CN: December 14, 2022

Keeping

By Wendy Todd

Studies show that students engaging in arts education experience multiple benefits including higher academic performance, lower dropout rates and increased self-esteem. Research regarding arts education for early childhood students has shown it can help them cultivate critical abilities such as enhanced cognitive skills and provide benefits in emotional and social development.

Arts in education was first introduced into public school curriculum in 1821. Massachusetts was the first state to integrate arts

education into the general education program in 1860. It wasn’t until 1990 that the Missouri Arts Education Task Force “established a comprehensive plan to include the arts as a basic component of every child’s education.”

The Jennings school district recognizes the importance of the arts in education, particularly for young learners and recently created an Early Childhood Fine Arts Department.

The Jennings School District, which was founded in 1871, is located in North St. Louis County and has over 3,000 K-12 students.

The district is comprised of eight schools and one alternative program.

Under the leadership of Sherry Jones, junior high school music teacher at the district, the new department is helping young leaners benefit from engaging in the arts. The department had its first pre-kindergarten piano recital this month.

The inaugural recital featured 24 students ages four through five and was a rousing success, even inspiring some parents to support continued piano lessons at home.

Sherry Jones, a junior high school music teacher in the Jennings School District, works with students at the Jennings School District Early Childhood Fine Arts Department’s first pre-kindergarten piano recital this month.

Photo courtesy Jennings School District

‘ARTS’ from cover COMMUNITY VOICES:

“Parents and students were excited about this program,” Jones said. “I have had parents ask information regarding purchasing keyboards to further enhance their child’s ability to play.”

Even with these kinds of successful programs and outcomes, funding for art in schools has been a long-fought battle. Jones is aware of the scarcity of resources.

“There are several external resources that support arts in education,” she said. “Many districts are vying for the same support. As with any program, sustainability is always at the forefront of planning and ensuring academic exposure for all Jennings school district students.”

But even with funding challenges, Jones and the Jennings district have committed to providing arts education for its students for the

foreseeable future.

The next recital will be in the spring of 2023.

Drive-up humanity

By Sharon Cotner

I was sitting in the drive-up at McDonalds. Both lanes were open and a woman in a small blue SUV was pulling up to the other “window.” As she tried to pull up to place her order, she accidentally hit one of those bright yellow traffic cones. (Why it was there I do not know.)

As she tried to get out of the lane and out of the other cars’ way, it became wedged tighter under the front of her car. She tried backing up which dragged the cone with her car. She was an older woman –probably in her 60s, which if she is like me means she isn’t going to just hop out of the car and climb under it to dislodge the cone. (You know that if you manage to get down to the ground, when getting up you are going to put on a spectacle that closely resembles a two-year-old learning to stand up for the first time.)

She got out and looked at her car, bending over as far as she could to see where the yellow tormentor was stuck. Those of us in line for our food could see her distress. And then…a young man wearing a grey t-shirt and some jeans, came walking across the parking lot. He was leaving McDonalds and saw the woman’s exasperation and plight. The smile on his face completely disarmed the situation.

He asked the woman to back up a little more, climbed down to the ground and after some finagling, pulled out the bright yellow cone. He placed it back over at the window, smiled at the woman and got into his car and drove off.

It was a simple little act. It lasted five minutes maximum, but it meant a lot. I got a bit more than my hamburger and frozen Coke yesterday in the driveup lane. I got to see a little bit of how kind and civil people can be to one another.

With the pandemic, inflation, social media and the news media stirring up stress, it seems like every way I turn I am confronted by anger, nothing going right, and stressor piled upon stressor. There are times I wonder if the good in this world has simply evaporated.

But seeing how that young man helped that woman started me thinking. What if all these hateful horrible situations in front of us are opportunities to be nice to one another? What if instead of being hateful to the person who has just cut you off in traffic, you smiled and waved “it’s ok?” What if the flooding was a chance for all of us to help someone?

If the response to each horrible, evil, stressful, hurtful situation was kindness, compassion, love, and empathy we certainly would have a lot of it and what a nice world it would be.

Sharon Cotner has been a lifelong resident of North St Louis County. She first became involved in community theatre organizations in the 1980’s and is the current President of The Alpha Players of Florissant. Currently retired, she previously served as a Project Manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

Sherry Jones, a junior high school music teacher in the Jennings School District, works with students at the Jennings School District Early Childhood Fine Arts Department’s first pre-kindergarten piano recital this month.

Photos courtesy Jennings School District

St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation receives grant

The St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation recently received a $5,000 grant from Blues for Kids, the charitable trust of the St. Louis Blues. The St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation – a nonprofit that provides financial support to young players who face financial difficulty – will use the grant money for the upcoming 2023 hockey season.

