MorningStar
The
S2 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
www.vernonmorningstar.com
WINTER WONDERLAND Warm wishes for a Christmas season full of love and laughter.
Keep your Christmas-heart open all the year round. ~Jessica Archmint
The Management and Staff of Little Tex would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for your support over the last 20 years 3302B - 29th Street, Vernon 250-558-1919
T hank You! Beachcomber Home Leisure would like to thank the North Okanagan for your support throughout the year.
The Management and Staff at Beachcomber Home Leisure would like to wish each and every one of you a Happy Holiday Season! We look forward to seeing you in 2012.
“The foundation of every successful business is its customers”
5309 26th Street, Vernon
BEACHCOMBER
250-542-3399
Home Leisure
NATALIA VIGNOLA/ MORNING STAR
Haylee Mackintosh (above), three, excitedly takes in all the action and activities going on around her during the Winter Wonderland Light Up at Predator Ridge Resort. Cali Schmidt, two, puts the finishing touches on her reindeer hat during the Winter Wonderland Light Up at Predator Ridge.
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S3
www.vernonmorningstar.com
We would like to wish our friends, families and members all the best this Holiday Season.
VICTORIAN COOKING
Vernon Branch • 910 - 4400 32nd Street, Vernon, BC 250.550.7500 • www.prospera.ca
Warmest Holiday Wishes From all of your friends at Askews. We value your business and wish you all the best this holiday season and in the New Year.
NATALIA VIGNOLA/MORNING STAR
Elisabeth Daldrup and Berthold Schroeter take their turn at roasting marshmallows over an open fire during the Victorian Christmas event at O’Keefe Ranch.
An angel without wings H.L. ATKINS For The Morning Star
After hanging the last ornament on the Christmas tree, Emilee stepped back and stood beside her father. “We’re done, Daddy.” Her father scooped her up in his arms. “Not yet my little angel.” Emilee looked at the tree with a thoughtful frown. Her father said, “What’s the matter…my… little…angel, can’t you see what’s missing?” Emilee glanced up at the top of the tree and then looked into her father’s eyes, moving her face closer and closer until their foreheads touched. “We forgot the Christmas angel!” “That’s right!” Her father spun around several times before dumping Emilee in a giggling heap on the sofa. Then he stood on a chair and attached the silver-winged angel to the top of the tree. “What do you think, Emilee?” “She’s beautiful, Daddy.” While her father packed a large cardboard box with the bits and pieces leftover from decorating the tree, Emilee sat on the sofa gazing up at the angel. When her father returned from taking the cardboard box downstairs, Emilee said: “I don’t think we should leave Santa any cookies.” “Why not?” “If Santa eats too many cookies, he might get stuck in a chimney.” “That’s never happened to him before.” “I think we should leave something for the reindeers instead.” “All right. I bet they like carrots.” “Yeah, carrots would be good. Reindeers don’t eat cookies do they, Daddy?” “They might, but carrots would be better for them.” Emilee nodded in agreement. Emilee watched as her father vacuumed up the pine needles that had fallen on the carpet. As soon as he turned off the noisy machine she asked, “Why don’t all children get presents from Santa?” “Well, some families don’t celebrate Christmas. Why are you asking?” “One of the Christmas songs says Santa always knows if you’ve been bad or good. He puts your name on a list. And if you’re bad he won’t give you a present.” “That’s just a song, Sweetie. Someone wrote those words to be funny…sorta like playful teasing. Santa
brought me presents and I wasn’t always good when I was your age.” Emilee reached for her doll and held Hannah tightly in her arms. Her father was returning to the room after putting the vacuum cleaner away when Emilee blurted out, “I want to give Hannah to Santa.” Her father sat down on the sofa. “You want to give Hannah away? Hannah is your favourite doll.” “Daddy, I love Hannah so much…that’s why I want to give her to somebody else.” “I don’t understand.” “If I give Hannah to Santa, Santa can give Hannah to someone who isn’t going to get a present. Someone who isn’t…won’t have anyone to love on Christmas morning. Can we Daddy? Please.” “Sure we can, if that’s what you want.” “Do we leave Hannah with the carrots?” “Let’s see….Oh, I know. We’ll take Hannah downtown and leave her with the people who work in the Salvation Army building. They will tell Santa they have a gift waiting for him. On Christmas Eve Santa and his reindeer will stop there and pick up Hannah. Santa will know a special girl who will love having Hannah to play with.” “Daddy, why do you have tears in your eyes?” “Because you’re a real Christmas angel.” “I’m not an angel, Daddy, I don’t have any wings.” Merry Christmas to All!
The holiday season is the perfect time to thank all our friends and clients for their continued support. We appreciate your business.
ARMSTRONG REGIONAL COOPERATIVE Serving the North Okanagan and Shuswap areas since 1922
Tel: 1.888.535.2667
Country Court Mall, Armstrong 250-546-3039 www.askewsfoods.com
Bill & Ardel Weins would like to thank their customers for the support shown to us over the past year.
We wish all a Merry Christmas and continued prosperity in the New Year
VERNON HOBBY CENTRE
1011 Kal Lake Road, Vernon, BC TUESDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM
250-542-8232
Season’s Greetings Wishing you all a joyous holiday season Real Estate On The Move
Darcy Sochan
Personal Service You Can Count On
250-306-5579
Executives Realty Ltd.
Shelley Duggan
250-550-5570
S4 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
Christmas apples MURIEL ATKINSON SANDERSON For The Morning Star
My Dad, Jerry Atkinson, served in France and Belgium during the First World War. One of his very appreciative memories included the retelling of a Christmas time story. During the First World War, in all the cold and wet and muddy awfulness of that war, at Christmas time they would receive, in the Front Lines, boxes of McIntosh apples from the Coldstream Ranch, Vernon, B.C. What a thrill for my dad, when, more than 50 years later, in 1966, he came to live with us in Vernon,
www.vernonmorningstar.com
CHRISTMAS ANGELS
home of the Coldstream Ranch! After that war, Christmas became family time on a farm in northern Alberta. Even when there was not enough money for presents, there was always a Christmas tree with home-made decorations, and the Christmas stockings. We children would wake, and excitedly head for those stockings. Amongst the little things in each stocking would be a huge deep red McIntosh apple. And, to this day our children and grandchildren find, along with their Christmas stocking stuffers, a very red McIntosh apple.
Holiday Greetings From Our Family To Yours
§
May a circle of family, friends and good cheer surround you during this magical season.
With warmth in our hearts, we thank you for your kind support.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Invis Mortgage brokers Tanya Cederholm (from left), Jeremy Schaffner and Dawn Stephanishin help deliver more than $4,900 worth of new clothing and supplies to the Vernon Women’s Transition House and Salvation Army, as part of the national Angels in the Night charity foundation. The money was raised at the Vernon office.
A 1950 Christmas NANCY VISSER For The Morning Star
2103 48th Avenue, Vernon (beside Geniers) • 250-260-3281
May you and your family be surrounded by love this holiday season.
