Roy Connection December 2022

CONNECTIONPUBLISHING

Roy Connection is published monthly by Connection Publishing© www.royconnection.com ryan@connectionpub.com | 801-624-9652

PUBLISHER

Ryan Spelts

PUBLICATION DESIGN

Robert Dodd

WRITERS

Mayor Robert Dandoy

Cindy Jones

Kayla Rasmussen

Melissa Spelts

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Robert Dodd

Abigail Rigby

Crystal Rappleye

Hyrum Rappleye

Abby Schneider

EDITORS

Brittany Carroll Kassie Baker

CONNECT WITH US!

News, contests, photos from readers and lots more! We love hearing from you!

@royconnection

@royconnectionutah

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If you'd like to advertise in our publications that reach over 14,000 homes in Roy, please contact Kendal at 801-603-6216 or kendal@connectionpub.com, for ad rates and to receive a media kit.

Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within the Roy Connection magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Connection Publishing or Roy City. Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies. The City is also not responsible for any content in the magazines except for that which they directly submit for print.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

For years now, Roy City has encouraged residents and business owners on the south end of the city to have their buildings checked by the Hill AFB Indoor Air Sampling Program. This free service provides a way to detect if TCE vapor intrusion is finding its way into homes or businesses from the chemical plume under that part of the city. There are still almost 100 buildings that have not been checked. Watch for the notification from the base in your mail and please respond when you receive it. Look to the Roy City website under COMMUNITY for the latest information about the Hill AFB Chemical Plume.

The holiday season is here with all the joy and celebration one would expect. Granted, there is not a day that goes by that we don’t read or hear about conflicts in the world that seem to hinder the festivity of the season. But, there is hope. There was a time during World War I when the fighting stopped and many soldiers on both sides of the Western Front honored the sacred occasion with song and the exchange of gifts. The 1914 Christmas Truce stands as a testament to the power of hope and compassion during a dark time in history. We can only hope that world leaders will follow the examples of the Prince of Peace.

This time of year, please consider the needs of those less fortunate who can benefit from your service. As an example, the Just Serve organization offers hundreds of local volunteer opportunities you can provide support to. The blessing of service is a wonderful Christmas gift that can change the lives of others and you. Share the season with family and friends and consider volunteering your time to a good cause.

May your holiday season be filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and prosperity.

Mayor Robert Dandoy

Stay connected!

The city's website has information on every department in the city, and the Facebook page has fun updates on events and other local interests.

“ This time of year, please consider the needs of those less fortunate who can benefit from your service...The blessing of service is a wonderful Christmas gift that can change the lives of others and you.”

City of Roy Key Community Contacts

MAYOR

Robert Dandoy: 801-774-1028 rdandoy@royutah.org

COUNCIL MEMBERS council@royutah.org

Ann Jackson: ajackson@royutah.org

Diane Wilson: dwilson@royutah.org

Joe Paul: jpaul@royutah.org

Randy Scadden: randy.scadden@royutah.org

Sophie Paul: sophie.paul@royutah.org

ROY SERVICES

Municipal Center & Utiities: 801-774-1000 utilityrequests@royutah.org

Open Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fri: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Emergency: 911

Police Non-Emergency Dispatch: 801-395-8221 Records: 801-774-1046 pdrecords@royutah.org

Fire: 801-774-1080 fire@royutah.org

Community Development: 801-774-1040 ced@royutah.org

Justice Court: 801-774-1051 courts@royutah.org

Parks & Rec: 801-774-1048 parksandrec@royutah.org

Recreation Complex: 801-774-1050

Public Works: 801-774-1090 publicworks@royutah.org

Please keep in mind, emails are not monitored 24/7. If your matter is urgent, please call.

December Council Update

The end of the year is almost here, and 2023 is quickly approaching. December is a month of joy and celebration and ushers in the new year.

Two weeks ago, the city hosted the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Memorial Park. It was well attended. It was good to see so many of our residents at one of our most popular events.

The Arts Council hosted a gingerbread house contest that day, and, as expected, there was a good turnout; many people had expressed an eagerness to see the event return. Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to everyone who participated.

This month, the city hosts our annual Christmas house decorating contest. I am excited to see all the entries and to be a part of the judging.

