Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 17, 2009Christmas 2009

Art Contest

A Christmas Messageby Debbie Pelley-Hudson

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Country Christmasby Kelly Calthorpe

Early Literacy: Opening More than Presents

Local Music to Stuff Your Stockings with

Recipes

The Brightest Star

The Christmas Quiltby Kelly Calthorpe

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton

A Christmas messageBy Debbie Pelley-Hudson

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas is the celebration of the greatest gift this world has ever known or ever will know. Jesus Himself came into this world in the most humbling conditions and circumstances as a little baby boy. As Mary counted ten fingers and ten toes, she could not have imagined what her child would one day go through. As His own mother, she would one day watch as He grew into a man and fulfilled His destiny – walking up a lonely hill to a much lonelier and painful cross, where even His own Father in Heaven could not bear to look at Him because of all of mankind’s sins, which He took upon Himself – all of our sins.

Christ’s birth gave us the choice, the only choice, to reconcile with our Creator, when God could have spared His Son and turned His back on us. Has there ever been any greater love?

I wonder, does a tear fall down our Saviour’s face, like His tears for us so long ago, when He watches how the world celebrates His birthday today? It has become a materialistic, frantic time, with little, or short-lived satisfaction for gifts given and received. We need to get back to reality and look deep inside our hearts, and examine ourselves and ask the question – would Jesus be satisfied with our gift to Him this year? Will His birth, His life, His love and His unconditional sacrifice show us yet once more how much we can give Him in return? Will we remember Him this Christmas as the reason we do feel such love, joy and peace this time of year, even as the world in turmoil rages on?

He is our hope, and we can rejoice because of that precious baby boy; with faith we can know that we’ve already won the war!

Thank you, Jesus, and happy birthday! May we never forget the meaning of Christmas as we share His peace with the world!

Debbie Hudson is a published author and blessed to be in ministry with her husband, Rev. Mark Hudson, at Sharbot Lake Pentecostal Church. Their prayer is that you will have Jesus as the centre of your celebration this Christmas – and always in your home and in your life. Have a blessed 2010!

Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 17, 2009Christmas 2009

Art Contest

A Christmas Messageby Debbie Pelley-Hudson

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Country Christmasby Kelly Calthorpe

Early Literacy: Opening More than Presents

Local Music to Stuff Your Stockings with

Recipes

The Brightest Star

The Christmas Quiltby Kelly Calthorpe

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton, Parham Free Methodist Church

Is Christmas all about gifts ... gift giving ... gift getting? As Christians, we try not to get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. We try to teach our children that it’s not all about getting that new electronic gadget, etc.

But in one way, Christmas is all about gifts. It’s about God’s gifts to us. His gift of Salvation, forgiveness and cleansing of sins. The gift of joy in the present, the hope of wonderful, eternal life in the future.

All these gifts, and more, are wrapped up in that one little baby that we sing about at Christmas time. All these gifts wrapped up in this one gift, in the person of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.

But why does God offer this gift to us? What would make Almighty God decide to come to earth in our form – be born in cold, stark surroundings and live among his creation?

What makes any of us give gifts? True gifts are given out of love, or at least liking.

God also gives the greatest gift of all, Himself, because of His perfect love. God’s love for us is intense, passionate, and totally without conditions.

Perfect love, no conditions? It sounds too good to be true. We live in a world filled with conditions. “If you do this for me, I’ll do that for you.” “I’ll pay you this if you provide that service.” “I’ll love you if ...” We understand this business of conditions because we see it functioning all the time.

God operates differently and demonstrates this by freely giving his son to us – no strings attached – we are perfectly loved – period.

It’s as the Apostle Paul writes: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution of famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life ,... nor any powers, ... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:35,37-39)

What overwhelming, incredible love, for you, for me!

When you are presented with a gift you don’t have to accept it. You can refuse it! You can leave that gift under the tree. I doubt any of us will refuse gifts offered to us on Christmas day - except perhaps the most valuable Gift of all. Many people, maybe even you, continue to refuse the gift of Salvation ... of God’s love ... of Jesus Christ.

Life is busy and it is so easy to become distracted and lose sight of what is really important ... of what Christmas is all about.