VILLAGE GREEN CENTRE • 250-545-4944 380 ALEXANDER STREET NE - SALMON ARM • 250-832-8040
w w w. j c b r a d l e y j e w e l l e r s . c o m
It was in a clapboard house on an old homestead in northern Alberta that a young mother’s tears poured freely down her face, dripping into the fruitcake batter she was stirring, adding one of the elements of blood, sweat and tears that homesteaders lived with on a daily basis. Her husband Bob, a cat skinner, had just left her with the news that he would have to stay in camp and work in the bush at Christmas time, leaving her home alone with their passel of seven kids on Christmas day. She knew they needed the money but why at Christmas did he have to go? Usually Florence heard the shouts and laughter of her kids as they hurried down the long driveway after the school bus dropped them off but so engrossed was she in her misery and noisy sniffles, it stifled the sounds. Her eldest, 12 year old Margaret, burst through the door, stopping dead in her tracks at the sight of her mother sobbing and stirring the batter. Florence quickly wiped her swollen eyes with the back of her hand and turned away, embarrassed that her daughter had caught her in such a state. As soon as she’d shed her coat and overshoes, Margaret hurried to her mother, concern written all over her young face. She circled her mother’s waist with her thin arms and begged to know what was wrong. There was no avoiding it, and Florence knew she’d best share with her daughter before the other children clamored through the door, waking the youngest from their naps. Margaret paled at the news and bravely did her best to comfort her mother before setting out milk and cookies for the other children. Florence busied herself with getting the fruitcakes in the oven and cleaning up while the children chattered on about their day at school, getting louder and louder with excitement about the Christmas holiday break in a couple of weeks and about the snow forts they’d build for snowball fights with their cousins. As they sat around the big kitchen table chattering and teasing the little ones, the youngsters
“She wondered how she was going to tell her kids there wouldn’t be any presents under the tree.” — Florence never noticed the quiet that had descended on their mother and sister. The days flew by with Florence extra busy covering off the morning chores Bob would have taken care of were he home. There were the chickens, a few pigs, the family cow and that blasted old sheep Bob kept around for his father who just couldn’t bring himself to get rid of the last one when the old folks moved into town. The pathetic old thing was matted with clumps of snow and bleated sadly whenever it thought anyone was listening. The boys did the evening chores but the morning chores always made for a late start at baking bread, laundry, and a dozen other things that needed to be done every day to keep the home fires burning. The old cook stove and potbelly heater were always as hungry for wood as the kids were for food, and those two chores alone kept one busy. Florence slipped briefly out the back door to fetch wood from the box by the back steps, and quickly reentered the warmth of the house. She tossed the frost covered blocks into the stove and listened to the sizzle as the flames engulfed them. She stood back, worry lines creasing her beautiful face as she wondered how she was going to tell her kids there wouldn’t be any presents under the tree when they woke up Christmas morning. She had no way to travel the 20 miles into the post office to collect a parcel and she couldn’t tell them that.
See MOST MEMORABLE on S5
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S5
www.vernonmorningstar.com
Christ brings hope in my darkest hour MURIEL SANDERSON For The Morning Star
It was September 4, 1998. My husband would be discharged from Foothills Hospital in a few days, where he had spent the past three months. We had been vacationing in the Calgary area, when he suddenly suffered a severe condition (another story). He would not be discharged from hospital until I had found an apartment for us to live. We were told that accommodation was almost impossible to find. However, after
“You are not alone.” — a voice only two phone calls, I was able to secure a small bright apartment near Chinook Mall, which was what we wanted. The only furniture we had was our folding canvas chairs and TV tables, small microwave, dishes, and mattresses and bedding from our camper van. Fridge and stove came with the apartment. The day that I
removed all of these things from our van, including our clothing, and arranged them in the apartment, I had a very strange experience. I was ready to head back to the hospital, and as I stepped out into the hallway, I was suddenly overcome by an over-whelming sense of loneliness. It was so heavy, I felt I would sink to the floor.
I knew that I could not allow that to happen, so I just kept on walking. I opened the doors and stepped into the entrance way. As those doors closed behind me, a soft, gentle voice spoke to my mind, saying “You are not alone.” I knew that it did not mean I was not alone because my husband was still alive and recovering. It was more than that. It was much more than that! As I realized that possibility, the awful heaviness lifted, and I felt so free!
I opened the front doors, walked out into the bright sunshine, and headed for the hospital. Sometime later, during the Christmas season, words of a Church sermon gave me an insight that had never occurred to me before: the relationship between December 21
(the shortest day of the year) and December 25, Christmas. The period surrounding December 21 is the darkest time of the year. But, in that darkest time, Christmas - The Christ - comes to us, with His message of comfort and hope! Just as He came across the water to his disciples
Warm Wishes To our Families, Friends and Clients Clients. Thank You for your support this past year and we look forward serving you in the New Year.
Most memorable Christmas Continued from S4 Her eyes welled up with tears and she turned away so her three year old wouldn’t see them. If only they’d been able to afford a telephone perhaps she could have called one of her brothers. Well, she could still fill the children’s stockings with homemade candy and popcorn balls and that would have to do. She choked back more tears at the thought. A worried glance passed between Florence and Margaret Christmas eve as they helplessly watched the children’s excitement build and then deflate as they listened to their mother advise that Santa couldn’t come this year. One could tell they didn’t really believe her as they whispered amongst themselves, trying to hide their grins as they chased each other up the stairs to bed. Finally Margaret kissed her mother goodnight and headed listlessly up the stairs, glancing unhappily over her shoulder at her mother who was shoving more wood into the stove. Alone with her thoughts Florence sipped a hot cup of tea and mused glumly about the parcel from Eaton’s, the contents of which she should have been distributing under the branches of the sparsely decorated tree. She glanced up at the beautiful, tattered angel adorning the top and snorted to herself as her cheeks wetted with tears.
Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
It was so quiet in the house now with the children asleep that she was able to hear the car wheels crunching on the frosty snow as it slowly made its way down the driveway. Who the blazes could that be she wondered. For a moment her heart fluttered, thinking that by some miracle Bob had made it home but when she looked out the window it wasn’t his car but her brother’s that illuminated the driveway. Somehow, he had heard she was alone with the kids and it occurred to him to run into town after work and check the post office as he knew there was no way his sister could do it and that was how most folks did their Christmas shopping in the far north. There was a parcel alright and after going home to do his chores, have dinner and spend Christmas eve with his own family, he’d gone out into the cold, bitter sub-zero night, knowing he’d be travelling 40 miles each way to make sure his sister and her children would wake up to a happy Christmas morning. Her brother entered the room with a wide grin and scooted the parcel across the floor towards her as Florence flew into his arms, thanking him profusely. She joyfully shared a cup of tea and Christmas cake with him before he headed out into the clear, crisp night for the long drive home. Thanks Santa, she whispered in his ear as she softly closed the door behind him. And that’s what made Christmas 1950 the most memorable of all!
