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[me dia-credit name="Bigstockphoto.com" align="alignleft" width="100"][/media-credit]By Lorraine Shoemaker
Holly has been celebrated as a Christmas plant for centuries, but it actually began it’s fame as an important tradition of pagan celebration. Originally holly was presented as a sacred offering to the God Saturn by the Romans. They celebrated a winter Solstice feast known as Saturnalia where holly was exchanged as a symbol of goodwill. Ancient Druids believed holly to be the Sun’s most favored plant and wore it in ceremonial headgear when going into the forest.. Holly became widely used inside European homes to ward off witchcraft and evil spirits.
As Christianity established a foothold in the Roman Empire, Saturnalia gave way to Christmas and the practice of reverence to holly was forbidden. Regardless, holly began to be incorporated in Christian decorations, art, and celebrations. Holly was hung on doors to ward off unforeseeable misfortune and persecution (hence the birth of the Christmas wreath). Today holly, whose pagan origin has been long disregarded, has become the symbol of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus when on the cross; The prickly leaves pierced His forehead and the red berries represent drops of blood. In German legend the holly berries were originally yellow but were stained red from Christ’s blood during the crucifixion and that holly grew in His footsteps.
The reverence of holly was not limited to Christians, many cultures around the world – as far spread as China, Africa and Japan- incorporated holly to adorn their homes with wreaths, their bodies and hair with berries and their alters with garlands . Some Native Americans used holly medicinally to cleanse internally before sacred rituals and to alleviate pain in childbirth.
It’s easy to understand why the world loves the noble holly plant. As an evergreen it’s shiny green serrated leaves and it’s lush red berries make a welcome splash of color in an otherwise drab winter landscape.
media-credit name=”Lorraine” align=”alignleft” width=”100″][/media-credit] Lorraine
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By Lorraine Shoemaker
Holly has long been associated with Christmas, its deep green and vivid red are the traditional colors of Christmas. Make an old-fashioned holly wreath to adorn your door this holiday season!
What You Need:
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Wire cutters
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Wire wreath form
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Florist wire, 24 gauge
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Holly branches
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Holly berries
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Gather or purchase a large shopping bag full of holly in 6-inch-long trimmings.
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Use a wire wreath frame or make your own frame from a wire coat hanger (Simply unbend it and shape into a circle).
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Attach number-24 floral wire to the wire wreath frame.
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Select several stems of the 6-inch holly pieces and place them together in a bunch (Thicker bundles make fuller wreaths).
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Place a stem with berries on top of the bundle of holly. Place the bundle on top of the frame where the floral wire is connected.
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Hold the bundle in place and wrap the floral wire around the bundle and frame. Wrap the floral wire around the bundle a second time and then pull it tight. Make sure to leave the wire attached to the frame – you’re not finished!
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Gather another bundle of holly and place it so that the leaves overlap the first bunch and cover the stems. Make sure that the stems on both bunches face the same direction.
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Continue overlapping the bunches of foliage and wiring them to the frame until you complete the circle.
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Lift the first bundle and tuck the last one under it. Twist the wire tightly around the last bundle. Knot the wire onto the frame, leaving 1 inch of wire for hanger.
Add our own personal touches, such as clusters of small pine cones, bows, small ornaments, or stand a figurine (deer, angel, santa) in the bottom center of the wreath and attach with wire or hot glue. Have a fun and happy holly-day!
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By Melissa Wynn
It is time once again for my favorite winter outing, cutting the family Christmas tree. I know it would be easier to go buy one from a lot or ,heaven forbid, put up an artificial tree. What fun is there in that? In our neck of the woods Christmas tree cutting means the last picnic of the year. Instead of cold chicken and iced tea like the summer picnic we like to pack a basket of thermoses filled with delights like a spicy chili and hot chocolate. The children love helping choose a tree and a picnic is much more fun than a ride in the car to choose a tree all bound with twine that you can’t really see until you have it home, paid for and unwrapped. Boring! Bundle up, grab the saw, fill your thermoses and have an adventure. After all, that is why we choose to live Mountain Valley Living style.
