Christmas in Berthoud 2022

Christmas in Berthoud© 2022 is published in Berthoud, Colo., by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. The publisher reserves the right to edit, classify or reject any advertising or news copy. Liability for any newspaper error in an advertisement shall not exceed the cost of space occupied by error. The publishers assume no liability for any advertising which is not published for any cause. The publisher assume absolutely no obligation or responsibility for subject matter in copy placed by its advertisers or their agents.

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Christmas, the gift of life

Most people can agree Colorado just experienced a stunning fall. For the first time in years, children enjoyed Halloween without needing a heavy coat to cover their costumes. But it seemed to end abruptly. While Thanksgiving was still being planned, Christmas was thrust upon us. It is disconcerting to walk through a store to the classic favorite, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so soon. And the anxiety of the Christmas season seemed to wipe away the relaxed beauty of autumn.

In the Catholic faith, as in many Christian communities, we haven’t even reached Advent Advent, like pregnancy, is a season of waiting and preparation. And all that waiting and preparation is about the gift of Jesus, a baby, the Son of the living God. A baby who changed the world. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of a baby. Maybe that’s the mystery of Christmas. We are in a rush to welcome a child. A concept not fully embraced .by the contemporary world.

As Christians, we proclaim to the world that the birth of a baby was the most important event in human history. A baby brought the world the gift of hope and saved humanity from its own darkness. We proclaim that the Light of God walked among us in the form of a baby. But is the world ready for a baby to bring salvation Therein lies the challenge of Christmas. It might also be why commercialism threatens the real meaning of Christmas. Maybe the secular world cannot accept the simple proclamation that God used a baby, His Son, to be the instrument of freedom, hope, change and beauty.

The secular world must struggle greatly with the true meaning of Christmas. In order to grasp it, we must embrace the concept of a child being a gift, and giving birth being an experience of absolute freedom. Yet we are bombarded by the language of our society that speaks constantly of unplanned pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, how to control birth, how to avoid parenthood, and a society that demeans the whole concept of childbearing, reproductive freedom implying that true freedom means avoiding birth. But in order to grasp Christmas we must be a people who can see every baby as a divine gift. It is that very realization that lies at the heart of Christmas. Christmas is the moment when heaven touches earth in the form of a baby.

In a short time, we as a human family will receive a great gift. A baby will come into the world who is the very embodiment of love. Jesus.

In the gift of God’s Son, Our Lord reminded us that a baby can change the world. Christmas is an opportunity to rethink and reform our language about what exactly a man and especially a woman offer

the world when they embrace life and give birth. Every child is a new reality that holds within its very essence all the promise and potential of human life. This Christmas, if we truly hope to keep Christ in Christmas, then we must begin to embrace life. In doing so we will not only realize that Christmas isn’t just for children, but it is all about children. It reminds us that if one child can change the world, every child can. In some magnificent way, Christmas and the birth of Jesus remind us that our children are the greatest gift we can receive and offer the world. If we can embrace the true meaning of Christmas, the anxiety will disappear and being in a hurry to welcome the great festival of Christmas will make sense, For God so Loved the world that in the fullness of time He sent His only son for us. With that great gift, Christmas truly became the season of love.

Fr. Gregory Ames is a priest in the Archdiocese of Denver and a former pastor of Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Mead and St. Peter’s in Greeley. He is currently caring for his parents in Longmont and still presides at Catholic Masses in northern Colorado.

Guest Columnist

Rev. Gregory Ames

Chanukah traditions celebrate an ancient miracle

By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor

For eight nights each winter, candles burn in commemoration of a miraculous and joyous event. Chanukah, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, commemorates an ancient miracle that occurred after the Jewish people waged a hard-fought battle against religious oppression. This year the celebration begins on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18, and ends on the evening of Monday, Dec. 26.

A small contingent of Jewish warriors led by Judah Maccabee rebelled against Syrian Greek rulers who desecrated the holy Second Temple (the first temple was built by King Solomon and destroyed by the Babylonians) in Jerusalem and tortured and persecuted those who did not adopt their religious beliefs. After the Maccabees came out victorious, they set out to rededicate the Temple, which included lighting a menorah. They could only find enough oil for the candelabra to burn for one night. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight nights and the Temple was kept holy. This miracle is the inspiration for Chanukah.

Around 1.5 million people celebrate the holiday in the United States every year. Many of those celebrations include various iconic Chanukah traditions that have been borne out of that evening in 164 BCE. Below are some of the most prominent traditions associated with Chanukah festivities.

Lighting the menorah — The menorah is traditionally a

seven-branched candelabra lit by ritually-pure olive oil used in Jewish places of worship. However, in commemoration of the Chanukah miracle, a special menorah, called a hanukkiah, is used. This menorah is a nine-branched version that enables a candle to be lit for each day the rededicated Temple candles burned. The middle, highest candle from which the others are lit is called she shamash. The hanukkiah is traditionally placed in a visible space, such as the front window of celebrants’ homes.