May health, peace and happiness be with you this Holiday Season
~Peg Bracken.
Eric Foster MLA Vernon - Monashee Deputy Government Caucus Whip
250-503-3600
in their boat in rough seas. He spoke, calming both their fears and the waves. Was it Christ who spoke to me, between those doorways, in that darkest hour? If it was, then The good news is, what wondrous comfort and hope there is for us all. Thanks be to God.
4 LOC LLOCATIONS OC IN VERNON TO SERVE E YOU YOU 399005 32 St 3905 250-2 0 2260-3533 260 3533 250-260-3533
14 - 2601 Hwy 6 250-260-7740
5205-25th Ave 250-260-5922
2501 501 58 Ave 50 260 6583 50-260-6583 250-260-6583
ay this M Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh & bright New Year!
wishing Here’s you & your family Faith & Happy Holidays!
Always Great Food & Good Times! 4513 - 25th Ave, Vernon • 250-542-9222
S6 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
Peace on Earth
www.vernonmorningstar.com
SEASONAL SHOPPING
May the magic of Christmas bring peace and happiness and surround you with those you love. For your business we are truly grateful and for your friendship we feel doubly blessed.
Little Kingdom Gas Bar & Grocery 11284 Westside Road, Vernon 250-545-2515 Warm wishes, smiles on every face and special moments with friends and family. To all of our customers and friends, we wish a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your loyal support
Merry Christmas
To Our Many Good Friends This Holiday Season
I
n the course of doing business this past year, we feel blessed to have made many new acquaintances, while enjoying the opportunity to serve many of you whom we know so well.
F
or this privilege we are grateful, and wish you all a very merry Christmas filled with glad tidings from beginning to end.
SHEPHERD’S HARDWARE Great Price, Friendly Advice
3525 Mill Street ARMSTRONG, BC 1-888-546-3002 250-546-3002
STORE S TORE E HO H HOU HOURS: OURS: URS RS: Mond Monday M ondday ttoo Sa Saturday S turd t day 8 am m - 6 ppm Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
DIETER’S AUTO SERIVCE 4705 - 31ST Street, Vernon Locally Owned & Operated
250-545-2980
NATALIA VIGNOLA/ MORNING STAR
Taliah Bellman (top), seven, browses through some scented candles made by Kelowna’s Soy Natural during Shoparama at the Vernon Recreation Centre. Pat Devlin checks out a beautiful hand made pottery serving bowl as Valdis Vilks of Anita Studios talks up the finer details.
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S7
www.vernonmorningstar.com
READY TO GOBBLE Wondrous Wishes SUBMITTED PHOTO
There wasn’t any shortage of turkey at the Kindale Community Christmas Lunch thanks to the generosity of community supporter Vantage One and Gumtree Catering for preparing the birds. Chefs Christopher Davy and Steve Quibell, along with Sarah Pruckl from Gumtree Catering, display the turkeys.
A Christmas tree plea Since my life began as a seedling years ago, I have existed for one primary purpose – to spread joy and holiday cheer during the Christmas season. Being the center of attention comes and goes as the decorations go up and come down, but are you aware of just how brief my life cycle is? It all starts with my production in a nursery. When I’m old enough, I’m cut down, fastened to a vehicle and transported to the home of a loving family where I’m decorated and put on display. For the duration of the holiday season, I’m the main feature of family gatherings and I always take centre stage on Christmas morning. But when the holiday season ends and Christmas decorations are put back in storage, I’ll be left out in the cold. The final stage of my life will involve being sent to a landfill where I’ll slowly decompose . . . or worse, go to an incinerator to meet a fiery death. I’m speaking out to say that it doesn’t have to end like this. Mi l l i o n s of Canadians will have a Christmas tree this year, but many don’t recognize that I and thousands of my fellow tree friends can be recycled and put to greater use. Adding to this bad news for us trees, one in three Canadians
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Make recycling your Christmas tree just as much of a tradition as enjoying it. aren’t even sure if a tree recycling program exists in their community. To my relief and that of thousands of natural
Christmas trees across the country, there are ways we can be re-used long after the holiday season has come and gone.
The best thing to do with your tree after Christmas has passed is to recycle it. You can recycle me through tree mulching and recycling programs, which are both fast-growing practices across Canada. Once trees are recycled, we can be turned into erosion barriers, garden mulch and can even be used to create feeding grounds for lake fish. Christmas trees aren’t just a symbol for cheer and tradition; we can be recycled to have a tangible, positive affect on the environment long after the holiday season is over. For more information on Christmas tree recycling programs in your community, or more ways to help you reduce waste and help the environment, please consult www.wmcanada.com or your community’s works department.
May the Holiday Season fill your home with joy, your heart with love & your life with laughter. Serving the Greater Okanagan area!
Renovations & Flooring
• TILE • CARPET • HARDWOOD
Duane Vankeimpema 250.938.2994 www.jaydeeassociates.com • duanesin@telus.net
Thank you for the continued support this past year. Seasons Greetings &a Happy New Year from...
For a joyous & safe holiday season to every person we have had the privilege to serve this year.
Fareed & Ziba
#106 3334 30th Ave. Downtown Vernon (Next to Welk-Mart) • (250)545-7997
Stan, Renee, Brian, Bobby-Jo
SURG-MED LTD “Leader in Health Care Products”
250-549-7288 1-866-942-7288 4206 25th Ave., Vernon www.pgsurgmed.com
MORE POWER TO YOU AT CHRISTMAS! We’re wishing you and yours a bright and shining holiday season! To our valued customers: In lieu of gifts, we have contributed to the food banks of the area.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS INDUSTRIAL • MAINTENANCE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • BUDGETS • AUTOMATION
VERNON, BC (250) 545-3254 • www.1and2electric.com
A Division of 1 & 2 Electric Ltd. DATA • VOICE • FIBEROPTICS • AUTOMATION WIRELESS • CCTV • POWER QUALITY (250) 545-3254 • Vernon, BC www.1and2electric.com
S8 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
www.vernonmorningstar.com
The miracle manger LINDA LISCHEWSKI For The Morning Star
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, let us not forget all our loyal patrons and friends. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from these Armstrong businesses! CIBC Armstrong wishes you a
Happy Healthy Holiday Season! WINES • CIDERS • COOLERS • BEER
REVERSE OSMOSIS SELF-SERVE WATER
Both At One Location! 2545 Patterson Ave. 250-546-6954 www.armstrongwineandbrew.com
A Growing Nursery in the Okanagan
the spring! n i u o y e e S
1871 Pleasant Valley Rd.
~ Handmade Swiss chocolates ~ Swiss style Gingerbread OPEN SUNDAY, DEC. 18 • 11AM - 4PM
Peter & Jolanda Rotzetter 6 - 3495 Pleasant Valley Rd 250.546.2886
Armstrong Machine Shop Ltd.