The true meaning of Christmas lies in a stable surrounded by animals and straw, here in this humble setting, not under a glittering Christmas tree. All we could ever hope for or imagine, He is. All the wisdom, power and virtue of God is contained in this baby.

And so we are invited to gather around the manger and witness once again this perfect love that has entered the world to save us.

Once again we have the opportunity of accepting this gift into our hearts and minds.

Please do so this Christmas.

I bring you good news of great joy ... a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 17, 2009Christmas 2009

Art Contest

A Christmas Messageby Debbie Pelley-Hudson

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Country Christmasby Kelly Calthorpe

Early Literacy: Opening More than Presents

Local Music to Stuff Your Stockings with

Recipes

The Brightest Star

The Christmas Quiltby Kelly Calthorpe

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton

The Brightest Starby Hope Attaway

Jesse began to play his flute. The sweet tones drifted on the silence of the night. One of his brothers gave him a scornful glance.

Jesse then noticed the flock of sheep looked restless. Their doleful eyes turned toward the sky.

Suddenly Jesse’s flute was snatched from his hands. His father gave him a stony glance.

“Pay attention to the flock I have entrusted to you. We need to be watchful. All the flocks are restless.”

Yes, Father. May I have my flute?”

“Tomorrow you can have your flute. Tonight, be watchful,” said his father, irritably.

Jesse knew it had been his brother Timothy who had caused the problem. His assumption was correct, as Timothy had a pleased expression on his face as he warmed his hands on the fire.

Jesse then smiled. He saw his favourite star. The star appeared to be lower tonight. It shone brightly and seemed to give him hope. Jesse longed to play a song on his flute that no one had ever heard. He loved music.

The sheep began to bleat. Then an eerie silence. A soft breeze blew across the fields.

Jesse stiffened as suddenly light broke through the midnight darkness.

A beautiful being appeared. The clothing appeared white and flashing like lightening. Jesse knew it must be an angel. Jesse had heard a song about the angel that had wrestled with Jacob.

Jesse looked around. His father was shading his eyes with his hand. Timothy was hiding behind a tree. The angel then spoke. His words were clear and sounded loud.

“Do not be afraid. I bring good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you. You will find a babe, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Jesse and his kin then marveled as suddenly all around them were choirs of angels. Their voices like bells sang beautifully. Jesse listened to the message of the songs. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace good will toward men.”

His flute was thrust into his hand. He gazed up at this father.

“Play, Son. It is God’s will.”

Jesse began to play. Words came flooding into his mind. He had a wonderful song to play about this midnight clear.

The angels then faded away into the heavens.

“Let us go now and see this wonderful thing that the Lord has made known to us,” said Jesse’s father.

“May I go too?” asked Jesse, as he was the youngest son.

“Yes, we all shall go!”

“I feel the star is linked to this wonder,” said Jesse.

“I believe you, my son. Let’s find the miracle, then tell everyone in Bethlehem and beyond.”

The shepherds rushed to find the miracle the angel spoke about that night. They found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a manger.

Baby Jesus listened patiently as the sweet tones of the flute foretold of the upcoming events of his life.

(Based on Luke 2: 8 – 17)

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 17, 2009 Community Christmas dinners in Perth, Sharbot Lake and NorthbrookBy Jeff Green

Last years' Perth Community Dinner.

The traditional Christmas dinner is designed for a crowd. It’s hard for two or three people to polish off an 18-pound turkey in one sitting.

But for anyone who is able to get to Perth, Sharbot Lake, or Northbrook on Christmas Day, there is a community-based alternative, a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, and an extra helping of fellowship. And for people who live nearby but can’t travel to those places, delivery can often be arranged to many locations.

PERTH: The Perth Community Dinner is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. For the first 22 years, the dinner was held at Farrell Hall in Perth, and the food was cooked at people’s homes and brought to the hall, but it is now held at the banquet Hall at Code’s Mill, and JJ Stewart, the chef at Fiddleheads Restaurant, volunteers to handle all the cooking in the Fiddleheads kitchen.

“I’ve been involved for about 20 years,” said Julia Foley, who is handling the volunteer coordination for the dinner this year, a job her father has just passed on to her after doing it himself for 23 years, “and it is part of my family Christmas.”

