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Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

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December 15, 2005

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2005 Festival of the Treesby Dale Ham

The 2005 Festival of Trees has once again closed its doors on a very successful Christmas community event. This festival raises money for the ongoing work of Villages Beautiful and for the local Food Bank. There is no charge for admittance, but individuals are asked for a contribution of canned goods or cash to support the local Food Bank. The elves were kept busy running with the many gifts of food that festival visitors donated.

Under the leadership of Rosemarie Bowick (whose best elf is hubby Bill), the festival is engineered by the Villages Beautiful committee whose members come from all areas of Central Frontenac. They work tirelessly to pull together some 90 individuals who also contribute to the festival's success. The committee members should be mentioned for their efforts, both at festival time and for doing what they do best: making our villages beautiful! They are, along with Rosemarie: Elinore Bailey, Mardi Brown, Chris Campsall, Doris Campsall, Mary Chiarot, Barb England, Janet Gutowski, Annette Jackson, Anita Landry, Pearl Robinson, Marion Ratzinger, and Joan Wyatt.

The major contribution to the success of the festival is the 60 some businesses in the area, large and small, who donate entries, either through purchasing a tree and decorating it, contributing some other entry, or donating money.

Further, entertainment throughout the three days of the festival sets a festive atmosphere. Participating individuals were: Bill Miles, Shari Tallon, Melissa Tallon, Surah Field-Green, Lindsay Fox, Amelia Redmond, Jos Tanner, Barb Agnew, Dwain Scudder, and Jim Duthie. Groups were the Maberly Connection, Young Choristers, Country Church, Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra, the Arden Glee Club and the Ardenaires.

Students from elementary schools--Clarendon, Sharbot Lake Public, and St. James Major--participated by entering various types of artwork. Parents and grandparents were seen admiring these pieces that decorated the walls 'round the stage.

And finally, the public makes it all happen through their attendance. People from all walks of life, and all areas of the township, were seen chatting together, enjoying the festive atmosphere, and perhaps secretly hoping to gain a favourite item in the draws that toll the end of the festival on Saturday afternoon. The following are the festival winners:

7.5' Trees: First prize tree donated by Harvey's ValuMart "Ho! Ho! Ho!" went home to the family of Hayden McVeigh. The second prize entry of LDR - WA Robinson & Associates "Sugar & Spice" went home with Karen Campbell.

6' Trees: First prize Land o' Lakes Communication Network's "One World" went home with Jan MacPherson; second prize entry Sharbot Lake Seniors Home "Christmas at the Zoo" was won by Ilona Cox and third, decorated by Northern Frontenac Community Services, "A Family Christmas" went home with Danny Warren; this entry also won the "Peoples' Choice Award", a division determined by the number of tickets accumulated. The fourth entry decorated in this category, by North Frontenac Little Theatre, "A Dickens Christmas", went home with George Campsall, and the Royal Bank of Canada entry "Angel Lights" went to Morelle.

4' Trees: First prize tree, decorated by School on the Hill - Trillium Hill Centre's "Blossoms of Snow" was won by Anita Landry; second prize by Sunsets at the Beach "Culinary Christmas" went to Chris Henderson and third prize tree, Tip Top Dollar Shop's "Tweet Christmas" to Heather Fox. The Red Hat Ladies' "Christmas in Red & Purple" - Reta Bush; Parham Happy Travellers' "Silver Threads Among the Gold"- D. Campbell; Treasure Trunk's "Tiny Treasures" - Helen Hawley; Fall River Pub & Grill's "Seeing is Believing"- Jordan Thompson; Arden Seniors' "Silver Bells"- Evelyn Izzard; Ivy Leaf Rebekah Lodge #335 tree, "The Dove of Peace Tree"- Kate Brown; The Rising Bun & Tea Room's "A Christmas Tea"- Joanne McGurn; the Royal Canadian Legion #425 tree "Silver Boughs"- Donna Fox; and Cottage Country Landscape & Design's "Cottage Country Christmas"- Artie Cota.

Gingerbread Houses: First prize entered by Amelia Redmond, "Snoopy's Christmas", was taken home by Martina Field; 2nd by Wanda Putnam, "Thinking of our Vets at Christmas" went to Brenda Garrett; and 3rd by Northern Connections & Adult Learning Centre, "Christmas on the Farm, went to T. Ferguson. Ilona Cox's "Room with a View" went to Rebecca Sproule, and Rockhill B&B's "An English Christmas" went to G. Bailey.

