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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-12-24, Page 44Craig Empey Fun time for mother Grade S'Blyth Public School Probably no time of the year is more party -oriented than Christmas and New Year, but behind all the fun and games, there is an enormous amount of work for the party organizer — and that usually turns out to be mom. But with a little planning and the enlistment of the family to look after some of the details, party time can be fun time too. Instead of dreaming of hiring a caterer you can carefully plan entertainment menus and discover exciting shortcuts. To help you in your hours of need here are some hints and ideas that have proved their value in many a party crisis. Make lists Don't trust your memory. A little effort spent on making lists will save hours of time and lots of embarrassing moments. Make guest lists and shopping lists. List the every- day things you need, and the extras like candles, flowers, matches and mints. •Your guest list is most important. They're the reason for your party. During the busy party season your friends may have many other invitations so don't forget to give them lots of advance notice. One way to get around this problem could be a holiday brunch between 10 a.m. and noon. Service is always easy going and informal. Your shopping list should be made well in advance as there are sure to be some items you won't have in stock. Some may have to be specially ordered. Others may have to be purchased the day of the party ( salad ingre- dients, cream, flowers, and ice). By up- dating your list from time to time, you'll catch missirig-Rems, —.— Several -.—Several days before your party, look over your serving pieces, linen, and anything else you will be using. Last-minute surprises in this department you don't need. It's too easy to assume that silver is polished or that you have enough fuel for your chafing dish. The menu is planned around your guests, the theme or purpose of the party, and the mood (formal or informal, buffet or sit- down ). Always try to take advantage of dishes that can be prepared in advance so you can be with your guests and enjoy their com- pany and your own party. Plan a menu A hostess who spends all evening in the kitchen might as well not be at the party, so plan a menu you can prepare well and easily without too much last-minute attention. Oven -to -table serving is very popular and many main dishes can be cooked and served in the same dishes; whether it is casserole or electric frypan. And don't forget the magic touch of gar- nishes and pretty table decorations to please the eye as well as the palate. A freezer or emergency shelf stocked with frozen casseroles, refrigerator rolls and some cakes or cookies will see you through any emergency when friends "drop in." For informal entertaining or large groups of guests (children or adults), casserole recipes or chili con carne are great ideas. They can be prepared a day in advance and heated up shortly before serving. Served with a convenience product such as hot rolls and a salad that you keep crisp in the refrigerator by covering, they will satisfy the most demanding appetite. Dessert can ® be made the day before or even at the last minute if you have a 10 minute gourmet spectacular. Let the children into the act. They can make festive cookies with refrigerated pro- ducts found in the dairy section. Canapes with drinks will start your party on the right note. Flavored butters spread evenly onthin bread or other canape bases can make simple or elaborate appetizers. Almost anything can be used to flavor but- ter. Not only butter, but other soft foods may be spread on plain or toasted bread or crackers and served with chicken, seafood, meat, vegetable or egg garnishings. For example: Sardines mashed with a little lemon or lime juice spread on bread squares and served hot or cold. Replace burnt-out bulbs immediately When choosing lights for indoor displays ®be sure to use indoor lights. When a bulb in a Christmas tree light str- ing, or electrically-lit'decoration, burns out, replace the bulb as soon as possible. If you don't, the other bulbs may burn at a higher than normal temperature. Make certain you choose a replacement bulb with the correct wattage and/or voltage. The light string package contains a marking to tell consumers which bulbs to use. Effective January 1, 1986, an amendment to the standard made it mandatory for manufacturers to attach `caution' labels to all midget -base Christmas tree light strings and units. The labels tell the consumer what voltage to look for when purchasing replace- ment bulbs. sausages wrapped in flaky refrigerated turnover pastry. Soft cheeses blended with chili sauce, tabasco or Worcestershire sauce. Blue cheese mashed with softened butter filled into canape shells and topped with a contrasting texture of thinly sliced cucumber, hard boiled egg or green apple. CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1986—Page 19A Grandma's story -Saved By Christmas By Kimberly Dixon Grade 7 Vanastra Public School A long time ago, people celebrated Christmas in a different way than now. Of course it was the same idea, but kids didn't get Barbies, Care Bears, He-man and more. They got to see their whole family once a year, and that was probably enough of a gift. They still got dolls and trucks, but they were made by their parents. I'm going to tell you a story that my grand- ma told me about when she was little. It had been a cold stormy day two days before Christmas. Ma and Pa had to break the news to me, my