National exposé is not a balanced view: MPC

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28 COUNTRY CROSSROADS I can’t believe you got the Christmas lights up already, Dad!” Randy Jackson sounded genuinely surprised. “It’s what, December the second? What happened to waiting till Christmas Eve and then having to hang the lights in a 50 below 0 snowstorm. Wasn’t that the way you always did it when we were kids?” “Yeah, that’s the way I remember it too,” Randy’s sister Jennifer piped up. “That’s when I learned my entire vocabulary of bad words!” Andrew just shrugged. “You get older, hopefully you get a little wiser,” he said. “Though my vocabulary hasn’t shrunk, I must admit.” The Jackson family had retired to the drawing room, so to speak, after another successful Sunday dinner. Andrew reclined comfortably on the La-Z-Boy, Randy and his wife Jackie leaned up against each other on one half of the sectional couch while Brady, with his new wife Amanda did the same on the other half. Jennifer was sprawled out on the floor on a blanket and pillow. Rose was also on the floor next to the newly decorated tree, examining the many ornaments together with three-year-old granddaughter Allison. Last, but by no means least, little Andy Junior slept peacefully nestled in the corner of the couch. “I like the little Santas on the front lawn,” said Jackie. “Those are new, aren’t they?” Andrew nodded. “Got ’em at Zellers in the city for five bucks,” he said. “Zellers is clearing everything out you know.” “Clearing out? Why? Are they closing?” said Brady. “Wow, are you behind the times Brady!” Jennifer laughed. “Zellers got bought by Target, like, a year ago! We won’t have to go to Grand Forks anymore to get our Target deals!” “Well that sucks,” said Brady. “That’ll take all the fun out of shopping at Target.” “That’s exactly what I said,” said Jackie. “Shopping at Target was just an excuse to spend a weekend in Fargo! That’ll just be kind of pointless once there’s a Target on every corner in Winnipeg.” “Look on the bright side darling,” said Randy. “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good. Every cloud has a silver lining.” “ Create a wreath Why buy when you can make an inexpensive, natural one? By Albert Parsons FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR When it comes to decorating for Christmas, I like to decorate using natural plant materials, and I always look around to see what I have in my own garden or can obtain from non-commercial sources (read: free!). Of all the items in the outdoor decorations department, I don’t think there is any item more popular than the wreath. A holiday wreath adds a festive touch even if no other decorations are used. All-season garden centres and some retail outlets sell greens — branches of evergreen — that can be used for just such a purpose. I usually get mine from our local composting site during the late fall. It seems there is always someone cutting down a spruce or taking out an overgrown mugho pine, and sometimes I am lucky enough to come upon some cedar branches. When creating a wreath, some kind of frame or solid apparatus on which to fasten all of the components is essential. Such a wreath ring, which is usually made of stiff wire, can be purchased, but you can easily make your own. The ring will not be visible, so it doesn’t matter what it looks like; it does, however, have to be strong enough to support the weight of the wreath and sturdy enough The Jacksons B Y R O L L I N P E N N E R Jackie gave her husband a confused look. “Huh?” she said. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “I’m talking about when life hands you lemons, you gotta make lemonade,” said Randy. “So how about this? We’ll still go to Fargo for a weekend every so often but, thank God, we won’t have to go to Target while we’re there! Everybody wins!” There was a moment of silence. “Why on God’s green earth would anyone go to Fargo for a weekend except to shop at Target?” said Brady. “To buy cheap booze obviously,” said Andrew. “And guns. I’ve heard the Canadian military gets all its weapons at a pawn shop in Fargo.” to hang without having the whole thing collapse. I have had success simply cutting a few long willow stems and twining them into a circle, adding wire to fasten them securely together where necessary. I have also seen wreath frames made of wood or Styrofoam. The fastening of the evergreen branches to the frame begins by shoving the butt ends of the branches into the willow frame. This helps to keep them in place, although wire should be used to make sure they are securely fastened in place. After the first branch is fixed solidly in place, a second one is positioned so that the top part of it covers the butt end of the previously installed branch — you sort of work backwards around the wreath. When the second one has been fixed securely into place, the next one is added, then the next one, and so on until a circle of boughs is formed. The branches, which should completely cover the frame, all point in the same direction and they should be placed close enough together to create a nice full wreath. There shouldn’t be too large of an opening left in the middle of the wreath and I think the wreath looks best if the outer edges are natural looking by having some of the branches extending a bit farther out than others — don’t make the shape too “perfect.” Thin, pliable wire can be used to fasten the branches in place, but avoid using shiny wire, which might be noticeable; you want the wire to disappear and not be visible. A hanger must be added — securely fastened to the wreath and strong enough to hold it after it is hung. Next add some decorative touches. I like to add a large bow somewhere — off to the side