Wreaths and Wall Hangings: Heading this category with first prize was Ann Howitt's "We're Home", which was won by Gerry Watkins; 2nd place by Christine Campsall, "Songs of Christmas" went to Lauretta Barker; and 3rd, Shades of Delight entry "Visons of Sugarplums" to Gail Lewis. Gray's Groceries "Snowman Wreath"- Wanda Benn; Rachel St. Denis' "Christmas Trinkle"- Nina Jenkins; Sharbot Lake Post Office's "Letters to Santa"- Audrey Cook; Sharbot Lake Country Inn's "Sleigh Bells Ring"- Sharon MacDonald;

Arden TOPS' "Frosty"- Janet Meldrum; Community Living North Frontenac's "Run, Run, Rudolph"- Morelle;

Lorraine Pickett's "Celtic Christmas Tree"- T. Christenson; Cameron Chiarot's "Antlers"- Dawn Gillam; Arden Batik's "Christmas Batik"- Candice Bedard; and Loretta Barker's "Four Seasons"- Dora Scott.

Anything goes (Wooden Crafts): First prize entry by Roger McMunn & Sons, "Willkommen Sankt Nikelas" went home with Debbie Deline; 2nd by the Wood Entry Workshop, "Cardinals in the Holly"- N. Burke; and 3rd, Northern Connections & Adult Learning Centre's "Frosty & Friends"- Marie Vinkle. Jeff Whan's "Yule Dog"- Sofoa Ratzinger.

Anything Goes - Really Anything! First prize Clip It Hair Salon's "Circle of Serenity" to Debbie Deline; 2nd prize entry by Sharbot Lake TOPS "The Littlest Tree"- Evelyn Izzard; and 3rd prize entry, Weekender's "Pampering Mrs. Claus"- Snady Hallam. Gloria McKinstry's "Three Wisemen"- Martin Walsh; Sharbot Lake High School's "Treasure of Toys"- Sherry Wylie; Interior Zone's "For Santa's Guest"- D. MacDonald; Lakeside B&B's "Village Snowman"- Sharon Meeks; Wine Plus's "Rosemary Charmer"- Cindy Hannah; Christmas Steel's "Fruits of Christmas"- Tom Hopkins; North Frontenac Telephone's "Chocolate Lover's Christmas"- Lil St. Amour; Village Pallettes' "Waiting for Christmas"- Martin Walsh; Knowler Plumbing's "Hockey Night in Kingston"- Collin Hamilton; and Sharbot Lake Pharmacy's "Clock Symphony"- Mary Lu Slavin.

The complete Christmas dinner was won by Earl Agnew. These hampers, overflowing with tasty goodies, is put in by Villages Beautiful and is always very popular.

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

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Christmas Stories:Christmas in OaxacaThe woes of the inn-keeper's wifeThe Friendly Snowman

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Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

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Christmas in Oaxacaby Tricia Workman

The sharp reek of gunpowder stung my nostrils, and sparks showered perilously close to the gaudy tissue paper decorations above. Every few seconds, firecrackers and Roman candles fizzed and exploded outside. The din was deafening. I was in church, holding a fully functioning sparkler three feet long that showered tiny star in all directions. It felt more like New Year's Eve or a blow-out birthday party (which. of course, it was.) But it was just a normal Christmas Eve in Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HA-ka). Nowhere on earth is Christmas celebrated more exuberantly than in here in the capital of the southern Mexican state of the same name. Indeed, the church service was the finale of 11 days of advent fiesta that had included reenactments of the Holy Family's search for lodging (complete with caroling, and tamales both savory and sweet afterward), parades, a grand display in the main square of artistically carved giant radishes, and lots of crockery-smashing, Christmas Eve is the night ALL the stops are pulled out. Starting around 8:30 p.m., each church in Oaxaca--and there seems to be one on every other corner--organizes a procession. Gaily decorated floats carry musicians and towering papier machfigures, followed by crowds bearing tall candles. These parades wend their way through town, meeting at the zalo, or main square. After circling the zalo, they return to their respective churches. The other guests and I watched in amazement as a parade stopped in front of the church directly across the street from Casa Arnel, where we were staying. At the foot of the church steps, girls in ruffled skirts and traditional head dresses danced, their long black braids and bright ribbons flying behind them as the musicians played. Boys set off firecrackers and Roman candles, the explosions of colors lighting the dark sky, much like the Star of long ago. Not one to watch when I could be participating, I crossed the street. The great carved doors to the church opened. A smiling, wrinkled old woman handed me the largest sparkler I had ever seen--at least three feet tall--and insisted on lighting it before I entered the church. Inside, I nervously looked around at the profusion of gaudy tissue paper streamers and snowflakes festooning the walls and ceiling, and at the sparks flying everywhere. The boom and pop of fireworks came through the open side door. It was the first and only time I have ever smelled gunpowder in church. The Oaxaquenos just smiled and made room for me in a pew. Those unlucky enough to arrive later crowded the aisles and stood in the doorways. A large nativity scene filled the altar, but the manger was empty. The service began with a procession of singing children in snow white surplices, looking simultaneously solemn and joyful. They were followed by an adult choir. The priest, resplendent in white and gold vestments, recited something in Spanish. Somehow it didn't seem to matter that I understood not a thing that was going on. The feeling was universal, and absolutely clear. Then the Big Moment arrived. From the rear of the church, a life-size Baby Jesus was carried in, held high above the heads of those entrusted with this most important task, and reverently placed in the straw-filled manger at the front of the church, to the joyous singing of the entire congregation. HE had arrived at last! This moment was the culmination of the previous two weeks' festivities, a joyous melding of baroque Spanish Catholicism, ancient solstice rites, and native exuberance. It seemed to me the truest expression I've ever witnessed of deeply religious faith and unmitigated joy at the birth of the Savior.