Propane Solutions - Unparalleled Service
• Manufacturer of Gravel Dump Boxes & Flat Decks • Equipment Repair
1791 Eagle Rock Rd. 250-546-3422
250-546-3081
Patricia Paterson Chartered Accountant
health, Wishing you and happiness 2012 prosperity in
2850 Wood Avenue 250.546.4014
Armstrong Dental Centre Dr. Preethi Trussell and staff 2775 Wood Avenue
250-546-9811
WE ARE MOVING after Christmas to the Armstrong Towne Centre 3495 Pleasant Valley Road and re-opening Jan. 3rd Thanks to everyone for supporting local business 250-546-0087
Happy Holidays! We are proud to be W part of the Armstrong Community
It was the day before Christmas. Sitting at their kitchen table were a sad Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their two younger children, Susie and Benny. It was with puzzled eyes that they were examining a very quaint-looking nativity set. Mr. Jones had found it in the attic about a week after the family had moved into the large old house at the beginning of November. The move had been such a happy time for the growing family. But how quickly had their joy turned to sorrow. Eleven-year-old Emma suddenly became ill and she was hospitalized with the prognosis being very grave. Now the family examined the nativity scene, though its workmanship was rough, it was oddly attractive with a mysterious appeal. It was only about 10 inches high and although the paint had faded, the figures were still quite easily discerned. The five figures were carved from bone, Mary holding the Christ child on her lap, a sailor playing a mouth organ, and angel, and the fifth, a manger stuffed with hay that strangely enough smelled as sweet and fresh as the day it was mown. Mrs. Jones reached out to touch it and discovered a small, flat drawer in which lay carefully folded pages of a manuscript, yellowed and mildewed with age. “What is this? A letter? Maybe it will tell us something about this strange nativity set,” she said. Mr. Jones spread them out on the table in front of him, scanning the script of a by-gone day. “This is very old. It’s a letter dated March 16, 1953,”
he began to read: To you, the finder of this manger and manuscript — if the narrative you are about to read may seem strange, if not even improbable, I do indeed understand. However, I know it to be true, for I experienced it. And so I ask that you do not falter in perusing it, but bear with me until the end to reserve judgment. My name is Jonathan Croft of London. By trade I am a simple sailor earning my way in the world by shipping out on whaling vessels. In the year of Our Lord 1852, in the month of December, I found myself employed aboard The Raven under Captain Spearing’s command. After hunting in the Atlantic for a considerable time without gleaning our quota of oil, we sailed further south and encountered a fierce gale and were blown off course to the Bermuda Triangle, that treacherous expanse of water where ships mysteriously disappear. Surrounded now by a calm sea, we set to repairing the rigging and on the third day we sighted a ship off starboard. As she came closer, displaying her British colours, we saw that she was The Duchess, a merchant vessel upon which my brother Matthew was employed. Hailing us, her first mate sent a message that my brother lay dying. Requesting a transfer to The Duchess, I was met with a stern refusal, my captain being a bear of a man with excellent sailing sense but a heart pickled in brine.
See A MEMORABLE on S9
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S9
www.vernonmorningstar.com
A memorable Christmas morning Continued from S8 “All I ask is that I see my brother for an hour or two. Have ye no sympathy, sir?” “Sympathy?” scoffed Captain Spearing. “Aye, I sympathize with ye, but abandoning my ship is abandoning my command and that’s passive mutiny which I will not allow.” I resolved to leave with or without the captain’s blessing, and so that night I lowered one of the boats and made my way to The Duchess. I suddenly had a most peculiar feeling of dread for I had lost my sense of direction. I could not see the ship towards which I was rowing , nor could I see The Raven from which I has just debarked. It seemed as though a thunderstorm might erupt, yet there was not a cloud in the sky. A flash of light engulfed me and though I was still sitting in my boat, I was no longer at sea. I now found myself on land, surrounded by
low hills among which nestled a small town which stood a wondrous star of the first magnitude. Shining beings of light swept across the sky, their voices blending in glorious song. As I sat staring in awe, one of the beings soared down beside me. I realized I was looking on an angel. Then, ere I could bethink myself, he had taken hold of my arm, turning toward the town. I have no recollection of the passage of time. I found myself standing at the entrance to a stable. “Bethlehem. The mysterious energy of the Bermuda Triangle has somehow transported me back in time to Bethlehem.” I entered the stable. On bended knee, I looked upon the sleeping Christ child, so tiny, so beautiful. When presently he awoke, Mary, giving me a most beautiful smile, placed him on her lap. “Take a handful of the hay,” said the angel. “It will help your brother. It will heal him. Lay it
upon his brow.” I reached into the manger taking some of the hay which was still warm from where the child had lain and tied it safely into my handkerchief. “And what can I give in return,” I asked, humbly bowing my head in gratitude. “Play a tune on your mouth organ,” came the reply. All I knew were mainly sea shanties which I deemed inappropriate for the occasion. The angel smiled and I played sever toetapping tunes which were indeed enjoyed by all present. Mysteriously, the angel returned me to my boat and to the sea. It was still dark. Thinking my experience a dream, I reached into my coat for my handkerchief, expecting to find it folded but it was indeed filled with sweetsmelling hay. I resumed rowing and reached the vessel on which my brother lay dying. Gently I touched his bearded cheek, calling his name. Then taking the hay from my coat,
held it to his brown, his hands, and then again to his brow. With a deep sigh, Matthew slowly opened his eyes. “By the great head of leviathan, but I’m hungry!” he roared with a loud laugh and sitting up in his berth amazed the crew member who had just witnessed a miracle. I remained aboard The Duchess and in the spring of 1853 I chanced one day upon a derelict and salvaging some of the planks, built this stable and manger to house this precious hay. The figure I carved out of whale bone. May this miracle manger be a blessing to anyone who is ill, in despair, or bereft. Signed, Jonathan Croft, London. For a moment after Mr. Jones had finished reading the letter, no one spoke. Mrs. Jones said, “Oh, Bill. Do you believe this? Is it possible? If so, this manger could help Emma.” “It’s a fantastic tale and wonderful if true,
but...” he was interrupted by a phone call from the hospital asking the family to come to say their good-byes to Emma. Mrs. Jones was the first to enter Emma’s room, carrying an old wooden box from which she carefully withdrew the manger, placing it beside her dying child’s bed. How pale Emma looked, how small, how laboured her breathing. With the family gath-
ered around, Mrs. Jones gently held some of the hay to her daughter’s forehead, then her cheeks, her hand, then once more to her brow. Nothing seemed to happen. Once again Mrs. Jones placed the sweetsmelling hay on Emma’s hands. It was then that the little girl heaved a deep sigh and with her breathing finally resuming a normal, gentle rhythm, she opened her
eyes. When she saw her parents and siblings, her face lit up in a smile. Emma had indeed recovered. The joyful family spent the rest of the day with her. The medical staff was puzzled but allowed Emma to go home the next day. And so, Christmas morning, the Jones family brought home a happy, rosy-cheeked Emma to the most joyous Christmas they had ever known.
