Page 2 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
Kitty cats and snowmen and Bulldogs — oh my People need cats By Patience Whitehorse First place, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that people have cats.
Play in the snow By Chrysander Perez Second place, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everybody has a good time playing with snow and making a snowman.
Wish is for Bulldog win By Remi Cosino Third place, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is the Bulldogs win the big game.
Bulldog wins are a wish
Ray Miller, third-grade, East Omak Elementary
By Kaydence Flores Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Here’s a big wish for Christmas in Okanogan Country: Lots of people should have cats.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is the Okanogan Bulldogs won each year.
Welcome to The Chronicle’s annual children’s Christmas Writing Contest. Youngsters through fifth-grade age were asked to write an original story on the theme “My Christmas Wish for Okanogan Country is ...” Many teachers incorporated the writing contest into their lessons, with students producing dozens of thoughtful stories and detailed pictures. Youngsters wrote on a variety of topics, with many touching on homelessness, hunger, concern for animals and the desire for everyone to have a present for Christmas. Carlton Complex fire victims also are on children’s minds this season. A contingent of first-graders wrote on a football theme, with several wishing for a visit by the Seahawks. Another group lobbied for a waterslide. So, on this Christmas Eve, we invite you to grab a cup of hot cocoa and some cookies, settle into a comfy chair and enjoy children’s Christmas wishes for our area. —The Chronicle
Christmas Greetings
Playground would be nice By Jude Pritchard Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that we have the biggest playground ever.
Children share holiday wishes
Andrew Lopez, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
A wish for the biggest playground.
From our family to yours: we’d love to wish you a Merry Christmas and the best in the New Year.
© 2014 The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle Owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers Inc. Roger Harnack, publisher • Dee Camp, section editor Teresa Meyers, advertising manager P.O. Box 553, Omak, WA 98841 • 509-826-1110 • 800-572-3446 509-826-5819 fax • www.omakchronicle.com Cover art: Emiley Reed, third-grade, East Omak Elementary
2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 3
Don’t get stuck in a tree Wishing no one is poor By Ikaika Shumpert Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is people don’t get stuck in the tree.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that nobody will be poor.
Have fun in the snow
Everybody gets food
By Jayden Wadkins Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
By Victor Gonzalez Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is for everyone having fun in the winter snow.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is to give everybody food.
Everyone gets a present By Alivia Waddell Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Brennen Smith, secondgrade, Virginia Grainger
Wish: No one gets stuck in a tree.
By Elsa Robeck Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Healthy food is a wish By Tabitha Loe Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everyone has a present.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everybody has healthy food.
A wish for presents
Long live the Okanogan
By Isaac Arevalo Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
By Ben Huffstetler Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everybody gets presents.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that it will never get destroyed.
Alpine Veterinary Clinic Dr. Denise Krytenberg, D.V.M. • Dr. Rachel Ross, D.V.M. 741 Riverside Drive, Omak • 509-826-5882
And finally, safety for all No one should die
Virginia Grainger Elementary School
By Alejandro Valdovinos Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is my brother don’t get hurt.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that nobody dies.
Uncle’s safety is tops By Paxton Hill Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that my uncle never gets hurt.
Best wishes for brother By Victoria Alvarez Honorable mention, kindergarten
Nobody should be hurt By Cylus Yusi Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that nobody gets hurt.
A wish for no crashes By Adriana Garcia Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is nobody dies in a car crash.
Let there be food for all
Technology is a wish
By Allisah Hall Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
By Alexis Angeles Honorable mention, kindergarten Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everybody has food.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everyone gets an iPad.
Page 4 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
First-graders offer their holiday wishes We always have school By Lia Palomares First place, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is that we always have school.
The yellow school bus approaches school — a wish for always having school.
Everyone should be happy By Presley Somes Second place, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is everybody is happy!
Waterslides, houses for all By Finlay Weston Third place, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School I wish Okanogan Country people had waterslides and everybody had a house.
Wish for championship By Isaac Henderson-Aldridge Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Lia Palomares, first-grade, Virginia Grainger
My wish for Okanogan Country is a championship cup and everyone has a house.