The fireworks continued off and on until 2 a.m. On Christmas morning the streets were silent and deserted, scraps of colored tissue and the burnt remains of fireworks the only remaining signs of last night's spectacle. Exhausted at last, everyone slept.(Tricia Workman is a freelance writer, editor and researcher who lives north of Verona.)

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

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Christmas Articles:

Christmas Art Contest

TOPS:four tips to tame a sweet tooth2005 Festival of the TreesOTannenbaumWhose Christmas is it anyway?We have seenHis GloryFollowing the Star

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 08 December 2005 08:28

Christmas_carol

Feature Article - December 8, 2005

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Two Dougs and a Peter bring off A Christmas Carol

by Jeff Green and Linda Rush

A Christmas Carol is one of the best known stories in the English language. It has been interpreted in diverse film versions over the years, featuring actors as varied as Alistair Sims, Bill Murray, and Kermit the Frog, and is performed in dramatic readings every year.

So, when Doug Boulter adapted A Christmas Carol for performance by the North Frontenac Little Theatre, he could pretty well count on his audience being not only familiar with the story itself, but with some of the visual representations that have come before. So, for example, in the scene when the Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Mark Millar, opens his robe to reveal the figures of want and ignorance, it was only necessary to have Scrooge see the ghoulish figures, the rest of the audience could fill the scene in with memories from the films.

Employing a sparse but ingenious set, with much of the action taking place in front of the curtain, Boulter’s adaptation took advantage of the richness of Dickens’ language as well as the actor’s abilities to portray the familiar characters.

In this version of the play, Peter Platenius set the scene by providing a gently ironic tone to the narration, while Doug MacIntyre gave Scrooge a rendering that ranged from outright rage to hysterical giddiness. In his debut performance with the North Frontenac Little Theatre, Doug had a challenging role, as he is on the stage for the entire performance. Doug was up to the challenge, and provided a convincing and entertaining portrayal of the legendary Scrooge, both as a villain and as a completely reformed man, as well as for all the stages in between. Together Peter and Doug set a light but sincere tone for A Christmas Carol without allowing the production to descend to an outright parody.

The script for this version calls for a large cast, all of whom did a very creditable job of bringing the play to life. Notable among the familiar crew of Little Theatre character actors were John Stephens, who brought genuine humility and warmth to Bob Cratchit, and Paddy O’Conner, whose zombie-like rendering of the chain-dragging Jacob Marley was riveting. Kevin Melcher, as Scrooge’s young nephew, brought a great deal of youthful charm to the production, as did young Maddie Field-Green whose portrayal of Tiny Tim could not fail to touch the audience’s hearts.

Strong performances by Sarah Hale, Mark Millar and Susan Stopford as the Ghosts of Christmas’ Past, Present and Future kept the production moving along well. Notable performances were also given by Norman Gutensperger (as the kind and irrepressible Mr Fezziwig), Andrea Dickinson (as Bob Cratchit’s patient and cheerful wife), Emily Dickinson (as the charming fiancof the young Scrooge) and by Jesse Mills as the young Scrooge himself. Lynda Boulter and Martina Field expressed scorn and astonishment as the outraged Charity Ladies, John Macdougal and Craig Godfrey were suitably sleazy as Old Joe and Dodger, and Karen Wolsey and Karen Steele were deliciously despicable as the Charwoman and the Laundress. North Frontenac Little Theatre’s good reputation in the community guarantees that performances will be well attended, and A Christmas Carol was no exception. The audience was not disappointed, and left happy to add this experience to the festivities and rituals that make the Christmas Season special to so many of us.

