch Park

Flower Carriage by Ms. Cardel

The Rodriguez Family

Got You Covered Rentals

The Signorelli - Serna Family

Hampton Inn & Suites

Triple Threat All Star Cheerleading

Hayward Lumber

Vivid Financial Management

Holiday Inn Santa Maria

Wes and Liz Brown

Hubbell Real Estate Group

Band of Brothers

Huf Floral

CalPortland

Jim and Julie Colegrove – Shaklee

Celito Lindo

Kayden Marie Sorenson - Miss Mini Elks Rodeo

Fischer’s Jewelry

Keith and Olivia Bugal

Matt & AnnMarie Rodriguez

Krispy Kreme

New America Realty

KT’s All-Star Gymnastics

Santa Maria Times

Laura Lodge

Solvang Chamber of Commerce

Trees Decorations Gifts Garden Tools Much More

Hacienda Realty

1578 BRANCH ST. ARROYO GRANDE, CA 93420 (805) 779-3080 Visit us at: https://stores.truevalue.com/ca/arroyo-grande/21147/

Santa Maria Times | Christmas in the Country | December 2020 | 3

CovenTree Books and Gifts

Superior Roofing - Bob and Stephanie Melena

YOUR HOMETOWN “CHRISTMAS” HEADQUARTERS

Stay safe when stringing holiday lights

4 | December 2020 | Christmas in the Country | Santa Maria Times

Lighting displays are one of the many things that help make the holiday season a special time of year.

Often awe-inspiring, holiday lighting displays present a perfect opportunity for communities and individuals to

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showcase their festive sides.

Safety should always be a priority when stringing holiday lights both inside and outside a home. The National Fire Protection Association notes that, between 2009 and 2014, fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 210 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. Lighting displays strung on home exteriors also can pose safety risks if homeowners do not exercise caution. Fortunately, various strategies can help homeowners safely decorate their homes’ interiors and exteriors this holiday season.

• Choose a fresh tree. The NFPA recommends celebrants who prefer natural Christmas trees choose ones with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Dry trees are more likely to catch fire than freshly cut trees.

Adding water to the tree stand each day will keep trees fresher longer. When placing the tree, avoid placing it too close to heat sources, making sure it is at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights.

• Check all lights before stringing them. All lights, including those going on trees inside a home and those being strung outside, should be inspected

prior to being strung. Look for any worn or broken cords and replace any defected lights.

• Employ the buddy system. When stringing lights, always work with at least one other person. This makes it safe for homeowners who must climb ladders to string lights on especially tall trees and/or on their home exteriors.

• Avoid working in inclement weather.

The weather during the holiday season can sometimes be unpleasant or unpredictable. Check the forecast before stringing exterior lights to ensure Mother Nature won’t pose a threat.

Avoid hanging lights if the forecast predicts wet, icy or windy conditions that can make ladders unstable.

• Turn lights off when going to bed and/or leaving the house. Interior and exterior holiday lights should not be left on when no one is home or everyone inside is sleeping. If left on overnight or when no one is home, lights may contribute to fires that damage homes and may even prove fatal.

Holiday lighting displays help make this time of year special. Following some simple safety procedures when decorating with lights can ensure everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday season.

Must-haves to achieve a holiday wonderland

United Rentals of Santa Maria We understand that many businesses have had to cut back in terms of hours, service, and staff during this time.

However, we know our customers are ESSENTIAL to this community. You have partnered with us for over 23 years, this is why we stand ready to serve at full capacity providing the same level of service you’ve come to expect.

We will not let our customers down and we will never take shortcuts. We have implemented COVID-19 safeguards to ensure the safety of our people and our customers. Thank you for your support of our business and families.

We are ready to get the job done!

• Rental Equipment • Specialized Tools with candles, which symbolized Christ being the light of the world. These traditions evolved from pagan rituals that would celebrate the return of light of the sun as the days grow longer after the winter solstice.

• Yule log: Many families burn a yule log in the fireplace and watch it burn while listening to Christmas carols.

The familiar custom of burning the log dates back to solstice celebrations and the tradition of bonfires. The Christmas tradition called for burning a portion of the log each evening until Twelfth Night, also known as the Epiphany, which takes place on January 6.

• Poinsettias: Poinsettias are a tropical plant that originated in Mexico.

Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first Ambassador from the United States to Mexico. He became enamored with the plants, and brought them back to his native South Carolina. An old Mexican legend suggests a poor girl had nothing to offer baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services, so she picked a handful of weeds and put them at the bottom of the nativity scene. These weeds burst into bright red flowers and became known as “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”

Holiday decorations borrow traditions from all over the world to help establish a festive wonderland.

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The end of the year marks a period of heightened festivity. Come the holiday season, homes and businesses are decorated and everyone seems to have an extra spring in their step.