Wants football team to win By Trace LaDoux Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan is the football
players will win the championship.
Race cars would be nice By Carter Workman Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Don’t abandon Pokemon By Landin Evans Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan is to not have Pokemon abandoned.
My wish for Okanogan Country is race cars came (to) race here.
Merry Christmas from all of us at
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!
Okanogan • 509-422-2658 #LEEDDE970K8
2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 5
Seahawks or water park? You decide Water park would be nice By Logan Bordner Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is that we had a water park.
Another vote for water park By Wyatt Harmon Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is we get a waterslide park.
Ryder Harvy, first-grade, Virginia Grainger
Wish for ‘Hawks to come By Evelyn Alvarado Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is the Seahawks to come over.
Another Seahawks wish By Ryder Harvy Honorable mention, first-grade
Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is to let the Seahawks come over.
The 49ers should lose By Nathan Boettger-Grantier Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is 49ers lose and Seahawks win.
A wish for a water slide
a water park.
Still more for water park By Lily Yusi Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is to have a water park.
Wish for a water park By Adalee Stanford Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish is that we will have a water park.
By Kamilla Pichinte Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School I wish Okanogan Country had a water slide.
Long hair ... and water park By Kaden Price Honorable mention, first-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School Every people have long hair and I wish for
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Isaiah Moore, third-grade, East Omak Elementary
A water park would be a fun addition.
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Gene's Harvest Foods 22 W. Apple • Downtown Omak • 509-826-0212
Page 6 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
Gracie Huberty, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
A wish for Christmas: The poor should be able to find a good home.
Would you want a home? By Gracie Huberty First place, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is for all poor people to find good homes, because if
you were poor, would you want a home? Poor people are homeless, poor, cold, no money, sick and starving. Please help poor people. Give them a dollar or more. Give them a blanket, medicine, food and, of course, a home.
I decided to do something By Olivia Yusi Second place, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School What is my wish? One day in Christmas, I went to the store.
I saw some people that were sad because they couldn’t buy any presents for their kids. So, I decided to do something about it. I went to the store. I put a table up and asked people to buy presents for kids in need. My Christmas wish is every body’s wish.
I would sing door to door By Hannah Heindselman Third place, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School I like Christmas and people like Christmas. What if people sing carols and not be scared to sing carols door to door. It will be amazing if all of that happened. It would be amazing if I will sing door to door. I even love Christmas so it will all be wonderful.
Tyler Duchow, fourth-grade, Tonasket
Mom is decorating the tree — that means it’s almost time for Christmas.
Christmas is just one day away Jose Sanchez, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
Singing door to door would be amazing.
By Selah Downey Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School Christmas is coming. Just one more day
left. We are so happy right now. My mom is decorating the tree. My sister says mom made the tree fall two times. Now we have to go to bed. It is Christmas, time to open the presents. Merry Christmas!
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2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 7
Emma Swayne, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
This Christmas, there’s a wish for health and happiness for everyone. Virginia Grainger Elementary School Carter Kuchenbuch, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
Huge mines of gold woud be great for Okanogan Country.
Health, happiness for all
Gold for everyone
By Emma Swayne Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
By Carter Kuchenbuch Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My wish for the Okanogan Country is that we have health and happiness forever. I just want to say merry Christmas everybody, including you!
My wish for the Okanogan Country is that Okanogan could have huge mines of gold.
Trees should be free By Steele Rico Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Housing is important By Jose Sanchez Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Everyone should be happy
Food, clothing are tops
My wish for the Okanogan Country is for nobody to be poor, homeless or starving. I also wish for everybody to be happy and have a merry Christmas.
My wish for the Okanogan Country is that people have enough food to eat and clothes to wear and be safe.
Christmas: Being together By Nevaeh Kelley Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School Christmas is not about presents. It is about being together. It is about family, friendship and sharing.
By Deanna Martz Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School My wish for the Okanogan Country is everybody has a Christmas tree.
Warm clothes and shoes By Ayari Arellano Gonzalez Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School I hope the Okanogan Country has warm clothes and warm shoes and lots of presents.
I wish everybody had houses.
