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The Times Advocate, 2006-12-20, Page 41Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Times -Advocate 41 "Choir of Angels" St. Pat's Christmas — St. Patrick's School held its annual Christmas concert led by music teacher Laura Meren Dec. 12, promoting its CD."Choir of Angels." Above front from left are Ben Wuytenburg, Kate Mcllhargey, Simon Vandenberg and Natalie Bowering; back row Braeden Reiger, Matthew Pattyn and Michaela Landers. Below front from left are Ashley Esson, Ryan McKone, Natalia Masse and Nicole Gore; back row Elise Parreira. The CD is a compilation of 14 Christmas songs. k's available at St. Patrick's School for $10. (photos/Nina Van Lieshout) DEAR SANTA Hi! My name is Jared and I would like a horse and a truck to haul it for Christmas. I am only 2 so my mom and brother are helping me write. Love from Jared Skonieczny, Exeter Age: 2 yrs. Parents: Jennifer & Jason DEAR SANTA My name is Max. I am excited that Christmas is almost here. Thank you for the wagon last year. I have been a good boy and a helpful big brother. I have a new baby brother named Will. Do you have enough room for an ATV in your sleigh? Will would like some new toys please. I will leave some chocolate milk and cookies for you. Thank you Santa! Love, Max & Will VanDongen-Miles, Grand Bend Ages: 2"2 yrs. & 3 mos. Parents: Kristi & Derek DEAR SANTA We are trying really hard to be good, but we are only two! For Christmas this year we would like some puzzles and a tractor each to play with. We also like to colour so some new crayons and colouring books would be great! We will leave out some milk and cookies for you and hay for the reindeer. Shayne & Ryan, Lucan Age: 2 yrs. Parents: Mike & Kristen Dow DEAR SANTA Hello Santa, how are you this year? I have been a good boy this year and would like hockey sticks, skates, helmet, gloves & Thomas The Train toys. I will be sure to leave some cookies and milk out for you. Carter Bowerman Age: 212 yrs. Parents: Mike & Laura Tree shopping a main focus of holiday season By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HENSALL — "I enjoy the Christmas sea- son," says Ruth Johnson, co-owner of Cudmore Farms on McTaggart Line out- side Hensall. "It's enjoyable to see customers year after year," says Johnson. Johnson says she loves selling Christmas trees because it's such a main part of the holiday season and "it's enjoy- able seeing the kids' faces," who often, according to Johnson, try and persuade their parents to pick a huge tree for the holiday season. "Kids want the eight foot tree," adds her brother and co-owner of the business Les Cudmore. The business has been run- ning for about 16 years. Another aspect Johnson and Cudmore appreciate is how excited the children are when they pay for the Christmas tree, of course with their parents' money. But Johnson and Cudmore say the children are always pleased to hand over the money themselves. The operation at Cudmore Farms has about seven to eight acres of trees which Cudmore cuts down for customers, offer- ing White pine, Spruce and Scots Pine which take years to grow. "About 10 years for pine and spruce about 12 years," says Cudmore. They are also pruned at the end of the year, something Cudmore does every June. Cudmore says some years they also lose a few trees which were planted due to bad weather. The busiest time of year for Cudmore Farms has already passed, the first two weekends of December. Cudmore says no type of tree is any- more popular than another; the populari- ty changes from year to year. Benefits of a real tree, according to Johnson and Cudmore are that they are bio -degradable and have a pleasant smell. White pine trees can also be used as shelter for birds when thrown out after Christmas. Johnson says the trees can be used for educational purposes and speaks of one local school that has their kindergarten class identify the different trees every year as part of a school project. Cudmore Farms also sells wreaths, swags and greenery. The wreaths have become popular with churches. Tree shopping — Cudmore Farms on McTaggart Line, a business running for 16 years sells trees, wreaths, swags and greenery.Above, left are co-owners Ruth Johnson and her brother Les Cudmore. Johnson says she enjoys selling Christmas trees since it's such a main part of the holiday season. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) Christmas Aaron Oesch, Grade 4 St. Boniface School C is for Christ H is for holly R is for reindeer I is for incredible S is for Santa T is for toys M is for Mary A is for angels S is for sled Dear Santa Aislin Trocchi, Kindergarten Hensall Public School Hi this is Aislin Trocchi. Thank you for the pre- sents that you gave me last year. How is Mrs. Clause and how are you doing? I hope Rudolph is ready for the big trip. I would like a princess cat, jewelry and a horse. I hope you will bring me the presents I want. I hope to see you soon. From your friend Aislin Beautiful Night Grace Stephens Grade 7 Precious Blood School Bright star in the sky leading the way to the sta- ble The happy three wise men in the sandy desert finding their way to the stable The excited Shepherd's in the stable giving gifts to Mary The cute baby in the crib crying with all his excitement. Santa Claus Kenny Sitzes Grade 3 Zurich Public School What I want for Christmas is a movie called Star Wars and a game called The Lego Star Wars 1 and 2. I want k'nex for a toy and a Gameboy for Christmas and some build- ing blocks. Thank You. Reindeer Michael Cunnington, Grade 2 Usborne Central Run Eat Important Nice Dashes Elf Excited Ready What Does Christmas Mean to me? Parker Grade 4/5 Grand Bend Public School To me Christmas means giving and sharing and caring for each other. The reason we give presents is to share and give to other people. We also get 2 WEEKS OFF OF SCHOOL. Most people think that Christmas is just about getting presents and play- ing with them. They just care about the presents. They don't care about spending time with their family.