Season’s Greetings On behalf of Council and Staff, May you have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season
Season’s Greetings from
Hogarth’s Clinic Pharmacy Todd Dew, owner and pharmacist at Hogarth’s Clinic Pharmacy, wishes to extend a holiday greeting from the friendly folks at Hogarth’s. They hope you have the merriest holiday ever! As you take time out to enjoy the holidays with friends and family, please remember the less fortunate. Hogarth’s Clinic Pharmacy is supporting the Salvation Army and would like to encourage you to do what you can this holiday season, with monetary donations, donations to the food bank or volunteer for the kettle drive.
HOGARTH’S CLINIC PHARMACY LTD.
3310 - 32nd Avenue, Vernon • 250-545-3660
S10 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S11
S12 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
www.vernonmorningstar.com
FESTIVAL FARE
EXECUTIVES REALTY LTD.
250-307-7318 • www.mikesandstra.com
Peace
Hope
May you
enjoy all the blessings this wonderful time of year has to offer.
Your generosity and support have meant so much to us.
NATALIA VIGNOLA/ MORNING STAR
We send the joy of Christmas to you & your loved ones.
Season’s eason’s Greetings. reetings.
Merry Christmas
ADRIATIC
from Mayor, Council and Staff
GRANITE & MARBLE WORKS LTD. #3 - 8106 Highland Place, Vernon, BC V1B 3W6 250-545-2028 • Toll Free: 1-866-545-2028
www.adriaticgranite.com
to the Residents of Lumby & Area. We will be closed for the holidays from December 23rd - noon - opening 8 a.m. January 2nd, 2012
Molly Boyd accompanies the All Saints Anglican Church Choir during the Vernon Rotary Carol Festival at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S13
www.vernonmorningstar.com
Celebrating Norwegian traditions Note: This is a story written by my Mom. She passed away seven years ago and upon going through some of her papers I discovered this story. I was compelled to submit it as I know she would have been thrilled. – Judy Albrecht LAUVIE HANSEN For The Morning Star
I grew up in Northern Manitoba along with my sister and three brothers and our parents who always celebrated in their Norwegian Christmas traditions. There was no power and the closest big general store was 100 miles away in Winnipeg, so we really learned how to make all the Christmas tree decorations and improvised on everything possible. Our Christmases were always such jubilant times. It seemed we began preparing for Christmas about nine months before. Every spring we’d select red willows thickest branches and cut them into six-inch lengths for it was in the spring of the year that the sap was loose and runny. We’d cut as many as we’d need for candles for our Christmas tree. Each six-inch piece we’d tap lightly and roll round and round in our hands until the inside wood would let go from the bark. These round barks we’d save until they were dried or cured. Then we’d help our Mom (mess and all) make Christmas candles from rendering a tallow mixture and pouring it into the dried round willow tube bark to set. We made wicks from seaming twine from our Dad’s fish nets by cutting the twine about seven inches long and rolled into soft wax and then centred into each candle carefully and allowed to set for several months before peeling off the red willow bark and seeing such pretty and variegated coloured candles. Our Dad would make candle holders that would be clamped and tied to the Christmas tree branches We also gathered wild hazel nuts in September for part of our Christmas treats. Some years we weren’t able to get many as the
SUBMITTED ILLUSTRATION
A family dances and sings carols around the tree on Christmas Eve. squirrels had beaten us to them. We gathered wild rose bush buds and wild moss berries that grew in swampy places, which was part of our treat to go with either our stuffed wild goose or mallard ducks. Dad would take us kids by dog team in the carry-all toboggan to choose our Christmas tree. We always tried to choose a tree that would have extra-ripe spruce gum, which, when chewed would turn into lovely pink colour (no sugar). This was an extra gift in itself as that was the only kind of gum us kids ever knew. We had a lot of work ahead making a chain of connected decorations to be draped around the Christmas tree. We made this by cutting paper strips from unlined scribblers or drawing books, threeinch by one-inch lengths and painting them
bright colours from our water paints, then gluing and joining each piece together chain-like with glue we had previously made from rendering down pickerel and perch fish scales and fins. It made the nicest glue and it didn’t show. We also made stars, angels and reindeer decorations from rolls of Dennison crepe paper. Then on Christmas Eve, when Mom and Dad and us kids finished decorating the Christmas tree, Mom would light up all the candles on the tree, and we would all join hands and dance and sing in Norwegian and English around the Christmas tree. Then we’d all have cocoa with Laffsa and Kringlar. We were allowed to open one gift each, usually a gift from our Mom and Dad. Then more dancing and singing around our
Christmas tree and having the thrill of seeing how many candles each one of us kids could blow out before being tucked into our beds. Christmas Day was such excitement and thrills. Dressing up in our Sunday best and seeing what gifts had been left by Santa for us. I remember well my first pair of skis one Christmas made from large wooden barrel staves with just a toe strap. I was five years old. What spills and thrills. On Boxing Day Mom and Dad would hitch up our dog team and tuck all us kids into the carryall long toboggan and we’d visit with our neighbours who lived about seven miles away. The Norwegian way, Mom would make our delicious rice pudding with raisins, eggs and milks and served with brown sugar and cinnamon. In the middle of the pudding Mom would make a well and put a large blob of butter in it. That always was our Boxing Day supper treat after Christmas day’s celebrations and hearty foods. On New Year’s Eve, there was always sleigh bell rides either by teams of horses and sleighs or dog teams with carryall toboggans and someone on skis and sing-alongs with people playing mouth organs and Hohner button key accordions. Now many Christmases later, everything is so electrified, but still beautiful and all
my large family grown, I look back and have good memories. I have journeyed long and far but I still love my Christmases and I am still playing my button key accordion and still making good memories. Many of my loved ones have passed on, but as one dies, another is born, and that is why we celebrate what we call Christmas.
May the warmth of this joyous season fill your heart with peace and happiness throughout the new year.
Season’s Greetings to You & Your Family!
H & T Nails
Professional nail care for ladies and gentlemen
778-475-0775 Railway Plaza #104 - 4710 31st St., Vernon
Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours 250.545.4455
vernon@nursenextdoor.com www.nursenextdoor.com
:H ZRXOG OLNH WR WKDQN RXU YDOXHG FXVWRPHUV IRU WKHLU FRQWLQXHG VXSSRUW RYHU WKH SDVW \HDU :H ZLVK \RX DQG \RXUV KHDOWK KDSSLQHVV WKURXJK WKLV KROLGD\ VHDVRQ LQWR WKH 1HZ <HDU S T O V E S • F I R E P L A C E S
W O O D • G A S • P E L L E T
%DUE 'DQ
Hagemann 250-545-1528 Jewellers Your Downtown Jeweller
3119 - 30th Ave. 2 doors up from the Royal Bank
7155 Meadowlark Rd. Vernon • 558-1668 WE ALSO SELL, INSTALL & SERVICE HEAT PUMPS & FURNACES
S14 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
Tom Meier’s strange Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas
ROSE VALENTINE
At this special time, it is our great pleasure to offer our best wishes for a joyful holiday.