As I reflect on this past year and look towards next year, I remind myself of the trials we have all gone through. They have taught me to be better prepared physically, financially, and emotionally. We can all do a better job at being prepared for what may come our way, whether it is with our health or our financial situation. I have made a commitment to walk every day and enjoy the beauty of one of our nearby parks. I have also committed to putting a little extra money away and adding to my food storage. Whatever the Christmas and the New Year mean to you, I would recommend spending more time with family and taking time to relax and enjoy the comfortable things in life.

I thank all those who get involved in the city in whatever capacity required. You are what makes Roy great. If anyone wants to get involved, please reach out. If you have things you want to talk about, please join us at council meetings. Great discussions happen at council meetings, and we get the opportunity to help residents with their concerns. If you are unable to attend a meeting, the council and mayor are available via email council@royutah.org.

Thanks again for making Roy great. I pray that all residents will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Councilmember Joe Paul

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

Be a part of meetings! City Council and Planning Commission meetings are held at the Roy Municipal Building.

City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Planning Commission: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Roy City Fire Department Christmas Tree Fire Safety

As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire-smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly.

PICKING THE TREE

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

PLACING THE TREE

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.

• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights.

• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

LIGHTING THE TREE

• Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.

• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.

• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

FACTS

• Almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.

• Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious.

• A heat source too close to the tree causes more than one in every five of the fires.

You should dispose of the tree as soon as you can after Christmas or when it becomes dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

PUBLIC WORKS CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL

Roy City residents can take their trees (tree only) to the Public Works building for disposal during business hours M-Th 6 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Fri. 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. December 27th to January 31st 5460 S. 2700 W.

Roy City PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The storm drains on your street are actually part of a larger water conveyance system of underground pipes, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, and canals. Known as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, or MS4, this system is subject to regulation by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) through an MS4 stormwater permit. The permit requirements are intended to reduce pollutant discharges and meet water quality standards through the development andv implementation of a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP), which is available on the city website (royutah.org) under the Storm Water Dept.

NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION

The significant increase in recent years of nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies across the country has intensified water quality problems. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus can cause serious water quality problems. Nutrient pollution impairs drinking water, endangers aquatic life, and threatens the recreational use of Utah’s streams, rivers, and lakes.

Stormwater pollution from masonry and paving, fresh concrete, and cement-related mortars that wash into lakes, rivers, and streams is toxic to fish and the aquatic environment. Disposing of these materials to storm drains or streams causes serious problems - and is prohibited by law

The Roy City stormwater system runs through the Meadow Creek fish pond. This water is vital to the pond and wildlife and must be kept clean. Please dispose of grass clippings, pet waste, paint, fertilizers, leaves, seeds, etc. properly and help keep our city streets as well as streams and rivers clean. ONLY STORMWATER IS ALLOWED DOWN THE GUTTER

Please contact Roy City Public Works Department to report violations at 801-774-1090. If it is after hours, please call Weber County Dispatch at 801-629-8221. Our current stormwater ordinance is on our website at www.royutah.org

WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS

WINTER SNOW REMOVAL

As winter is approaching, we would like to remind you to clear snow off all sidewalks adjacent to your home.

Roy City Code 4-3-1 and 4-3-3(g):

ACCUMULATION OF SNOW ON SIDEWALKS: All accumulation of snow, sleet, hail, or other precipitation impairing safe access and use of sidewalks abutting on any public right-of-way of the city which has not been removed within twelve (12) hours from the termination of the depositing storm. The responsible party shall be any person owning, occupying, having control or charge or being an agent over any building, property, lot or partial lot of land abutting said sidewalks.

SHOP ROY Buy Local–Welcome Gibby Floral

One of the oldest flower shops in the area has recently moved to downtown Roy.

Great-grandmother Hattie helped her family survive the Great Depression with her dugout greenhouse, selling beautiful fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Last year, Gibby Floral was brought under the Botanicals Family of Businesses, which had been founded by her granddaughter, Nicole.

Gibby Floral is now located in the shopping center to the east of Harmons (5360 S. 1900 W. Suite B-7). You will find a dazzling assortment of truly creative floral arrangements.