near the bottom or centred at the top. If a really natural look is desired, a bow made of raffia could be used. If the theme of a natural Christmas wreath is carried through, only natural materials should be used, such as cones, red berries (perhaps from a mountain ash or cranberry bush), dried flowers such The Manitoba Co-operator | December 13, 2012 “If all you want is guns and booze,” said Brady, “you don’t have to go all the way to Fargo. You can just go to Thief River Falls.” Andrew gave his son a disdainful glance. “Now how would that look,” he said, “having the military buy its weapons in Thief River Falls? Lame.” “Won’t prices at Target stores in the States still be lower than at Target stores here? Isn’t that how it works?” said Amanda, joining the conversation. “Not that I would know,” she added. “I’ve never been to the States.” There was a moment of shocked silence. “You’ve never been to the States?” said Randy. “You’ve never gone to Grand Forks to get a good deal on a winter parka?” He paused. “Are you sure you’re from Manitoba?” he said suspiciously. “No,” said Amanda. “I’m an alien from outer space.” “Aha!” said Randy. “I knew there was something different about you. You better get a passport and head over the border pretty quick, because if the authorities find out you’ve never gone to Grand Forks to get a good deal on something they’ll know you’re an alien, and they’ll ship you right back to Santraginus Five.” “Six,” said Amanda. “I’m from Santraginus Six. Come to think of it, I’ve never been to Santraginus Five either.” “You really should get out more,” said Randy. He looked at Brady. “You should take your wife to Fargo,” he said. “Yeah right,” said Brady. “And if the American Border Patrol finds out she’s an alien from Santraginus Six, where do you think they’ll send her? They’ll send her to Mexico, because they’ll assume that’s where Santraginus Six is.” “Nice,” said Andrew. “I wish I could get deported to Mexico. Just to get away from this insane conversation. And to be somewhere warm,” he added. “I’ll call my buddy Bill, who’s a border guard at Gretna,” said Brady, “and see what I can arrange for you, Dad. What do you say to that?” Andrew grinned. “Merry Christmas to me,” he said. Two Christmas wreaths are boxed and ready for sale at a garden centre. You can easily make your own. PHOTO: ALBERT PARSONS as annual statice, dried seed pods such as poppy and datura (which could be sprayed to add colour). If you are not a purist about the wreath being all natural, add some artificial ornaments such as Christmas balls. Finally, hang the wreath and enjoy it throughout the holiday season, either outdoors or inside — although if it is used inside it should be kept away from all heat sources and open flames and be aware that it will not stay fresh as long as it would outdoors, as it will dry out more quickly. Albert Parsons writes from Minnedosa, Man.
The Manitoba Co-operator | December 13, 2012 By Donna Gamache Freelance contributor Recently, as I drove past a country school set off by itself in a snowy field, my thoughts turned back to longago Christmases, particularly those when I was a child attending classes in a similar oneroom school. In the eight years I attended, our school population ranged from about 20 students in the early years, to perhaps 14 later on. As the days turned colder and shorter, the minds of teacher and pupils alike turned to plans for the Christmas concert. Looking back now, I wonder how the teacher ever managed to arrange classes for six to eight grades of students, at the same time as he or she organized a concert that would do the school proud. With low numbers of pupils, it must have been challenging. One first-year teacher recalls that it became almost a competition with a nearby school, to see which one could produce the better concert. Children in the younger grades usually performed short, individual recitations, while older pupils would memorize lines and take part in short plays or skits. At least two plays were performed, sometimes three, and depending on the number of actors required, one child might be needed to take part in a couple of them — making for a lot of memorizing. Besides plays and recitations, there was always singing — which involved everyone, not just the musically talented — and usually a simple dance or a drill, where costumed pupils crossed the stage in criss-cross patterns. For musical numbers, someone from the district who played the piano usually came to help with the practices, and over the years we learned nearly all the traditional Christmas carols, as well as some of the newer songs. Parental help was also needed to help with costumes and decorations. Some schools, located near a district hall, had a permanent stage for their performance, but our district had no hall so the concert was held in the school. During the final week before the concert, a temporary stage of planks was set up across the back of the schoolroom, and curtains were hung. The desks would be crowded towards the front of the school — but by that time we weren’t doing much schoolwork anyway! When the Christmas tree was set up and decorated, there was even less space for actual schoolwork. Excitement grew and the big night finally arrived. I don’t recall that we ever had to postpone the concert, due to storms, although I did hear of that happening in some districts. December nights were often frosty and snowy, but the concert was a district highlight, and everyone came. The tree, festooned with tinsel and garlands, seemed magical as we crowded into the school. Desks had been shoved against the walls and chairs and benches were set up for the audience. Usually the performance went off with only a few minor hitches. Perhaps