The core committee of eight or so people are able to collect cash and food donations around the year to feed 300 people each year, including a number who have their meals delivered. The banquet hall is on the 2nd floor of the building, but there is an elevator available.

The doors open at 11AM. For further information or to volunteer to help out, call 613 – 812 – 5555

SHARBOT LAKE: The Sharbot Lake Christmas dinner is six years old, and is a mid-afternoon meal, with the doors of the Oso Hall (Soldiers Memorial Hall) being open from 2-5PM. “Last year we served 70 people, including deliveries,” said Ileene Mouck, “but most of the people come to the hall.

In addition to a turkey dinner, there are candy bags and presents for children, as well as a carol sing. People are encouraged to bring their voices and instruments as well.

“Last year, a gentleman brought a trumpet, and that really livened things up,” Ileene said.

Like all the community dinners, the Sharbot Lake dinner serves people who are new to the area and want to meet people, people who don’t want to cook, “or people who just want to have a good time.”

For further information or to volunteer, call Phyllis Badour at 613-375-6501, Wayne Shepherd at 613-375-6633 or Ileene Mouck 613-374-1843.

NORTHBROOK: In Northbrook, one person or one family has been at the centre of the Christmas Dinner.

“That’s just how it has gone,” said Marilyn Bolender, who is hosting the dinner this year, with help from a lot of volunteers.

She is not sure how long the dinner has been held in Northbrook at the Lions Hall, but it is more than 10 years.

The two local grocery stores each donate a large turkey to the dinner, and there will be ham available as well, along with squash, stuffing, salads, potatoes and pies.

For information or to volunteer contact Marilyn at 613-336-1573.

With all the volunteer efforts going on in Lanark, Frontenac, and L&A Counties, no one needs to be alone, or hungry, on Christmas Day. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 Young Choristers join Frontenac Women’s Chorus in SydenhamBy Julie Druker

The Frontenac Women’s Chorus are joined by the Young Choristers Limestone North at their annual Christmas concert in Sydenham

The Frontenac Women’s Chorus held their annual Christmas concert at the Grace United Church in Sydenhham on Dec.6.

Titled “Gifts”, the programme for this year’s concert included traditional Christmas carols like Sleigh Ride, Little Drummer Boy and Good King Wenceslas.

Also included in the programme were a number of more modern arrangements of contemporary songs like Jane Siberry’s Are You Burning Little Candle and Star Light, Star Bright by Martha Hill-Duncan.

The FWC was founded in 1995 by Jennifer Bennett of Verona and Betty Wagner has been directing the group for the past eight years. As usual, the women thrilled appreciative listeners with a dynamic and eclectic performance that showed off their musical and emotional range.

This year’s concert included a special appearance by six members of the Young Choristers Limestone North, one of four children’s choirs that is sponsored by the Limestone District School Board.

Christina Wotherspoon of Sharbot Lake, who teaches special education at Sharbot Lake High School and who plays French Horn in the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, directs the young group. The Young Choristers range in age from 7-12 and practice on Tuesdays at Hinchinbrooke Public School in Parham. The young singers charmed listeners with four solo numbers that included The Nuttycracker Suite, a peanuty play on words sang to the melodies of the well-known classic.

Christina, who has been directing the group for the last five years, was pleased with the young singers’ performance and explained that for many of them it was their first time performing.

Ian Bevell, the current Director of Praise at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kingston accompanied the two groups.

For anyone who missed the event the Frontenac Women’s Chorus will be performing next on Saturday, Dec.12 at 7:30pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kingston. The Young Choristers Limestone North will be performing at the Festival of Trees on Friday Dec.11 at 1:30pm at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake.

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 A Journey to BethlehemBy Jule Koch Brison

For the past month, hammers, drills and screwdrivers have been heard at the Verona Free Methodist Church. But no, the church is not building an addition; volunteers are busily engaged in building a village within the church. It’s not just any old village, mind you; it’s the village of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth, along with the throne room of King Herod.

This year, instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, the church’s main event will be “A Walk to the First Christmas”, which will be held on Saturday December 19. Visitors will be able to enjoy a guided walking tour, with actors and interpreters, through the various scenes that are being built, and at the end of the tour, they can sit down with the wise men to a first century meal in Herod’s throne room. There will be two tours, one starting at 6pm and one at 7:30 pm, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, including the meal. The event is completely free and reservations are not required. Everyone is welcome to just come and enjoy the presentation.