They promise same-day flower delivery for all local orders (Clearfield, Eden, Hooper, Huntsville, Kaysville, Layton, Morgan, Ogden, Roy, and Syracuse) placed before 10 a.m. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

Gibby Floral offers a wide range of roses, plants, dish gardens, gourmet/fruit gift baskets, and exotic flowers. Favorites include succulent garden planters and the wide variety of wedding

bouquets. If you’re looking to spoil a loved one, treat your own table, or celebrate a holiday or new baby, consider one of their many lovely bouquets and centerpiece arrangements. In times of sympathy, you’ll find their casket sprays, standing floral sprays, and vase arrangements to be beautifully and thoughtfully created.

Visit their website at gibbyfloral.com or call 801-392-8522 to order.

AutoZone was originally called "Auto Shack" but changed its name after being sued by Radio Shack in the 1980s. In 2004, Radio Shack (Tandy Corp) labeled the battery section of their stores "Power Zone," and AutoZone sued them (unsuccessfully.)

Parks & Recreation Department

WOMEN’S STRENGTH TRAINING

Boost your metabolism and tone your muscles with resistance training.

When: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

Time: 8.45 a.m.

YOGA CLASSES

Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages.

When: Tuesday & Thursday

Time: 9 a.m.

Cemetery Winter Maintenance

October 27th was the last day of 2022 that graves were cleared for maintenance. No graves will be cleared off during the months of November and December. Graves will be cleared on the last Thursdays of January, February, and March 2023.

Follow Us on Social Media!

@roycityrecreation @royrecreationcomplex

@royrecreation

@roy_recreation

@royrecreationcomplex

The Roy Complex will be closing early on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. New Years Eve at 5 p.m.

CLOSED Christmas and New Year's Day.

SENIOR EXERCISES

If you’re looking for the right exercises, we invite you to join our workouts, which range in all varieties and skill levels.

Classic: Monday & Wednesday Cardio: Friday Times: 10 a.m.

PICKLEBALL

A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

When: Monday – Friday Time: 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.

“Striving To Make A Difference In People’s Lives”

DECEMBER EVENTS

SCHOOLS

All Elementary, Jr. High, and High Schools

Dec 21-Jan 3: Winter Break No School

ROY HIGH

Dec 1: Honor Orchestra Concert 6:30 p.m.

Dec 6: Roy Cone Choir Concert 7 p.m.

Dec 7: Band Concert 6 p.m.

Dec 9: Bar D Wranglers Concert 7 p.m.

Dec 10: ACT Exam 8 a.m.

Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband Concert 7 p.m.

Dec 13: Choir Concert 7 p.m.

Dec 14: Orchestra Roy Cone Concert 6 p.m.

Dec 20: Winter Assembly (Time TBD)

ROY JR. HIGH

Dec 2: Volleyball & NAL Wahlquist 3 p.m.

Dec 6: Boys BasketballTryouts 2:45 p.m. Volleyball/NAL Playoffs 3 p.m. Cone Choir Concert RHS 7 p.m.

Dec 8: Choir Concert 6:30 p.m.

Dec 9: Volleyball/NAL Champs 3 p.m.

Dec 14: Band Cone Concert RHS 6 p.m. Drama Performance 7 p.m.

Dec 15: Band Winter Concert 6 p.m.

Jan 4: Boys Basketball S Og Jr 3 p.m.

Jan 6: Boys Basketball Sand Ridge 3 p.m.

SAND RIDGE JR. HIGH

Dec 2: Volleyball/NAL TH Bell 3 p.m.

Dec 13: Band Concert 6 p.m.

Jan 4: Boys Basketball Snowcrest 3 p.m.

Jan 6: Boys Basketball 3 p.m.

ROY COMPLEX

Dec 24: Close Early 4 p.m.

Dec 25 & 26: Closed

Dec 31: Close Early 5 p.m.

Jan 1 & 2: Closed

SENIOR CENTER

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

Dec 1: Fashion Show 1:30 p.m. (Sign up early! - $5) **Reservations Required. Call 801-773-0860

Dec 7 & 21: BINGO! 12:45 p.m.

Dec 13: Paint with Trish! (Call for more info) 11 a.m.

Dec 14: Robin Arnold 11:30 a.m.

Dec 15: Second Generation (Come out & dance!) 11:30 a.m. Christmas Party! 1:30

Dec 20: Linda Hammer on Piano 11:30 a.m.