Blues for Kids’ mission is to positively impact programs and services that improve health and wellness of youth in the St. Louis area. To date the program has contributed more than $11 million to the St. Louis community.

This year the St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation has awarded 14 grants to help young players continue playing hockey. Financial support is given to local club teams, as well as AAA and high school players based upon an individual’s need and family circumstances. In exchange for these scholarships, youth recipients pay-it-forward through vol-

unteerism and community service.

“The St. Louis Blues’ grant allows us to assist more young players this season than ever before,” said St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation president Kristin Heffington. “Since its beginning, the Blues have not only ignited the local hockey community but have also been very supportive of youth hockey programs in our area.”

Heffington added that “the cost of hockey rises as players get older, and we don’t want anyone to stop playing based on their financial situation.”

Founded in 2018, the St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation was created to give all local hockey players the ability to participate in this costly sport. The nonprofit was formed by local hockey coaches and hockey parents in response to a local De Smet Jesuit High School hockey player who struggled with mental illness and took his own life.

For more information, call 314-8520997 or visit www.stlyouthhockey.org.

turkeys

something

St. Luke’s is grateful for their newest flock of hens and toms. Their lucky parents are certainly counting their blessings on this holiday. St. Luke’s is known as the “baby bunting hospital” because they have been providing

themed baby buntings on holidays and special occasions since 1997. Made by nurses and volunteers, the adorable offerings are a sample of the many ways St. Luke’s Hospital provides a warm and caring environment for families.

St. Luke’s tiny

are

to be thankful for

Submitted photo

Florissant to request release of Community Development Block Grant funds

The city of Florissant will request the release of 2022 CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Dec. 19, following a two-week period in which the public will have the opportunity to comment on the slated use of the funds.

The Florissant 2022 CDBG Annual Action Plan identifies community needs and has been proposed for the following projects:

• The Home Improvement Project will provide $7,000 zero-percent interest, five-year forgivable loans to low-to-moderate level income households within the city limits of Florissant.

• Home Improvement – Mechanical grants up to $5,000 for the replacement of HVAC and/or Water Heaters to eligible, low to moderate income households throughout Florissant.

• Project IMPACT-Assist helps Florissant residents

who need modifications to their home due to age and/or disability to allow them to live independently.

Grants up to $3,000 for accessibility items such as, ramps, grab bars, and other items to improve accessibility. Funds are available to rental or owner-occupied residents.

Written comments on these determinations may be directed to the Community Development Office at the Florissant Government Building, 1055 rue St. Francois, MO 63031, or to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and Development Division, 1222 Spruce Street, Room 6.101, St. Louis, MO 63103-2836 CPD_GeneralCorr-STL@hud.gov.

The 2022 CDBG Annual Action Plan is available at the Florissant Government Building, on the city’s website, www.florissantmo.com or by contacting Carol O’Mara at the Community Development Office at 314-839- 7680 or comara@florissantmo.com.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year Still In This Together:

I heard the song start playing on the TV, and my ears automatically perked up. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Until I realized it was a commercial for an antihistamine and it was only September. But, oh, for just a minute I was fooled. I even sang along as I was dusting.

There is definitely something magical about this time of year, once it officially gets here. I tend to be a bit of a purist, though, wanting to wait until the radio stations begin to play Christmas music. I know I can listen to an all-Christmas station or create my own Christmas play list any time I want to. But it’s not real.

I know I can watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” any time I want to, too; we have them all on DVDs and I’m guessing that they can be streamed on prime video or Netflix any day of the year. (That sounded like I actually knew what I was talking about, didn’t it?) But there’s just something about knowing that other people are watching the shows and singing along with “The Island of Misfit Toys” that makes me feel that the season is really here.

Bring on the popcorn and hot cocoa and turn on the Christmas tree. I’m all in.

There’s so much to be grateful for about Decembers, past and present. So many memories, from my dad ceremoniously bringing out the nut bowl and filling it with mixed nuts, then placing the silver nutcracker and picks in each of their official slots and setting it all up on the tray table right next to his easy chair, to the Charlie Brown Christmas tree that always leaned rather precariously in the corner of our living room.

It was on Christmas that John asked my dad if he could marry me, and my dad, flustered, told him to go ask my mother. And he did.

Our first married Christmas was far from home, in a southern Florida, rented, pink-concrete house off the base where John was stationed. We piled on layers of clothes because there was an extremely unusual freeze that year, and our space heater didn’t work.

