American Fork & Lone Peak Connection - 2022 Holiday Edition

HAPPIESTof holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

May your holiday season be full of yummy food, lots of time spent with loved ones, and acts of service. This time of year tends to bring out the best in people, so let it! Be willing to do something kind for someone else while also letting people do service for you. Spread Christmas cheer wherever you go!

Everyone has special traditions that they participate in, some silly and crazy, others heartwarming and selfless. A Christmas Jar is a common favorite along with baking, caroling, decorating gingerbread houses, going to see holiday lights, and Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve.

We hope everyone has a great December and finds time to do service for someone in our wonderful community. Enjoy this Holiday Edition of the American Fork & Lone Peak Connection Magazine and Happy Holidays!

KJ Productions Publisher

Yass Creative Design

Kristina Wesemann Editor

Josh walker Editor

Dustin Grady Manager

For More Information Contact: KJ Productions • kjproductions50@gmail.com

Advertising

To request information on advertising in this magazine, please email kjproductions50@gmail. com with your name, email address, and a brief description of your business. We look forward to hearing from you!

About the Publishers

Kristina Wesemann and Josh Walker own KJ Productions, which produces all of the Utah County Connection Magazines. Their partnership has proven to be dynamic and well-organized. Kristina and Josh formed KJ Productions in September 2018.

As a team, Kristina and Josh have achieved unparalleled levels of growth, success, relevance, and professionalism because of the ingenuity, talents, commitment, and work ethic that they each possess. Kristina brings with her an innate ability for strategic development and plan execution and has been a key leader in helping the company adapt and innovate. Josh provides valuable insight into the historical operations of the industry as well as years of experience in advertising and marketing. They look forward to continuing to help make connections in the communities they serve for years to come.

Mayoral Traditions

MAYORS at home

THE HOLIDAYS ARE A FESTIVE TIME OF YEAR when we share special moments with our family, friends, and loved ones and look ahead to a new year filled with promise and opportunity. The mood of the holiday season always fills my heart. People show more kindness and humanity in looking outside themselves in the spirit of giving.

Special moments, shared with loved ones during the holiday season, invite us all to reflect on what matters most: relationships that warm our hearts, shelter that keeps us safe, and nourishment that fuels our bodies. The spirit of the season invites us to cultivate and express our gratitude for all we have and for the traditions we share as family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and with all the other important people in our lives.

My most joyous Christmas memory is special because of what Christmas means to me: the true meaning of the season – the birth and life of Jesus Christ. While playing out the nativity scene with my wife, kids, and grandkids, I feel deep gratitude for being surrounded by my family and loved ones as we reflect on the gift of the Savior while reading the Good News as it was recorded in Luke 2.

BRAD FROST American Fork Mayor

TRADITIONS ARE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF IDENTITY, and following traditions we grew up with helps us maintain a level of connectedness with our loved ones. One such tradition came early in our married life when my mother gifted us a binder on the first of December, which included a Christmas story for each day of December along with a corresponding scripture. As a young family our nighttime ritual on the cold December nights was to read the daily story out of the “Christmas Book”. Each story taught an important Christlike trait we should want to emulate while sharing a heart-felt message about the meaning of Christmas. The stories progressed, culminating with the story of the Fourth Wiseman on December 23, and then on Christmas Eve we read the account of the Savior ’s birth in Luke as we acted out the Nativity. This has carried on over the years, and now some of our kids have kids of their own. When I asked my adult kids about their most memorable Christmas experiences, they both said reading the stories out of the Christmas Book. I love that we have maintained the tradition of reading the stories as it helped our family get ready for the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, presents are nice, but the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior and using the Christmas season to focus on helping others in the way He would. May we all be blessed with the spirit of Christmas this season

CARLA MERRILL Alpine Mayor

IN THE ANDERSEN HOME, Christmas is the favorite Holiday of the year. We love to decorate the house from top to bottom, with themes in each bedroom and gathering space. (When I say “we” I mean me.) I love to gather friends and family for parties and meals and to be surrounded by festive beauty and cheer. Christmas Eve is usually spent with extended family, sharing old family stories and our traditional dollar store gift exchange. Christmas morning always involves a huge breakfast followed by Christmas gifts, and the reading of Luke 2, because the birth of the Savior is the real reason for celebrating.