Dec 28: Garr Ashby 11:30 a.m.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES (Mon - Fri) Lunch is Served 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday

Oil Painting 9 a.m.

Zumba / Coffee w/ Friends 10 a.m. 30-Minute Zumba 10:30 a.m. Cards 12 p.m.

Line Dancing 12:30 p.m.

Out to Eat Bunch 4 p.m.

Tuesday

Ceramics 8:30 a.m.

Tai Chi for Arthritis / Quilting 9 a.m. Coffee w/ Friends 10 a.m. Pinochle 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Ceramics 8:30 a.m.

Thursday

Oil Painting / Floor Yoga 8:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic 8:30 a.m. Chair Yoga / Crochet Class 9:30 a.m. Tea Time w/ Friends 10:30 a.m. Cards 12 p.m.

Friday

Arthritis Excercise / Coffee with Friends 10 a.m.

Please continue to check at the front desk and our board for new Activities!

WEBER COUNTY LIBRARY Southwest Branch

2039 W. 4000 S., Roy, UT • 801-337-2670

Dec 1-31: Snowmen Scavenger Hunt (All day)

Dec 1-31: Paint-by-Sticker (all day)

Dec 10: Notorious Narwhals 3:30 p.m.

Dec 15: Teen Scene: Mario Kart Tournament 6 p.m.

All Events are FREE

Dec 31: New Years' at Noon 11 a.m.

FUN THINGS TO DO

Dec 1-Jan 1: Christmas Village Lights Downtown Ogden 5 p.m.

Dec 2: First Friday Art Stroll Historic 25th Street 6-9 p.m.

Dec 2 & 3: Holiday Open House (free gift wrapping, bake sale, kids crafts, & nature-related items) - FREE Ogden Nature Center 9 a.m.

Dec 3: Tree Lighting Ceremony - entertainment, refreshments, & Santa! Barker Park 5 p.m.

Dec 5 &12: Visits with Santa! Barker Park 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Dec 10: A Very SUBI Christmas-FREE Performances, Games, Crafts, Cocoa, & Santa! (Proceeds go toward building a school in Uganda!) The Monarch 12-4 p.m. Davis Performing Arts Collective: Scrooge WSU Val A. Browning Center 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Dec 10 & 17: Visits with Santa! Barker Park 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Dec 14, 15, & 16: Northern Utah High School Art Competition - Call for Entry! Eccles Art Center 9:30 a.m.

Dec 17: Christmas Benefit Concert for Savannah Johnson Ogden High 7 p.m.

Dec 18: Christmas Jeep Parade 2022 Golden Spike Event Center 6 p.m.

Dec 20: Die Hard ($7) Peery’s Egyptian Theater 7 p.m.

Dec 21: A Christmas Story ($7) Peery’s Egyptian Theater 7 p.m.

Gandy Dancer Mercantile FREE Live Music Series

Friday & Saturday Nights

Dec 1: Ashley Nicole

Dec 2: Wood Carver

Dec 3: Bill N Diane

Dec 8: Dixon Haze

Dec 9: Eden’s Yellow Rose

Dec 10: Caleb Wendt

Dec 15: Ashley Nicole

Dec 16: Ashberry Jam

Dec 17: Soul Shine

Dec 22: MarkandAlan

Dec 23: Spot and Waldo

2nd Annual Christmas Sing-A-Long

Dec 24: CLOSED-Christmas Eve

Dec 29: Ogden’s North Bunch

Dec 30: Dixon Haze

Dec 31: CLOSED-New Year’s Eve

All Ages / 6 - 8 p.m. 3920 Washington Blvd.

Ogden Blind Association AD

Students of the Month

ALL Students will Succeed in Academics

June Siaosi

“When God is for you, who can be against you?”