the curtains weren’t closed at quite the correct time, or someone forgot a line or two in a play, but these were trivial items. I recall one year when we sang “Frosty the Snowman,” that the pupil attired as Frosty accidentally tumbled off the stage, but for- 29 COUNTRY CROSSROADS Country school concerts of the past Everyone came out to watch this district highlight Send Someone a hug By Pat Gerbrandt Freelance contributor Would you like to send someone a hug? With modern printing capabilities, you can provide a hug pillow to ease someone’s loneliness or help distant grandchildren remember your face. Supplies: • A good-quality photo with fairly high resolution, enlarged and printed on white cotton (see note below) • 18x45-inch (46x114-cm) washable fabric for cushion cover • 18x18-inch (46x46-cm) lightweight woven fabric • Matching thread Optional: • A pillow form [I used 18-inch (46-cm) square and removed about 25 per cent of the stuffing, making flatter pillows for younger children] Note: While there are fabric sheets for use in home printers, not all are guaranteed to be colourfast. I went to a commercial printer. Make sure to ask about a process that results in a washable product. Prices will vary for the printing, and you may get a better deal for multiple copies. Instructions: Pin the stabilizing fabric to the middle of the larger piece, wrong sides together. Pin your photo fabric, face up, to the right side, centring it on top of the stabilized area. Machine baste the side edges of the stabilizing piece and cover fabric. With regular-length stitch, sew along the edges of the photo. Trim excess fabric from photo piece. Use a wide zigzag for satin stitching, carefully covering the cut edges of the fabric photo. Make a narrow double hem A typical rural class in the ’60s, dressed up for a photo (with young teacher in the back). photo: Donna GaMache at each of the long ends of the cover. Then, with the picture in the centre of the length of fabric, fold both ends over, right sides together, overlapping the ends to create a square pocket. Stitch sides, using a 1/4-inch (2-cm) seam allowance. Zigzag or serge seams and trim threads. Turn the cover right side out and stuff the pillow inside. If it’s too costly to mail the completed cushion, you could send just the cover. A soft towel or T-shirts could be used to stuff the hug pillow. Who can put a price on a hug? Pat Gerbrandt writes from Grunthal, Man. This toddler took one look at her gift, exclaimed “Papa!” and showed she knew it was a hug pillow. photo: pat GerbranDt tunately he wasn’t hurt — perhaps because he had sufficient padding to create the snowman effect. Near the end of the program the Christmas Nativity story was always performed. There would be Mary, Joseph, three wise men, perhaps a human donkey or cow, and as many angels and shepherds as needed so that all the children were included. Of course, for the smaller children the highlight of the By La’Costa Godbout Freelance contributor Here’s a handy, inexpensive project made with items you may already have in your home. Supplies: • Old cookie sheet, washed and dried • Steel wool or sandpaper (optional) • Leftover primer and paint (either spray paint or canned — read label to see if suitable for metal) • Paintbrush (if using canned paint) • Painting drop cloth • Plate stand • Magnets and/or embellishments as desired Instructions: Tip: If using light-coloured paint, use two coats of primer. Optional: With a piece of steel wool or sandpaper, use circular motions across the entire surface of the cookie sheet. This will allow the paint to adhere better. Wipe down well before painting. Work in a well-ventilated area. Place cookie sheet face side up on the drop cloth and evening was the arrival of Santa Claus. The last Christmas song was invariably “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and without fail — at least so far as I can recall — the jolly gentleman always appeared on cue, bringing in small bags of candy (purchased by the school trustees) and sometimes a Christmas orange for each child. The smallest ones might receive a little gift as well. The reindeer never appeared, but we figured they were resting in the school’s old barn — not much used by that time. For some years my father was the school board chairman, so I suppose the choice of selecting a Santa sometimes fell to him. Indeed, I recall that one year Santa sounded remarkably like my uncle (Dad’s brother), though I didn’t find it suspect at the time. Today’s larger schools often still hold a “holiday concert,” with each class contributing one musical item. But those who attended one-room schools still remember with pleasure the Christmas concerts of the past — a time when teacher and pupils co-operated fully, a time for bonding and friendships that today’s larger, many-roomed schools sometimes don’t produce. These concerts were the country school version of the performing arts! Donna Gamache writes from MacGregor, Man. From old cookie sheet to new magnet board photo: la’coSta GoDbout put on primer. Let dry one hour or as specified on container. Turn cookie sheet over and prime the back. Let dry. Place cookie sheet face side up and coat with paint. Let dry one hour or as specified on container. Turn cookie sheet over and paint the back. Let dry for at least two hours or overnight to ensure that it is fully dry. Embellish as desired. Keep it simple and use fancy magnets or use stencils and paint on a trim. Use your imagination and have fun! Set up plate stand on the counter and place cookie sheet on the stand. Use magnets to hold recipes while cooking and baking or use to display weekly menu. La’Costa Godbout writes from Winnipeg.
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