Tree cutting permits cost a mere ten dollars and can be purchased at many locations including
- Beckwourth Ranger Station
23 Mohawk Road in Blairsden
- Hallelujah Junction General Store
Highway 395/Highway 70
- Williams House Museum/
Portola Visitor Center
424 E Sierra Avenue in Portola
- River Pines Resort
Hwy 89, 1/4 mile N of Graeagle
- Mt. Hough Ranger District
39696 Hwy. 70
3 miles north of Quincy
- Greenville Forest Service
Information & Work Center
128 Hot Springs Rd in Greenville
- Almanor Ranger District
900 East Hwy 36
Chester
- Eagle Lake Ranger District
477-050 Eagle Lake Rd
Susanville
Permits are also available by mailing a self addressed stamped envelope along with your ten dollar payment to
Lassen National Forest Headquarters
Christmas Tree Permit
2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, Ca 96130
or
Plumas National Forest
Christmas Tree Permit
P.O. Box 11500
Quincy, CA 95971
Remember, winter weather in the Sierra is unpredictable so dress in layers and be prepared. Your tree cutting adventure awaits!
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Every family has its own traditional way of celebrating holidays. And nearly always it involves a special holiday meal, a chance for everyone to gather around one table. For our family it used to be “going to Grandma’s” but now it’s at my daughter’s home. Besides the planning and shopping that goes into this feast, she will be up by 5:00 in the morning preparing her share of the dinner “from scratch. ” But that’s the way she wants it! There will be twenty five of us, family and friends. Those who live close by will bring their special dishes, but there are others who must travel to be here on that day.
Regardless of the weather, we will take a break before cutting into the pies. We’ll help the little ones into sweaters and coats and take a brisk walk. Then back into the warm house for coffee and dessert! The holiday programs on TV are not high on our family’s agenda; we are too busy catching up with each other’s lives.
I count myself among the very lucky seniors who have a close family –close emotionally as well as physically. Sadly, it is not true for many of us, so what are the alternatives? I know what I would do if I could no longer travel. I would have a “non-traditional holiday” meal at my house. I’d invite a lonely friend, perhaps a newly widowed acquaintance, or that young couple and their kids who recently moved nearby, for a non-traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter meal. Non-traditional because instead of my doing all the cooking I’d let the market do most of the work. I might not cook and stuff a turkey and all the fixing if it was Thanksgiving, or a standing rib roast at Christmas, or a traditional Easter ham. I know I would be exhausted if I tried to do what my daughter does — and then the day wouldn’t be much fun for me or my guests.
But my dinner would be traditional with a pretty tablecloth and a fruit bowl or floral arrangement appropriate for the season. We’d have plenty to eat, of course, but the main thing would be getting together, enjoying the talk, the warmth, the ease of friendship.
And maybe that would start a tradition of its own!
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By Melissa Wynn
It’s time once again for the age old question of what to get the mountain men in our lives for Christmas. Their toolboxes are full, the flannel shirt bit ran its course years ago and neckties are just not an option. I say let them play as hard as they work. Who ever dies with the most toys wins right? With all the online auctions, local shopping choices and catalogs, the possibilities are endless. Men from the mountains love to play outdoors so feed the passion. How do your mountain men like to play?
Fishermen can never have too much tackle and nothing makes them shine like a new rod and reel. Maybe a gift certificate from a local merchant for next years fishing license as a stocking stuffer. Fly tying kits and fishing art are also great for the serious angler.
Hunters are among the easiest to shop for, especially if the hunt a variety of seasons. Extra quiver and arrows for the bow hunters. Decoys, camouflage or maybe even a bird dog puppy for the bird hunters. Big game hunters may like a good sharp buck knife, rifle case, new scope or a buck cart for bringing out his trophy.
Snowmobilers and dirt bikers alike can always use more protective gear and of course any of the latest bells and whistles for their favorite off road toys. There are also several books available that list areas all over the country designated for these high speed sports.