Awards: National Honor Society

Titles: Worship Team Leader Member of the Northpark Church Member Youth Candidate for Homecoming Queen Secretary for Royal Chamber Choir

Talents and Hobbies: Playing the ukulele Being bilingual Drawing art, portraits Dancing - (Tahiti, Hula) Singing

Service Opportunities:

Worked for Roy Days Worked at Aquatic Center Delivered Almond Nuts for Weber County  Delivered Cookies for Christmas Jubilee Carried the second largest flag for the parade during Roy Days Served food for the homeless shelter at “Ogden Rescue Mission”

Brendon Bailey

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”

–Abraham Lincoln

Awards: 3.98 GPA Royal of the Month Academic All-Region Golf Academic All-State Golf 2nd Place Individually in Region 2 Boys Golf Lettered in Golf, Basketball, and Track Eagle Scout Titles: Seminary Council Member National Honor Society Member Talents & Hobbies Golf, Basketball, Track, Working out, Reading, Singing being with friends and family Service Opportunities: Helped with Weber School District charity golf match Roy City clean-up service Created a campsite for eagle project Youth group neighborhood community clean-up Volunteer Service at Lantern House Assisted in Food Drives Mows lawns for elderly

Roy Memorial Park - More Than Meets the Eye

BY CINDY A. JONES

During the holiday season, Roy Memorial Park is a dazzling display of lights that most residents know and love. You might not know the park holds a few stories that make it exceptional.

In 2019, a Roy resident realized that many of Roy City’s parks weren’t being called by their dedicated names, and that an approximately four-acre area west of the fire station did not have a name at all. The water retention basin in the area was occasionally referred to as “SIDS Pond.” This was because the SIDS Foundation had donated and planted 79 trees around the area in 1989 as a memorial to the infants who had died of SIDS the previous year.

After consulting Roy City Councilmember Joe Paul, a proposal was sent through the city council for the area to be named Memorial Park, and the area was officially named in August 2019. A few months later, the resident who had approached the city about naming the park (who wishes to remain anonymous) proposed a sign for the park and submitted two designs. Public Works created a sign from one of the submissions, illuminating the design in lights. The sign still stands at the park today.

The park’s popular holiday lights display was originally suggested by another Roy resident, Al Poppell, in 1998. The first sets of lights were donated by the families of Roy’s school children and hung by citizens. Eventually, Roy City Public Works took over the project, and today, over one million lights adorn the park during the holiday season. Crews work three months in advance to hang the lights in time for the holiday season and three months afterward to carefully remove and store them. The annual tree-lighting ceremony at Memorial Park, complete with local performing groups and Old Saint Nick himself, is a community favorite, with a small-town festival feel that draws crowds in the hundreds.

In 2018, the city began a program in which residents could purchase illuminated teddy bears to add to the holiday light display in memory of family members who had passed on. Through the last few years, hundreds of teddy

bears have been purchased and added to the park, creating a “Teddy Bear Forest” and a meaningful tribute to lost loved ones.

In 2021, Roy City Councilmember Joe Paul gathered donations from residents and worked to improve a blessing box located on the park’s western side. The blessing box is among several facilitated by the city and acts as a place for residents to donate food, clothing, and toiletries for people in need. The blessing box at Memorial Park started as a small Eagle Scout project, and has been improved to include a larger box housed by a small, shed-like structure with metal shelves, as well as a concrete pad where the box is now anchored.

This year, while you’re out celebrating the season of giving and enjoying the sparkling lights, remember there is more to appreciate than meets the eye at Roy City’s Memorial Park.

Looking back, holiday history stories are fun to read. If you have an idea for a great article, please contact cindy@connectionpub.com

Over one million lights adorn the park during the holiday season.

Kayla Rasmussen Studies Abroad

BY KAYLA RASMUSSEN

In September, I wrote an article about why going on a study abroad trip is beneficial to education. I wanted to share about my experience on a study abroad trip to further explain what value these trips can be. In the Summer of 2022, the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Taxation programs at Weber State University offered students a trip to Italy. We got to travel to Milan, Rome, and Sorrento during our short 10day visit to the country.

We spent a few days in each city touring Italian businesses and hearing educational presentations on how each company conducts business. The

companies that were visited included the Italy Chamber of Commerce, Boeing, the U.S. Embassy, and many others.

These visits were filled with information and a chance for us to ask questions. It was interesting to learn how business is conducted differently in another country and to learn how they conduct business with the U.S. This opportunity helped provide new insights on business practices that we could take back to the companies we work for. It also opened eyes to understand what struggles other countries face in business that the U.S. does not.