Playing with the dreidel — Jews were forbidden from studying their own religious texts like the Torah, but they found ways to do so anyway. They would quickly hide their books and take out spinning tops to pretend to be playing with them when the Greeks were watching. In commemoration, these little tops, or dreidels, are taken out on Chanukah. The dreidels are marked with four Hebrew letters, which represent the phrase “nes gadol haya sham,” or “a great miracle happened there.”

Eating fried foods — Frying foods in olive oil has become tradition and a way to acknowledge the miraculous Temple oil burning. Jelly-filled doughnuts called “sufganiyot” are popular, as are latkes, which are fried potato pancakes.

Donations and gifts — In addition to Chanukah gelt (small chocolate coins) and money given out to children and adults, many Jewish families make “tzedakah” (donations) to nonprofits and other charitable organizations during Chanukah. The sixth night of Chanukah has recently become associated with charitable giving and other gifting.

Family time — In addition to these traditions, Chanukah is an ideal opportunity for Jewish family members to gather under one roof. It also may be an opportunity for them to share their celebrations and religious customs with non-Jewish friends.

Chanukah is a celebratory time that looks back to a significant miracle in Jewish history. It’s an opportunity to engage in many different traditions with family and friends.

Odd Christmas gifts - 2022 version

Ican’t remember how many years I have written a Christmas unusual gifts article for the Surveyor. Maybe this is because I don’t keep the greatest records; or alternately, the fact that my 78th birthday is approaching.

Each December I try to have a theme for the series of gifts I dredge up on the internet and catalogs. This year, I hope to help you shop for gifts for those you don’t much care for. This could be a co-worker, some in-laws or maybe an ex-spouse, to name a few.

Let’s kick it off with a large gift. It’s a giant rubber ducky, just like the mini version used in a bathtub. The bright yellow inflatable measures 2 inches by 8 inches by inches. Maybe a bit pricey for some, but as the old commercial said, the look on the receiver’s face — priceless! Find it at www.orientingtrading. com for 21.99.

Gift cards or cash are good if you can’t come up with an appropriate gift. To make the recipient frustrated put the gift in a gift card puzzle maze money holder. The clear plastic container, slightly smaller than a three-by-five index card, is a maze. To open it and get what’s inside, one needs to guide a ball through the maze. I guess you could say it is an a-maze-ing present. The maze is sold at www. bitsandpieces.com for 9.99.

We all know someone who is always taking selfies or seems to be into themselves. The perfect gift for them is the selfie toaster. The self-absorbed person needs to send a selfie to the toaster maker. In return, a slide about the size of a piece of bread is sent back. Inserting the slide with a picture on it burns the image into the bread. I guess you could substitute a picture of your dog or cat also. Go to www.geekgiftz.com if you have $75 to spend.

The “sport” of cornhole seems to be popular at picnics and parties. The beanbag tossing game can be played anywhere with a very scaled-down cornhole set. This world’s smallest cornhole set has a mini board measuring 1 inches by inches by inches. The bags look to be smaller than an M M candy. The price is small at .99 too. Look it over at www.bitsandpieces.com

Do you know someone who seems to have everything? I bet they don’t. For them, I present the talking fly swatter. The 1 -inch long, battery-operated weapon spouts random one-liners when used. Examples of the pithy sayings include, “Two points,” “Gotcha” and “Flight canceled.” Purchase the swatter on bitsandpieces.com for 19.99.

In my introductory list of possible people, you must buy for, but don’t enjoy doing it, I left out the boss. Many have a great working relationship with the head guy or gal — others, not

so much. If you are forced to buy something for this person, see if this fits your needs. It’s a coffee cup for the boss from www.zazzle.com. The site has a variety of cups printed with “World’s Okayest Boss.” Just envision that sitting proudly on his/her desk. The price range is about 11 to 21.If the head honcho is not a coffee drinker, look over the World’s Okayest keychains, shirts, can coolers, tote bags and more.

Surveyor Columnist

If none of these seem right, how about giving the boss anything you want in a prank gift box? A quick online search will show you many of these empty boxes. The fun part is that the outside shows an outrageous gift that is supposed to be inside. For example, a pet talk animal translator collar, a 12,000-piece, a very difficult jigsaw puzzle that would take years to complete, a seat belt for a bicycle and cargo socks. The joke is you put any old present inside the empty prank box.

I hope this helps you out with those “hard to buy for” people on your list.

Bob McDonnell

Incredible facts you knowshould about reindeer

By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor

You know Dasher and Dancer, Rudolph and the rest of Santa’s reindeer but how much do you know about the animals themselves? Besides getting Santa where he needs to go there are a lot of interesting facts about these fascinating animals.

Reindeer are also known as caribou in North America and are a species of deer. They live primarily in the arctic, sub-arctic, tundra and forests of northern Europe, Siberia and North America. Which makes sense that they would be Santa’s first choice of transportation as he lives in the North

considerably, both between individuals and depending on season and subspecies. Northern populations, which usually are relatively small, are whiter, while southern populations, which typically are relatively large, are darker. Males and females both have antlers. The male antlers are larger and more complex. Males usually shed them after breeding, whereas females don’t shed theirs until spring.