The meal will be as authentic as possible. Some of the components that church members have been asked to bring to it are: almonds, figs, roasted meat, pita bread, pistachios, pomegranates, goat cheese, honey, and chicken soup.

The event was the brainchild of Scott Ball who is spearheading the project. He brought the idea to a church meeting and it was well received

In the past, the church has held live outdoor nativities, but this is their first attempt at a live indoor nativity. “It’s a tale that’s definitely growing in the telling,” said Pastor Jeff Nault. As the project has developed and enthusiasm has grown, more aspects have been added in. The presentation promises to bring the Christmas story to life in a new way, with the sights, sounds and tastes of first-century Bethlehem. 

Back to HomeEditorial - December 17, 2009Christmas ramble onEditorial by Jeff Green

This is our final issue of the year, #50, and it starts our annual two-week hiatus from publishing. We look forward to this, because for a very small business like ours the only way anyone can really get a holiday is if we close the doors for two weeks. Our next paper won't come out until the end of the “noughties”, as the British press have dubbed this decade, on January 7, 2010.

This is also our Christmas issue, which we hope you will enjoy.

I have always had a bit of a strained relationship with Christmas. In my youth, it was a non-existent event in the Jewish community where I lived, except for the TV specials and the department store windows at Ogilvy’s and Eaton’s in Montreal.

It was always around, and full of glitz and promise, certainly more of a big deal than Hanukah, which only has candles and latkes going for it, but it was someone else’s event.

When I was older and living in Peterborough, I began to have friends who went home for Christmas, or who had to deal with Christmas in some way. It seemed rather stressful to me, especially all that family stuff.

The thing that surprised me was when people began asking me why I didn’t celebrate Christmas. When I said I wasn’t Christian, they would say “neither am I, but Christmas has nothing to do with Christianity”

It took me years to figure that one out.

I don’t think I’m quite there yet, but what follows is as far as I’ve made it so far.

It seems to me that there is a fundamental tension between Christianity and Christmas, a tension I never dreamed of as a young boy watching the “Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and wondering why I only would get a about $12 in Hanukah gelt (money) each year when the TV ads convinced me that the Christian kids were all getting new bikes, train sets, colour TVs, stereos, and more.

Christmas is at least three things. It is a religious holiday, it is a cultural event, and it is an economic event. People pick and choose which ones they celebrate, and in what measure.

In spite of all the arguments about the holiday having its roots in Saturnalia and pagan rituals, for 2,000 years Christmas has been, at its core, the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. There are complex religious and cultural rituals that have developed around that particular day, from the crêche to midnight mass to the feast and the exchange of gifts.

For Christians the build up to December 25, all of the school concerts and dinners and tree lightings, are a part of Advent, the days before the big day.

As our society has become more secular, the religious implications of Christmas have diminished for many people. Still tied to the culture of their antecedents but lacking the personal commitment that is required for someone to be a Christian (in my limited understanding of Christianity), Christmas has changed over the past 100 years for many people.

It is a cultural event, tied increasingly to nostalgia, a nostalgia that is fed by every Christmas movie, every Christmas cartoon, every bit of tinsel, and every advertisement about what to serve at the perfect Christmas dinner.

The nostalgia for a mythical past is part of the “family angst” that my friends of 25 years ago were so keenly aware of.

Finally, Christmas now carries an over-riding obligation. It’s all about salvation - the salvation of the world’s economy.

At midnight on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, economists began analysing the spending patterns of Christmas shoppers. At stake, as those poor souls rushed into the Walmart stores at 4 am, was nothing less than the fate of the world economy.

Are we on the other side of the global recession? Are workers in China and the United States going to be back at work? Will Windsor be rejuvenated?

It all depends on whether more X-boxes and 46 inch TVs are purchased this year than last year.

That’s a lot of pressure for a holiday like Christmas to bear. No wonder so many people are stressed at this time of year.

Merry Christmas to all.