Hikers and backpackers like to be prepared but also travel light so be on the lookout for compact versions of camping equipment such as cookware, tent, bedroll and good footwear is a must.
No matter what their favorite sport may be all outdoors men need a complete first-aid kit and a good GPS to find their way back to the truck.
Our mountain men work hard all year, let this Christmas be all about the play!
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WHITE ELEPHANT CHRISTMAS PARTY It is a fun idea, whether it is an office party or party with friends or family, this is fun. Maybe you have a really large family and it is hard for everyone to buy gifts. If so, this is a great way to really share the holiday spirit. without breaking the bank.
Announcing it as a White Elephant Gift Exchange, will sum it up for many but you may want to include in the invite, a little instruction: Bring a White Elephant gift for the gift exchange. Wrap something that you do not use but that just the right person may love. Have fun with it! I have seen guests bring everything from board games and decorator items to a new bar sink and a $5 chip from a casino, all hot items as I recall.
It works out especially well if you plan for a double exchange. After everyone chooses a wrapped gift, they are then allowed to trade. It can be that casual, or more fun if you ask guests who may be willing to trade, to stand in one spot with their items. You’d be surprised how much fun trading can be. If kids are involved, have each child pick an item from their room that they are willing to give up, but is still “cool” for somebody. Adults are usually willing to trade with kids when they get a toy and everything works out great.
A careful hostess may have a few extra white elephants stashed for kids just in case one child does get stuck with a wall mirror.
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By Lorraine Shoemaker
You’ve just spent the better part of Thanksgiving day in the kitchen while family and friends enjoy themselves in the other room. You can’t help feeling just a wee bit left out, and you still have to fret over setting the table properly. How was it that Great Aunt Edna used to set the table? Oh yes!
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Use your Thanksgiving (or nicest) tablecloth.
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Get out the linen napkins (please no paper! What would Aunt Edna think?).
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Set out the appropriate number of service plates.
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Now set the dinner plates on top of the service plates, the dessert plates on dinner plates.
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On the left of the plate will go the forks; next to the plate goes the dinner fork, then the salad fork.
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On the right side of the plate will go the spoons; soup spoon next to the plate, teaspoon next to the soup spoon.
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Place the butter knife on the top rim of the diner plate.
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Above the plate, place the cake fork facing right and above that the dessert spoon facing left.
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Place your nicely folded napkin on the top plate.
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On the right side of the plate above the spoons go the glasses; the wine glass closest to the plate, the water glass above and slightly to the left of the wine glass.
Knowing the proper way to set your table saves time and energy. It doesn’t take fancy china or silverware to make a pleasing dinner presentation; be as casual or formal as you desire. If you don’t have enough of one pattern or style of dishes, be creative and have fun mixing and matching what you have. It’s the small touches such as real cloth napkins and service plates that make your table setting look great and your family and guests feel special. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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1. Set a Christmas budget in advance. Before the frenzy of Christmas time descends, work out how much you’re able and prepared to spend on Christmas festivities, gifts, and catering. The amount will depend on how much you’ve already saved, how much you can set aside from current funds, and how much you can spare in the weeks leading up to Christmas. If you start early enough, you’ll have more leeway to save a bit more.
• Work out how much you want to spend on people for presents and include decorations, food, and whatever else you think you will need.
• Stick to your budget – it’s the indicator of what you can and cannot afford.
• Consider starting a budget straight after Christmas for future years. Start saving early, put money into a savings account each month or week and stick to it. Doing this will give you a lump sum to spend in December rather than scraping together money. Budget well – this should include food, decorations, presents and anything else you may buy at Christmas.
2.Talk to family about the costs and gifts. Sit down and make decisions about limits on gifts. This is especially important in large families where the costs of buying a gift for every member of the family can soon add up. Seek agreement that you’ll only spend so much per person.
• If you’re really strapped, a decision to only give gifts to the children can sometimes ease budget constraints.