For The Morning Star
Tom Meier sat in his big comfortable chair. His small house was neat and warm, but outside a nasty wind was howling. It was Christmas Eve. Old Tom sat there reminiscing about days gone by. He thought about Nellie, his wife, who died about three years ago. “Nellie,” he thought, and a tiny smile touched his face. “You were the sunshine of my life, old girl.”
Country West Supply farm & ranch supplies | pet food | bagged feed | tack & clothing
3155 Pleasant Valley Rd, Armstrong, BC (250) 546-9174 www.countrywestsupply.com
Wishing everyone peace and happiness this holiday season and best wishes for the New Year.
Rossworn Henderson LLP Chartered Accountants Tax Consultants
• Armstrong 250-546-8665 • Enderby 250-838-7337 • Salmon Arm 250-832-5129
Brian & Rachelle Albert & Natalie and the Staff at Zelaney Farms Would like to wish everyone a
Very Merry Christmas!
ZELANEY FARMS 5481 Petworth Rd., Coldstream 250-549-2436 www.zelaneyfarms.ca
’s n o s Sea ings! Greet
We’d like to deliver a load of best wishes to our patrons along with a bundle of thanks. Have a great Holiday!
www.vernonmorningstar.com
Your Gravel & Excavation Specialist Celebrating 67 years in business
9245 Kalamalka Rd. Coldstream, BC 250-545-5008
Tom heaved a big sigh and looked at the little Christmas tree he had decorated with colourful lights and some of Nellie’s most cherished ornaments. He didn’t care much about a tree these days, but Nellie had loved to decorate the Christmas tree and it was with her memory in mind that he kept up the tradition. Tom picked up a newspaper but couldn’t concentrate. He glanced at the clock. In half an hour the Christmas Eve service would start. Every year, Nellie and he had attended this service. He had never gone again after his wife died. Tom sat there impatiently drumming his fingers against the side of his chair. He suddenly felt a strange urge to go and attend the Christmas Eve service. He shook his head. Why go out in this miserable weather? Tom tried to read the paper again, but this feeling that he should go out gripped him even more now than before. Tom Meier got up, went to the closet and got his warm, fur-lined jacket out. “Why in the world am I doing this?” he wondered. “Must have lost my mind.” All bundled up now, he opened the door and an icy gust of wind hit his face and caused a fine blanket of snow covering the ground to swirl up high. He hesitated, but then started his walk to the church. It was almost as if an invisible hand was pushing him. Tom’s thoughts went back to memories of Nellie. On their walks together to church she
“I have a feeling the two of us are going to be real good buddies.” — Tom Meier had always tucked her arm firmly through his. Sometimes on an icy patch on the sidewalk, she had slipped and Tom quickly caught her before she could fall and hurt herself. Then they had both laughed like happy children. Without Nellie there was no laughter left in his life. Soon Tom reached the church. The warm glow from the colourful windows touched the snow and made it appear like magical rainbow colours. A welcoming, warm atmosphere embraced him as he entered. He took a seat in one of the pews and presently the service started. The Christmas story was read and carols were sung. Tom Meier’s thoughts circled back to Nellie. She had loved to listen to the Christmas story and with her sweet voice she had joined in the Christmas carols. Tom then sang along in his deep bass voice and Nellie would take his hand and gently squeeze it. A big tear slowly trickled down old Tom’s wrinkled cheek. Memories, memories — they flooded his mind like never before and it felt as if he could reach out and touch Nellie. The service had ended and Tom Meier was on his way home. The strong wind had turned into a bad storm, whistling and screech-
Wishing all our customers and friends a Merry Christmas
“We Fix Panes”
• Residential • Commercial Open 8am - 5pm • Auto Glass • Mirrors Monday to Saturday • Shower Doors 3415 OKANAGAN STREET, ARMSTRONG 250-546-8845 • 24 hr. Emergency Service 546-9611
ing around buildings and through tree tops. He pulled the collar of his jacket up high and walked briskly. Suddenly, Tom stopped. He thought he had heard a slight whimpering. Could this be a child or animal in trouble? Perhaps it was just the howling wind. He decided to keep walking but the pitiful sound could be heard stronger now. Tom decided to look around. In a nearby doorway, he spotted a little dog crouched in a corner. “My goodness,” he said. “Your people better let you in pretty soon out of this awful weather.” Tom thought to himself, “Why don’t people take better care of their animals.” Shrugging his shoulders, he started to walk on. But no sooner had he taken a few steps, when he heard the pitiful whimpering again — this time quite close to him. Tom turned around and there was the little creature right behind him. Tom now took a closer look at the whining little dog. “Can’t believe it,” he exclaimed. “You’re as skinny as can be. You don’t seem to have a home.” The dog looked up at Tom, whimpering. Tom bent down and picked up the pitiful little animal. “Can’t leave you out here,” he muttered. “But after Christmas, it’s to the shelter with you.” As soon as he cradled the dog in his arms, the whining stopped. After awhile the shaking from the cold ceased as well. Tom walked as quickly as he could to get out of the nasty cold and soon he reached the comfort of his warm, cozy home. Carefully, he put the dog down and told him, “Now, little fellow. I’m going to warm up some left-over stew for you. Oh, yes, and you’ll
also get a bowl of warm milk.” With that, Tom Meier got busy and soon the dog was enjoying the first meal he had eaten in quite awhile. Tom sat down in his comfortable chair again and reached for the paper. The little dog had finished everything that had been offered to him. When Tom looked up, the little guy stood right in front of him, then suddenly got up on his hind legs and turned around in a circle. Tom laughed out loud. “Well, how about that, you funny little clown!” he said and picked the dog up onto his lap. He realized that this was the first time since Nellie died that he had laughed. Tom stroked the dog’s thin, small body. Then he said, “You know, little fellow, I think we’ll forget all about that shelter. I have a feeling the two of us are going to be real good buddies.” He looked thoughtfully at the tail-wagging little guy. “There’s one thing left to do,” Tom said. “A cute dog like you surely needs a name. Now, what could it be?” Then he had an idea. “I’ve got it. You’ll by Stormy, since I found you on such a bad, stormy night.” And Stormy wagged his tail and answered with a happy, “yip, yap.” As Tom sat there caressing his new-found little friend, the events of the evening flashed through his mind again. The overwhelming urge he had felt to venture out in this horrible weather, the poor dog so badly in need of someone to take care of him. Suddenly a big smile lit up his whole face. “Nellie,” he thought. “Dear old girl. You’ve done it again. You always knew how to make your ol’ man happy. From the bottom of my heart — thank you, my sweet! You gave me the perfect Christmas gift.” And what about Nellie? She felt great joy knowing she had put some happiness, smiles and laughter back into dear old Tom’s life.