Back to HomeEarly Literacy - December 17, 2009Christmas 2009

Art Contest

A Christmas Messageby Debbie Pelley-Hudson

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Country Christmasby Kelly Calthorpe

Early Literacy: Opening More than Presents

Local Music to Stuff Your Stockings with

Recipes

The Brightest Star

The Christmas Quiltby Kelly Calthorpe

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton

Opening More Than Presents This Holiday Season

by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist

I was drawn in. With twinkling eyes and relaxed pose, David Bouchard told us story after story. Some of his tales were of family and some of First Nations and Métis people. I listened with rapt attention to his insights that crossed cultural boundaries. Bouchard is an educator, conference presenter, and author of more than 40 books. David’s struggle and his son’s struggle with dyslexia taught him that being able to read is the key to opening doors of opportunity, and he is passionate that parents, grandparents and caregivers take the time and energy to make book sharing a central part of children’s lives.

Bouchard urges parents to do three things:

 “Surround children with books. Have books everywhere. Make piles of them in every room of your house.”“Read with children every day.”“Know that your child has a hero and that hero is you. Kids want to do things they see their parents doing. You can create a passion for reading in children by letting them see you read.”

How do we find good books for children?

Start by thinking about the topics, ideas, or pictures that capture your child’s interests. Then seek the knowledge of librarians and booksellers who know which books are new and exciting, and which books have stood the test of time.

Did you know?

The Ontario Library Association highlights great books for children through its Forest of Reading® Programs? The Blue Spruce Award is chosen by children 4 to 7 years old. From 2007 to 2009, children across the province picked books written by Melanie Watt. “Scaredy Squirrel”, “Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend” and “Chester” are favourites with this young crowd.

The American Library Association’s website lists winners of the 2009 Notable Children’s Books. Recently published books, such as “A Visitor for Bear” by Bonny Becker, are listed for children of various ages.

Local librarians and library websites are also great sources for finding and accessing many books without it costing you a cent.

Booksellers from stores that are chains, independent, or specialists in used books are knowledgeable about good books for children and adults.

On-line booksellers can be especially helpful when looking for books with culture specific stories or written in language other than English. By visiting www.davidbouchard.com, for example, you will find Aboriginal and Métis stories.

On David Bouchard’s website you will also find a story that scores a goal for for our Canadian Women’s Hockey Team at the 2010 Olympics. About his picture book Bouchard wrote, “The successes of our Canadian Olympic Women’s hockey team moves some to tears, others to take up hockey. It has moved me to write That’s Hockey.”

During this holiday season, gift-wrapped books or library books strewn throughout your home show that you too share the passion for reading – a passion that can open doors to opportunity.

Susan Ramsay is the Early Literacy Specialist for Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. You can contact her at 613-354-6318 (ext 32)

Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 17, 2009Christmas 2009

Art Contest

A Christmas Messageby Debbie Pelley-Hudson

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Country Christmasby Kelly Calthorpe

Early Literacy: Opening More than Presents

Local Music to Stuff Your Stockings with

Recipes

The Brightest Star

The Christmas Quiltby Kelly Calthorpe

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

How the Irish cook their Goose

Irish Trifle

Christmas traditions in Ireland

Legend has it that King Henry II of England brought Christmas to Ireland in 1171. He built a very big traditional Irish Hall in a village called Hogges, where sumptuous feasts and Christmas plays were put on for the Irish chiefs who were loyal to the British Crown.

As Christmas developed in rural Ireland, it merged with existing traditions.

One of them was the lighting of a candle in the window of every home on Christmas Eve, which has a cultural echo in the Christmas lights that are common around the world.

In the Irish tradition the youngest member of the household lit the candle. The candle symbolized that strangers were welcome in the home if they needed shelter, a reference to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.

In Irish lore, the candle must be extinguished by a girl named “Mary”, which was probably less of a problem in the past than it might be today.

Another custom was the laden table. A special loaf of Irish soda bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, along with a pitcher of milk, was left on the table at Christmas Eve. (In some quarters, Guinness beer is substituted for the milk)

Among Christmas dinner traditions are goose and Christmas cake or Christmas pudding.

The use of holly in Christmas decorations has always been common in Ireland, and is something that has been exported around the northern hemisphere.

After Christmas, the feast of St. Stephen on December 26 was celebrated in Ireland. St. Stephen is considered the first of the Christian martyrs, having been stoned to death shortly after the crucifixion.