I fully believe in the quote by L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz, “East west – home is best!” I love to be at home with my family, and we have built our family Christmas traditions around that very ideal.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS started in college when I first put on a Santa outfit. Yes, I mean the red suit, white beard, red hat, black belt, and boots. In my younger years, I would play Santa at ward and family parties. Over the past several years, the Santa suit has usually only come out to help local churches or other organizations deliver Sub for Santa gifts.

One experience was especially touching. My in-laws invited me to come to Idaho and put on the Santa suit to help deliver gifts that their local LDS ward had collected. One family they wanted to give some of the gifts they collected to was that of one of their local LDS ward leaders. My in-laws shared that the family was in real need but was one of those types of families that would never ask for help. The leader recently had a job change and was now under-employed and also doing odd jobs to make ends meet. The members in the ward had noticed that his kids had jackets but no real coats, and their house had plumbing issues, but they did not have money to fix them. I remember showing up at the door dressed in my red suit, with gifts in my Santa bag. I noticed the shock and surprise on their faces and the tears in their eyes when I presented them with gifts, coats, and a gift card from a local hardware store where they could buy the plumbing supplies needed. They asked several times about who gave these gifts; I told them it was individuals who love them. I left shouting, “HO HO HO, Merry Christmas!” As I drove out of sight, I heard them exclaim, “Tell whoever gave these gifts, ‘Thank you!’”

KURT OLSTER Highland City Mayor

DENISE ANDERSEN Cedar Hills Mayor

A Christmas Carol Dates: 11/26 - 12/23/22

Location: Hale Center Theater Orem Time: 7:30 PM Price: $16.50 - $17

Christmas Around the World Date: 12/2/22

Location: Marriott Center, BYU Time: 10:00 AM to 11:59 PM Price: $16 - $21

Sounds of the Season Dates: 12/2/22

Location: Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, UVU Time: 7:00 PM Price: $5 - $10

Celebration of Christmas Dates: 12/2 - 12/3/22

Location: De Jong Concert Hall, BYU Time: 7:30 PM Price: $18 - $20

things to do

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dates: 12/2 - 12/17/22

Location: Lehi Arts Center Time: 7:30 PM Price: $6 - $10

A Christmas Story: The Musical Dates: 12/2 - 12/17/22

Location: SCERA Center for the Arts

Time: 7:30 PM Price: $12 - $14

Christmas Concert with Wasatch Winds & Timpanogos Chorale Date: 12/3/22

Location: American Fork Junior High School Time: 6:30 PM Price: Free

COME! The Christmas Concert by Timpanogos Chorale

Date: 12/3/22

Location: American Fork Junior High School Time: 7:00 PM Price: Free

Utah Santa Run - Provo Dates: 12/3/22

Location: The Shops At Riverwoods Time: 4:00 PM Price: $40

Here We Come A-Caroling by the Timpanogos Singers & Youth Choirs Date: 12/6/2022

Location: The Valentine Theater, American Fork Time: 7:00 PM Price: $3 - $5

Mariachi Los Camperos

Date: 12/8/22

Location: Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, UVU Time: 7:30 PM Price: $15 - $49

Dancing a Winter Wonderland by UVU Ballroom Dance Company Date: 12/9 - 12/10/2022

Location: Smith Theater, Orem Time: Varies Price: $10 - $17

The Nutcracker Date: 12/10 - 12/21/22

Location: Covey Center for the Arts (Provo) Time: Varies Price: $47 - $124

Celebrate Christmas with the American Fork Symphony Date: 12/12/2022

Location: American Fork Jr. High School Time: 7:00 PM Price: $5 - $8

White Christmas the Musical by Regalo Theater Company Date: 12/17 - 12/23/2022

Location: Skyridge Auditorium, Lehi Time: 7:30 PM Price: $8 - $12

Crescent Christmas by Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse Dates: 12/19 - 12/21/2022

Location: SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem Time: 7:00 PM to 11:59 PM Price: $12 - $14

The Forgotten Carols Dates: 12/19/2022

Location: UCCU Center, UVU Time: 7:30 PM Price: $62.40 - $108

YOUR help makes

AN IMPACT

By Marisol Valadez

Susan is a single mom of three who left a domestic violence situation about a year ago and had to start over. She needed and applied for every welfare program she could: housing, medicaid, WIC, and Tabitha’s Way.