sister and brother, that we wouldn't be going to grandma's on the sleigh for Christmas. I, as the youngest, cried while looking out the window. It was blowing so hard I couldn't see the barn. Ma said I had to go to bed. I fell asleep, knowing my family and I wouldn't be with all the family for Christmas. The next day, the day before Christmas, I woke up, hearing my Ho, Ho,. Ho, Ho parents laughing and my Pa opening and dos- ing the door. Springing to my feet, I ran into the kitchen. Ma had a grin from ear to ear. Gazing slowly out the window, I saw the snow had stopped falling. Pa was putting warm blankets and presents in the sleigh. Ma was making snacks for the three hour trip to grandma's. The trip was never like this before. In the fresh fallen snow, our tracks were the first to lay out on the ground. The trees were like a wonderland of ice. It was so beautiful out in the wilderness on the day before Christmas. When we got there, grandma and grandpa were at the door with their arms wide open ' to greet my family. There was a moment of silent love. My grandma wouldn't let go of me. I suppose she wanted to make up for all the missed hugs and kisses through the year. Grandma said to come inside, she'd make some tea to warm our bones. Supper finally came. There was juicy turkey, stufruig, gravy, potatoes and buttered vegetables. With pies for dessert.. We sang Christmas carols Christmas Eve, than off we went to bed hoping to see Santa in our dreams. We woke up the next morning, as you know it was Christmas day. I opened a jewellery box that had been my grandma's when she was little. It was the best gift ever. The jewellery box was beautiful. It was shaped as a heart and was a reddish tinged glass. On the bottom it said "to be passed on every second generation with love." I thank- ed my grandma with a kiss. I asked her why my sister didn't get it, and she told me, because the youngest girl always gets it. As you see now, what I had said is true. Most of you can see your whole family as often as you like. But, at Christmas it still feels special seeing everyone at once. By the way, this Christmas I received that same jewellery box, to pass on to my granddaughter. The little boy meets Santa Claus By Pam Kelly Grade 7 Vanastra Public School .Once upon a time there was a little boy named Christopher Cocktail. On Christmas Eve he said to his morn, "Can we leave some milk and cookies for Santa Claus and some carrots for the reindeers?" "I suppose" replied his mom. The little boy went to bed at 9:30 and at 9:45 he was asleep. During the night Christopher heard footsteps on the roof so he went downstairs into the basement. When Christopher got downstairs he hid beside the fireplace and he saw smoke coming down the chimney so he said to himself, "It must be Santa Claus coining down the chimney and the footsteps I heard on the roof top must have been his reindeers." The little boy jumped out in front of Santa Claus and said "Can you take me for a ride in your sleigh Santa?" Santa said, "If I take you for a ride in my sleigh you have to promise me two things." "Sire thi" shroph. Santa said.ng"You aid Cc anist't tell eranyone and when the sleigh ride is over you have to go straight to bed." Santa took Christopher for the sleigh ride and Christopher got to guide Santa's sleigh. When the sleigh ride was over Christopher went upstairs and checked on him. He was fast asleep already. Santa went downstairs, put all the presents under the tree and went up the chimney got in his sleigh as he was heading for the next house he said MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. BE SURE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DAMPEN YOUR 'CHRISTMAS ! Unfortunately, In -the -Home Hazards Increase during the Festive Season. In seconds, a festive tree may become a torch, and in minutes a house may be destroyed! Hero's advice from the Joint Fir* Prevention Publicity Committee of Canada: • your evergreen Christmas tree and its decorations ore potential fire hazards. They head the list of a sensible family's preparations for a lsappy holiday. * `:our tree should be fresh. A dry tree readily sheds its needles. Keep your trop outdoors until you are ready to decorate. Indoors, keep the tree standing in water, after cutting off at least an Inch from the butt. Replenish the water daily. • Your electric lighting strings should be hec checked r raged cords or amenable short circuits. Buy only CSA approved decorations. Disconnect the lights when leaving home or going to bed. Candles, of course, 'constitute added hazards. • Keep matches out of the reach of little hones. • Clear wrappings'owoy from the base of the tree as soon as the gifts are opened. * Set the tree away from the fireplace. Do not block access to exits. • Hove plenty of large ash trays for the guests who smoke. • Never leave small children alone or unattended In the home. • Cookstove fires from oils or grease aro an emergency. Smother the flames...a rug...baking soda...never water. If this doesn't do the job, get everybody out and call the Fire Department. FIRE EMERGENCY NUMBERS4 BATFlELD CLINTON BLYTH :�'.O 565-2626 482.3820 523-4211 '60' ° THIS MESSAGE IS SPONSORED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY THE FOLLOWING FIRM COUNCIL COMMITTEE FOR PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY AND THE CLINTON AREA FIRE BOARD amalgamated with BLYTN STANDARD BAYFIELD BUGLE 230 Bayfield Rd., Clinton 482-3995 Ounmr PPOOu(t5 1t oVR1,011.. COMP( r ,vt onrt art, B" CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 31 Years of Service CLINTON EXETER