More images from AChristmas Carol (click thumbnails for full view)

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Thursday, 08 December 2005 08:28

Buy_my_vote

Feature Article - December 8, 2005

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Gray MerriamLegaleseGeneral information and opinion on legal topics by Rural Legal ServicesNature Reflectionsby Jean GriffinNight Skiesby Leo Enrights

Buy my vote, please

Editorial by Jeff Green

Stephen Harper has been running around the Country over the past week, talking about policy and making promises. As Christmas approaches it seems it is only a matter of time before he dons a Santa suit to accompany all the goodies he is promising to prospective voters.

If Paul Martin seems a bit Grinch-like about all these gifts Harper is bestowing, (last week Martrin was reportedly heard saying “I must stop Harper’s Christmas from coming, but how”), it’s probably because he doled out all his gifts back before the election, spending his billions for Halloween.

You can’t get points at Christmastime for the Hallowe’en present you bought for your kids. Any parent knows that.

It is as a parent, coincidentally, that I have a bone to pick with Stephen Harper’s latest set of goodies, $100 each month for each kid aged 6 and under. Hello, some of us don’t have kids under 6; what do we get out of it? Are we supposed to be happy for our friends and neighbours who have younger children? That’s like telling an older child to be happy for their younger siblings who received more expensive and desirable Christmas presents. It doesn’t really work.

If Mr. Harper would like to buy my vote, he’d better offer me some money.

He did just that last week, with his GST reduction promise, although I don’t think it is as lucrative as he said it was. The average Canadian family is supposed to save $400 per year.

I don’t know about anybody else, but my family can’t afford to buy that much stuff after making mortgage payments and buying food, which don’t have GST on them. For the sake of argument, let’s say the GST promise is worth $200 to me. I don’t count the other 1% of GST that will be deducted in five years because I can’t think that far ahead, and neither can any Canadian politician, as far as I can tell.

So, really, all I’ve been offered so far from Mr. Harper is $200 per year. Then again, $200 is better than nothing.

Now, the Prime Minister’s response to Stephen Harper’s GST promise was like that of a divorced parent who has found out that their former partner has promised a Play Station 2 for their child, and responds by promising the child an Xbox.

Martin didn’t say that voters shouldn’t be bribed with their own money; he said that it is better to give people an income tax break, that would be more valuable.

As a voter I say to Mr. Martin, please spell that out, how much do I get from that income tax break? Is it more than $200, because if it isn’t, well there’s this other guy offering more money than you are.

So far, the money on the table is really peanuts, unless of course there little tykes running around your house, in which case four years of Harper is looking pretty good right now.

But it’s still 6 weeks until Christmas - I mean until the election - plenty of time for Santa Martin or Santa Harper to sweeten the pot.

Maybe Christmas is the ideal time for a Federal election, after all.

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

Thank_you

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Thank you, Thank you all

This issue of the Frontenac News marks the end of another year of publication for us. This little paper has now been published for 34 or 35 years. Our masthead says it was founded in 1971 but it might have started in 1970. While a lot has changed in that time - we no longer run the paper off on a Gaestetner and we don’t even use a hot waxer and flats any more - the basic mandate of the enterprise has not changed. Our goal is to provide a tool for communication between the various communities where we have distribute the paper, communities that did not have another venue for talking to each other back in 1970 or 1971.

Whether that is accomplished through Community Columns, Council reports, the Northern Happenings, the Classifieds, or articles or pictures submited by readers or generated by ourselves, we do our best to provide information and enterntainment that is specific to the region we serve.

Just like the founders of the paper back in the early 70’s, we couldn’t put the paper out for 50 weeks a year without the help of a great many people.

The paper is brought to your mailbox each week courtesy of our advertisers. It has always been important to maintain the Frontenac News as a free forum for all permanent residents and this means that it is the local businesses that make putting out the paper possible.

Then there are the volunteers: the Community Columnists, who take on the respnsible to gather information each week of the year and ensure that the comings and goings of all the villages are covered in the paper. With our minimal editorial staff, it would be impossible to adequately cover the territory without our Community Columnists: Evelyn Izzard, Ellanora Meeks, Jean Campbell, Ann Elvins, Rev. Jean Brown, Georgina Wathen, Susan Freeman, Ankaret Dean, Pearl Killingbeck, Maxine Purdon, Rose Marie Turner, Marilyn Meeks, Rhonda Watkins, Wilma Kenny, Doug MacIntyre, and Jean Lewis.