In Ireland the feast of St. Stephen changed over the centuries into a rather odd ritual, Wren Day.

Some stories say that a wren betrayed some Irish soldiers as they approached a Viking camp in the 7th century. For whatever reason, a group of Irish boys would set out to chase a wren, and chase it until they caught it or it died from exhaustion.

The dead wren was tied to the top of a pole or a holly bush, and carried from house to house on St. Stephen’s morning by the boys, who would wear straw hats and blacken their faces with burnt cork and wear old clothes or women’s dresses.

They would sing the wren song, and collect money for their trouble.

A verson of the song is reprinted below

THE WREN SONGThe wren, the wren, the king of all birdsSt. Stephen's Day was caught in the firsAlthough he was little, his honor was greatJump up, me lads and give us a treatWe followed the wren three miles or moreThree miles or more, three miles or moreThrough hedges and ditches and heaps of snowAt six o'clock in the morning.Rolley, Rolley, where is your nest?It's in the bush that I love bestIt's in the bush, the holly treeWhere all the boys do follow me.As I went out to hunt and allI met a wren upon the wallUp with me wattle and gave him a fallAnd brought him here to show you all.I have a little box under me armA tuppence or penny will do it no harmFor we are the boys who came your wayTo bring in the wren on St. Stephen's Day

The Wren day tradition eventually died off, but it has been reborn in recent years (not generally with a real wren, but with an artificial one). Boys and girls partake nowadays, and the money that is collected is generally put to charitable use.

The Gaelic greeting for “Merry Christmas” is: 'Nollaig Shona Duit'... which is pronounced as 'null-ig hun-a dit'.

How the Irish cook their goose

The tradition of the Christmas goose might bring memories of too much grease to some readers, but this recipe contains a few tricks to bring about the savoury flavour without weighing anyone down. The goose is simmered for two hours before roasting, and the fat is poured off two or three times during roasting. The stuffing is potato-based, of course, with apples providing tartness and sweetness.

Ingredients:1 goose weighing about 10lb. with giblets, neck, heart and gizzard. Allow 1lb. uncooked weight per person.

1 small onion

1 carrot

Bouquet garni consisting of 1 sprig of thyme, 3 or 4 parsley stalks, a small piece of celery and 6 or 7 peppercorns

Roux, if desired, for thickening

Stuffing:2 lb. potatoes

1/2 stick butter

1 lb onions

1 lb Granny Smith cooking apples, peeled and chopped1 Tbsp chopped parsley

1 1/2 Tbsp lemon balm

salt and freshly ground pepper

Scrub potatoes and boil in salt water until cooked. Drain water and mash potatoes, including skins. Melt butter and simmer onions in covered saucepan over gentle heat for five minutes. Add apples and cook until they break down into a fluff then stir in the mashed potatoes and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to get quite cold before stuffing goose.

Goose:Remove giblets, neck, heart and gizzard from goose cavity. Put goose into large saucepan with giblets, onion, carrot, bouquet garni and peppercorns. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil and simmer for about two hours. Remove bird from stock, pat dry and place in roasting pan. Strain stock and store in refrigerator until it's time to make the gravy. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season goose cavity with salt and pepper and fill with cold stuffing. Sprinkle sea-salt over breast and rub into skin. Roast for 2 to 2½ hours. During roasting, pour off excess fat three or four times. To test whether goose is cooked, prick the thigh at thickest part. If the juices that run out are clear, it's ready. If they're pink, it needs a little longer. When bird is cooked, remove to a large oven-proof platter and place in oven on low heat to keep warm while you make the gravy.

Gravy: Pour or spoon off remaining fat in pan. Add about two cups of strained giblet stock to roasting pan. Bring to a boil, and, using a small whisk, scrape the pan well to dissolve any meaty deposits. Taste for seasoning and if desired, thicken with a little roux. If the gravy seems weak, boil for a few minutes to concentrate the flavour. If it seems too strong, add a little more water or stock.

IRISH TRIFLE: a trifle that won’t stick to the roof of your mouth.