Reindeer are herbivores that graze on grasses in the warmer months and eat lichens in winter, especially reindeer lichen (aptly named). They also eat the leaves of willows and birches, as well as sedges and grasses.

Their lifespan is between 15 to 20 years. Their grazing behavior can be somewhat deceptive as they can run upwards of 50 mph. According to the University of Michigan, the total population size of reindeer is around 5 million individuals.

The migrations of the Porcupine caribou herd are some of the longest of any mammal. Migratory caribou herds are named after their calving grounds, in this case, the Porcupine River in far northwestern Canada and Alaska. Though numbers fluctuate, the herd comprises about 218,000 animals. They migrate over 1,500 mi a year between their winter range and calving grounds at the Beaufort Sea a part of the arctic ocean.

Reindeer were some of the last animals that humans domesticated, but many don’t consider any reindeer to be fully tame. There are about 2.5 million domesticated reindeer in nine countries, with about 100,000 people tending to them, approximately half the world’s total reindeer population.

Reindeer hooves adapt to the season: in the summer, when the tundra is soft and wet, the footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which cuts into the ice and crusted snow to keep reindeer from slipping. This also enables them to dig down in the snow to the lichens buried beneath.

Living in the arctic is incredibly cold. To stay warm, reindeer have two layers of fur consisting of an ultra-fine and dense underfur, and a shaggy outer layer. The outer hairs are hollow and provide insulation, similar to the fur of a polar bear. Their noses are full of blood vessels that cool warm air down as it leaves the body and warm cold air up as it comes in keeping the reindeer’s brain warm and active.

Reindeer are ruminants having a four-chambered stomach. They are the only large mammal able to metabolize lichen owing to specialized bacteria and protozoa in their gut; this is a unique adaptation among mammals.

Incredibly they can also see light with wavelengths as short as 320 nm which is the ultraviolet range, considerably below the human threshold of 400 nm. It is thought that this ability helps them to survive in the Arctic, because many objects that blend into the landscape in light visible to humans, such as urine and fur, produce sharp contrasts in ultraviolet. A specific layer of tissue in the eye of Arctic reindeer changes in color from gold in summer to blue in winter to improve their vision during times of continuous darkness and helps them to spot predators.

So, the next time you see Santa’s reindeer pulling his sleigh take a minute to appreciate what remarkable animals they really are.

A drawing will be held for 2 gift baskets — 1 for ages 4 - 7 and 1 for ages 8 - 12.

Thank you to our sponsors: B-Town Automotive, Grandpa’s Cafe, Metrolux Theatres (Loveland), Moo Town Ice Cream, Rise Artisan Bakery

Christmas Coloring Book

Contest Entry Form

Child’s name: Age:

Parent’s name:

Home address: City: State: Zip:

Parent’s contact phone: Parent’s email:

Contest open to children ages 4 - 7 and 8-12. All entries must be received by Dec. 16, 2022. Contest entries will not be returned. Contest entries may be displayed or published in print and online by this newspaper. Children of newspaper and sponsor employees are not eligible to win. Winners’ parents will be notified by phone and email December 16, 2022. One entry per child.

Mail or hand deliver coloring page with completed entry form to:

Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

Christmas Coloring Contest

440 Mountain Ave.

Berthoud, CO 80513

A travel writers favorite hot springs destinations revealed

Before I moved to Colorado, more than 20 years ago, I had no idea that there were hot springs here. In fact, it wasn’t until I was in the tourism industry that I discovered just how many there were in the state.

“Colorado hot springs” is one of the most frequently googled phrases, and there’s a reason why. There are more than 90 hot springs here. It’s true, and while some have lodging or tent sites, others require a long hike into the backcountry.

In 2016, the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop was developed to create a vacation itinerary that takes visitors on a 720-mile tour of five western Colorado hot springs destinations. The website, COHotSpringsLoop.com is a valuable resource when planning a hot springs trip, whether it’s a familyfriendly holiday or a quick weekend away with romance in mind.

The site is divided into destinations, a list of 23 hot springs with links, a helpful map and delightful blog posts. The various blog posts help those planning a specific type of trip, for instance where to go if combining soaking with skiing, soaking with waterfalls, or soaking with a visit to one of Colorado’s National Parks or Monuments, plus, much more.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky to visit many of our state’s hot springs destinations and here are a few of my favorites.

There are two hot spring venues in the San Luis Valley that are particularly special. Sand Dunes Recreation, known to locals as the “Hooper Pool” and Joyful Journey Hot Springs in Moffat are unique destinations.

Sand Dunes

Recreation, an outside pool and large, enclosed adult-only area with multiple hot springs pools is a gem. They had recently opened the adult area when we visited in 2016, and it is a haven of plants, flowers and soaking. Visitors can

even order an adult beverage from the bar to enjoy a sip with their soak. Everyone seems to love the big swimming pool also heated by the hot spring waters.