• One way to spend less on presents is to have each family member bring one present and then to play “Goofy Gift Exchange” or “Secret Santa’”
• Remind everyone that thoughtfully chosen gifts are more important than expensive ones.
3. Hold a “catch-up” Christmas. If your family overdid the spending last Christmas and your budget is still really stretched, consider not spending for one Christmas. One non-spending Christmas will ensure that your budget catches up. There are still a lot of things you can do to celebrate Christmas without spending money:
• Make a nice meal, not an expensive one. Look at old cookbook recipes for thrifty Christmas cooking.
• Make homemade gifts from recycled and inexpensive items.
• Don’t buy any new decorations and either use a live tree in a planter from your garden, or an artificial tree kept in your storage.
4. Take advantage of sales during the year. Sales closer to Christmas can be worth marking on your calendar, such as end-of-summer sales, sales after Thanksgiving, etc.
• Take advantage of the post-Christmas sales to start buying gifts, cards, wrapping paper, decorations, tableware, etc., for next Christmas. Be sure to put these somewhere that they’re easier to find and use when Christmas comes around.
• Keep a list of whose gifts you’ve already purchased, so that you don’t double up on gifts.
• Keep an eye on auction sites and overstocked goods sites for bargains during the lead-up to Christmas. And use price comparison websites to make sure you are paying at the best price.
• Use any rebates, coupons, discounts, or promotions that you have access to. If you’re not sure, ask.
5. Make your own cards. Recycle last year’s cards and turn them into this year’s cards. Simply cut out the decorative part of the card and attach it to plain cardboard. Use markers to decorate. Do the same for gift tags.
• Make your own wrapping paper. Use brown paper and stamp Christmas designs on it using stamps or cut stamp designs out of potatoes. Use simple gold, red, green, silver, and white ribbon to add color if wished.
• Make your own labels. Printable gift labels on the internet or making you own and printing them off can save pounds or dollars on gift tags.
6. Cut out unnecessary items. There are a lot of items that aren’t needed and are unnecessary waste at Christmas time. Save your money and finite resources by not including them in your Christmas celebrations. Examples include:
• Ribbons, bows, fancy tape, stickers, etc., are usually tossed away.
• Plastic tablecloths with Christmas designs. Either use plain colored tablecloths from your linen cupboard, or go without.
• Don’t spend massive amounts of money on outside lights, keep it to a minimum and inside lights should be left off at all times when no-one is in the room, this saves on energy bills.
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By Melissa Wynn
Happy Holidays to our Mountain Valley neighbors! ‘Tis once again the season to put up the family Christmas tree. My favorite part is tree cutting day. Hot chocolate, snowball fights, and the hunt for the perfect tree are all part of the tradition. If your family wants to get in on the fun, there are plenty of trees out there to choose from. Cutting permits are currently on sale for $10, limit 2 per household, and include a map of designated cutting areas. Tree cutters are required to attach the permit to the tree before leaving the cutting area to avoid penalties. Mountain weather is unpredictable this time of year, so be sure to dress appropriately and be ready for ice and snow. It is also a great idea to bring along a tarp. It will protect the branches while dragging the tree and also keep the stray pine needles contained for easy clean up. Less work = more fun. Save the trimmed branches for wreath making on decorating day. Nothing says “Christmas is coming” like the smell of fresh cut pine. For recorded information on Christmas tree permits, call 530-836-7177 or 530-283-7869. You can purchase a permit at your local Forest Service office or Ranger Station. Permits are also on sale at the following businesses and locations:
Portola/Blairsden/Doyle/Sierraville Area
- Doyle Payless
- Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce – Blairsden
- Graeagle Outpost
- Hallelujah Junction General Store
- Sierraville Service
- Williams House Museum – Portola
Quincy/Meadow Valley Area
- Blue Sky Chevron
- Fuelstar/Beacon
- One Stop
- Plumas County Visitor Center
- 76 Unocal
- Sav-Mor
Lassen National Forest Supervisor’s Office
2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-2151
Almanor Ranger District
900 E. Hwy 36, P.O. Box 767
Chester, CA 96020
(530) 258-2141
Eagle Lake Ranger District
477-050 Eagle Lake Road
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-4188
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The Very First Christmas
As told in the holy scriptures:
Luke:2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:14
© Eileen Majors _ Permission granted to reprint story in it’s entirity to use or to give away, not for resale.
