News Advertiser PAGE 19
www. NewsAdvertiser.com
January 5, 2022
People’s Memories from Ukrainian Christmas Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
Citizens of Vegreville and Area shared their memories of pleasant times they had for Ukrainian Christmas. Georgina Frankiw said she is Romanian, but they celebrate Ukrainian Christmas the same way that people who are Ukrainian do. “I remember when I was a little girl and we went to my grandmother’s place for Christmas Eve. We went with a horse and the cutter. It was cold and snowy outside. My father even had a heater on the cutter and it was covered. We tipped over on the snow bank and it started burning. But my dad put out the fire. Then when we arrived at my grandmother’s house, she had all the 12 meatless dishes ready for us to eat for Christmas and she also had a lamp burning with the mantle. This was very special to me. We only received a gift of a bag with Jape oranges and candies and nuts in it. But it was so exciting to get that for our Christmas present.
Later, we sang Christmas carols in Romanian. Romanian and Ukrainian language isn’t the same, but the traditions they follow are the same. The Romanian language is Latin and the Ukrainian language is Slavic. This occasion meant a lot to me when I was young because it wasn’t just about presents, it was remembering Christ was born, and it was about praying and going to church. I also remember the first Christmas I was married and I had to go and live with
the in-laws. My mother-in-law had the table all set with the 12 meatless dishes, and her son George came from Edmonton and he played a tape of Mickey and Bunny Sheppard’s, a Ukrainian-Canadian duo on an 8-track tape player. These singers sang Christmas carols and they had the most blended voices I ever heard in my life. Their singing took my breath away. I wanted to sing someday like that,” Georgina said. Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk said when she was younger; they used to go to her Baba and Gido’s house, Mike and Annie Huley, near Chipman. Jackie’s Baba was a Pylypiw, a descendant of the first Ukrainian settlers in Canada. “We were going out to visit their farm and I remember as a young child waiting in anticipation for the first star to show up in the sky so we could have Baba’s delicious perogies. I would only have the blueberry ones. They had a two room house; it just had a small upstairs. It was basically a kitchen/living room/bedroom, and I, and my 24 cousins would all be lined up. My mother had nine brothers and sisters and they all had spouses. We would be on the floor, on their bed, we would be everywhere. I don’t know how everyone fitted into the house but for some reason, we were able to fit in it. I also remember my Gido used to put wheat under the table and he would explain how this would depict the manger. I used to help make the blueberry perogies and they would come apart where there were blueberries floating in the pot afterwards. I also remember one year my uncle dressed up as Santa Claus. Since there were so many of us, they used to give us $2 or $5. But this time, they gave us oranges and ribbon candies in a bag. I also recall going to midnight mass and being so tired, but it was so nice to get together with everyone,” added Jackie.
A D V E RT I S E Y O U R H O M E B U S I N E S S H E R E
JUST $50 for 13 weeks
DALE’S LAWN CARE
GRASS CUTTING FLOWER BEDS SNOW REMOVAL Vegreville - 780.915.9046
Gayle Speidel www.GayleSpeidel.norwex.biz
780-543-9768
Vegreville & Area
Mundare Salon & Barber 780-221-7193
Kerry Beitz
Owner / Hairstylist
Walk-ins Welcome
5216 - 50 St. Mundare, AB
A Class 5 Driving School
Wayne Billingsley Instructor
780-603-3702
vegrevilledriverstraining@gmail.com
vegrevilledrivingschool.com
780-632-6727 4830 - 54 St., Vegreville
Across from Galleria Mall
With Prices to suit Seniors NO G.S.T.
Your Ad Here Call 780-632-2861 to book your home directory ad space.
Yardvark Snow Removal -Snow Clearing/Removal -Residential Sidewalks/Driveways -Commercial Sidewalks/Parking Lots -Bobcat Loader -Rotating Broom/Bucket -Snow Blower -Dump Trailer -Backpack Blower
Wayne Neufeld 780-603-8186
The Sound Choice CUSTOM EAR PLUGS
By appointment only Call Alan 780-632-9762 email: MJHearing@yahoo.ca
How to Maintain your Home’s Curb Appeal in Winter
Do you want to put your house on the market this winter? If so, you’ll need to make sure the cold, dreary weather doesn’t detract from your property’s curb appeal. Here’s how to give potential buyers a great first impression. • Paint your front door. This is a simple way to make
your home stand out. A bold colour like blue, red or yellow is sure to pop against a snowy landscape. • Update your number and mailbox. Replace peeling sticker numbers and a rusty mailbox with quality pieces that match the style of your home’s exterior. • Spruce up your outdoor lighting. Since the days are short in winter, illuminating your home should be a top priority. The warm glow of light from wall sconces or a porch chandelier will improve your home’s appearance and visibility. • Add colour to your yard. Plant evergreens, frost-resistant flowers and shrubs with colourful stems and berries to liven up your winter landscaping and make your property more inviting. • Clear a path to the door. You’ll want to ensure your property is safe for buyers to visit. Remember to keep surfaces free of snow and ice, especially before an open house. For more expert tips on selling your home in winter, consult a local real estate agent.
Farm Land For Sale
Page 7
Happy New Year!
4808 54 ST
4920 51 AVE
5325 45 ST
4914 48 AVE
4904 51 AVE
5313 49 AVE
$69,000
$159,900
$168,000
$214,900
$217,000
$219,500
CUTE BUNGALOW MLS E4265234
FAMILY HOME MLS E4267442
HUGE LOT MLS E4262291
HUGE GARAGE MLS E4236411
2 LOTS MLS E4266104
IMMACULATE MLS E4204513
Innisfree
Holden
Vegreville
Vegreville
Lavoy
Vegreville
Laura Danilak Realtor
780 632 1376
Elite
Office: 780 464 4100 lauradanilak@remax.net
www.lauradanilak.com