We are also fortunate to have a core of volunteers that help out in the office each week, doing typing, layout, copy editing and proof reading. Without them - well we don’t want to think about what it would be like to put out the paper without the efforts of Dale Ham, Donna Tysic, Marg DesRoche, Morrel Chaisson, Dale and Barb Whan, Martina Field, and Linda Rush.

This year in particular we have relied on our core staff to keep the paper going. Scott Cox, Garry Drew, and Suzanne Tanner have kept the paper running smoothly, day in day out, through another year.

During the summer we were fortunate to get some much-needed extra help from two students - Catherine Koch and Meghan Balogh. Meghan has stayed on as our webmaster and has done a wonderful job of re-designing our website: www.newsweb.ca.

We post major articles to our website but are kept too busy by the newspaper to keep with its calendar of events. We are very gateful to Bill Wilson of the Sharbot Lake Property Owners’ Association for taking on the job of posting the Northern Happenings on their website with a link to ours.

Finally our readers, who paticipate in the Frontenac News just by reading it, whether is is cover to cover as some kind people claim they do, or those that pick and choose what interests them. After all, without readers, The Frontenac News is merely mulch, fire starter, or bird cage filler. We don’t mind being put to use for those things, but we prefer to have been read first.

We will now disappear for our annual two week hiatus. We hope you enjoy this Special Christmas Issue. Our office will be closed from Dec 16 to Jan. 3, 2006. We will be back on January 5th to begin 2006, when we will turn our attention to a Federal Election and begin looking towards municipal elections. We wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

-Jeff and Jule

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

Whose_christmas

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Whose Christmas is it anyway?by Reverend Art Turnbull

Cash registers tingle. Crowds of shoppers mingle. Families rushto assemble gifts. Friends arrange to give others a lift. "It was the day before Christmas when all through..."

The time of year that is now upon us is a time of celebration and sharing. It is a festive season that so many rush to enjoy. The last days of the year are looked forward to by thousands seeking a holiday. Many have earned this break, having worked madly all year to make ends meet. It is good for folk to get together and enjoy each other’s company. There is nothing out of place in taking the family toa resort location for skiing,or the choice of others is to go to the sunshine and beaches of the south.

This is the season that humans have created. Shaped by marketing music that bids people shop until they drop, a frenzy is added to these days. Beginning in October a steady build up has been developing for people to expect a grand finale. When the time comes it is no wonder that all that is expected is not achieved. The bubble sometimes bursts. Do not fret. The two weeks of "Boxing Day" sales offer a cure for those who are let down. We humans are good at creating our own difficulties.

Whose Christmas is it anyway?

We humans need to realize that God is already in our space. The tingle of the cash registers also announces the presence of God. The mingling crowds are not strangers to the Almighty. Families exchanging gifts are also receivers of the gift of the Son of God, the Messiah. Reaching out a helping hand to give a lift to a stranger is responding to God's desire for us to have compassion. A need or a cause is a response to the love of Jesus.

This is God's Christmas season. In the wonder of the days that are now upon us, do take time to be touched by the mystery of a child born in a manger. Take time out to attend a Christian church service so that you can hear the story, our human story, of God's Incarnation. God is with us.

God's blessing be with you this Christmas.

(The Reverend Art Turnbull is Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Sydenham)

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 01 December 2005 08:28

Christmas_musings

Feature Article - December 1, 2005

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Christmas Musings

by Reverend Marilyn Richardson

And Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son – and her son became our Lord and Saviour. This is the most wonderful gift anyone has ever been given! And so we set aside a time each year to celebrate this birth and to give thanks to God.

Jesus didn’t arrive in a beautifully wrapped box with a big red ribbon on it. He arrived in a humble stable with animals and the smell of a barn to welcome him into this world. His first visitors were dirty, unkempt shepherds who came out of curiosity to see what was going on. Mary was exhausted, and Joseph was worried and frustrated because he had to put Mary in such a place to deliver their baby.

But through it all they survived and thrived and the world was changed forever. At least, the world was changed for all who believe in this magnificent, humbling story.

The Christmas season seems to come earlier and earlier each year. Decorations are abundant in all the stores before the Jack-O-Lanterns are put away. We start to panic in mid-November now instead of mid-December. We fill our calendars with social events, business obligations; we buy gifts that most of us don’t need – or want. We decorate, we bake, we wrap. We throw ourselves into the crowded malls to listen to canned music and an artificial Santa Claus saying his “Ho! Ho! Ho’s! It is exciting. It is frustrating. It is tiring.