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S15
www.vernonmorningstar.com
STOCKING UP
We wish you a Merry Christmas & God’s richest blessing in the New Year. 5689 Hwy. 97 Falkland, BC • 250-379-2540
Here’s Hoping You Find Miles of Smiles And Happy Times This Holiday Season! NATALIA VIGNOLA/MORNING STAR
Terryn Thachuk grabs as much as she can carry from her favourite local food growers at the Christmas Farmer’s Market at the Vernon Recreation Centre.
Three gingerbread girls SOPHIA WASYLINKO For The Morning Star
Once upon a time, there were three gingerbread girls who lived in the Village of Sweets. The youngest was Ginger, the middle girl was Nutmeg, and the oldest was Sonya. They were nice and sweet. One day, the three girls decided to start a new life. They said goodbye to their parents and went to the Valley of Candy. Ginger made a house out of licorice and marshmallows. Nutmeg built a house out of gingerbread and chocolate. And Sonya constructed a house out of rocks and cement, decorating it to look like rock candy. Soon, after the girls had settled into their new homes, a big, bad fox came to Ginger’s house. He wanted to eat it, because it looked so good! The fox asked Ginger, “Will you please let me eat your house?” “No,” she said firmly. The fox was really angry. “I’ll eat it anyways!” he shouted, and bit off the roof. While he ate her home, Ginger ran to Nutmeg’s house, where she was eating lunch. “A fox ate my house, and will eat yours, too!” she cried. “Well, I won’t let him,” Nutmeg decided. So, she put a fan outside
her house and turned it on, hoping to blow the fox away. But, she forgot she needed an extension cord, and the fan didn’t work. While the fox chomped down the house, Ginger and Nutmeg ran to Sonya’s home as fast as their legs could go. Sonya greeted them courteously and listened calmly to their story. Just then, the fox came. He asked Sonya in a sweet voice, “Will you please spare me a piece of your house?” “No, I won’t,” she answered. The fox turned red with rage. Mistaking it for rock candy, the fox bit into the house and howled so much that the house shook. He’d
broken two of his teeth! “If I can’t eat it, I’ll kick it!” he yelled. He kicked it with his fore leg and howled again. He’d hurt his leg! Still howling, the
fox ran off and never bothered the girls again. So, Ginger, Nutmeg, and Sonya lived happily ever after. The end.
ur patronage, yo r fo u o y k n a h T re serving you this year! it has been a pleasu ing Looking forward to serv you in 2012!
...please don’t drink & drive!
Call us for a safe ride home...
Vernon Taxi
Capitol Taxi
250-545-3337
250-545-1355
Wishing you all a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year.
Terry Baptist
BANNISTER 4703 - 27th Street, Vernon BC • 250-545-0606
www.bannisters.com
Roswitha, Erwin & Carol
Our Sincere Best Wishes for a Safe, Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
Erwin & Roswitha Schuster along with Carol Sommerfeld, the office staff at Sunshine Autobody (Vernon) Limited understand that an accident can be an upsetting inconvenience and we will help to get your vehicle back on the road while offering quality repairs & service in our modern State of the Art shop.
Sunshine Autobody (Vernon) 4504 - 29th Street, Vernon (250) 542-4811 Located just behind the Vernon Canadian Tire.
REALTOR® EXECUTIVES REALTY LTD.
Cell 250-306-5351 • christianacentury21.com
Season’s Greetings From Our Pack to Yours
K9
BOARDING AVAILABLE
Care & Grooming
Kind and Gentle Care
Pet & Show Grooming
Joy & Stu 30 Yrs. Experience
2813 - B, 35th St., Vernon, BC
250.545.8054
S16 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
Peace and Love Bright Christmas stars shine on high, Golden stars in the wint’ry sky; Christmas candles in windows bright Send a greeting into the night ~Marie Irish
BROWN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
www.vernonmorningstar.com
HELPING OUT SANTA
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Hillview Elementary School vice-principal Colleen Harvie (left) and principal Marilyn Merler load up the car with toys from the Vernon Principals’ And Vice-Principals’ Association’s Christmas Party, earmarked for Santas Anonymous. Each participant bought a toy for the person whose name they drew that they would have liked to have had as a child.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year From the staff at Locally owned & operated since 1994
Residential • Commercial
#3 - 4311 25th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 1P5 • 250.542.9932
TEAM EFFORT NATALIA VIGNOLA/ MORNING STAR
Vernon Coca-Cola Midget Tier 2 Vipers (from left) Taylor Hamilton-Gee, Brandon Rysen, Travis Churchill and Kenny Batke proudly show all the food they and their teammates managed to collect to contribute to the Realtors Food Drive.
www.okanaganprewire.com • Mon.- Fri. 8am - 4:30pm
SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER LISA VANDERVELDE/ MORNING STAR
Don MacLeod (right), Kalamalka Highlanders pipe major, presents $2,957 to Rick Trehearne, president of Santas Anonymous. The money was raised at the annual Santas Anonymous Pub Crawl they do with their junior band, the Arran Campbell Memorial Youth Pipe Band. They visit pubs and restaurants in Vernon and Armstrong in small bands collecting donations. The tradition has been going for over 20 years.
We would like to thank all of our fabulous customers for their continued support over the past year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers, Cheryl & Barb
#1 - 100 Kalamalka Lake Road, Vernon, BC
Open Tues. - Sat. 10am-5pm
250-549-8468
Wishing you a picture perfect holiday season filled with beautiful moments.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Above all, we wish you good health ... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We look forward to serving you again next year.
ARMSTRONG & ENDERBY PHARMACY
The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce
ARMSTRONG STORE: 250-546-3169 PHARMACY: 250-546-3195
ENDERBY STORE: 250-838-6469 PHARMACY: 250-838-0502
HOLIDAY HOURS: DEC 18: 11AM-4:30PM (ARM. ONLY) DEC 19 THRU DEC 23: 9:00AM-6PM DEC 24: 9:00AM-5:30PM DEC 25: CLOSED
DEC 26 11AM - 4:30PM (ARM. ONLY) DEC 27 THRU DEC 30: 9:00AM-6:00PM DEC 31: 9:00AM-5:30PM JAN 1: CLOSED REGULAR HOURS RESUME JAN 2
Christmas is the season when you buy this year’s gifts with next year’s money. ~Author Unknown
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S17
www.vernonmorningstar.com
My name is Stretch MARIE FIRTH For The Morning Star
T’was the night before Christmas and all through the world the children were sound asleep in their beds and waiting for Santa Claus to come. But Santa hadn’t even started. He kept busy piling gaily wrapped presents into his big sleigh and muttering to the two little elves who were helping him. “I don’t know what to do! All the children are waiting for me and I have a huge load of presents, but I can’t go. My six reindeer are all in bed with the flu, and if that isn’t bad enough, Rudolph has forgotten to get new batteries for his red nose. Oh, what will I do?” Big tears were running down Santa’s cheeks and soaking his big white beard. Suddenly, he heard a little voice speak to him. “Don’t worry, Santa. I’ll pull your sleigh tonight.” Santa straightened up and looked all around but couldn’t see anyone except his two little elves and he knew that it couldn’t be one of them. The only other one around was a small reindeer standing beside him but he was too small. “Who said that?” cried the big, fat man in the red suit.