It’s the scenic view at Joyful Journey that has us coming back again and again. There are sweeping vistas here of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The location and peacefulness of Joyful Journey make it the perfect place for a romantic getaway.

There are multiple pools here, and despite being a relatively small venue, it has never felt crowded. It helps that this valley is one of the least populated areas of the

Surveyor

Columnist

Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool

Joyful Journey Hot Springs

state. For instance, Moffat, the town that lends an address to Joyful Journey, is home to just 106 people.

There is a small amount of lodging available at both hot spring locations, or in nearby Alamosa, Colo.

Another standout hot spring destination is The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs. While it’s a bit of a drive

from Berthoud, 5 hours and 40 minutes, it is worth it. Clinging to the banks of the San Juan River, there are 24 hot springs pools here, and even a large pond. It is home to the mother spring, which is the record-holder for the world’s deepest geothermal springs.

While it can be a little busy, it is always possible to find a spot to soak. During high season there is a cafe and bar area and wait staff scurry about the place. It is definitely the type of venue in which it is easy to stay and play all day and bring friends and family.

There are two onsite buildings in which to stay: the original motel and a boutique, luxurious lodge. Staying here comes with 24-hour-access to soaking and there is nothing quite like watching the sunrise from a hot spring pool high above the San Juan River.

I am always up for a soak at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, so I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t been. My husband, a lifelong Coloradan who grew up in Littleton, has been going to the pools for forty-plus years. However, it’s much older than that. In fact, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is 134 years old and has been a magnet for humanity since the Ute Indians used to visit the hot springs calling them “Yampah” which means big medicine.

There are two huge hot spring pools. The “big” pool is 93 degrees, and the Therapy Pool is 104 degrees. A Splash Zone, mini-wading pools, a waterfall, and the Shoshone Chutes, a river ride that simulates Colorado river rafting, round out the offerings. To be completely honest, I thought the Shoshone Chutes was going to be a sort of kid-like experience, but I loved it.

Hotel Colorado, the historic hotel in Glenwood Springs that can be seen from Interstate 70 and just steps away from the hot spring pools, is a lovely place to stay. I haven’t visited the hotel recently, but it underwent a big remodel this summer, and I can’t wait to see it.

Whether going with friends, family, or your partners, a hot spring destination is always a good fit, and the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop is a great resource for trip planning.

Courtesy photos

Joyful Journey Hot Springs

What to do in NOCO

By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

The Surveyor

‘Tis the season for hot cocoa, peppermint, twinkling lights of red and green and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. While it might be difficult to find roasting chestnuts, the rest of those things can be found around the Berthoud area at various holiday events.

In Berthoud, see Santa Claus during the Berthoud Main Street lighted parade down Mountain Avenue. The muchloved parade starts at Second Street and ends at Fickel Park where Santa Claus will help Light the Lights in the park. This event happens on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. so dress warmly and come out to cheer on the big guy in a red suit.

Interested in participating in this fun, holiday parade? Go to BerthoudMainStreet.org.

Shop Local and Shop Often!

Prizes

• Each week at least seven paid receipts will be drawn by a Berthoud Town Hall staff member with each winner receiving a $75 gift certificate to a Berthoud storefront business

• After week four, in addition to the weekly drawn receipt winner, a final receipt will be drawn from all the submitted receipts. This grand prize winner will receive a gift basket with Berthoud products with a value of at least $500.

Rules and regulations:

1. Shop at any local storefront Berthoud business between Nov. 23 to Dec. 20

2. Must spend at least $10 at a storefront Berthoud business to qualify

3. Turn in your original qualifying paid receipt (s), photocopies not accepted, to Berthoud Town Hall in the first-floor drop box on or before Tuesday following the weekend.

4. Name and phone number must be written on each receipt

5. Winners will be drawn each Wednesday. Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 21

6. Winners will be notified by 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Prizes will be available for pickup on Thursday, Dec. 1, 8,15 and 22 between 7 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

7. A person can only win once per week

8. Prizes not redeemed by Dec. 28 will be redrawn from all the qualifying receipt entries

9. Town of Berthoud employees and their spouses are not eligible.

The Holiday Light Competition by the Berthoud Chamber will be held again this year. Register by visiting BerthoudColorado.com and clicking on Events and then Holiday Light Competition.

Loveland has become a must-visit city during the holidays. This year, Winter Wonderlights expanded from Centerra to downtown. It features a light display similar to the one found at Chapungu Sculpture Park, east of I25. Stop by downtown Loveland near The Foundry Plaza to see the interactive art displays and lights. Also in downtown

Loveland, there will be a lightened 25-foot Christmas tree at the historic Rialto Theater at 228 E. Fourth St.