When we were not visiting businesses, we went on guided tours of many historic places. We visited the Colosseum, the Duomo, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. It was a great way to learn about the history of Italy and be able to appreciate its culture. During the trip, we also had free time to visit any other sites that we wanted to see or activities we wanted to do. Some of these experiences

included seeing an Italian soccer game, a visit to the Rome Italy Temple, shopping, and more sightseeing.

The experiences on this trip were monumental and cannot be duplicated in a classroom. We were given a chance to understand how real businesses operate, learn about the world we live in, and get outside of our comfort zone. Getting out of this comfort zone is where growth occurs. I encourage all college students to try to take a study abroad trip and obtain this experience.

Interested in taking a trip with Weber State University? Visit their website at weber.edu/studyabroad.

If you attend another school, check their study abroad office for a list of trips offered!

The Colosseum, Rome

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Florence’s Cathedral, the Duomo

Festive Favorites

BY MELISSA SPELTS

Peppermint Bark

This is super easy and so yummy! This was my first time making this, and as you can see, I made it super thick. It was still tasty, but thinner is better.

½ cup of crushed candy canes

1 package of dark chocolate candy melts

1 package of white candy melts peppermint oil

1. Unwrap the candy canes and place in a zip lock baggie. Place the bag of candy canes between a dish towel and crush them with a rolling pin or hit them against the counter. Be sure to break up the candy, but do not crush them too much. The big chunks of peppermint make the bark look pretty.

2. Line a cookie sheet with a large sheet of waxed paper, about 10 inches by 24 inches.

Gingerbread Boys

Mix together:

⅓ cup softened butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 ½ cup dark molasses

Stir in:

½ cup cold water

6 cup flour

1 tsp. salt, allspice, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon

Dissolve together: 2 tsp. soda

3 Tbsp. water

3. Melt the dark chocolate candy melts in a large bowl for 30 seconds at a time, stirring frequently. To prevent burning, stop heating them when things are mostly melted but a few chunks of chocolate remain. Stir, and they will melt.

4. Pour melted chocolate in a thin layer on the wax paper. Work quickly because the candy gets hard fast.

5. Once the chocolate is set, melt the white chocolate melts in the microwave in the same way as the dark chocolate. Once it is all melted, add 2 to 4 drops of peppermint oil and stir in. The peppermint is strong stuff so add slowly. Taste and add more if needed.

6. Pour the white candy melts over the chocolate layer and spread thin. Work quickly so the chocolate layer won’t melt through.

7. Top with crushed peppermint candy and allow to set. Then, break into pieces and serve on a fun plate or plater.

1. Mix all together and chill dough for 3 hours. Roll out dough on floured counter and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Do not over bake.

2. Once they come out of the oven, carefully bend their arms so they cool with their arms ready to hold a candy cane.

3. Once they are cool, pipe frosting to make them festive. Add candy canes and a sign in preparation to share with neighbors, co-workers, and friends. The sign can read: “Tis the season for catching gingerbread men and candy canes.”

Festive Favorites

continued

Rolo Pretzel Reindeer

These little guys are yummy and easy to make. I shared a few of them with a friend, and she said, “Hmm, this tastes like Christmas!” This is a fun treat to make with your little helpers.

50 mini pretzels

25 Rolos

25 red M&Ms

50 candy eyes (found in the baking section)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place pretzels on top.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie

I love charcuterie boards. They let you turn on your creative side, and, in the end, you have something yummy to eat. I found this one on Pinterest and, after that discovery, I also found many other options. Open up your creative side and see what you can come up with for your own unique Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board!

3. Unwrap the Rolos and place one on top of each pretzel on the cookie sheet.

4. Cut the remaining pretzels in half, down the middle, for the antlers. A bunch of my pretzels broke so make sure to have extras.

5. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, until the Rolos are soft.

6. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and add the antlers, nose, and eyes to each reindeer while the Rolos are still soft.

7. Let the reindeer cool. We placed ours in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.

8. Enjoy this fun treat with friends or family. They are a great conversation-starter at holiday get-togethers!

Ingredients for the Charcuterie Board as pictured:

mozzarella cheese cubes cheddar cheese cubes pepper jack cheese cubes green grapes red grapes purple grapes kiwi slices craisins pretzel sticks peppermint candy balls