Thanksgiving Placecard Puzzles Crossword

KIDS &FAMILY

Placecard Puzzles Add to Thanksgiving Fun

By Donna Erickson

Signal Contributing Writer

Place cards are an indispensable addition to a Thanksgiving meal. They’re a little like croutons on a favorite soup, because they add style and pizzazz.

They can even be whimsical! This year, let the kids’ inspirations for artful place cards enhance your Thanksgiving table decor. Long after you’ve ladled the gravy over the mashed potatoes for seconds and then thirds, your kids will remember the special contribution they made to the festivities. Here are two ideas:

Simple place cards

Homemade place cards can be as easy as cutting strips of nice paper or cardstock into 1-1/2-by-1-inch strips and writing out each person’s name with a special pen.

Decorate by drawing a simple portrait of the person to the side of the name, or add Thanksgiving-themed stickers. Set them on each plate over a folded napkin, or insert them in standard place-card stands. (Tip: Larger index cards give young children more space to write and draw.)

Puzzle place cards

Make each puzzle place card out of cardboard, construction paper or craft foam sheets. Draw and cut out the shape of an object with a Thanksgiving theme, such as a pilgrim hat, an ear of corn or a pumpkin pie. Paint or color the shape with markers if you wish. Make a different Thanksgiving design or symbol for each place setting.

Cut out a portion of the shape, which will be a puzzle piece. The cutout could be obvious, such as a feather on a turkey, or more complicated, like a random wavy shape typical of a traditional puzzle.

Set the Thanksgiving table with a place card at each setting, minus the cutout. When guests arrive, put children in charge of giving a missing place-card piece to each guest. When they meet grandfather at the door, they’ll be bursting with excitement. Will he find his place at the table? Kids love to know a special secret that grown-ups have to figure out!

At mealtime, it’s a fun and memorable moment for all when each person finds the place card that completes the puzzle to discover who they will sit beside. Don’t be surprised if your kids ask to play the place-card puzzle game with new creations for December holiday gatherings. ©2019 Donna Erickson

Distributed by King Features Synd. SUNDAYSIGNAL · 25 CROSSWORD TIME

PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

Opinion Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.

READER LETTERS

Former Trump Supporter Has Had Enough

Donald Trump needs to go!

I have been a huge supporter of Trump. I voted for him twice and I thought he did great things for this country with his policies. I overlooked his character flaws, his inflated ego, and his narcissism because his policies were so aligned with mine. He was a rare politician who made promises, then he actually kept them. I also overlooked some very dubious cabinet and inner-circle choices.

I admit that overlooking his many flaws has become exhausting but he has finally crossed the line with me because of his attacks on other Republicans. His endless attacks on Mitch McConnell are nothing but stupid. I’m no fan of McConnell, but he’s not the enemy, Democrats are the enemy!

He recently turned his guns on Ron DeSantis, a politician who I and every Republican I’ve talked to, like! DeSantis just won his race by 20 points, but that apparently was a victory that Trump thought detracted from his own glory.

Don’t you dare block the sun from shining on him.

DeSantis has never said an ill word about Trump and he’s done an excellent job in Florida, as evidenced by his crushing victory of Charlie Crist. So for Trump, that means he has to bring him down a few pegs. Today he called Mitch McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, “Coco Chow.”

What the hell is that about?

As I said above, I’ve overlooked his stupid comments. I overlooked it when he made a racist comment about a judge of Mexican descent who was born in America. I overlooked it when he made his “s-hole” comment about some other countries. Even if it’s true, a president doesn’t say that! I overlooked his comment about Mexico sending us rapists. Even calling COVID the “Kung Flu,” which at the time I thought was kind of cute, now just seems to be stupid and racist.

I can no longer separate my appreciation of his policies from the man.

Donald Trump is toxic to 60% of the country, in my opinion. That is a huge percentage of the people who I think wouldn’t vote for him for any reason. I now admit that I’m one of them and I’m not alone in my opinion among other Republicans I know and have talked to.

If Trump gets the nomination he not only will be defeated, but also he will drag the down-ballot candidates with him to defeat. But for Trump, he would rather burn the party to the ground than to admit his time has passed.

What must be done, and done soon, are some brave Republican leaders standing up and saying “enough is enough.” I’m under no illusion this will happen as politicians are generally not what I would call brave or bold.

But if this doesn’t happen soon, he will destroy the Republican Party.

Brian Richards Stevenson Ranch

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ETHICALLY SPEAKING

More Good, or More Evil?

For the past month I’ve been going around asking people a simple question: Do you think there is more good or evil in the world? I’ve asked my fellow pastors, some business people, family, neighbors and even the baristas at my favorite coffee shop. So now I’m asking you, my readers. What do you think?

I was quite surprised at the answers I received. To a person, those who answered quickly were adamant that there was much more evil than good in this world. Not surprisingly, most in my world of biblical studies and theology answered according to their understanding of the doctrine of pervasive depravity. Think John Calvin and Martin Luther and before them, Augustine. The doctrine of pervasive depravity springs from the understanding that the presence of original sin means that everyone comes into this world broken and in need of divine grace to set things right.

But, being a bit of a contrarian myself, I was quick to point out that, theologically, what we know as “common grace” means that God the Creator continues to send the rain on the just and the unjust alike … although we all pray he’d send more our way! Add to that the idea that God, through the avenues of law and conscience, is actually restraining a significant portion of the evil that humanity is capable of. In theological circles this means things aren’t nearly as bad as they could be. But, despite my incisive theological argumentation, few if any changed their view. Evil continued to get their vote.

But, there were many who responded to my question with pause. These folks were much more contemplative, and mulled the issue over in their minds. Of these, no one came out with a belief that good outnumbered evil. However, almost all of the contemplative delegation responded with this statement: It all depends on your perspective.

And it is with that understanding of the issue that I am in full agreement. For example, if I allowed myself to view this world through the lens of our cultural drift as demonstrated in newsworthy current events, I almost certainly would end joining the cynics who delight in the faults, failures and felonies of those in the public spotlight. If the disasters that bleed and lead in the national media shape my opinion, there’s no doubt my answer would be “evil!” But if I choose to look first at the elements of my own life, at the “goings on” in my own sphere of influence, my perspective is quite different. As I sit here pushing the keys on my computer in a rush to meet my publishing deadline, I’m smiling. And why not? Forty-five years ago I married the best person I’ve ever met, and together we’ve built a home decorated with love, raised three wonderful, successful adult children, and even better, three beautiful grandchildren. I can honestly say that the best part of my day is coming home!

I also have many great friends, an amazing group of dedicated and gifted co-workers, and a church family that actually lives out what we believe Christianity ought to be.

Despite the chaos of this broken world, I have a meaningful, purposeful and satisfying life filled with relationships that matter, opportunities that are exciting, and a professional position that allows me entrance in lives of people at both the best and worst times of their lives. And best of all, I get to come alongside them to love and listen, and bring the wisdom of God himself to bear on their lives as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of life.

So, yes, it does depend on your perspective, and what’s more, you can actually choose where you will focus your vision. My suggestion is to cast your eyes at those nearest to your heart, who make life good for you, and who can benefit from your experience, your wisdom and most of all your love. And maybe you’ll find that there’s more good around than evil, and that is certainly what we all can be most thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speak-

ing” appears Sundays. 