Show lights Christmas traditions staarted with cutting the Thanksgiving weekend family Christmas tree hanging the outdoor Christmas lights around the house or joining the throng of Christmas shoppers on early Friday morning My daughter was asked to give a talk in church recently about the portance of family traditions We brain stormed with her about our family tradition Funny thing most of them involved food Clam chowder with pumpernickel finger sandwiches and warm gingerbread on Christmas Eve or enjoying eggnog spiced punch cheese balls spiral cut honey baked ham and Christmas morning casserole After furtherthought we have many traditions that make Christmas meaningful: adding a new homemade ornament to the tree each year reading or acting out the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve Love letters on the tree Christmas morning Christmas letters or cards to catch up with people we care about extended family gift exchanges taking a drive around town to see all the pretty lights a family Holiday party starting an Amaryllis the first of December and USU Ask a Specialist have tips on Christmas tree selection and care? Do you Answer by: Michael Kuhns in Utah State University Ext Forestry Specialist Freshness and moistness are the keys to having a Christmas tree that doesn't droop before the holidays are over Consider these tips for tree selection and care once you bring it home Buy a fresh tree Trees shipped into Christmas tree lots from out of state may be fresh but they can also be old and dried out Check the tree carefully before making a purchase The best way to ensure freshness is to buy from a local grower or from a retailer freshyou know and trust To check for ness gently pull on several needles If some come off the tree may not be fresh Also check for falling needles botby lifting the tree and striking the tom on the ground You can also pull off a few needles and break them to see if they are moist and fragrant Do not worry about unattached needles that accumulate inside the crown They do not indicate a poor tree and can easily its growth watching “A Christmas Carol” and Scrooge “It’s a Wonderful Life” participating in a program and sharing goodies with the neighbors It’s a tradition in our family to think ofaclevergiftto pass around to fr iends- something don’t have to spend hours baking (This is our busiest time of year and hang out at the office longer than any mom should) We have given dried Parsley and Cilantro gifts a jtte ditty about friends adding spice to our life or hot dogs buns and relish with a note about how we “relish” friendship orwooden spoonstied with a ribbon and a note with something like “Stir love into your Holiday” can’t tell you this year’s idea following away from heat sources to prevent drying Once needles dry out they do not easily remoisten even when the tree is placed in water A fresh tree that is watered daily can stay moist and safe for several weeks If a tree is displayed in a public building how- ever it should be displayed for no more than about 5 days and should be treated with a fire retardant Be sure to check with local fire officials to make sure you are displaying the tree according to fire code fora public building Use lights carefully They should be UL approved and protected by an fuse Small lights work well because they remain cool Discard old lights with cracked insulation or loose sockets Be sure to turn lights off when the tree is unattended When Christmas is over try placing the tree out in your yard for the birds to perch in Also most communities havea recyc ling program to grind News Page For years have been developing a small resource library of tapes and books for myself and other employees at Richfield Rehabilitation and Care Center on various subjects that relate One of my to vorite is “Chicken Soup for the Soul" and when obstacles get me down like to consider the following from that source: After Fred Astaire's first screen test a 1933 memo from the MGM testing director said: "Can't act Slightly bald Can dance a little” This is the only form of legal pickAstaire kept that memo over the firepocketing place in his Beverly Hills home Traditions of love and giving bring a An expert said of famous football strong feeling of “fain ily"to our home coach V ince Lorn bard :" He possesses It gives us comfort and security Memominimal football knowledge Lacks ries ofthe past feed the anticipation for motivation” this year's festivities Loving tradiLouisa May Alcott the author of tions make happy children — and “Little Women” was advised by her happy parents We know hat we will family to find work as a servant or be doing this Christmas The same seamstress thing we have done in the past w ith a for a growing few modifications changing family and to keep things Andwewill be doing fresh and new together LOCAL BUSINESSES YOUR SUPPORT the Top" is the product of Lori's