The Big News Arrived
Once upon a time long, long ago lived a young woman named Mary. One day, an angel of the Lord appeared before Mary. “Do not be afraid”, said the angel. “You have been chosen by God. You will have a baby son and you are to give him the name Jesus. Meanwhile, Mary was pledged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. An angel also appeared to Joseph saying, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife because the baby conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit of God. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Immanuel, because he will save people from their sins.”
Oh how Joseph knew it was good news, for many years earlier, Isaiah, a prophet of God, had told of such a child who would be born to such a woman as Mary. It was already written in the holy scriptures. (Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14)
The Journey
Months later, King Caesar Agustus issued an order that everyone in the Roman world must be counted. Each man would bring his family to his own home town to register there. So Joseph, with Mary riding on a donkey, traveled to Bethlehem, The City of David, because he belonged to the House of David. While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary’s baby to be born.
Joseph stopped at an inn hoping to find a comfortable bed for Mary who was ready to have her baby. “I’m sorry”, said the innkeeper, “we have no room for you. The inn is full.” What was Joseph to do? A baby was going to be born! There was only a barn where he could take Mary, and so he did. The cows and sheep moved aside as Joseph comforted Mary who gave birth to a baby boy. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger.
The Shepherds
At another place in the east, the shepherds were busy taking care of their sheep. In those days, a flock of sheep had a shepherd to watch over them. He would keep them safe and rescue them when they got into trouble. As the shepherds worked their fields, an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The bright Glory of the Lord shone around them, and quite frankly, the shepherds were terrified at first. “Do not be afraid,” said the angel. “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the City of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” Certainly those shepherds must have been astounded. Good news, great joy, a baby lying in a manger, even Christ the Lord! After all, a manger belongs in a barn, for cows to eat from. When the angels had left, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has told us about.”
The Wise Men
Wise men traveling in from the East were also drawn. They stopped to talk to the king. “Where is this one who has been born King of the Jews?” they asked. “We have seen his star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
King Herod called together his priests and teachers and asked them where the Christ child was to be born according to the holy scriptures. “Bethlehem,” he was told, so he sent the wise men on their way. They continued to follow the star they had seen in the East as it went ahead of them. Suddenly, it stopped… right over the place where the baby Jesus lay.
The Stable
When the wise men saw that the star had stopped, they were overjoyed. They went inside and found the baby Jesus with his mother. The shepherds, too, had rushed to see this glorious thing that had happened. The wise men opened their treasures and gave the baby presents of gold, incense and myrrh.
After this, the shepherds began spreading the word, telling many people of what the angel had said and how they indeed found the newborn baby, even Christ the Lord, lying in a manger.
Everyone who heard it was amazed. But Mary treasured up all these things in her heart. How happy she must have felt to be chosen by God to be the mother of the baby Jesus, even Christ The Lord.
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MOUNTAIN VALLEY LIVING HOME & FAMILY
Take up Your Shield!!!
By Chrystal deMartimprey
‘Tis the season of sale fliers, radio ads and TV bargains. They fly at us like arrows from the most skillful archers. Unless we are armed and ready to do battle we will be pierced with debt and regrets. What shield could possibly withstand such a tempest, and cover head to toe?
Forge a shield of thankful contentment, the perfect piece of shopping armor. Let’s not scrape our attitude of Thanksgiving out with the turkey leftovers. Rather let’s daily train our minds to be thankful for our blessings. I want, can I have and why not arrows pierce deeply into unprotected heartstrings. But if we arm ourselves with thankfulness for life’s joys such as family, friends, home, beauty, safety, pleasure, hope, love, laughter and yes, even sweat and tears; we will be well prepared for the shopping trip. It is these gifts of God that offer lifelong contentment. When these are ours and increasing, we will likely stay within the limits of our budgets and offer Christmas gifts and memories that will linger long after the holiday ends.