This recipe for Irish trifle is somewhat different from the more common English variety, using raspberry preserves instead of jam and a hit of Irish whiskey in place of sherry. Making trifle can be a long process, or a very short one, depending on whether store-bought sponge cake and custard are used, or the home made variety. The custard is rather easy to make, but needs time to cool. Sponge cake is more involved, and also needs time to cool, but neither is terribly difficult. I’ve included the recipes for both, along with the assembly instructions. The assembly here is for single serving trifles, but a large punch bowl, preferably glass, is a good option for larger crowds.

Custard:1/2 cups whole milk

1 vanilla pod or a few drops of pure vanilla extract3 eggs

2 tablespoons sugar

Sponge Cake:

3 large eggs

1/2 tsp. lemon flavoring

1/3 cup hot water

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. double acting baking powder

1 1/4 cup white cake flour

Additional Ingredients:

1 8-oz jar All-Fruit Raspberry Preserves

1/4 to 1/2 cup Irish whiskey

1 small container of fresh raspberries (or frozen - thawed and drained)

1 16-oz can of apricots in fruit juice, drained

1 cup heavy (whipping) cream

Blanched almonds, fresh raspberries and slices of kiwi fruit to decorate.

Method: Make the sponge on the day before you plan to serve the trifle. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 8x8 inch pan. Blend flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. Beat eggs with electric mixer in small bowl until very thick and lemon coloured; pour into large bowl. Gradually beat in sugar. Slowly blend in water, vanilla, and lemon flavouring on low speed. Quickly blend in dry ingredients; mix thoroughly. Pour into prepared pan and put in oven immediately. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Make the custard. Pour the milk into a pan and bring it almost to a boil. Remove from the heat. Whisk the eggs and sugar together lightly in a bowl. Gradually whisk the milk into the egg mixture. Rinse out the pan with cold water, return to mixture to it and stir over very low heat until the mixture thickens. Do not allow it to boil. Turn the custard into a bowl and add vanilla extract to taste. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin forming.Assembling the trifle: Halve the sponge cake horizontally. Spread with raspberry preserves and make a sandwich. Cut into slices and arrange them on the bottom and around the sides of a large glass dessert bowl. Sprinkle generously with Irish whiskey. Cut the apricots into quarters and mix lightly with the raspberries. (Reserve a handful of raspberries for decorating the top). Spread the fruit over the sponge cake to make as even a layer as possible. Pour on the custard, cover and then chill.Right before serving, whip the cream, spread it over the custard layer and then decorate with blanched almonds, the reserved fresh raspberries and slices of kiwi fruit.

ALTERNATE VERSION (less work, more shopping)

Prepare all ingredients and assemble in layers.

1 or 2 Angel Food cakes (store bought or home made)

2 pkgs. Frozen raspberries in syrup

2 ripe mangos

1 pineapple (or 1 can pineapples)

2 small cans mandarin oranges (reserve liquid)

2 cans prepared custard (or 1 recipe custard – see above)

1 litre whipping cream

Irish whiskey or German brandy (optional and to taste)

Prepare all fruit, cutting into small chunks, and half defrost frozen raspberries in a bowl so they can be chopped into pieces. Whip cream.

Break cake in pieces and drop into punch bowl. (If using spirits douse very lightly. If you want it stronger, have a glass with the trifle)

Spoon in layer of custard. Toss in layer of fruit (mango, raspberries, pineapple and mandarins). Spoon on a thin layer of whipping cream. Repeat two more times. Keep back enough whipping cream to completely cover the top layer of fruit, and arrange fresh raspberries or strawberries on top. (If you are not serving any other chocolate for dessert, you can shave or grate some chocolate over top.)

Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 17, 2009Christmas 2009

Art Contest

A Christmas Messageby Debbie Pelley-Hudson

Christmas Traditions in Ireland

Country Christmasby Kelly Calthorpe

Early Literacy: Opening More than Presents

Local Music to Stuff Your Stockings with

Recipes

The Brightest Star

The Christmas Quiltby Kelly Calthorpe

The Christmas Giftby Pastor Ken Walton

New local music to stuff your Christmas stockings with by Julie Druker

Chris Murphy of Crooked Wood fame just released a new solo CD titled “Follow The Star”, a compilation of Christmas songs sung by Chris and his family members, including Jon McLurg also of Crooked Wood, and who also happens to be Chris’s brother-in-law.