I wish every body got Christmas trees for free in Okanogan Country, and get blankets for Christmas and boots and warm clothes and Christmas ornaments and had lots of food.
By Maviss Flores Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
My wish for the Okanogan Country is presents. All of the kids need presents. Some kids don’t get presents. Presents are for everybody!
Everyone needs a tree
By Eva Robeck Honorable mention, second-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School
Some don’t get presents
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By Owen Eich Honorable mention, second-grade
www.heatstrokeSP.com Okanogan • 509-422-5021
Welcome Home
Page 8 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
A good Christmas for all By Daniel Garcia Second place, third-grade Tonasket Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is for everyone to have a good Christmas day. Everyone gets presents and has a
banquet. On New Year’s Eve, everyone has a campout and eats marshmallows with a fire. Everyone gets warm clothes, mittens and jackets. Everyone gets to be with friends and family.
And that’s all I wish for By Magdalena Carrion Third place, third-grade Brewster Elementary School
Yadhira Fregozo, third-grade, Brewster
After delivering a big bag of presents to fire victims, there was a present on my doorstep.
Something for after the fire By Ashlyn Keith First place, third-grade Virginia Grainger Elementary School I had a wish for Okanogan Country once. It all started at the beginning of the year on Jan. 5. It was a little past the first day of the year, though it was half way until the end of the school year. But as the days passed, it started getting warmer and closer to summer. At last! It was the last
day of school. I could not wait to get out of school. When it was finally summer I started to hear on the news that there was the biggest fire in Washington history. I started to get worried. When I heard how many houses it burned down, I got scared for all those people. When it was Dec. 22, I was wondering where those people live now. I started to wonder if Santa will leave a present for them. But then I
knew what my Christmas wish was and how I can make it come true. My wish was that I wanted those people to get a present, too. So what I did is pretty simple. I put on black clothes and snuck out with a big bag of presents. When the bag was empty and all those people got their presents, I went back home. When I got home I looked on my doorstep. There was a present on the last step. When I looked up at the moon I saw Santa.
Wish is for more caring in the area By Jalen Kiely Honorable mention, third-place Tonasket Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is for more caring around Okanogan Country. Like our elementary food drive to
all of Okanogan Country. Some more family activities and some more learning time to Okanogan Country. Thank you.
Livestock cafe
My Christmas wishes for Okanogan Country are for lonely people to be happy, for everyone to get along, to be very healthy, to help kid, family and people who are in the hospital, to stop littering and keep it clean, to help kids who are struggling in school, to have more food for everyone in Okanogan Country, to make people’s dreams come true and to have a wonderful life and that’s all I wish for Okanogan Country.
Emma Wilson, fourth-grade, Tonasket
I have a wish for Christmas.
A safe and fun holiday for those who lost homes By Jade Ramon Honorable mention, third-grade Tonasket Elementary School My wish is for the people who got their house burnt. I wish they will have a safe and fun Christmas. Houses and clothes were burnt. I hope that people will give them food. Our school raised over a ton of food and some of that food went to them. I know some people have given some clothes to them. People let them sleep in a gym or church. So that’s my wish for Okanogan Country.
Damion Savage, fourth-grade, Tonasket
I wish they will have a safe and fun Christmas.
Larry and Tara Brownlee 23253 Hwy. 20 S., Okanogan 509-422-5116
2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 9
Sister’s dancing brings a wish By Perla Ibarra Honorable mention, third-grade East Omak Elementary School
Here’s a wish for no more robbers and a program for children to pick up plastic bags.
Marques Noecosno, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
Put in an aquarium By Savannah Romine Honorable mention, third-grade East Omak Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country, is, well I have several wishes. My first wish is that every person (including adults) gets a Christmas present on Christmas day. Maybe even more than one. My second wish for Okanogan Country is that there are no robbers, which would mean
no jail cells. In the empty spot that the jail used to be in, I would put a children’s “Wild Fish Aquarium,” where kids could learn about exotic fish. My third wish for Okanogan Country is that all of the plastic bags are picked up by people from a volunteering program for kids. My fourth wish for Okanogan Country is that everyone gets what they need to be happy and healthy. Those are my wishes for Okanogan Country.