For many, Christmas is a most joyous event, others struggle through it with difficulty. Regardless of our past experiences we can all benefit from generous doses of thankfulness. So, when the catalogues pile up in the mailbox, the exciting voices entice over the radio waves and the TV flashes images of happy people with new stuff, we can pull up our shield and begin shouting our battle cry of thanks.
May your Christmas be filled with beauty, joy and an abundance of Thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Chrystal
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With thanks to Juliana Mark of J’s Rents & Events, formerly known as J’s Feather River Rental located in Portola.
With budgets down and company coming, one should remember you do not have to go on a major shopping spree to put out a beautiful holiday spread. We live in a wonderland of color where clippings, pine cones and cedar wings will make for a snappy centerpiece. Our cover shot is proof that it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or trouble to put together a festive table. We picked fresh fall branches on the way to the photo shoot and most all the dishes tableware we used were “yard sale finds”!
Clearing the Space:
If space is limited, eliminate clutter for a smoother celebration. Clear off any buffets, countertops or usable space for your Thanksgiving dishes. Gather up a few boxes of stuff you could live without to offer more space for all the food, diners and decorations to come. Pack them safely and stash them in a closet somewhere. Leave a spot open for beverage service, whether it is coffee and punch or wine, beer and soft drinks, place them where there is space to serve guests or let them serve themselves.
A Quick Centerpiece:
I like to use a sturdy standing glass vase or jar that is not too tall, but taller than wide. Space is precious on a crowded Thanksgiving table. If it is a jar, you can often hide that fact with a wide festive ribbon tied around the brim. Drop in some clippings of manzanita or fresh pine along with a couple of pine cones. Then stand a simple bouquet of pine bows or other native greenery with a few sprigs of fresh fall leaves if they’re still available. I like to buy at least a few fresh flowers from the florist to add to the mix. Another option is to find a few startling cuttings of outstanding foliage. You are bound to find some real eye-catchers if you are willing to take a fall walk. Sometimes if necessary due to snow, I go to a lower elevation to take that walk.
Finding the Right Pieces:
If you do not have enough matching dishes for your guests, you may wish to rent them. The cost is around ???? per person for a dinner plate, water goblet and flatware. Cloth napkins can also be rented for ??? apiece. Another good idea is to search local consignment stores and thrift shops for some new, favorite dishes. I have been collecting crystal and silver pieces for years, ranging from 25¢ to $25.00. Sometimes I have used two different colors of dishes, alternating them around the table, or by using two tables, one for each color of dishes.
Putting It All Together
Early is the key for me. There are many things that will need to be done on the big day so anything you can pull off early will be a help, especially if you are also doing the cooking. I like to iron tablecloths and clear spaces the day before. The centerpiece can be made the day before and placed along with candles, napkins and serving dishes. I often set the whole table the night before. Look around your home for any additional furniture needed before you arrange seating for guests and places for the food. Tables can also be rented for ??? and chairs at ??? each. A tablecloth to cover an 8 foot table is ??? If you have your serving dishes ready to go, the sink and dishwasher empty, and the table is set, things will go smoothly.
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It is that time of year when the holidays come alive with the flavors and savoring scents of Thanksgiving. It is a time when families come together in thankfulness for all they have and for each other. Special feasts are planned throughout the nation to honor the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving.
HISTORY:
Looking back to the actual United States of America Thanksgiving Proclamations written and read by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, you would think it might sound more like a church service outlining the holiday rather than the official proclaiming of a national holiday. Check out the proclamations in their entirety for an interesting piece of history to read with the family.
“Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Excerpt from George Washington, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, 1795 by George Washington. Read it all at http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ThanxProc1789.htm
“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Abraham Lincoln
(Excerpt from a proclamation from the President of the United States, Washington, D.C. October 3, 1863) Read it all at http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends (and often TV) and plans for shopping, too.