Chris and Jon recently performed songs from the new CD at the Portland Community Church on December 4 and the entire ensemble of family singers, which includes Chris’s wife, his parents, sister, brother, aunt, in-laws, and his best friend, Steve, third band member of Crooked Wood, joined in on Dec. 5 at their official CD release party at the United Church in Inverary.

Chris describes his latest musical project as a collection of “acoustic harmony driven” Christmas songs, which he told me was a long time coming. “It’s a CD I promised my Mom I would make years ago.” Chris and his family have been harmonizing together for years as members of the choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Railton and have sung dozens of Christmas songs as part of the church’s Christmas Eve masses. He continued, “I’m a great lover of harmony and am blessed to have a family that can sing it really well.”

The songs are a mix of traditional and modern classics that include Gordon Lightfoot’s Song for A Winter Night, John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War is Over), Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night and Chris’ personal favorite, O Holy Night, which represents his first attempt at arranging in four-part harmony.

Each song sounds fresh and new partly due to Chris’s choice of instrumentation, which includes the banjo, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, accordion, dulcimer concertina, glockenspiel, concertina whistles and more. The freshness also stems from his original mandate for the project. “I wanted to record the Christmas songs that I grew up with and love I but didn’t want to sound like all of the other Christmas music recordings out there. I wanted to treat each song in a fresh and interesting way while remaining faithful to its tradition”.

Did I mention that Chris also plays all of the instruments on the CD?

The title track “Follow the Star” is the only original composition on the CD and is one that Chris wrote originally roughly 10 years ago but put aside. He recalled, “ I came across it a couple of years ago and started playing it and got a very positive response and have been playing it at Christmas time ever since.”

Another new and notable release that has received some live local play recently is Wildlife (in and out of the city), the first full-length release by singing duo Kyra and Tully of Kingston. They recently performed at the Mill Street Café on Dec.4 and were accompanied by Sydenham musicians Adam Dawson, who played electric guitar, and his sister Lia Dawson (formerly of The Ladyracers). Lia opened the evening with a solo set and sings back vocals on the CD.

The CD had its official release at the Sydenham Street United Church a few weeks earlier, where Bruce Coburn made an appearance, playing with the band and singing a few of his classics.

After their recent performance at the Mill Street Café, Kyra spoke about the type of sound she and Tully were aiming for. “It’s more band-oriented, with more players and a bigger sound. That being said, the songs are typical of the sound that we are known for: simple, mellow lyrical-based music.”

Kyra and Tully have played at the Elphin Roots Festival for the last three years and have also appeared at the Skeleton Park Music Festival in Kingston and the NXNE Festival in Toronto.

They currently have plans to play Montreal in January with a possible European Tour in 2010.

Post Christmas is a great time to relax and what better way than to get into your comfiest lounge clothes, and sprawl out on the couch or your coziest arm chair and relax while listening to some interesting new local music.

Interested buyers can purchase Kyra and Tully’s Wildlife at the Mill Street Café in Sydenham or through their website at www.kyraand tully.com.

Chris Murphy’s “Follow the Star” can be purchased at Trousdale’s in Sydenham, and the Tiffany Gift Shoppe in Harrowsmith.

Local Bluegrass fans know all about Bill White and White Pine, featuring champion fiddler Joe white on fiddle and vocals. This year White Pine participated in a recording project for Campbell’s Corner Music of Owen Sound. The resulting CD, North to Ontario, features original music by 20 Ontario artists. The White Pine entry on the recording is called “A Church by the side of the Bed”.

It was one of the songs that helped North to Ontario win recording of the year honours at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. It is available online at campbellscornermusicsales.com or through Bill White in downtown Harrowsmith who can be reached at 613-372-2400. White Pine also has three full length recordings for sale.

White Pine will be playing winter shows this year at Christ Anglican Church on Sydenham road in Kingston.

The monthly shows benefit the Learning Disability Association of Kingston. They take place on the last Wednesday of the month from February through April. On February 24, White Pine will be joined by the James King Band from Virginia, on March 24 they will open for Lorraine Jordan and the Carolina Road, and on April 24 the youthful band Monroe Crossing from the American Midwest will follow Bill White and White Pine onto the stage.

Tickets to all three concerts are available from Bill White, as well as Renaissance Music and World of Rentals in Kingston