“Why I did,” replied the little reindeer. “I can help you deliver all of your presents on time to all the girls and boys.” “What? A little guy like you? Why, your legs are far too short and I’m sure you can’t fly.” “No, I can’t fly but you just watch my legs.” The little guy lifted one of his front legs and it started to stretch. It got longer and longer and longer. Then his other front leg did the same thing, while his back legs stretched to match until he was standing high above Santa. Santa was staring up at him with his mouth wide open. “How did you do that?” his voice quavered. “Now you know why my name is Stretch. So, now let’s get started. Time’s a-wasting, Santa.” Santa quickly closed his mouth and turned to his sleigh. “Oh, no. There is no room for me. I’ll have to leave some of the presents behind. I just have too many.” “Well, we can easily fix that problem,” said Stretch. “While I pull from the front, you can push from the back. I can see a snowboard in that pile of presents, so just borrow that and push and away we go.” He picked up the reins while Santa pulled out the
snowboard. Setting his feet properly on the snowboard, he grabbed the back of the sleigh and hollered, “Mush!” The two little elves who always helped Santa weren’t going to be left behind, and grabbing the runners pulled themselves up into gaps between the presents. They sure didn’t want to miss out on this special trip. Away they went up into the dark sky and raced through thousands of twinkling stars, up and down many mountains, across snowy plains, and when they ran out of snow, Santa traded his snowboard for a skateboard which worked just as well. The elves had written notes to the boys getting the boards: “Santa thanks you for the use of your board and hopes you enjoy it as much as he did. Merry Christmas!” Then off they went to deliver the rest of the presents before morning. This special trip was a great success. They were all tired and hungry when they arrived back at Santa’s home. Fortunately, Mrs. Claus had been watching for them and had a good breakfast ready as she was anxious to hear how the trip went. She even had a special meal for Stretch after he had spent some time getting his legs collapsed to a shorter style so he could get them under the table. Santa still couldn’t believe what had happened or if it was just a dream. If it was, he hoped he’d never wake up. Merry Christmas!
Landing Plaza - 5301 - 25th Avenue • 250-545-6565
To our many friends and valued customers … the entire staff at Baron Insurance wishes you a blessed Christmas and a 2012 beyond your expectations!
KENNA
LORRAINE
NANCY
BRETT
DEBBRA
EVA
GORET
JANICE
PAT
TARRYN
TED
TIM
WENDY
4800 Anderson Way • 250-545-4447
ASHLEA
BARRY
BILL
BROCK
CAROLE
HASIA
HELENA
IAN
KATHY
LISA
MATHEW
NICOLE
PATTY
SAVANNA
STEPHANIE
THERESA
RYAN
SUSAN
604 Cliff Avenue, Downtown Enderby • 250-838-7707
ARNIE
BRETTON
CHUCK
GREG
JACKIE
JILL
LANI
S18 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
www.vernonmorningstar.com
THE
Season’s Greetings to all our valued customers, and best wishes for 2012!
MAN
WITH
THE VAN 36 Years Experience Fully licensed & insured for expert moves
DECEMBER & JANUARY BOOK
250-540-TINT 250-540TINT (8468)
15% OFF
NOW!
Office 250-542-5226 • Cell 250-307-7769
May your home be Àlled with the joy of family and friends this holiday season!
Thank you to all our loyal customers. We wish you a Merry Christmas filled with Good Health and Happiness.
Nagy Landscaping
250.542.1801 • #130, 4416 - 27 Street www.constructiveconcepts.ca
250.306.9896 • 250.547.2429
Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for the coming year. Thank you for your business!
NU-LOOK HOMEWORKS Ron Kleefman • 250.309.0435
Custom Home Drywall
Kyle Davies • 250-308-4663 • Vernon, BC
May your holidays be everything you hope for and more!
E.L. Fox & Sons
Plumbing & Heating Ltd. • Plumbing • Heating • Gas Fitting • Service Work • Air Conditioning
250-545-8028
Email: foxandsons@telus.net
4403 25 Avenue
250-545-0667
To be included in next year’s Holiday Greetings, contact Lynne today! 250.550.7932 or daily@vernonmorningstar.com
Thank you to our valued customers
Holiday Greetings from these fine businesses!
Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star S19
www.vernonmorningstar.com
JOYOUS JOURNEY
Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in the new year. Kristina, Lori, Lisa and Liz #104, 3307 - 32nd Avenue, Vernon • 250-542-2721 • www.okanaganskinandlaser.com
Courtesy Motors
THE PEOPLE WHO CARE
Merry Christmas Proud member of N.O.R.A.
Neil & Bobbi Catt Tel: (250) 542-9111 4313 -31st Street Vernon B.C. V1T 5J8
www.autoproservice.com SUBMITTED PHOTO
Mary and Joseph make their way to the stable during the Coldstream Community Light Up at the Coldstream Christian Church.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
G R S EETING N O S A S E S
from the Board and Staff of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce! The 2012 Membership Directory is now available!
Wishing you a bright and happy holiday
#102 - 2901 32nd St, Vernon, BC V1T 5M2
250.545.0771 www.vernonchamber.ca • info@vernonchamber.ca
S20 Season’s Greetings Sunday, December 18, 2011 - The Morning Star
We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our clients who have supported us over the years. We wish you all the best this holiday season! We look forward to continuing to serve you in the New Year...
www.vernonmorningstar.com
CHRISTMAS TRADITION
Residential to Commercial Kitchen & Bathroom Design • Customized Space Planning Interior Design Services • Project Management For all your Millwork requirements visit us at www.greystokemillwork.com
8105 Highland Place, Vernon 250-549-0416 SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kelsey von Holst, organizer of the Coldstream Community Light Up, helps Silken Wisbey, River Wisbey and mom Brandie Wisbey hold up eight years of holiday tradition. The Wisbey family has been attending the Coldstream Light Up since River was born and have a decoration from every year. Santa Claus (left) makes his much-anticipated arrival at the light up and is greeted by kids of all ages eager to see him.
Happy Holidays to You All!
Tammy, Donna & The Morning Star Staff
4407 - 25th Avenue, Vernon, B.C. V1T 1P5 250.545.3322
www.vernonmorningstar.com
ll the staff at From a
W
ish
n
!
To all our drivers and carriers who go above and beyond, not just at Christmas but all year long!
ing
y You All a Great Holida
so Sea