TV TRADITIONS
Football and Thanksgiving just go together for many families in the United States. Professional games are traditionally held on Thanksgiving Day.
Fond memories remain of the smell of turkey cooking and the beautiful floats on TV Thanksgiving morning. Treasured by many as a signal of an old fashioned holiday to come is the televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Check your local listings for this nostalgic event.
SHOPPING BLACK FRIDAY
The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday because of the heavy shopping traffic on that day. The term ‘Black Friday’ comes from the fact that many stores reach sales figures that take them out of the red and (hopefully) keep them in the black for the rest of the fiscal year. According to Wikipedia, Black Friday has been considered to be the start of the Christmas shopping season since at least the 1930s.
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By Melissa Wynn
We all know that April 1st is the day set aside for Tom foolery and practical jokes but this fun filled holiday itself may be the best joke of all. I intended to tell the historic origins of April Fools Day, instead I found myself giggling about the fact that no one really seems to know. Ironic, no? There is a theory that the naughtiness began in 1582 Rome when the Gregorian Calendar we use today replaced the old Julian Calendar. The old calendar began each new year on or near April 1st and the new called for that to change to January 1st. Some people refused to observe the change and continued to celebrate their New Year on April 1st. Those ready to roll with the changes began to make fun of the traditionalists by sending them on “fool’s errands” and tricking them into believing harmless falsehoods. The fun has been spreading ever since. Many dispute this theory saying that the Gregorian Calendar wasn’t adopted in England until 1752 but April 1st mischief was practiced there long before the calendar change. HMMMM.
Another explanation of the origins of April Fools’ Day came from Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman Emperor that they could do a better job of running his empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event. “In a way,” explained Prof. Boskin, “it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor.” This explanation was brought to the public’s attention in an Associated Press article printed by many newspapers in 1983. There was only one catch: Boskin made the whole thing up. It took a couple of weeks for the AP to realize that they’d been victims of an April Fools’ joke themselves.
So I guess we may never know how the whole thing got started. I’m just glad that it did. Everyone can use a good laugh at someone else’s expense and blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves for we never fail to be amused.
info courtesy of www.infoplease.com
photo from bigstockphoto.com
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By Eileen Majors
I don’t care whether I am in a tree lot, at a local nursery, or out in the middle of the vast woods, I am way too picky when it comes to finding the perfect tree. I would literally spend days on the project if they let me. Fortunately, my family knows me and they always push me into a choice I am not completely satisfied with. If this happens to you, try not to let them know. I’ve even been known to come home and fix my tree up secretly by drilling holes in the tree and whittling perfect size branches to shove into them. Looking back, I must say, it seems a bit ridiculous, since nobody noticed but me. This year I plan to accept my tree with loving appreciation, enjoy the scent of fresh pine in my home and most of all the people who gather around it (okay, so I will grab a few extra branches just in case). It is always good to save any branches you cut from the bottom of your tree. They make great wreaths, swags and add a mountain flair to other decorations. Be careful though! Candles and fresh greenery don’t mix!
The big day spent gathering the Christmas tree is a perfect opportunity for family fun. Make a batch of sandwiches and don’t forget the hot chocolate. A trip into the woods is always an adventure. It can also be dangerous and weather is unpredictable in the mountains. So watch weather forecasts before heading out, take and be sure you understand the map given to you with your permit, and don’t venture off on roads where you may get lost or stuck.
Enjoy the big day out and send us a photo of your family for next year’s holiday edition.