Dear Santa, Okanogan Country is a great place to live! OKC is a great place to live because it is peaceful and you can go ice fishing. You can go sledding and it is an open area. My and my family like to go to places. Like we got to go to a basketball game and we got to see my sister Cinthya dance there. My wish is for my sister Cinthya to do good at dancing at a basketball game.
Wish is for a good dance performance during the game.
Josie Oakes, third-grade, Tonasket Elementary
Sledding, skiing and ice fishing are great By Emily Reed Honorable mention, third-grade East Omak Elementary School Dear Santa, Okanogan Country is a great place to live because you can go sledding on the mountains and go skiing.
You can go ice fishing when the ice freezes. When we have snow we get cold winters. It is peaceful when you are in the woods. You can go hunting in the mountains. I wish OKC was happy and everyone had a nice house.
Happy Holidays from all of us at North Cascades Bank!
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Page 10 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
Kash Vandelac, third-grade, Brewster
Firefighters need a little help to get Christmas off.
Food drive helps out By Marrissa Timm Honorable mention, third-grade Tonasket Elementary School Aaryn Marchand, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
A baby sheep woke up and saw all the reindeer, but Santa got stuck in the chimney.
The farm was very quiet By Josie Oakes Honorable mention, third-grade Tonasket Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that everybody will read the poem I wrote for you. It was Christmas Eve. The farm was very quiet. Then a baby sheep woke up and
saw Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, and Rudolf, too! It woke every person and animals and everybody up and they all came running outside to see if Santa was headed down the chimney and he wasn’t. The kids looked up the chimney and they saw that he got stuck. One
big pull and Santa’s free! Then the family saw that it was Santa. After the kids opened all the presents they fell fast asleep before they got upstairs. So mom and dad carried them upstairs and it woke them up for a moment and the first words they said was “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Not too much snow this year, OK? By Valerie Reyes Honorable mention, third-grade Brewster Elementary School
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that there should be a little bit of snow and a little bit of ice, too. That way no one
can fall or cars cannot crash. Or even that Santa’s hat won’t fly away. That was my Christmas wish for Okanogan Country.
My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is for all the people and animals to have food. The Tonasket Elementary School food drive helped save this wish because it gave people something to eat. The food drive helped Okanogan families. The food drive helped the people who lost their houses and lost their food.
Snow, but be careful By Karla Banda Honorable mention, third-grade Brewster Elementary School One wish for Okanogan Country is that I wish that snow will come here for people to slide, snowball fight and have fun. But be careful with snow because people can slip and crash on snow or ice, too.
Snow is even fun to play with. Friends and family together have fun. That is what I wish for.
Shelter for everyone By Chase Barroca Honorable mention, third-grade Tonasket Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is for everyone to have shelter. I hope everyone has blankets, coats and Christmas joy. Christmas joy is for everyone to be happy and not be on the naughty list.
More firefighters By Kash Vandelac Honorable mention, third-grade Brewster Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is for a little more firefighters so they can get finished with all the fires and the firefighters can spend time with their family on Christmas.
2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 11
The Grinch stole my parents By Eddie Moore Second place, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School
Joshua Martin, fourth-grade, Tonasket
People should have a place to live, food and a blanket.
Christmas wish is for others to have a home By Leslie Morales First place, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School My wish for Okanogan Country is that people had somewhere to live, like the people that don’t have homes. I want them to have money to eat. When people don’t have food we should help them out. For example, if we see a lady cold and hungry, do we just leave here there? No! We help her out.
Remember the real reason for Christmas: It’s Jesus’s birthday!
If we have food we should give it to her. If we have a blanket we could give it to her. Now we all know that not everybody has a house or food or somewhere to sleep. What if one day you turn out like the others and don’t have a house or food What if one day a person changes y our life, and helps you? You should do that for others because it can be really important to change your and their lives.
