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Show Page 8 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume III, Issue IV December 15, 2000 CANYON CHRISTMAS MEMORIES The song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” written in 1943 by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, captures the longing we have for home and family during the holidays and is a favorite of almost everyone living in the canyon. Memories of the nostalgic smells of favorite foods, burning fireplaces, glistening snow, uniquely wrapped presents, family and friends arriving, fathers and mothers whispering amongst themselves, and children pinching and shaking presents are just a few of the scenes woven into the tapestry of Christmas memories. The smells of Christmas Pudding and Wassail permeating throughout the house was a favorite memory of one old timer whose family dated back to the early 1900s. “The Wassail Song” provided the opportunity to wish love and joy, God’s blessings and a happy new year to everyone within earshot. All the neighbors opened their doors and pantries to each other in celebration of the Christmas season. She remembers homemade Christmas decorations out of dried oranges, apples, popcorn, cranberries, pine cones, holly branches, colored paper, gingerbread cookies and anything else the children thought would look nice strung around the tree. Everyone shared the task of transforming their homes into works of art at a reasonable cost. A few of my favorite memories are of three young neighbor boys creating a family of three snowmen, adorned in winter clothes and wrapped with colored lights, facing the road and waving at the canyon travelers. Another, is the Christmas I shared with my twin sister and her learning disabled grandson. While gazing out the front window one evening, he said “Auntie, deer out there.” He repeated it a couple more times and summoned me to the window. There, looking right at us, were two does and a buck. My sister and I seized the moment to weave a story about how they were friends of Rudolph awaiting his arrival. The joy he expressed will stay with me forever. I’ll always remember the New Years Eve my family and friends marched in parade formation up and down the lane between my house, past the GrayCliff Lodge, and ending up at the Alaskan Inn making our own music with pots and pans, cow bells, and anything else we could find, in a drizzle of light snow. Sometimes the simplest forms of holi- day expression bring the greatest joy. My neighbors have a family tradition of gift wrapping one present in the same paper year after year. The recipient is bestowed with good luck the entire year and must promise to save the paper for reuse the next year. The same piece of wrapping paper has been passed down for 15 years and, even though it has that slightly used look, brings delight to the chosen one. This is the second Christmas for the Boyd and Rebecca Bindrop family. Last year was spent trying to unpack boxes and locate their tree trimmings. This year, Rebecca says “the 20foot pine tree will be decorated in a style it richly deserves - just strings of lights and popcorn encircling the natural pinecone clusters mother-nature provided.” In talking with Mary and Mike Norman, every Christmas will be their very best–with good reason. Just before Christmas last year, Mary underwent a liver transplant, and so celebrates her new life as well as the birth of Jesus. They are so thankful for the many friends, family and strangers who helped them in any way during this period of their lives, and for the transplant team that worked their magic in making it all possible for Mary to continue enjoying Christmas year after year. “Mike always insists on a live tree,” says Mary, “ and it will be decorated in the true spirit of the season - love, joy and a true sense of peace.” Leola Davidson vividly remembers the smell of the milk punch her late husband Ken made during the holidays. It filled every room throughout the house. She treasures the times they spent celebrating Christmas in the canyon with family and friends, and watching Ken pick out a real tree and decorate it with the touch of a master’s hand. She misses him but says “it will still be a beautiful holiday season.” The Creamer and Knudson kids’ favorite memories are of when they made their own ski and sleigh runs off their roofs and backyard slopes. m e fe el th e adve nt e! ur Co Early Bird Coupon - Early Bird Coupon A Casual Eatery in Beautiful Ogden Canyon Topic: Limestone Kiln Restoration Another memory is of their mother, Yvonne, making cookies and having the kids deliver them to all their Fairmont neighbors. She also made Gingerbread houses that were decorated and nibbled on during the holidays. A few stanzas of my favorite holiday poem by Lolita Pinney sums it up for me as I look toward to a fresh new year. “New Year’s Prayer”—-To cast aside each grudge and grief, and hold fast to a firm belief. That life is joyous, gracious, good, when lived in terms of brotherhood! To welcome fun, and play a while. To lighten work with happy smile! To thank the Lord and every day remember Him, and kneel to pray. In gratitude for strength and health, and blessings which are all my wealth! This year’s a gift from God to me to spend, or use, or set me free....A whole new year is mine today...May I be wiser, Lord, I pray! Take time during the holidays and visit the canyon during the evening hours. Behold the decorative spirit residing within its walls. Have a very merry holiday season and a happy new year. Lorine Murtagh Chair, Ogden Canyon Club $30 OFF any room Sunday-Thursday only. Visit The Oaks Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and when purchasing an entree receive a second entree of equal or lessor value for free. THIS OFFER IS NOT VALID HOLIDAYS. 750 Ogden Canyon ..................394-2421 JANUARY 16, 2001 The Oaks 7:00 P,.M. including cabins EARLY BIRD COUPON...EARLY BIRD COUPON...EARLY BIRD COUPON OPEN SUNDAY - THURSDAY: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner TAKE OUT ORDERS NEXT OCC MEETING: Not valid with other offers or discounts. Good until 1/31/01 621-8600 435 Ogden Canyon www.alaskaninn.com Gift certificates make great stocking stuffers. Daily Tours - 1 to 3 p.m. |