When all is ready – the turkey bought, the dressing waiting to be stuffed, the presents all wrapped up, the family invited, we finally get to have a little rest – perhaps for at least an hour – and hopefully, we will take stock, once again, of this Christmas past.

Have we left anything unfinished? What didn’t we do that we promised ourselves we would do this year? We look at our Christmas tree with the angel or star sitting on top and perhaps then, we will remember. We forgot the most important thing about this season of the birth of our Lord. We forgot to say thank-you to the One who gave us this gift.

We forgot to take that special gift to Community Services for the Christmas baskets. We forgot to knit that extra pair of mitts for the children whose hands freeze in the winter because they don’t have anything warm! We forgot to go to church and feast on the decorations and the singing and the messages that are in abundance in our places of worship. We forgot that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”.

God takes no pleasure in seeing us work ourselves into a frenzy to celebrate a season where the meaning is so deeply hidden in the tinsel and wrappings that we have forgotten how Christmas came to be. Only each one of us, by ourselves, can change the whole concept of Christmas. Only we can stop buying, buying, buying! Only we can put our money and time into doing good deeds for those who need our help. Only we can fill a Christmas basket for one who is not as fortunate as ourselves.

I believe Christmas is a time for family and friends. It is a time for good food, a thoughtful gift to someone I love. It is a time for sending and receiving good wishes from my family and friends far away. It is a time when I can, and do, wish everyone I meet a “Merry Christmas”; not “Holiday Greetings” or Best Wishes”. No! I refuse to take Christ out of Christmas! Most of all, I believe Christmas is the time to stop! To ponder! To remember! To give thanks! Our churches yearn to welcome all those who desire to be a part of the true meaning of Christmas.

May you have a blessed, safe, peaceful, love-filled Christmas – in Christ’s name.

- The Rev. Marilyn Richardson, Flinton-Cloyne-Harlowe United Churches

The United Churches of Flinton-Cloyne-Harlow are having a Stable Service on December 16at 3 p.m. at the farm of the Blackwell’s on Henderson Road right at the Harlowe four corners. Keep driving ‘till you come to

Sasha’s legacy farm. You are all invited to attend.

Published in 2005 Archives
Thursday, 15 December 2005 08:27

Recipes

2005 Christmas Edition

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Christmas RecipesMain dishes, desserts, and alcohol-free drinks for theChristmas season

Cranberry Chip Barsby Marilyn Meeks

1 pkg. 18 oz white cake mix cup packed brown sugar2 eggs cup butter, softened cup water1 cup dried cranberries1 cup white chocolate chips1 cup chopped almonds

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar, eggs, butter and water. Beat on low speed for one minute or until smooth. Stir in cranberries, chips and nuts. Spread batter in greased 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Bake 25 - 30 minutes in preheated oven 350o F until set. Cool completely in pan. Cut into bars. May ice.

Mincemeat Christmas Cake by Marilyn Meeks

9-oz tin of mincemeat cup warm water cup candied fruit1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk1 egg1 cup flour sp soda cup glazed cherries (optional) cup walnuts (optional)Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for hour.

Oatmeal CookiesBy Joyce Smith

1 egg cup brown sugar cup white sugar1 cup margarine1 tsp vanilla1 cup flour tsp baking soda tsp salt cup coconut cup nuts cup cherries cup dates tsp nutmeg tsp cinnamon2 cups rolled oats

Mix ingredients in order given. Roll batter into small balls. Press down with floured fork. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 325o F. Do not over bake.

Cranberry Orange Lamb Chops

6 Frenched Lamb Chops or 4 Loin Chops, 1” thick cup sugar 1 cup cranberries cup orange juice 1 tsp grated orange rind 1 tsp Dijon mustard pinch of allspice

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, cranberries, orange juice, rind, Dijon mustard and allspice. Cook until mixture boils and cranberries pop (about 10 to 12 minutes). Set aside. In a preheated broiler, 4” from heat, broil lamb chops on one side for 6 minutes. Turn chops and broil 4 mins longer. Spoon one generous teaspoonful of sauce over each chop. Broil for 1 minute longer. Serve extra sauce on the side. Serve with parsley potatoes and vegetables julienne

Cranberry Coleslawby Stephanie Stacey

1 cup chopped cranberries cup sugar3 cups finely shredded cabbage cup orange juice2 Tbsp. chopped celery2 Tbsp. chopped green pepper1 cup seeded halved green grapes cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

Mix cranberries with sugar. Moisten cabbage with orange juice. Add sugared cranberries, celery, green peppers and grapes. Toss lightly with the mayonnaise or salad dressing. Chill hour. (6 - 8 servings)