It was Christmas eve, 8 p.m. Mom and Dad said I could open one present. I chose the second-biggest one – that way I could save the biggest one for tomorrow. I got excited but I shrugged at the same time. What if the present wasn’t good enough? Maybe it was a bat from Dad, maybe it was a control helicopter from Mom. But then again, maybe it was a sweater from Grandpa. Ooooh, I hate that. He sends me a sweater every year. Hopefully he’ll send me something different this year. Turns out, it was a plain black T-shirt. The Mom said, “It’s time for bed.” I didn’t want to go to bed, but at the same time, I did. Tomorrow was Christmas. When I woke up, it was just a dream. I was at Grandpa’s house like always. I lost my parents three years ago. The Grinch stole my parents. I got to thinking maybe I should go get my parents. I went up to the mountain. It took me a couple hours. I finally arrived. I broke through the door. “Hello,” said the Grinch. “Do you have my parents?” I said. After that, the Grinch ran out
Jonathan Kirk, third-grade, East Omak Elementary
“I went up to the mountain” to see the Grinch. the back door. He took my parents with him. They ran miles with the Grinch running and me chasing. Then the Grinch and I came to a plane. Before the Grinch could get on the plane, I tripped him. The Grinch dropped my parents, but he got back up and got
in the plane. He left, crashed the plane in the Pacific Ocean, and got hit by a yellow submarine. Ed got his parents back. They were all a big, happy family, and they all loved each other. “I wish everybody had a family for Christmas,” Ed said.
Every foster kid needs a home By Ethan Laurent Third place, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is that every foster kid finds a home so he or she can have Christmas with a
family. So help me make that happen. Adopt a kid or two, or donate some money so they can have a present for Christmas. Make a life better by making kids happy and other people, too. It will do good for children like me.
I want this to happen so foster kids can play and have fun with a family. But you’re the only one that can make that happen. Find a home for a foster kid and that’s my Okanogan Country wish.
Page 12 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
Wants more homes to be completed
Putting a stop to bullying By Miguel Alvarez Honorable mention, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School It was dark. Bob was in bed. He smelled smoke. He got scared. Someone was bullying. He ran outside. No one was there. He ran to his room. He heard noises and he did not go any more. He woke up in the morning. He heard five guys were bullying two guys. He ran outside and he told them to stop. “Stop!” Bob said. The guys didn’t stop. “We don’t want to stop.” “Do you like when they bully you?” “No, I did not like it because they were so mean,” said the bully. They ran to their car. They said, “We will tell all the bullies to stop.” They found some bullies and they heard the car, so they ran to hide. “Why are you hiding?” They yelled, “We will come out.” And do not get bullied any more. I wish kids in Okanogan Country will not get bullied.
By Shoah Nyberg Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is more homes will be completed, since the fire destroyed more than 40 homes. Also, I wish that for families that lost their homes because they didn’t pay their rent. And the houses that were damaged in the mudslides we had after the fire. I hope that they will get fixed. And the houses that are in foreclosure. I hope the families will get to keep their house. I hope everybody in Okanogan Country will have a warm place to stay and spend the holidays.
Three friends have a Christmas food drive By Tyler Duchow Honorable mention, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School Joe, Sally and Bob were sitting on Sally’s living room floor. Bob came up with a good idea. “Let’s come up with Christmas wishes,” said Bob. “Great idea,” they all agreed. They all were coming up with good ideas, but none of them agreed on any of them. Finally they all came up with one idea together. “Let’s get enough food for everyone to have a big Christmas dinner,” they all said. So they started a food drive to help people get food. They days they had were Monday the 15th through Monday the 22nd. That was a big success. On Tuesday the 23rd they had five families come get food. That Christmas was the best Christmas ever, all the people said. Joe, Sally and Bob also had a fantastic Christmas, too. Everyone being able to eat is my wish for Okanogan Country.
Elisa Gilbert Christensen, second-grade, Virginia Grainger
They sold T-shirts and brought the food back just in time.