And it was wonderful.

I wrote a story about a monkey that needed a home

By Vicki Bahr

and mailed it along with a misfit stuffed animal to my 13-year-old younger sister, whose nickname at the time was Monkey. We picked out cookie jars and shipped them home to St. Louis for our families, promising that the next year we would be there in person.

And we were, proudly holding our two-week old son, Christopher, up to the Christmas tree so he could see the twinkling lights.

There have been so many wonderful winter memories: our children waiting patiently while we took pictures, then tearing into the presents under our own Charlie Brown tree; wishes coming true and carols being sung, the year the roads were covered with snow and we walked down the middle of the street to go to the Magic Market for milk, Christmas shows I watched as a teenager being watched by our own children and grandchildren.

The most wonderful time of the year.

Of course, there have been Decembers that we cried at family losses. We lost my father the very next June after we marveled at our new son’s December birth.

My father-in-law and my stepdad both died on the same November date in different years, and my mother passed away just one day after singing Christmas carols with the priest who came to visit her in the memory ward at the nursing home.

And yet we smile at the memories. Because we know our departed family are all singing right along with us, marveling at our children and grandchildren as they grow and waiting patiently until we all celebrate again.

The most wonderful time of the year.

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a published author in magazine, newspaper and blog forms. As a mom of four, grandma of nine, and wife of one for 50 years, she finds that inspiration and wonder are everywhere.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

EVENTS

Dec. 9-10:

Mondays: Workshop meetings

can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

Mondays: Korean War Veterans Association meeting

Fundraiser sale

FLIERS (Friends of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library) Trinkets and Treasures Sale featuring vintage goods, gift-quality items, books, new jigsaw puzzles and more on Friday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the auditorium of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library at 35 N. Florissant Road in Ferguson. For more information, contact Janie Norberg at 314-521-4663 or jkbnorberg@gmail.com.

Feb. 18: Black

City of Pine Lawn holds regular workshop meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: A cappella singers

light bingo

Soroptimist of Greater St. Louis will host their Annual Black Light Bingo at JFK Center in Florissant. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.soroptimiststlouis.com.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-5799227, or email concertartsa@ gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested

If you had military service in Korea between Sept. 3, 1945 and the present you are cordially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Association. Meetings take place at the VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant on the second Monday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-921-2132. For a limited period the Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece

at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional information.

Tuesdays: Bingo Florissant Elks Bingo takes place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis County. Food and drinks available for purchase. Maximum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter.

Tuesdays: A cappella

singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Kirk at 314-954-7920 .

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.

answers from page F-4

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B...

UMSL men’s basketball undefeated this season

The University of Missouri-St. Louis team, lead by Mayson Quartlebaum, played the old fashioned three-point play with 4.8 seconds that left a 60-all tie and gave the Tritons a 63-60 win over Lewis for its ninth straight win to begin the season on Saturday afternoon at the Mark Twain Building. They improved to 9-0, 4-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) while the Lewis Flyers drop to 4-5.

UMSL is off to its best start in school history.

Lewis led by as many as eight in the opening half as its first six field goals were from three. The Tritons answered with a 9-0 run to take a 20-18 on a pair of free throws from Donovan Vickers with 5:12 left in the half. UMSL extended its lead to 25-22 after two free throws from Victor Nwagbaraocha with 2:25 remaining but the Flyers closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 29-25 lead into the locker room at the break.

The Tritons opened the second half on a 14-5 run to build a 39-34 advantage on a three-pointer from Bowen Sandquist 4:30 minutes into the frame. Lewis countered with a 7-1 run of its own to retake the lead at 41-40 on a jumper by Jamere Hill 2:22 later.

The Flyers still led by one with 11:09 left after another jumper from Hill but UMSL scored seven straight to grab its largest lead of the game at 51-45 on a layup from Isaiah Fuller at the 8:38 mark.

Lewis rallied scoring eight straight to take a 53-51 lead with 6:01 to play after Atakan Sahinkaya tipped in a miss from Beau Frericks. Nwagbaraocha tied the game at 53 going coast-to-coast for a layup after rebounding a Sahinkaya miss with 4:45 to play.

Frericks gave the Flyers their final lead of the game with a three-pointer from the top of the key with 4:30 remaining.

UMSL countered with seven straight getting four points from Matt Enright and three from Sandquist to take a 6056 with 2:23 left.

Once again, the Flyers answered as Sahinkaya got another tip in to cut the lead to two and then with 0:30 left Vlado Zrnic tipped in a Frericks miss to tie the game at 60.