The original Winter Wonderlights at Chapungu are underway. The light display will run nightly through Jan. 1. Each show is a 30-minute extravaganza set to music and repeats continuously from 5 to 9 p.m. On select weekends there will be performances. Go to VisitLovelandCO.org/ winterwonderlights for all the dates and details.

Wonder where Santa Claus is hanging out this season? He will be at Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano at The Promenade Shops at Centerra in Loveland on Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 10th and 17th at 8:30 a.m. For $15 cash, visitors can have breakfast with the big man himself. A buffet along with a holiday goody bag and a visit with Santa is provided. Bring a camera as there is not a photographer at these events. Tickets are on sale at the Mall Management Office. Want to get a photo with Santa in Windsor? Windsor Wonderland is back on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Fifth Street and Boardwalk Park from 4:30 to 8 p.m. There is an entire schedule of events including caroling and ice sculpting demos, horse and carriage rides and more. Get into the holiday spirit in Windsor where Santa Claus will be arriving by a Great Western Railway Train. More information at RecreationLivesHere.com.

On Saturday, Nov. 26, shop small in Greeley, and enjoy the Holiday Open House and Lights the Night Parade. This special day coincides with Shop Small Saturday, and Greeley is participating by providing a special Bingo Card that makes the shopper eligible for prizes worth up to $1,000. Visit GreeleyDowntown.com/special-events for more information.

Lights the Night & Grand Lighting Ceremony is also on Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m. on Ninth Avenue starting at 14th Street and ending at Lincoln Park. The parade and lighting ceremony are in their 25th year, and represents an official kick-off to the holidays in Greeley. Float registration is already underway. For more information go to GreelyChamber.com or call 970-352-3566.

Longmont is kicking off the holidays with a Winter Passport. Interested parties may pick one up at any participating businesses. The list of those businesses can be found at DowntownLongmont.com/creative-district/events/ holidays/winter-passport. Document visits to small and local shops through Jan. 3rd with stickers and then enter the sticker-filled passport to win prizes. Details are on the above-mentioned website.

There is an incredible list of participating businesses, and prizes include gift cards to local breweries and restaurants, an hour massage, bouquets of flowers, clothing, BOGO drink coupons and so much more.

Friday, Nov. 25, is the Longmont Holiday Plaza Lighting at 350 Kimbark St. followed by Small Business Saturday on the 26th and Artists Sunday on the 27th. The latter is a national day to support local community artists. Galleries will be open, artists’ popups will be inside businesses and artists will be at work in their studios.

In a separate bowl or measuring cup, stir together the bourbon, 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, and honey. Add the mixture to the food processor and pulse until just combined.

Let the dough rest overnight, uncovered, and at room temperature. This allows the mixture to dry out a little.

Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter, then toss the balls in confectioners’ sugar.

Store them in an airtight container if you want them moist or uncovered if you like them to develop a crunchy sugar crust on the outside.

Sprinkle with more confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

They are best made a few days ahead.

Hot Mulled Wine

This warm wine drink originates in Northern Europe and is still delicious today. It is easily doubled or tripled, keeps well in a jug for a week or two, and is ready to be warmed when you need a mug or two.

2 cinnamon sticks, broken up into pieces

1 teaspoon whole allspice

1 teaspoon whole coriander

5 whole cloves

1 peel from an orange, white pith removed juice from the orange

1 bottle (750 ml) rich jammy red wine, such as a Merlo, Cab, or a Malbec

1/3 cup agave syrup or sugar

1/3 cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier

If you have one, put all the spices into a big spice ball or cheesecloth bag. You can strain it out at the end using a fine mesh strainer instead of a ball or cheesecloth.

Pour the bottle of wine into a small pot, or you can use a slow cooker, especially if you are doubling this.

Stir in the orange peel and the juice.

Add the agave syrup or sugar and place the tea ball or loose spices into the wine. Stir to dissolve the syrup or sugar.

Over low heat, bring to a simmer. Let the wine simmer for 30 minutes or more, being careful not to let it ever come to a boil. If using a slow cooker, heat on low setting for 1 hour. Remove the spice bag or ball and the peels, or strain out the spices if loose using a fine mesh strainer.

Add the orange liqueur and turn the heat to very low to keep warm.

Serve hot in mugs.

The mulled wine can be cooled at this point and kept in the fridge if needed.

Photos by David Tisue

Pet-proof your Christmas to avoid an astronomical vet bill!

By Will Cornelius The Surveyor

It was Christmas day in 2017, and family and friends came to visit from all over. There were presents, French toast, champagne and there was even a dog! But the greatest treasure was yet to be opened. A large cache of foreign chocolate sat under the Christmas tree in discrete packaging, one of the presents brought by a foreign cousin. While chocolate typically makes any event or gathering exponentially better, that was not the case this time.

While everyone was enjoying a drink in the kitchen and catching up on the past year, the aforementioned dog began to investigate the plethora of presents under the tree. To no one’s notice, Ruby, the lovable rescue beagle began to chew through the wrapping holding a horde of chocolate. Within minutes she had completely finished off the chocolate. Proud of her work, she waltzed into the kitchen with her tongue out and a chocolate-covered dog smile.