One night, the animals got the food By Joseph Thornton Honorable mention, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School One night, Jim was leaving the food bank in Tonasket. Every night he would lazily slam the door shut. So, just like every night when it was dusk, Jim went to shut the door. This time, though, he still shut the door lazily. It didn’t completely secure itself, though. Since Jim was sluggish, left it partially open. “Who would bereave a food bank?” he sneered. He was right, but he forgot that animals will hijack food. It was 5 o’clock and the sky was violet. When Jim got to the blue door, it was wide open. He walked into the food bank. It vividly smelled like animals. All of the rainbow Skittles were gone, and the tender, T-bond steak was gone. Even the taste smell that made you starve seemed to
Peace for people would be useful in many ways
have walked out with the food. So he went to downtown Tonasket. He found his friends Bob and Jason. They were starting to sell a bunch of T-shirts. They needed $150. The first day, they earned only $30. “We’ll never earn enough money,” cried Bob. “Yes we will,” replied Jim. The next day they earned $60. “Getting $60 two days in a row. I don’t think so,” Bob whined. The next day they counted up the totals. Everyone was sweaty as they counted up the last couple dollars. They earned exactly $150. “YES!” all three of them cheered. So they bought all the food back the day before Christmas. After that, they celebrated with spare money, and Jim never shut the door lazily again. I wish that everyone in Okanogan Country gets plenty of food for Christmas and next year.
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By Jennifer L. McClung Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School I believe peace for people would be very useful for many things. I think it would save lives around Okanogan Country. Maybe it would stop littering. I think peace of Okanogan Country can do many things, if you believe. If littering ends, many animals would be very thankful. I can picture animals living in peace everywhere. Maybe your hopes will start and your fears will end. So dream enough to where it comes true. God bless you.
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2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 13
Presents were gone By Jacie Deebach Honorable mention, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School
Jessica Calderon, fourth-grade, Tonasket Elementary School
Santa’s sleigh broke, but Connor fixed it — and was rewarded.
Green fields for everyone By Reese Vassar Honorable mention, fourth-grade Tonasket Elementary School One day on Connor’s 10th birthday, he started to get bored. When he was bored, he thought, “Maybe if I go up, get my bat and my glove out of my room, I can get my dad to play baseball with me at the green baseball field we got for Christmas.” Connor got the field because he helped Santa. This is how it went. “Hey, tomorrow’s Christmas. You better make a wish list fast,” Connor’s dad said annoyingly. “I already told you and everybody else, I want a green
baseball field!” Connor yelled. “That’s all I want for Christmas, Dad,” Connor barked. Connor traveled to the North Pole to tell Santa that he wanted a green baseball field. “I’m sorry Connor, I’m afraid there’s going to be no Christmas this year. My sleigh broke.” “I can help. I brought my toolbox.” He fixed up the sleigh and Connor said, “Can I have a green baseball field for Christmas?” Connor asked nicely. “Of course you can,” said Santa. Then a few days later he had a birthday. That’s where we began. I hope everyone in Okanogan Country gets green fields to play on.
I will tell you a story about Tommy, Lilly, Jinger and me, Star. In 2014, at my house was a huge Christmas tree in my yard. I was on the street. There were lots of people. They were having food and hot coffee around a Christmas tree. I was walking by when I saw them. I was excited because my friends were coming over. Lilly, Jinger and Grandpa were driving up the driveway. He had a muddy car. We had a snowball fight. We went to go check on the horse. Then we went outside. Then we made presents. I set them under the tree. We went to bed in the middle of the night. We woke up Tommy, and the horses were gone. All the presents were gone. We went outside and caught the horse. Then there were bells ringing. Then a present fell from the sky. We looked up. There was nothing. We got our coats on and did some searching. Then Santa came down from the sky. He said, “Sorry I took your presents. I thought they were mine. Here they are back. I won’t touch them. Goodbye. See you next Christmas.” Santa left before I could say a single thing. So what I’m trying to say is I wish everyone in Okanogan Country could have a family for Christmas.
No more wild horses By Aja Condon Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School For Okanogan Country I wish there was no more wild horses so we can get more places. The second thing is that we
The trees were set under the tree, but the next morning they were gone.
Leysi Valdovinos, fourth-grade, Tonasket
need more homes for people who don’t have homes and for people who lost their home in the fire. The third thing is that we need more clothes for people so that they can be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. My last thing is that we can have baby wild animals so they can protect us and we can play with them and care for them if they lost their mothers.