Every time Susan came in, she would be in tears because she only made enough to cover rent. She took the bus here because she had no money for gas. Susan’s sense of shame gradually evaporated as our staff and volunteers treated her with understanding, love, and open arms. Soon she met another woman her age in a similar situation and that made things easier.

A month ago, Susan walked up to me and handed over her client card and said that this would be the last time she would be coming in. Susan had secured a better job and could now make ends meet on her own.

Tabitha’s Way currently helps over 300 families in the area with about 30 new families applying for assistance every week.

One of the most impactful things you can do is donate your time or resources. Tabitha’s Way in American Fork has lots of ideas and opportunities.

Donate Time

Volunteers are the heart of Tabitha’s Way. Whether it’s just one hour or 5 hours, it will make a difference in the community! Sign up as an individual, as a family, or as a small group.

Holiday Food Drives through December

Volunteers with pickup trucks, vans or SUVs are needed to drop off donation barrels and pick up items from schools and businesses.

Donate Food & Supplies

Over 90 percent of the food distributed by Tabitha’s Way comes from food drives and grocery rescue. Every donation makes a huge impact. For a list of items needed, scan the QR code. Right now we especially need the following items: toilet paper and size 5 & 6 diapers.

WHAT are you doing

for others?

Courage Reins Equine-Assisted Therapies

Courage Reins helps improve the lives of individuals with physical, mental, or emotional challenges through Equine-Assisted Therapy. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the cause has been charitable in nature since its inception. They strive to make their services available to all who seek alternative therapy, no matter their income or ability to pay. Because of this, Courage Reins relies heavily on donations in order to create sponsorships for their riders and offer our services at a reduced price. They are always in need of volunteers and additional funds to continue supporting Utah’s children, individuals, and families.

Ways to help:

• Sponsor a horse

• Sponsor a session

• Volunteer your time (ages 14+) - groups and individuals welcome

Calvary Food Bank

Calvary Mountain View Church recently opened up a food pantry and has partnered with the Utah Food Bank. For more information on how to donate, call 801-756-0095 or email info@calvarymv.com.

Children’s Justice Center

Onsite Victim Support Volunteers

• Commit to one 2-hour shift, once a week on the same day and time (shifts run Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-6:00 PM)

• Attend a one-hour orientation

• Submit to a BCI background check and pay the applicable fee

• Commit to volunteer for at least four months

Provo location - please email Gabby at GabrielaH@utahcounty.gov to select a shift that works with your schedule and to set up an orientation date and time.

American Fork location - please email Heather at HeatherA@utahcounty.gov to select a shift that works with your schedule and to set up an orientation date and time.

Volunteer Mentors

• Participate in a state-mandated 40 hour training

• Submit to a BCI background check and pay the applicable fee

• Trainings are available in February, May and September. We are especially grateful for Spanish speaking mentors

• Spend meaningful time with children for 1-2 hours a week, for a six month period

• Commit to be a mentor for at least six months after completion of training

Please email Annette at AnnetteD@utahcounty.gov for more information on how to apply and current availability.

Where to Go

SNOWshoeing

White Pine Trail LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON

There are few ways to enjoy the winter scenery as much as you can while snowshoeing. This activity is recommended for most ages and skill levels, and there are places for everyone!

The trail starts out nice and wide, and it’s usually packed down from other snowshoers, skiers, and even sledders. When you have gone about one mile you’ll come to Little Cottonwood Creek. If you stay to the left where you would normally go during summer months to get to White Pine Lake, you might find the trail gets a bit more technical and steep. If you stay to the right, you’ll head into “Pink Pine” territory where you can go up the ridge and eventually end up at Red Pine Lake. There’s also an option to check out Maybird Gulch if you want more of an exploratory adventure.

Sundance Nordic Center

If you want to enjoy winter but are not sure where to go or what to bring, visit Sundance’s Nordic Center. They offer over 10 kilometers of dedicated snowshoeing trails with breathtaking views of Mount Timpanogos and Stewart Falls, giving you that true backcountry snowshoeing experience. They also have Night Owling, where you can become one with nature (and owls)! Night Owling is available from December to the end of March.