We all stood around the dog in shock and horror as we took in what had happened. After that, there was a short period of chaos as people scrambled to find out how much chocolate had been eaten. “Did she eat all five blocks of chocolate someone cried out. How much is too much chocolate for a dog another screamed. In the end, Ruby made a full recovery, but an astronomical veterinarian bill and the stress of dealing with an animal emergency on Christmas day made it a holiday season to forget.

While Christmas may be the one day when people disregard what and how much they eat, it is the one day to be extra mindful of what your pets are eating. Petproofing your Christmas may seem like an afterthought, but an unattended dog can wreak havoc on a festive day. Chocolate isn’t the only danger to be aware of either, raisins, grapes, and xylitol, a common ingredient in many chewing gums, can all be deadly to dogs. Even feeding a dog too many rich foods on Christmas can cause pancreatitis.

Some of the biggest dog dangers aren’t even poisonous. Decorating with tinsel is notorious for its ability to tangle, and the same thing happens if a dog eats tinsel. Tinsel, or any other decorative string, can become a foreign body in a pet and create a blockage in their stomach or intestines. While dogs make up the majority of pet concerns, they’re not the only ones to be worried about. Cats are known for going where they shouldn’t or jumping on things they shouldn’t. A misbalanced Christmas tree can quickly come crashing down from even the smallest of cats attempting to jump on a branch. Another concern with cats is any poisonous flower arrangements in the house on Christmas.

To alleviate these concerns, and save your wallet from a surprise veterinarian bill, here are some tips to pet-proof

your Christmas.

• Everyone likes presents at Christmas, so why not get your pet one too Giving your pet a gift can keep their focus on the gift and not ruin Christmas. Whether that’s a new dog or cat toy or a treat from the pet food store, giving your pet a present will keep them occupied while you safely devour chocolate.

• Avoid any risks to begin with by keeping your pets separate during the present ceremony. While a cat wearing an elf costume is adorable, it’s less adorable when that cat-elf is destroying the heirloom ornaments you have hanging from your tree. Consider keeping your pets separate in the morning or leaving them at home or with someone else for the day.

• For pets afraid of the vacuum cleaner, regularly hoovering up fallen pine needles can keep animals away from the Christmas tree. If that doesn’t work, consider walling off your Christmas tree with a pet gate.

• Tell Santa and his helpers to keep gifts away from the tree until the magical day. Keeping gifts hidden, from pets and prying children, is another way to ensure no one ends up with a dog-chewed sweater for the holidays. Outside of a perfect Instagram post showing off your tree and bounty of gifts, idle presents sitting under the tree for weeks only invite mischief from your household pets.

As a last resort, consider a Festivus Christmas. The 90s sitcom Seinfeld features a memorable episode where George Constanza’s father, upset with the commercialization of Christmas forgoes the pageantry and splendor of a Christmas tree for a plain aluminum pole. While much less exciting for the humans in your household, forgoing a traditional Christmas tree for something more austere is another way to avoid pet dramas this holiday season.

What is jolabokaflod you ask?

By Bob McDonnell The Surveyor

If you heard someone from Iceland say, “jolabokaflod,” you might want to reply, “Bless you,” and offer them a tissue. This would not be the appropriate response. The term refers to Iceland’s Christmas book flood tradition.

Jolabokaflod, pronounced yo-laboke-uh-flowed involves giving books as presents on Christmas Eve, so that friends and family can spend the cozy night curled up reading a new book, usually sipping hot chocolate as they read. On Julaften (Christmas Eve) the whole family gets together for the main Christmas meal. Christmas Day is a much quieter affair and often quite private.

As with our U.S. holiday traditions, each family does it a little differently. It’s common to give books to one’s children, though parents are not the only ones doing the giving. Most people receive multiple books for the holiday, from multiple people.

To prepare for all this book buying, the two or three months before Christmas is a frenzy of book purchasing by Icelanders. People peruse the pages of the Christmas book catalog from the national publishing association featuring all of the new

titles published that year.

According to the Reykjavik Grapevine’s magazine and website, the tradition goes back to World War II. After Iceland declared independence from Denmark in 1944, money was tight. Foreign imports were limited, but domestic paper was cheap. Since the country’s publishing industry could not afford to publish books yearround, they released all of their new titles leading up to the holiday, spawning the book flood tradition.

With fewer restrictions on paper products, books became popular gift choices — and remained so. People mostly purchase and give hardcover books to one another now. The book in Iceland is such an enormous gift, you give a physical book. You don’t give e-books here,” Bryndís Loftsdottir, project manager for Icelandic books at the book chain Penninn-Eymundsson said.