Put an end to litter By Silvia Hahn Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School My Christmas wish. No littering on the reservation. No littering on the side of the roads. No littering in your yards. No littering on the rivers.
Wish for more police By Dre’a Jameson Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School I’m hoping for more police to keep people safe. Also, to make sure people don’t do bad things. We need more police since it’s winter, to make sure people don’t get in car wrecks or get murdered by a murderer. Police could save
people, like if they were in a giant fire. So please protect people from getting badly hurt. Please be a police man or girl.
Keep stores open By Jovan Mercado Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School I have a huge crisis. Stores are usually not open on Christmas. But I think I have a solution. So please, can we have some volunteers to work on Christmas? Just until 12:00. I hope to see you there. When I’m an adult, I will be willing to work on Christmas.
Shelters are needed By Arela Nanpuya Honorable mention, fourth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School Dogs and cats get thrown out of their homes every single day. Even other wild animals get bites, rashes, diseases and broken bones every day. For animal shelters, they need more volunteers to help animals. Even veterinarian clinics need a home and help.
AU T O M O T I V E & RV
Page 14 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
‘Twas an Odd Christmas Night* By Quaid McCormick Second place, fifth-grade Tonasket Elementary School ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even our silly kitten, Destiny, sleeping in a doll house. I was asleep, then I heard such a clatter, I spring out of bed to see what was the matter. I tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. To my surprise, what did I see, but a sleigh with eight little kittens, Destiny in the lead. A jolly old driver, Santa I am sure, landed on the lawn and said, “I hope you don’t mind me borrowing Destiny to save Christmas. “Vixen brought back a bad case of frostbite (go figure) and the whole team caught it. Do not worry, after I deliver all the gifts, I will put Destiny in a little package and you will find her under the tree.” After that last line, with a twinkle of light, the kittens took flight, a sparkling light trailing behind. My wish for everybody in the
Marrissa Timm, third-grade, Tonasket
‘My family and I wish for other families to be together for the holidays.’
We can help each other By KayLynn Gorr First place, fifth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School
helping friends and family. We can try to keep people warm by giving hot chocolate and keeping their hopes up. Dream. I once had a dream. The dream was we all came together. There was no more fighting. We all cared for each other. We helped each other. We bought all the little kids toys for Christmas. We believed in other people. We all had happiness.
Who? My family and I wish for other families to be together for the holidays. If we can all come together as a town, we can make it happen. How? We can make it happen by helping the homeless and giving tips to the coffee people and
Wish: A perfect country
Santa landed on the lawn and asked to borrow Destiny the kitten. Okanogan Country is for everyone to have a faithful and sweet pet, and if they don’t may they find a cute little fluff ball under the
Christmas tree. *Based on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Clement Clark Moore
Fire! A wish for pet safety
By Joe Hamner Third place, fifth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School
By Owen Pershing Honorable mention, fifth-grade Tonasket Elementary School
My wish is to have a perfect country. I want people to like the country for how it is. I would like the animals to keep their traditions. I want people to have happiness in their homes, peace in their lives and keep dreaming. I will remember the school, friends, education and my freedom when I’m an old man.
Jaylene Hubbard, second-grade, Virginia Grainger Elementary
The horrible desire Inside me was like a fire For my own chickens did vanish What took them, I wished to banish There were paw prints on the snow The anger in me did grow My coop was unnaturally soaked
Gisel Hernandez, third-grade, Brewster Elementary
People should have happiness in their homes.
in red I followed the tracks on which something bled A rifle on my shoulder I will not let the predator get older As dawn rose, I heard a howl The menace is not an owl A horrific smell hit me like a wall I saw a coyote standing tall There was a chicken in its snout Fifty yards away I heard her
shout I heard the coyote’s roar I took aim, squeezed the trigger, and saw bits of flesh soar My heart raced, and my eyes got bigger I sat there as still as a stone I heard its horrific groan I didn’t hear my chicken cry But I knew she would die My wish for Okanogan Country Is that all pets are safe
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2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings — Page 15
Have all kinds of traditions By Gabrielle Tonasket Honorable mention, fifth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School
Zac Flores, second-grade, Virginia Grainger Elementary
A half-hour later, the ancient sleigh was up and running.