Festive Cheesecake Barsby Deb Stacey

1 cup margarine or butter1 cup firmly packed brown sugar3 cups sifted all-purpose flour1 cups finely chopped walnuts2 cups mincemeat cup white sugar3 8-oz pkgs. cream cheese3 eggs, beaten1/3 cup milk3 Tbsp. lemon juice1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter or margarine with sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour and chopped walnuts, creaming with spoon until mixture forms crumbs. Set aside 3 cups mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350o F for 12 - 15 mins. Cool. Combine white sugar and cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Add eggs, milk, lemon juice and vanilla. Beat thoroughly. Spread mincemeat evenly over cooled base, then pour cream cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle reserved 3 cups crumbs over top. Bake at 350o F for 25 - 30 mins. or until set. Chill before cutting.

Cranberry stuffingby Marilyn Meeks

1 cup fresh stewed cranberries cup sugar cup chopped celery2 Tbsp. chopped parsley4 Tbsp. butter4 cups stale bread crumbs tsp. sweet marjoram1 tsp. salt

Combine cranberries and sugar. Cook celery and parsley in butter until celery is tender. Blend all together. Stuff your turkey or whatever other meat you might have!

Manitoulin Island Christmas Cake by Rev. Jean Brown

We make gum drop cake at Christmas time- it’s moist and looks cheery on the plate. Too many traditional Christmas cakes are so dry. Give it a taste.

1 lb. Raisins (2 cups)1 lb. Gumdrops (2 cups)- don’t use the black ones.

In one bowl- oak raisins in boiling water to cover and let stand overnight to plump up.

In another bowl, cut gumdrops into pieces with scissors and add them to the soaked up raisins, coating all in a light dusting of flour.

In another bowl, cream together 1 cup white sugar cup butter.

Add 2 well beaten eggs 1 tsp. Soda 1 cup sour milk.

If you don’t have sour milk put 1 tbsp. vinegar in cup and then fill cup with milk, then add soda.

In another bowl sift together 2 cups flour tsp salt 1 tsp. Cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg.

Mix all ingredients together, and bake in a slow oven at 300 F for 1 to 1 hours. This tastes yummy.

Christmas morning Breakfast by Rev. Jean Brown

Get it ready the night before and put in frig, then cook it on Christmas morning while you are opening gifts.

12 slices day old bread lb. Cheddar cheese2 2/3 cup milk4 eggs tsp salt (can use less) tsp pepper1/8 tsp paprika

Trim crusts from bread. Lay 6 slices in bottom of buttered baking dish. Slice cheese and lay it over the bread. Cover with remaining 6 bread slices. Beat the eggs and add milk and seasonings. Pour over bread and cheese. Cover and put in refrigerator overnight. Bake on Christmas morning at 359 F for 45 minutes. Enjoy.

Manitoulin Meat ballsby Rev. Jean Brown

1 lb ground beef cup diced parsley flakes2 tbsp. soya sauce1 tsp garlic powder1 cup corn flake crumbs2 eggs2 tsp pepper1/3 cup ketchup2 tbsp. minced onion

Combine the above ingredients, blend well, make into small meatballs and arrange in a roast pan.

Meanwhile in a saucepan combine

16 oz can jellied cranberry sauce1 cup brown sugar1 scant tsp. Horseradish1 – 12 ounce bottle chilli sauce1 tbsp. lemon juice1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine all of these ingredients in the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until mixture is smooth and cranberry sauce melted. Pour over raw meatballs. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes at 350 F . Serve with toothpicks- enjoy. Have a blast.

Red Rhubarb Saladby Anne Lawrence of Big Gull Lake

3 cups finely cut rhubarb cup sugar1/3 cup water2 (3 oz) pkg. Strawberry Jello1 cup crushed pineapple cup chopped nuts or chopped celery2 cups water

Cook rhubarb, sugar and the 1/3 cup water. Add strawberry jello, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts or celery and 2 cups water. Chill until firm and then serve. The rhubarb gives a tangy taste, and I like to serve this at the lake on a warm summer day, however it would also be good at Christmas time.

Crazy Crunchby Doris Forbes

This was a favourite of my Mother, the late Ethel Forbes and is offered in her memory.

2 quarts popped corn1 1/3 cups pecans2/3 cup almonds1 1/3 cups sugar1 cup margarine1 tsp. Vanilla cup corn syrup or lily white syrup tsp. Salt

Mix popped corn and nuts on cookie sheet. Combine sugar, margarine, salt and corn syrup in 1 quart sauce pan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture turns a light caramel colour. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour over popped corn and nuts; mix to coat well. Spread to dry. Break apart; store in tightly covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

Oatmeal shortbread cookiesby Leta Peterson of the Ponderosa in memory of the late Clifford Peterson

1 cup butter cup brown sugar1 cups flour1 cups rolled oatsdash salt

Mix all together and roll in balls. Flatten with fork and bake at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes.