The Tritons held the ball for nearly the remainder of the game. Fuller drove the left baseline and tried to hit a pull-up jumper in the closing seconds but his shot was off but Quartlebaum was there for the putback, was fouled by Zrnic and hit the free throw to put UMSL in front.

Lewis got the ball in the front court and the Tritons chose to foul Hill with 3.1 left. Hill intentionally missed the front end of the one-and-one and the rebound was tipped out to Anthony Sayles Jr. for a game-tying three-point attempt. His shot at the buzzer was short securing the win for UMSL.

The Tritons shot 44 percent (24-for-54) from the field in the contest in the contest, were 6-of-21 from three and shot 75 percent at the foul line. Nwagbaraocha led UMSL with a season-high 18 points while Sandquist finished with 15.

The Flyers finished the game shooting 48 percent (24-for-50) from the floor including 9-of-21 from three and shot 60 percent at the foul line. Frericks led all scorers with 20 points while Hill added 12.

* Great start to the season

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

Recipe: Cheers to charcuterie

Over the past few years, the popularity of charcuterie boards has expanded from restaurant appetizers to holiday get-togethers and everything in between. The infinitely customizable assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, breads and spreads can add a pop of color and flavor to your table and provide many options for your family and guests.

What is Charcuterie?

Charcuterie is a French term for the art of preparing and assembling cured meat and meat products. Charcuterie-style meat and cheese boards have become very popular outside of France, and this concept has evolved to include many foods besides meat, along with a variety of presentation variations and ingredient themes.

Tips for the

Perfect Board

Prepare a charcuterie board with a collection of foods from different categories. This ensures a wide variety of textures, flavors and colors to choose from, and makes it appealing to the eye as well. Here are suggested selections to include in the perfect board:

Cheese: Opt for a variety of textures, colors and shapes. Pre-slice for ease of serving and allow cheese to sit out to room temperature for enhanced flavor. Soft cheeses can be served in a small dish with a cheese knife.

Meat: Popular meat options are salami, prosciutto, pepperoni and ham. Roll or fold meats and stack.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Grapes, apples, berries and dried fruits such as apricots and cherries are popular fruit choices. Cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and radishes provide additional color and texture.

Bread and Crunch: Sliced baguette, crackers, pita chips, pretzel chips and nuts are all great options. Placing them in small bowls or plates on the side will save room on the board, if needed.

Extras: Complete the board with extra elements that add unique flavors. Examples include jams or preserves, olives, hummus, salted butter, pickled vegetables, dips and honey.

– SUDOKU –

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

Alley was a talented actress who could easily switch between serious roles and broad comedy. Alley passed away on Dec. 5, a victim of colon cancer.

Kirstie

She left behind some truly great performances, not the least of which was her inspired work on “Cheers.”

After her passing, Alley’s children, True and Lillie Parker, released the following statement: “We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.”

The actress left behind a legacy of comedies, dramas and science fiction adventures. In 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” Alley made an impressive big screen debut as Lt. Saavik, a Vulcan officer mentored by the legendary Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). In the opening sequence, Saavik was seen in the command chair attempting to rescue surviving crew members of the “Kobayashi Maru,” a damaged civilian ship.

After several Klingon attacks, Saavik ordered the crew to abandon ship, but this was later revealed to be a simulation used to test the character of officers. According to James T. Kirk (William Shatner), he was the only one to ever beat that simulation.

Alley’s “Star Trek” debut didn’t take place right away, which turned out to be a good thing. After years of syndicated television reruns, in 1979, Paramount Pictures re-

leased “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” a full-length feature film with original “Trek” cast members. Fans who had waited patiently for a great movie left disappointed, though, with the overused special effects. When “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” arrived in theaters, Alley portrayed Lt. Saavik as a dedicated Starfleet officer who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind to her superiors including Captain Kirk (William Shatner).

In the late 1980’s, Kirstie Alley returned to earth to star in “Cheers.” Sam Malone (Ted Danson) had sold his beloved bar to the Lillian Corporation and went sailing around the world, so the corporation then named Alley’s Rebecca Howe the new bar manager. Sam finally returned to “Cheers” looking for work and immediately ran afoul of his new boss. For her work on “Cheers,” in 1991, she won a Golden Globe Award as the “Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical Series” and a 1991 Emmy Award as “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.”

Kirstie Alley even made time for movies. She starred opposite John Travolta in the popular romantic comedy “Look Who’s Talking.” Alley played Mollie, a New York City accountant who became pregnant by a married man and was befriended by taxi driver James (Travolta).