Big Spring Hollow Loop

Big Spring Hollow Loop trail begins at the top of Big Spring Hollow Park in Provo Canyon. The elevation is fairly low, so mid winter when the snow pack is good will serve you best. Usually there are a couple trail variations that head out from the parking lot, but they all basically head up the hollow. The trail loops back from the spring for a comfortable day jaunt. The trail also connects to Cascade Saddle and Cascade Peak if you wish to go farther into the backcountry

Skill levels: Mile 1: Easy

Pink Pine: Moderate Maybird Gulch: Difficult/Technical Details: Length: Varies Elevation Gain: Varies Difficulty: Easy to Difficul Details: Length: 3.9 mile loop Elevation Gain: 824 feet Difficulty: Easy

WINTER Wonderland

This holiday season, you don’t need to look much further than Midway, Utah for a complete winter wonderland experience. Did you know there’s a North Pole in Midway? It certainly qualifies for “getting away” from it all, yet it isn’t so far away that traveling without reindeer becomes a burden. Dana Graham excitedly told us about a diverse array of winter activities to plug into your itinerary this holiday season. Prepare your young ones for an unforgettable weekend by bringing your snow tubes, ice skates, AND your swimming suit! Yes, you heard that right - your swimming suit too.

Midway Ice Rink

Dana suggests starting things out at Midway’s scenic outdoor ice skating rink. It was built largely by volunteers and by obtaining drastically discounted items from the 2002 Winter Olympics, such as large refrigeration units and mobile trailers (now used as the heating hut). It is estimated they built their rink for less than half the typical cost of a commercially-built rink, but it holds to the same professional standards and enjoyment. Give their ice a twirl.

Soldier Hollow Tubing

Then head up to Soldier Hollow for a bouncy dash down their slopes. They boast the longest tubing lanes in Utah with 1,200-foot snow slides. Don’t worry - there is a lift service. At Soldier Hollow, kids can be kids, and adults get the chance to be kids again too.

Homestead Crater

Perhaps by now, all the physical activity will have left you a bit sore.This would be a good time to soak and swim in the Homestead Crater. The geothermal spring’s mineral water constantly stays between 90-96 degrees within a beehive-shaped, limestone cavern (a 55-foot tall beehive, mind you). A natural sauna 10,000+ years in the making, the crater is the only warm scuba diving destination in the continental U.S. There is a self-guided tour through the tunnels with custom-built decks overlooking the crystal-clear mineral water. If you want something really unique, there’s even a paddleboard yoga class!

Ice Castles

Once you’re done soaking, go explore thousands of frozen icicles built into Midway’s impressive award-winning Ice Castles! The impressive ice castles include frozen thrones, fountains, breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, and icecarved slides and tunnels. This is quite a sight to see at night. Who wants to bet your kids will be singing Frozen’s “Let it Go” theme song before you’re done?

North Pole Express

Lastly, take it easy by riding the Heber Creeper Train transformed into the Polar Express. Enjoy hot cocoa, Mrs. Claus’ cookies, and the animated liveliness of singing and dancing elves. When you reach the North Pole, Santa will join you for the return trip (and he’ll have gifts to give too, of course). The 90-minute round trip utilizes beautifully restored coaches from 1913 to modern day.

Now that your kids know the North Pole is not entirely fiction, they’ll sleep well on the return trip home, while visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.

MERRY things to do Local Holiday Activities

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown Exhibit Dates: 11/1/2022 - 1/13/2023

Location: Provo Library at Academy Square Time: 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Price: Free admission

Christmas Lights in The Orchard

Dates: 11/14/2022 - 12/31/2022

Location: University Place, Orem Time: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Price: Free admission

Luminaria 2022: Experience the Light Dates: 11/17/2022 - 12/31/2022

Location: Thanksgiving Point, Lehi Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Price: $19 - $26

Rudolph’s Red Nose Ranch Dates: 11/18/2022 - 12/30/2022

Location: Red Nose Ranch, Payson Time: 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM Price: $17 - $20

Festival of Lights Dates: 11/24/2022 - 1/1/2023

Location: Canyon View Park, Spanish Fork Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Price: $10 - $25

Santa’s Village at University Place Dates: 11/25/2022 - 12/24/2022

Location: University Place, Orem Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Price: Photo packages starting at $28.99

Pond Town

Christmas Lighting Dates: 11/25/2022 - 1/1/2023

Location: Knoll Park, Salem Time: 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM

Price: Free admission

Holiday Magic at the Park Dates: 11/28/2022 - 1/2/2023

Location: Robinson Park and American Fork Library Time: 5:00 PM

Price: Free admission

Santa’s Family Holiday Market Dates: 12/2/2022 - 12/3/2022

Location: Lehi Farmers’ Market Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Price: Free admission

Peteetneet Christmas Boutique Dates: 12/2/2022 - 12/3/2022

Location: Peteetneet Museum, Payson Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: Free admission

SCERA’s Christmas Maker’s Market and Cookie Contest Dates: 12/9/2022 - 12/10/2022

Location: SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem Time: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Price: Free admission

2022 Breakfast with Santa at Thanksgiving Point Dates: 12/3/2022 - 12/17/2022

Location: Thanksgiving Point Time: 8:00 AM

Price: $200 - $290

AF’s Shop & Mingle on Main Date: 12/14/22

Location: American Fork Main Street Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: Free admission

Aurora: Festive Holiday Experience Dates: December Fridays & Saturdays and 12/21/202212/23/2022

Location: Evermore Park, Pleasant Grove Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Price: $19 - $46

Peaks Ice Arena Ice Skating Location: 100 N Seven Peaks Blvd, Provo Time: Monday - Saturday 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM Price: $5 - $6

7 Layer Dip

• Replace refried beans with Frito Lay Bean Dip for a little better flavor (costs more but worth it!)

• Avoid flavoring the sour cream layer with seasonings, as this takes away the purpose of the neutral layer which enhances the other flavors

Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking to extract the flavor

• Buy nicer chocolate and shave it in

• Use butter instead of shortening/Crisco

• Replace a half cup of sugar with an instant vanilla pudding packet

• Ultimate tip: make 3 days in advance and let dough set in the fridge

Spinach Dip

• Use an equal mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise

• Make your dip stand out by serving it on a toasted piece of sourdough bread topped with some freshly diced tomatoes and parmesan

Spice up Your Spices

• Toast your spices before using them. Throw them in a sauté pan for a quick minute on medium heat or pop them in the oven for a few minutes at 300350 degrees. You’ll smell the aromas as they come alive

Gingerbread Cookies

• To give a subtle and noticeable lift to the dried ginger, add ground black pepper to the dry ingredients. For most cookie recipes, use 1 to 1 1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

A perfect sugar cookie is hard to find. Most are too sweet, too hard, or not crumbly enough. This old fashioned recipe came from Gramma Maxine Berry, and if you follow it just right, you will become a sugar cookie expert.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar

• 1/2 cups butter

• 3 eggs

• 3/4 cup milk

• 1 tsp. salt

• 3 tsp. vanilla

• 1 tsp. lemon

• 3 tsp. baking powder

• 6 cups flour

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar, butter, and eggs. Beat well. Add milk and mix in. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together and gradually add to the creamed sugar ingredients and mix-in. Avoid over-mixing to maintain softness. If dough is sticky, add ¼ to ½ cup of flour until it no longer sticks to bowl or hands. Roll out to desired thickness (⅛ inch for thin, ¼ inch for medium, ½ inch for thick). Gramma always did ¼ inch, but I like the thicker ones! Cut into desired shapes and place on cookie sheet.

Place on upper rack at 350 degrees, and cook for following times:* ⅛ inch: 6 minutes ¼ inch: 8 minutes ½ inch: 12 minutes

*For harder cookies, add 1-2 minutes in the oven.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter

• 1 tsp. clear vanilla

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp. half & half or canned milk

Directions

In a medium bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix in. Add milk and beat until frosting is light and fluffy.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. refrigerated pizza dough

• Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp. water)

• 7 mozzarella sticks

• 1/4 cup melted butter

• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

• 1 tbsp. Thinly sliced basil

• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley

• 1 tbsp. chopped rosemary

• Marinara, warmed (for serving)

Christmas Tree

PULLaparts

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut mozzarella sticks into 1 inch pieces and set aside.

On a floured surface, divide pizza dough into two pieces. Stretch and roll each piece of dough into a long rectangle, then cut dough into 2” squares (you’ll need 33 total).

Wrap a dough square around each piece of mozzarella, forming a tightly sealed ball. Place balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree (they should be touching). Brush egg wash on dough balls and bake until golden (15 to 20 minutes).

Meanwhile, whisk together melted butter, parmesan and herbs. Brush on baked cheese balls. Serve warm with marinara for dipping.