The Late Leta Blake’s Christmas Thimble cookiesby Lorne Blake and family- in memory of Leta

2 cups soft shortening1 cup brown sugar4 egg yolks4 cups flour2 tsp. Vanilla tsp saltred or green jelly1 thimble- sterilized or covered with saran wrap.

Combine shortening, brown sugar, egg yolks, flour, vanilla and salt. Form into balls, the size of robins eggs. Take the thimble and put a dent in the ball. Cook 5 minutes at 350 F. Remove from oven and cool. Drop red or green jelly into the dent in the cookies. Good for Christmas, or any special event.

Christmas Wreath Cookies by Marilyn Meeks

cup sugar2 cup flour1 cup flour1 cup margarine2 egg yolks tsp salt1 egg, beatenred and green cherries, chopped

In a large bowl, mix sugar and the next five ingredients. Beat with mixer on low. Preheat over at 350. Roll a heaping teaspoonful of dough at a time into a 6-inch rope. Place each rope on cookie sheet in a circle, but cross one end over the other with ” extending at each end. Brush cookies with egg white and sprinkle on some sugar. Press pieces of red and green cherries to make a pretty decoration. Bake until light golden brown. Cool.

No-Bake Refrigerator Squares by Joyce Smith

1 cup brown sugar1 egg cup butter2 cups graham wafer crumbs1 tsp vanilla1 cup coconutchopped nuts

Cook sugar, egg and butter in double boiler until thickened. Remove from heat and add other ingredients. Press into a 9x9 inch pan. Cool. Ice with white or chocolate icing, then cover with chopped walnuts. Refrigerate. Cut into squares.

Unbaked Squares by Joyce Smith

1 can Eagle Brand milk3 cups graham wafer crumbs cup walnuts cup coconut cup mixed fruit1 cups miniature marshmallows

Mix dry ingredients together. Stir in milk and press evenly into a buttered 9-inch square pan. Chill before cutting.

Cranberry Lemon Scones by Marilyn Meeks

2 cups flour1 tbsp. Baking powder tsp. baking soda tsp. salt cup sugar cup cold butter cut into pieces cup dried cranberries2 tsp. grated lemon rind1 cup buttermilk1 egg beaten

Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar in a bowl. Add butter and work with your fingertips or fork until mixture is the size of small peas. Mix in cranberries and lemon rind. Gently stir in buttermilk and mix. Do not overmix. Turn onto a floured surface and gently knead until dough just holds together. Roll or pat out in a circle 1” thick. Cut into 8 triangles and place on baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with beaten egg. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until puffed and golden. Makes 8 scones. (I used orange rind instead of lemon.)

Alcohol-free drinks for Christmas

The Sunrise BlendIn a blender, add 1cup ice, 3 oz. fresh orange juice, 3 oz. fresh pineapple juice, 2 fresh strawberries and 1 banana. Blend until slushy and strain into a large tumbler. Garnish with strawberries.

Foaming Dragon Kingston Brewing Co. Ltd.

Into a shaker glass over ice, add 4 oz. cranberry juice, 4 oz. orange juice, 1 tablespoon icing sugar. Shake and strain onto fresh ice in a highball glass and top with 7-Up. Garnish with fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick ...Created by Van-Allen Turner.

Cajun Clamato Cocktail The Hub Bars & Restaurants - Francois

Rim glass with celery salt. Blend: ice, clamato juice, dash of Worcestershire sauce , dash of Tabasco, salt & pepper, fresh horseradish. Garnish with a celery stalk

Baby Bellini Le Chien Noir Chilled Sparkling Cider 2 oz. Peach Nectar 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Pour the fruit juices into a chilled champagne flute. Stir well. Add cider to the rim. Stir again gently. Bartender: Deidre Tylecki

Yellow Bird The Hub Bars & Restaurants - Francois

1 oz. each of orange juice - pineapple - grapefruit2 oz. Sprite or 7-upicefloat grenadine on top and let it dribble through for effectgarnish with orange or pineapple

The Gentle Breeze

Fill a gobler with ice. Add 4 oz. cranberry juice and 4 oz. grapefruit juice. Garnish with a fresh cranberry and mint leaf.

For more fun alcohol-free drinks visit www.mocktails.ca

Published in 2005 Archives
Page 8 of 20
With the participation of the Government of Canada