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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-12-17, Page 43COMM I_W1 i }" Tinges -Advocate, December 24,1997 Page 11 All I want for Christmas is... What would you like for Christmas? Santa visited the.Sunshine Kids at Exeter United Church on. Thursday. Shown here are gift hopefuls Emily Hartman, 2, left, Matius Shapiro, 3, middle right, and Ty Bilcke, 3, bottom. Photos by Chantal) Van Raay Luke Kerslake, Grade 5 Precious Blood School 1 1 1 1 1 nn Yon Derek Mary 7ackie Lesley Karen You might get the magic of Christmas by Pauline Kerr Satfgeen Cit' News "We three kings of Orient are..." The little guy in the hack row chortles with glee and adds the next Zine. "Bearing gifts..." becomes "Trying to smoke our rubber cigar"- loud enough that the children.on either side of him burst -into gales of laughter. The teacher is not . amused. With her best fish-eyed,glare she siffnccs the pranksters in the hack row and the school concert continues. - ' "Hark. the Herald Angels sing..." Meanwhile. the choir of tiny • angels waits in the hall. With wings trimmed with aluminum foil and • haloes of gold tinsel, they look adorable. This is their firstyear to perform in the school concert; and most of them arc nervous. At this age. nerves translates into. at worst.throwing up. or at hest, having to make frequent visits to the bathroom. . The stage manager. a confident Grade 8 student; 13 going on 25. signals two minutes. and the little hands go up. Yes. they have to go. and no. they can't wail: The stage manager waves on the handy. all purpose magic act - a pair of Grade 5 kids who are actually pretty- good - and three or four moms who are helping out get the most . 4ncomlortablc of the angels to the bathroom. One doesn't quite make • it in time. • - "Jingle bells, jingle hells..." A.teacher who plays the piano fills in a little !jute -after -the -magic act runs out of steam, and most of the angels toddle out onto the stage, looking stunned by the lights and audience. "Oh, Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining..." The stage manager has an emergency on his hands - the "star shining in the East" has fallen down with a mighty thud. The kid grabs a ladder. hooks the star • onto the top, apd.has two classmates hold the -thing up behind one of the backdrops; just as the shepherds abiding in the fields take.to the , stage. "-While shepherds watch theirflocks.hy night..." As they cart their _ cardboard -and -cotton sheep off stage. the_ magic act makes another • unscheduled return. this time to allow the mops to clear the mess in the hall. One of the Three Wisenien has the:stomach flu. apparently. and has taken projectile vomiting to new heights. Thanks to a.conveniently located microphone. the entire audience is treated to horrible retching noises and.giggles and whispers of. "'Grass!". • ' "Oh. you Netter watch out, you better not cry..." A few of the parent volunteers and the quick -thinking principal start singing Christmas carols very loudly, and the guitar -playing custodian and the music teacher team up to provide:accompaniment. The stage manager knows a good thing}vhen he -,hears it. and -dims the house lights. The teachers quietly lead their tiny anKels, santas, shepherds and walking Christmas presents into the gym to join the singing. Somehow. -the huge room is filled with.the.sort of magic which can only happen at Christmastime, and the concert is declared) hy one and all to be the best ever. How could that happen when cverythin .went wrong? Kids goofed around.- lines were forgotten, someone got sick. part of the set fell down. and"e\ervthing got out of orderLAs glossy aelev.ision-type_ concerts go. it was a disaster. But there was a sweetnessubout this one. an unheatahle comhination.of little kids trying their hest. and people taking great pleasure in celebrating together. "'We wish you a merry, Christmas..." If you get a chance to tape in a school Christmas concert_this year, do yourself a favor and go..You .don't need kids attending the school; in fact, ydu don't need kids at all. .11 -You are truly fortunate, you won't geta.great performalice. but you will get the magic ofChristmas. The Present By Jason Small, Grade 6 Hensall Public School ghat big red present. What is it, a pheasant? 1)r is it a mouse. And its new house?. • It might he a pig. • Who just does the jig. • It could ev.eri he a cow. Who's an old sow. Or a horse. Of course! No! it's a cat. And 'it's pet hat. I'll open it and 'cc.. Could it be'' , Yes a C.D.. Just for me! My Best Christmas Ever • By Niki Freda St. Patrick's School, Grade 4 On Christmas. I went to my Grandmother's house. Alter my Grandmother's.: we Went to my. cousins • house - for Christmas. We played until midnight. We had so .much gun together. i will not forget my Christmas with my cousins. 1 hope 1 can see them again soon. My Favorite Time of Year By Annette Grotentraast Stephen Central School My favorite time of year, Is the one that's filled with cheer. When the one you cannot see. Visits you and me. He brings a bundle of joy. To every girl and boy, Then he brings them gifts. He makes their spirits lift. When he goes back to his sleigh,, •The children shout "hooray!" Because they know, They won't see him tomorrow; But their parents say. "He'll be back some day." . if you do not know. .• I guess I have to show. What really is my favorite, Time of year. • . i like a bit, Of every holiday But the one that really tits . is the one. the only. Christmas Day. �iscma�mada�.saa ar+aazaea�caaac�� 3 3 1 31 1 33 ejoice! "... for behold, I. bring 3 you good tidings of great 1 j01'." —Luke i i. 7.10 3 R May the holy family g he a guiding example g to you and yours this Christmas time. a 1 1 Thank you for all your 1 donations 3 gfaithful The Board of Directors and 1 g our dedicated volunteers ci _iv- Blessings-- 3 'Community, Store 1 19 Main 9,t. -W.. turich 1 g t "Your support - helps us to 3 236-4376 3 Cr help others 3 1 Capsule Comments with Ernie Miatello Frequent hand -washing throughout the dray is an- im- portant part of -a healthy lifestyle. This applies to -chil- dren too. it's been proven that kids who wash thein hands ,four or more times through the day have fewer sick days due more colds. and flu. Hand -washing does prevent the spread of infections. People over 65 are at greatest risk•of dehydratiorl. The'mechanism that triggers thirst is less sensitive as we age so we•simply drink less water. Common signs of dehydration are fatigue, headache, dry nasal passag- es, assages, dry, crackeq lips and overall discomfort. Be sure to drink Six to eight cups of water per day. • Those regular holiday -time turkey dinners can provide as much as 48% of their ,calories from fat. Paying attention to how the turkey is prepared and what you eat will reduce that' fat' content' Flavour the stuffing with broth instead of -butter or margarine. Skim all fat before making the gra- vy.,Eat white meat which contains less fat and don't eatdhe skin. High blood pressure is a common consequence of d'inking too much al- cohol. If you have hypertension and have more than one alcoholic drink per day, consider cutting back. This alone can help reduce- your blood pressure. • • .0n behalf of our staff, I'd like to wish you all a happy. healthy and safe . - holiday season. HURON APOTHECARY Ltd. Phone 235-1982 440,Main St:, Exeter "Your Health -Care Pharmacy" Zit* • We're happy to have this opportunity to express our gratitude and offer our very best wishes to all of you at this joyous time of year. Thank you!