Tarragon Quick & Easy

DEVILED HOLIDAY

Ingredients

• 6 hard-boiled eggs

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp. minced gherkins pickles

• 1 tbsp. minced shallots

• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

• 1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh tarragon

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Microgreens and bacon to garnish

Directions

Remove shells from eggs and slice open lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place into a small bowl and save the whites for later. Using a food processor or blender, blend together yolks and remaining ingredients. Place the egg yolk mixture into your egg whites and garnish.

Chill for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

For 1 Gallon:

eggs punch

• 1 - 6 oz can frozen orange juice (3/4 cup)

• 1 - 6 oz can frozen lemonade (3/4 cup)

• 3 quarts water

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 tsp. almond flavoring

• 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Level it up by replacing water with club soda or sparkling water and top with orange slices.

AMERICAN FORK

Hold in the HEATthisWinter

A lot of people enjoy the snow and fun holidays that come with it, but sometimes the cold comes into the house and makes everyone inside miserable. Here are a few different ways to insulate your house this winter.

1.

Lock Your Windows and Apply Weatherstripping

Chances are that once the windows close in October or November, you won’t be opening them back up until spring. Just because they are closed, doesn’t mean they will keep all the cold air out. There are several different types of weatherstrips that should work with your windows.

2. Weatherproof Your Exterior Doors

Even the smallest gap in doors can bring in a lot of cold air. You can add door sweeps to the bottom of your doors and weatherstrips along the sides.

3. Reglaze Loose Window Panes

If you have old wood window panes, check for chunks missing or loose panes. Try to have it fixed before temperatures reach below fifty.

4. Layer Your Window Treatments

Hanging sheer curtains and heavy drapes will provide great protection for every type of weather. When it is frigid outside, keeping everything closed will help keep the cold from coming in.

5. Check for Gaps in Windows

If you do find gaps in your windows, fill them with a gap filler. There are a few different brands and types that you can choose from.

6. Temporary Caulk

You can buy some temporary caulk to seal cracks. It comes in a tube like regular caulk, so make sure to look at the fine print to make sure you got the right type.

These are just a few different ways to help keep your house warm during the winter. Stay cozy!

poinsettia

The signature plant of the Holiday season is the beautiful red poinsettia. By the third week of December, most people have killed this beautiful plant. Not too many people know that the color of the poinsettia has an impact on the life of the plant. There is such a variety of colors available. Red is the most durable with white being the most finicky and pink in the middle.

Did you know poinsettias don’t like to be watered from the top down? They prefer to be watered by being placed in a basin of water with at least 2” of water and then letting the plant soak the water up from the bottom. This is the best way to water the plant every 2-3 days, depending on how dry your house is. Remove any damaged leaves and debris on the soil level. Make sure the soil is moist to the touch, but never allow it to become soggy or completely dried out. Display your poinsettia in a bright part of your home but not in direct sunlight. Keep your plant away from all heat sources, especially heat vents.

After blooming, the poinsettia will enter a period of slow growth. Water it once a week and fertilize once a month. Cut back the stems to half their length in April. When new growth begins to appear on your plant, it’s safe to resume a normal watering schedule. You can move your poinsettia plant outdoors when the nighttime temperatures stay above 55 degrees throughout the night. Put your plant in an area that gets light, but not direct sunlight. Bring your plant back in when the temperature drops in the fall. If your poinsettia becomes root bound, you can repot it into a larger container. This is usually done during the summer. From October 1 to December 1, your poinsettia requires a strict light/dark regimen to bloom. In the morning, move the plant to allow eight hours of indirect sunlight.

Use these tips on how to care for and keep your poinsettia alive this year so you can see it rebloom next year.

Snuggle up with a GOODbook

Children can learn so much from reading and they can learn valuable lessons from several of these great children’s books. Make extra time this holiday season to read to your children or grandchildren. It will create great memories for them to hold onto for years to come.

1. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman

2. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein 3. How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace 4. Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney 5. Taylor the Thankful Turkey by Sonica Ellis 6. The Snowman’s Song by Marilee Joy Mayfield 7. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle 8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss 9. The Cool Bean Presents: As Cool as It Gets by Jory John 10. Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Turn to page 22 to fill in the ad lib!

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Donate November 1st to December 31st and we’ll make sure your donation goes toward helping people in our local community.