Voiced by Bruce Willis, baby Mikey used his inner monologue to make sarcastic comments about what all the adults were doing. The original film spawned two sequels and inspired a short-lived sitcom called “Baby Talk.” Alley also received accolades for her work on the sitcom “Veronica’s Closet.”

Kirstie Alley was an award-winning actress who could travel to the depths of outer space, land safely back in a bar where “Everyone knows your name” and still look fabulous. She will be sorely missed for her passion and talent.

Remembering the talented Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley photo courtesy Bigstock

It PET CEMETERY over 4,000 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 60 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info

has never been known to fail. NOVENA SINGERS WANTED

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

Moore on Life: Song writers and wrongers

There are some things that take the jolly out of my holly and they need to be exposed. Sorry folks, I really hate to be the one to drop a cat doodie in the old holiday fruitcake, but…hmm, on second thought that just might be an improvement.

Anywho, here’s a major humbuggery that really gets my goose giblets in a twist: bad Christmas songs. Don’t even get me started! There are soo many. First: “Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas.”

Really? I realize we all have our personal issues with family weirdoes. I know I have mine in my family because I am one, only no one’s written a song about me…yet. (Oh, what I could do with those royalties…!)

So, can we just leave our dysfunctional family crazies out of the Yuletide and save them for around the Thanksgiving dinner table?

There’s yet another tune that gets my sugar plums in a knot; the one about buying shoes for their deceased mother to wear. Whose genius idea was it to combine glad tidings with the workings of an undertaker?

How did this brainstorming session go?

Songwriter #1: “Let’s think of a catchy Christmas song. What has everyone got?”

Writer #2: “How about candy canes and deck them halls with ribbons and bows then throw in some dancing elves for starters?”

Writer #3: “Naw, that’s overrated. I’m thinking more of misery, poverty, dreaded disease and a barefoot dead lady.”

Writer #1: “Whoa! Edgy! I like it. We’ll add some jin-

The most meaningful gifts are rarely the ones that can be wrapped and found under a tree. This holiday season, gifts can go beyond just thoughtful presents for family, friends and loved ones and can make real impact for children globally.

As the world faces multiple crises from the war in Ukraine to the malnutrition crisis in the Horn of Africa and devastating floods in Pakistan, giving back to those in need is as crucial as ever.

Handcrafted by talented artisans from all around the world, UNICEF Market is a unique collection of carefully curated gifts ranging from jewelry to apparel, home decor, kitchenware and more. The gifts give back three times over by supporting artisans and helping local economies thrive, assisting vulnerable children in need and making for thoughtful and compassionate gifts for loved ones. By purchasing gifts from the market, individuals can contribute to creating a more equitable world for every child.

Additionally, UNICEF Inspired Gifts provide meaningful opportunities to make a difference by donating important resources in the name of a loved one alongside a personalized card or e-greeting. You can help children facing the malnutrition crisis in the Horn of Africa by purchasing High-Energy Biscuits to help a

By

gle bells in the background and wear Santa hats while we record and boom – Christmas hit!”

Then there’s the one about Grandma becoming roadkill because of a flying horned projectile. Sounds like Granny must have been drinking with drunk daddy. Also, a downer, the one about the guy giving his girlfriend his heart for Christmas only to have it returned the very next day.

I’m thinking the dude literally gave away his heart. He must have been on life support and by the time it was returned it was probably way too ripe to reinsert. He also would have given this girl a piece of his mind, but he didn’t have the heart! Buwahahahaha! (And this is why I get paid the big bucks.)

So, songwriters, get a clue: no doom and gloom, although a ditty about cat doodie in the fruitcake sounds like a sure winner to me!

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

malnourished child survive and grow healthy. To help provide 50 children with the essentials they need to continue their educations, your donation would provide them with backpacks, exercise books, pens and more. You can also provide a donation to fully vaccinate one child for life, providing him or her with the protection needed to live a healthy and happy life.

To help support its lifesaving mission, UNICEF USA’s partners, including MAC, Hallmark, Pandora and more are making a donation for every product sold this holiday season. For example, every cent of MAC’s Viva Glam Lipsticks is donated to organizations around the world supporting healthy futures and equal rights for all like the United Nations Children’s Fund, which is working to reduce HIV transmission from mothers to babies and help end AIDS in adolescents. In addition, for every “Pandora for UNICEF” charm sold through the new year, Pandora will donate a portion of the proceeds to the organization’s work for children’s education, gender equality, rights awareness and more.

This holiday season, spread some joy and make a difference in the world by visiting market.unicefusa.org where you can support efforts to ensure every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected.

Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: HAPPY HOLIDAYS