Kristjan B. Jonasson, president of the Iceland Publishers Association says, “‘The culture of giving books as presents is very deeply rooted in how families perceive Christmas as a holiday.” Jonasson added, “In many ways, it’s the backbone of the publishing sector here in Iceland

The small Nordic island, with a population of only 329,000 people, loves to read and write. According to Rosie Goldsmith of the BBC, “The country has more writers, more books published and more books read, per head, than anywhere else in the world.” Now Iceland represents one of the most prolific book-publishing countries in the world, as hundreds of bookstores and literary circles have been established all over the country.

Not surprisingly, 93% of Icelandic people read at least one book a year. By comparison, the Penn Book Center blog states that 74% of Americans have read at least one book every year since 2012. Current data suggest the percentage is still around 70 in the United States.

Not only do Icelanders read, but they also write. One in ten Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime. In the United States alone, over 200 million people dream of writing a book. Yet, the number of writers who go on to actually finish their manuscripts is estimated to be just 3%. Of those, only 20 percent will go on to become published.

In our country, we have a myriad of traditions, not only for Christmas but also for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. One wonders if there might be room to squeeze in a slice of this wonderful (for book readers and lovers, at least) tradition of jolabokaflod somewhere in our year’s activities.

Advent calendars for everyone

By David Tisue The Surveyor

Advent calendars are not just for children anymore. Gone are the days of getting cheap chocolates or pasteurized cheese that are uninspiring. The massive variety of fun and sometimes crazy advent calendars make great holiday gifts. There are more varieties than you can count these days.

There is something fun and exciting about opening a new window or box each day with a new special treasure. The options range from wine and gin to beauty products and delectable sweets. There is something for almost everyone. One of the beauties of an advent calendar is its sampling of many different things. For instance, a gin, whiskey, or wine advent calendar gives you tastes of many different flavors you would never want to buy a whole bottle to experience. But you can taste the differences in small bottles in an advent calendar. Of course, there are the usual cosmetics and chocolates, but I’m here to find some more unusual ones. Here is a list of just a few of the great advent calendars you can find this year.

I’m a massive fan of jams and jellies. There is nothing better on a Sunday morning than jam slathered on a biscuit with a cup of coffee, and to have 12 days of different ones is pure heaven. The Museum of Modern Art has Bonne Maman Fruit Spreads and Honey 2022 Advent Calendar, $39.99, available at store.moma.org.

For those wine lovers on your list, the In Good Taste Wine Advent Calendar is perfect for exploring the flavors of wine, 1 9.99, available at ingoodtaste.com.

Beakman 1802, for bath and beauty that is not too girly. A former Martha Stewart employee and his partner decided to quit the rat race and start a goat farm in Upstate New York. They started making cheese and now excellent goat milk soap and body products, $150, at beekman1802.com.

Hard to Find has an excellent gin advent calendar exploring the many different botanicals and varieties you can find in different bottles. Ginvent has 2 bottles of different gins imported from England, $120, at amazon.com.

For the crochet lovers out there, I found this adorable Crochet animals craft kit for Crochet Pattern Bundle: Amigurumi Advent Calendar. It includes 25 patterns for different little animals, $25, available at Etsy.com, search for Amigurumi Advent Calendar.

For the French lover, there is a box of French sweets and other kinds of French culture, Ladurée Advent Calendar, $110, available at Food52.com.

Sake? Yes, this is a great gift for the right person. For those looking for something a bit unusual and adventuresome, there is a limited 2022 Sake Advent calendar. Sake has many different flavors and even textures. This is a great gift to explore something out of the ordinary, $300 at namazakepaul.com.

If you want to explore different whiskies, the Flaviar The Depths of Whiskey Advent calendar is a perfect way to explore many different flavors without going out to get whole bottles, $260, available at Flaviar.com.

Men’s face has a great one for men, Barber Pro 12 Days Of Grooming Advent Calendar, , available at Urbanoutfitters.com. Who doesn’t like some fun socks? For fun holiday socks: Happy Socks 2 -Pack of Holiday Socks Gift Set, 2 0, available at Happysocks.com.

Beer lovers will like this beer calendar from Brewvana, 12 beers plus access to nightly live virtual beer tastings starting on Dec. 25. The calendar also includes other surprise stocking stuffers, $95, at brewvana.com.

For the jerky lover, Man Crates Jerky Advent Calendar has 2 flavors of jerky that you can chew your way through the holidays, $89.99, available at mancrates.com.

And don’t forget your dog too! You can give your favorite pooch a different dog biscuit daily, 2 delicious dog cookies from Wufers Advent Cookie Calendar, $59.95, available at Wufers. com.

Williams Sonoma is one of the best sources of fun and different advent calendars. This year, they’ve got a huge selection, from a Dolly Parton-themed one to a Harry Potter chocolates version. One of my favorites is 2 days of baking cookies for the home baker They range from 0 to 0 at WilliamsSonoma.com.