The sight of snowflakes, candy canes, evergreen wreaths, and Christmas trees can elicit nostalgia for happy holidays of the past, as well as excitement for what is yet to come. When it comes to decorating for the holidays, there are certain items that set the scene.

• Christmas trees: Germany is credited with starting the modern Christmas tree tradition. It dates back to the 16th century when devout Christians brought trees into their homes and decorated them. German settlers brought Christmas tree traditions to America upon their arrival in Pennsylvania in the 19th century.

• Mistletoe: Mistletoe is known as the “kissing plant” and it is customary for couples to kiss while standing beneath the plant, typically hung in doorways and arches. Mistletoe was once hung to drive off evil spirts and ensure fertility.

Kissing under the mistletoe was first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites.

• Lights: Lights are commonly seen during the holiday season. The custom of having holiday lights dates back to when Christmas trees were decorated

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6 | December 2020 | Christmas in the Country | Santa Maria Times

How to create a durable gingerbread house

Proudling serving the Central Coast community since 1882

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!!

Gingerbread cookies and houses are one of the many symbols of the holiday season, alongside Christmas trees and twinkling lights. In fact, few confections symbolize the holidays more so than gingerbread.

Many a child (or a child at heart) has spent hours carefully trying to create decorative gingerbread houses. Although gingerbread recipes span various cultures, gingerbread houses originated in 16th century Germany. The fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” helped solidify the popularity of gingerbread, which became part of Christmas traditions.

Even though gingerbread houses can be fun to make, there’s no denying it can be exacting work Ñ especially for those who strive for perfection. Prepackaged kits attempt to take some of the guesswork out of the equation, but those who are crafting from scratch can employ these tips as they build their gingerbread houses.

• Go for form and not flavor. Few gingerbread houses ever get eaten, so focus on finding a dough that will bake up rock hard as opposed to one that tastes good.

• Get the right icing texture. Pastry artist Catherine Beddall says royal icing is the preferred “glue” to adhere gingerbread pieces. Beddall says icing should be thick like peanut butter and not runny.

• Mind the dough. Do not roll out the gingerbread dough too thin or it may become brittle after being cooked. Always cut out shapes before the gingerbread is baked. Let the baked pieces sit overnight to cool completely before using them to build.

• Patience is key. Allow the icing to dry for at least a couple of hours after adhering each piece and before moving and handling the house, says Beddall. Work in stages so that individual items can be decorated and allowed to dry. Then the walls can be put together, followed by the roof pieces.

• Kids likely will need help. Children may not have the patience or steadiness to handle complete gingerbread construction.

They can decorate the separate pieces of the house while the components are laying flat, which is easier for kids. Adults can do the main assembly later on.

• Utilize a template. Free-handing may not be easy. Cut out templates using cardboard or posterboard for various gingerbread pieces.

One of the most important tips is to have fun. Don’t take gingerbread house making too seriously as a novice. Rather, enjoy the experience and the centuries-old tradition.

Keep your natural tree fresh this Christmas Natural Christmas tree afficionados love the authenticity such trees provide during the holiday season. Natural trees also provide a unique aroma that can make holiday celebrations feel more homey.

When purchasing natural trees, holiday celebrants, especially those who like to buy their trees in early December, may be concerned about keeping their trees fresh throughout the holiday season. The following tips can help trees last until the final present is unwrapped and the last of the egg nog has been consumed.

• Buy a freshly cut tree. Whenever possible, celebrants should cut their own trees. This ensures that the tree they bring home is fresh, increasing the chances it will remain so throughout the season. If it’s not possible to cut your own tree, the National Fire Protection Association notes that fresh trees should have green needles that do not come off when touched. Trees that appear to be dried out or those that shed needles when touched should be avoided.

• Protect trees on the way home. The Tree Care Industry Association advises consumers to protect their Christmas trees as they transport them home.

Wrap the tree in a plastic wrap so it makes it home damage-free. A damaged tree might not make it through the holiday season.

• Cut pre-cut trees before leaving the lot. Pre-cut trees can make it through the holiday season looking their best, but buyers should request that employees cut as much as two inches off the bottom of the tree before leaving the lot. Once trees are cut, sap begins to seal their base, making it hard for them to absorb water. By requesting that between one and two inches be removed from the bottom of the tree at the time of purchase, buyers are ensuring their trees will be able to absorb the water they’ll need to make it through the season when they get home.

• Place the tree in water the moment you get home.

To prevent the base of the tree from drying out, place it in water the moment you get home. Freshly cut trees may initially need the water in their tree stands filled in the morning and then again in the evening.

As the season progresses, trees likely won’t need their stands filled more than once per day.

• Place the tree away from heat sources. Placing trees away from heat sources, such as radiators, fireplaces, heating vents, and lights, reduces the likelihood that trees will dry out and also reduces the risk of fire.

A few simple strategies can help holiday revelers ensure their Christmas trees make it through the holiday season unscathed.

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8 | December 2020 | Christmas in the Country | Santa Maria Times