rambling and somewhat disjointed thoughts This conversational style piece maybe somewhat exaggerated at You may reach Lori at by "Off Beethoven hand'ed the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique His teacher called him hopeless as a composer The teacher of famous opera singer Enrico Caruso said Caruso had no voice at all and could not sing Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for lacking ideas He also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland And my personal favorite: Eighteen publishers turned down Richard Bach's 10000 word story about a soaring seagull before Macmillan finally published it in 1970 Bv 1975 Jonathan Livingston Seagull had sold more than seven million cop-- : ies in the US alone NOT ONLY APPRECIATE BUT THEY SUPPORT WHAT YOU APPRECIATE SHOP AT HOME newsgtelconet This November marks the Calico’s First Year Anniversary! We wou like ° °ffer our sncere thanks to all those who have visited us throughout the year and will strive to continue to provide the best possible food and service 111 ft to our valued customers 7 —— For the month of December we would like to offer a new Thank YOU! service: Food delivered to your home or business! be available Mon - Fri 11 am - 2 pm and then again from 5 pm until 8 will be from 5 pm On Saturdays delivery will be between 12 noon and 8 pm Sunday delivery to Aurora and pm to 8 pm Delivery in Salina is Free with a $10 minimum order Delivery Redmond is $200 with a $10 minimum order h VllVlf Take Out Menus Available! 365 W Main Salina Kitchen yet! Many little things make Christmas memorable too: sticky little fingers from a candy cane Christmas music on the radio the TV continually plugging gifts you must have or must give old fashion stop action Christmas cartoons and other favorite Christmas movies the family working together on ajigsaw puzzle or play ing be removed Care for the tree properly before bringing it in the house Cut a thin the trees into mulch piece from the bottom to open the tree’s vessels and store it outside in water until you are ready to decorate it Make a fresh cut on the bottom of the tree Place in a reservoir-typKeep it away from sun and wind so it does not dry out When you are tree stand and water daily bot- Never use lights with frayed cords or empty sockets ready to bring the tree in cut the tom again if it has been stored outside are safest they produce less heat for more than a few days Turn off all Christmas lights prior to leaving your home or going The tree watered tree the to bed Keep should be placed in a sturdy stand that Safely dispose of tree before it becomes dangerously dry holds at least one gallon of water A Never bum your tree or any part of it in a fireplace fresh tree can lose that much or more Do not use candles on or near your tree water a day so check the water level Test your smoke detectors From Utah Safe Kids 4: Have a safe holiday season daily Also be sure to place the tree Christmas tree safety tips CHRISTMAS SPECIALS! Reversable Coats TILL 8 pm on Friday and Saturday OPEN j-- S until Christmas f rosLecV a A 0 ct6 to A ft 10 $ Off Entire Inventory $ Colored & Denim Jeans 1S1 4th: Pinatas and paper mache creations turned in before 4 pm Snow College Student Night: Student sponsored entertainment breaking pinatas etc Dec 5th: 7 pm Silent auction begins at 7 pm Refreshments will be served and a musical group will perform Dec 6th: 9 am to 3 pm Entertainment pinata breaking and fun for the whole family! Dec Child Great Selection of Tops! Bailies Come join us for a smashing good time Dec 4th thru 6th Snow College Greenwood Student Center from pinata sales and candy fill Helps fund childrens programs such as Muse Prevention Team SuS for Santa Literacy Summer (Recreation and (Proceeds CX' Sale 1 $ Main Gunnison M 0- -1 3 by Elaine Blackburn Administrator Richfield Rehabilitation and Care Center board games cuddling in blankets around the living room as we read cherished Christmas stories baking and decorating sugar cookies or gingerbread boys the bright wide eyes of a child full of anticipation and a quiet momentsitting in theglowofthe Christafter the kids are mas tree lights tucked into bed Traditions and the little things build each year to make this Christmas better than last Pick upanew tradition or steal a tradition from your neighbor to make this the “Best Christmas Ever” it Valley Don’t give up Little -t- raditional things about Christmas by Lori Olsen The quest for parents to make this “The Best Christmas Ever” is underin way The stores have been trimmed red green and twinkling lights for weeks Homes are decorated Santa is on the scene and Main Street is sparkling with Christmas garland and Salina SunGunnison December 3 1997 Off the top other education programs please come join the fun and help deserving children in our community for more information Contact Paula Soderborg 0 or Cliff Birrell 7 |