Another great source is Uncommon Goods. They have 26 different calendars that are fun themes, from candles to a buildable train station. 2 - 98. At uncommongoods.com

A great alternative idea is to make your own advent calendar and fill it with unique special treats you have gathered personally. You could theme it to be specific to someone, like homemade gift cards for dinners or different bubble baths. Amazon has several advent calendar kits, ranging from $9.99 to $200. These are just a few of my favorites this year. Advent calendars make fabulous gifts for almost everyone and extend the gift receiving for days on end.

Wine Advent calendar

Movies are back!

By David Tisue The Surveyor

For the first time since 2019, we have a full slate of movies premiering in the theaters for the holidays. It is wonderful to finally go back and enjoy a film on the big screen. But choosing what to see and what to skip can be challenging. I plan on seeing as many of them as possible to weed through the choices. I’m here to give a little bit about each one to help you decide which films you might want to venture out to see. The variety is across the board, from family fun and special effect masterpieces to serious dramas and art films. This year there is a little something for everyone.

Thanksgiving Week — “Strange World” –This year›s big blockbuster Disney animation is about a family exploring a new world. Expect lots of amazing visuals and humor, great for the whole family. Voices include Lucy Liu, Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Roy Conli, Qui Nguyen, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union and Don Hall.

“The Fablemans” – Based on Steven Spielberg›s own childhood, this post-World War II era film is about a young man discovering a shattering family secret and exploring how the power of films can help him see the truth. This looks to be an epic Spielberg movie full of beautiful shots of mid-century America and heart-string-pulling emotions. Stars Seth Rogen, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Williams, Cooper Dodson, Judd Hirsch, Tony Kushner and many more.

“Devotion” – is an aerial war epic based on the bestselling book of the same name. This true story of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War looks like a great film with many aerial battle scenes. This is an excellent follow-up to Maverik from this summer. Stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell (Top Gun), Christina Jackson and Thomas Sadoski

“Bones and All” – Creepy, bloody, and surreal coming-ofage romantic cannibal road film. Based on a book of the same name. With an all-star cast, this film will be noticed for both its shocks and acting. Stars Timothee Chalamet (Dune), Luca Guadagnino and Mark Rylance.

Dec. 2nd — “Violent Night” – Of course, there must be at least one horror movie to get your heart pumping during the holidays. Stars David Harbor (Stranger Things), John Leguizamo and Beverly D’Angelo.

“Woman Talking” – Based on a book of the same name. A story about a group of Mennonite women fighting back

from abuse. A strong cast in this film gives a great chance of this being a powerful movie. Stars Rooney Mara, Claire Foy (The Crown), Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand (Fargo, Three Billboards).

Dec. 9th — “Empire of the Light” – A love story set in and around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s. It has been getting good buzz in the film festival scene. Stars Toby Jones, Colin Firth, Olivia Colman (The Crown), Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Micheal Ward and Crystal Clarke.

Dec. 16th — “Avatar, The Way of Water” – The much-anticipated sequel to the top box office behemoth, The Way of the Water, is set more than a decade after the first film. This will be huge if Director Cameron has anything to say about it. It is the first of several sequels coming over the next few years, expect groundbreaking effects and stunning eye candy, and the plot may be ok too, but really it is about the special effects. Stars Zoe Saldana, James Cameron, Sam Worthington, Stephen Lang, CCH Pounder, Cliff Curtis and Sigourney Weaver.

“The Son” – A family drama about relationships and heartbreak, a teenage son moves in with his father after a marriage split, discovering difficulties. Stars Vanessa Kirby, Iain Canning, Florian Zeller, Hugh Jackman, Zen McGrath, Anthony Hopkins and Laura Dern.

Dec. 21st —“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Biopic of Whitney Houston, loads of her wonderful music, and all the drama of her life. Stars Moses Ingram (ObiWan Kenobi), Tamara Tunie, Stanley Tucci, Anthony McCarten, Ashton Sanders and Naomi Ackie.

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” – Sequel to 2011’s animated film, further adventures of the snarky cat and his ego. Fun for families looking for something to watch this holiday. Voices: Salma Hayek, John Mulaney, Harvey Guillén, Ray Winstone, Chris Meledandri, Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman.

Dec. 23rd — “Corsage” – This is the year for Sisi, Empress Elizabeth of Austria. There is a great Netflix series and now a film. If you love foreign historical films, then this is just the ticket. It looks visually stunning and starkly contrasts with Netflix Empress in her portrayal. Early buzz is this is an incredible film. Stars Colin Morgan (Merlin), Tamás Lengyel, Marie Kreutzer, Maren Ade and Elizabeth of Austria again.

“Babylon” – Hollywood had a difficult transition from silent films to sound. A huge all-star cast will make this a powerhouse. Stars Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Lukas Haas, Samara Weaving, Katherine Waterston, Olivia Wilde, Eric Roberts, Tobey Maguire and Jean Smart.

“Spoiler Alert” – Based on a best-selling novel, this heartwarming, funny, and life-affirming story of how a gay couple’s relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill. Stars Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Sally Field, Ben Aldridge and Bill Irwin.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

Surveyor contributors and staff

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Bob McDonnell

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David Tisue

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