Help for Santa when the sleigh crashed By Aava Gleason Honorable mention, fifth-grade Tonasket Elementary School Maia lived in Los Angeles. She had one brother, zero sisters, one mom and one dad. One Christmas Eve, something happened that she would love. “Ahhhh!” Maia woke up to a horrified screaming. She ran downstairs, then what did she see, her little brother Daniel staring at the Christmas tree, screaming. “Oh, what is it Danny?” “The presents aren’t under the tree,” he screamed. Then they heard it. Bells ringing right outside their door. “It’s probably Grammy Ruth,” Maia moaned, also called Crammy Ruth. But then they heard wailing. “Oh why, why, why, why, who on the very last stop, the very last little itty bitty stop.” It was a deep voice like, no,
could it be Santa? Daniel peeked through the snow-white curtains. “OMG,” screamed Daniel. “It’s Santa,” he said in a very excited voice. “Oh, let me se, let me see, Dan,” I begged. So I peeked through the window and sure enough, I saw him. And what a mournful sight he was. Two big, teary eyes and a humongous red nose. We hurried over to him and said, “Are you OK, Santa?” “My sleigh has crashed,” he wailed. So we went to work helping Santa build his sleigh. Then finally, after 30 minutes, that ancient sleigh was up and running. We all cheered. Finally Santa said in a very happy voice, “You have helped me so much you deserve lots of presents.!” I wish everyone in Okanogan Country had lots of presents on Christmas day.
My Christmas wish for this year is all of the people could have all kinds of traditions, styles and looks. Look at all of the people around us. Most of us care about our families. The tradition can be passed around to younger children that do not have these things. If we don’t have this look, people can be nice or mean about it. But I treat my family with respect. People have different dance moves in powwows. All I want is to have hope and peace for the people that are suffering and don’t have food to eat and water to drink.
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Mariela Sandoval, third-grade, East Omak Elementary
A wish for Christmas: Preserve traditions, styles and looks. Take care of our families.
Take care of land
IN THEIR BEDS
By Gabriellene Ainsley Gunshows Honorable mention, fifth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School
Paige Sullivan, kindergarten, Virginia Grainger Elementary
Santa does his best to make Christmas wishes come true.
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My Christmas wish for Okanogan Country is to start taking better care of the beautiful land. I want to change how the land looks in the future. The rez should look better than it is now. I don’t want the next generation to be like us, not taking care of the beautiful land. I want it to be with no trash. This land used to be beautiful, but now there is trash all over both sides of Okanogan Country. If I got to change the land and make it beautiful again, I would be glad that I did something for Okanogan Country. This is my Christmas wish for Okanogan Country.
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Page 16 — 2014 Chronicle Christmas Greetings
Jayda Phillips, second-grade, Virginia Grainger Elementary
Learn about the old ways.
Learn from the elders
Evelyn Sandoval, first-grade, Virginia Grainger Elementary
By Byron Bray Honorable mention, fifth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School I want to learn the names of my family elders from the past. I want to learn about what they did for fun and what they used for clothes in the past. I want to learn what they used for hunting in that time. My dream is to know how my family in the past taught their little ones how to hunt and gather food for their family.
Jacob Boyle, second-grade, Virginia Grainger Elementary
Talk more By Brayden Owen Jane Honorable mention, fifth-grade Paschal Sherman Indian School My wish if for everybody to cooperate with more people. My wish is for students to talk with each other and not be shy. This can happen with each other by encouraging each other, for parents to encourage their young kids to not be afraid of other people. My dream is that in the future everyone will be talking with each other.
Lexie Pate, fourth-grade, Tonasket
Alyssa Russell, kindergarten, Virginia Grainger Elementary
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212 N. Hwy. 97, Tonasket 509-486-2183
The Chronicle and children of Okanogan Country wish you and yours a very merry Christmas.
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