CELEBRATING THIS SEASON

Story by Jean Knouse

Ayoung man I know (he’s 11) says that at one hour and 58 minutes into a Hallmark holiday movie, there will be a major kiss. He hides while others

cheer.

If your idea of a great way to enjoy a quiet — but festive — evening at home is to watch a holiday TV movie, you must prepare. Snacks are required. A bowl of popcorn and a tray loaded with cut-out cookies and cocoa in festive mugs is a good beginning. Holiday napkins are optional. If you, and your family or friends, require a competitive aspect for the evening to be fun, you need holiday bingo cards!

The cards below were created by Angie White. As an early holiday gift, she is offering our readers the opportunity to save 25% when you purchase these holiday bingo cards via download. Enter the coupon code SUNBURY to receive the discount.

To purchase cards visit https://www.etsy.com/ listing/1127290887/christmas-movie-bingo-tv-moviebingo

You get extra points from Santa if you use red and green candy corn or tiny decorated cookies for BINGO markers. Don’t forget! You need to assemble a box of prizes to give to the winner of each round. Have fun!! PA

Snow Angels

A poem by Anne Keeler Evans

In the deepest, dark Mid-Winter — when there’s far more Dark than Day — when the snow is brightly gleaming, the children run outside to play.

They ride their sleds down bumpy hills and weave amongst the trees. They make their angels in the snow and lose their giggles on the breeze.

When it’s time, they run back home — as fast as they are able. For now, their hands are icy cold, and supper’s on the table. They leave the angels lying there quiet, pretty, white. They never stop and turn around to see those forms take flight.

They do not see the patterns as they weave into the sky. But the beasts of field and forest pay heed as they pass by.

They watch them dip and flutter across the icy land. They hear the high sweet voices and the beat of wing and hand.

And it is of Peace they whisper. And, it is of Peace they shout. And, it is of Peace they fly for and they draw the hatred out.

These are but lesser angels that children draw in snow. But they all have angels’ vision and they know what angels know.

It is Peace for which we struggle and Peace for which we yearn. It is Peace that they must show us and Peace that we must learn. When supper’s finally over and the children are abed, the adults make their way outside and take their turns on sleds.

And when we’re done with laughter Some instinct makes us wait and trace our own snow angels down beyond the gate.

We do not see them rising — would not believe it if we did. We don’t believe in angels. We are no longer kids.

But angels still believe in us. They still invade our sleep. They still sing their songs of Peace when Winter drifts are deep.

And all those soft snow angels plant a longing in our souls to fill ourselves with fresh new dreams and aim for higher goals.

There is so much glorious wonder o’er which angels watch are keeping. We can dream vast dreams of Peace even as we too, lie sleeping.

And when we rise the next day, as the Sun makes snow drifts glisten, we begin to see things differently and begin to really listen.

But if you think it’s not your business if the world stays merry and bright, then never lay yourself down to draw snow angels pretty, quiet and white.

Holiday crafts

Story and photos by Julia Edick

Working at a table with your children, nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids is a great way to enjoy the season!

Happy Holidays,

Julia Edick, Director of the Arts, DACC

THE NORTH POLE, A FAMILY PROJECT Supplies

● Cardboard tube or red pool noodle ● Acrylic craft paint and brush if using cardboard tube ● One extra-large Christmas ornament ● White Duct Tape ● Cardboard (about 11” X 16” - corrugated cardboard) ● Pillow stuffing or fake snow ● Wooden or cardboard arrow signs ● Hot glue gun

Directions

If using cardboard, paint the tube red and let it dry.

Wrap the tube or noodle with white tape so it spirals down and looks like a peppermint stick

Hot glue the ornament upside down on the top of the tube.

Hot glue the bottom of the tube to a piece of flat cardboard. Paint your arrow signs: “North Pole,” “Santa’s Workshop,” etc.

When paint is dry, glue signs to the pole pointing in the direction you choose.

Glue stuffing or fake snow to cover the cardboard base.

AN ANIMAL MENORAH AGES 5+ WITH HELP FROM A GROWN UP Supplies

● Plastic Animal of Choice - at least 8” recommended ● Acrylic craft paints and brushes ● 9 candles that are 1/4” in diameter ● 9 1/4” hex nuts ● Hot glue gun and glue

THE TREE DECORATION (TOP) WOULD ALSO MAKE A FESTIVE CARD. YOUR MENORAH SHOULD BE A WORK OF ART. THE FIVE-YEAR-OLD WHO MADE THE NORTH POLE IS VERY PROUD OF HIS WORK.

Directions

Paint your plastic animal any way you’d like. It works best to paint the entire animal white first. Let it dry and then paint it with your colors and design of choice. Let all paint dry

Hot glue on nine hex nuts across the top of your animal

Place a candle in each hex nut

FINGERPRINT CHRISTMAS TREE AGES 2+ WITH HELP FROM A GROWN-UP Supplies

● Stained piece of wood or a sheet of card stock (8 1/2 X 11”) ● Green, red & gold acrylic paint & brush ● White paint pen ● Gold bow

Directions

On a stained piece of wood (or paper), use a pencil to lightly draw a tree shape. Dip your finger gently into the paint. Use 2 or 3 shades of green to fill in the triangle with fingerprints Use your pinky dipped in red paint to paint on a garland

With a paintbrush and gold paint, add the trunk of the tree Use the white paint pen to write “Merry Christmas” with the year beneath the tree.

Once the paint is all dry, add the gold bow to the top of the tree. PA