Tree Permits are available at a local forestry office or Ranger station. Find extended days and hours for tree permits at many Forest Service and Ranger stations. For locations, contact:
Almanor: 530-258-2141
Mineral: 530-595-3311
Butte Meadows: 530-873-0580
Susanville: 530-257-4188
Tahoe – Truckee: (530) 583-3593
In Plumas County, these businesses are also listed as permit locations. Check with the following merchants:
Portola • Blairsden • Sierraville Area:
Doyle Payless
Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce – Blairsden
Graeagle Outpost
Hallelujah Junction
Sierraville Service
Williams House Museum – Portola
Quincy • Meadow Valley Area:
Blue Sky Chevron
FuelStar/Beacon
One Stop
Plumas County Visitors Center
76 Unocal
Sav-More
Forest officials recommend cutting your tree early in the season before the higher elevations are snow bound. Trees can stay fresh for quite some time if cared for correctly. To help keep your tree fresh, cut two inches from the bottom of your tree when you get home and place it in water. Keep your tree watered and in a shady spot until you are ready for it in the house. Another helpful hint is to bring an old tarp to wrap your tree in. When you drag your tree out of the forest, the tarp protects the tree and helps you avoid breaking branches. The tarp can also help avoid wind damage on the way home.
Sources: Lassen National Forest, Plumas County Visitors Bureau
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Earth Friendly Wrapping
 Travel themed gift wrapping *Spread the holiday cheer with these green ideas, Mother Earth will thank you!*
- Save/Reuse sturdy store bags and cover the logos with old Christmas cards, personal pictures, or wrapping paper squares.
- Collect paper bags from gr ocery visits. Cut off handles and bottom square, creating a ring. Cut down one side all the way down to create a long piece of paper. Wrap so plain side of bag is on the outside. Decorate with personal drawings, hand-prints, or tie with a string of hemp for a simple look.
- Personalize your wrapping paper by looking through your piled up collection of newspaper articles and/or magazine pictures to reflect the interests or hobbies of the recipient.
- Wrap presents in holiday dishtowels or napkins and tie with a bow- serving as a double gift.
- Save wrapping paper from last Christmas for rewrapping or making handmade gift tags.
- Save your jars and lids throughout the year to package and gift your favorite soup or cookie recipe.
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CHRISTMAS BOOK HOW TO:
To make a mini book that will hang on the tree, YOU WILL NEED:
1/2 SHEET CONSTRUCTION PAPER • GLUE STICK • THIN RIBBON 4″ LONG • STAPLER • CLOTH TAPE OR DUCT TAPE
HANG THIS MINIATURE BOOK AS AN ORNAMENT ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE TO READ EACH YEAR.
Looking at it tall so it is taller than wide, cut and use the top half of construction paper, now wider than tall. Fold the page down in half, to make two equal rows. Now, looking at the folded paper wide and short, fold the left side to the right side, folding it in half. Cut it in two where you just folded it in half. Now open up both folded pages and cut each on the folded lines, leaving four cut rectangles. Looking at them short and wide, all in a stack, fold them in half all at once from left to right. Open to center and staple twice for book binding with sharp side of the staples to face inside on book binding. Now cut a ribbon about three times the height of the book. Loop the ribbon in half, leaving loop above book, tape the cut ends into the center of the book using a thin piece of tape the same height as the book binding. This strip of tape ribbon onto the inside center binding so it will cover the sharp staples. If it still feels sharp, place another strip of tape over the first one. Now cut between the pages on the white lines leaving page 2&3 as one cut out. Now paste the pages onto your book, starting with the first page as the cover. Enjoy! Merry Christmas From Mountain Valley Living Magazine. Free WEB book
Story Of The Very First Christmas Fold-and-Make Book Written by Eileen Majors©. Not for resale, photos & art: BigStock Photo, Dreamstime.
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by Jan Cox
Each year, as winter sets in, our days and evenings are brightened by the many festivities that take place between Thanksgiving and New Years. This year is no exception. Beginning in late November there are many venues that bring holiday cheer, no matter where you live. Here are just a few to pick from.
Christmas Faires
In Eastern Plumas County, The Mohawk Artist’s Guild Christmas Faire will be held on Friday Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28, beginning at 10 am. The purpose of this guild is to raise funds to support art and music in the schools. A large variety of vendors will be selling their arts and crafts at the Community Resource Center at the corner of Hwys 70 and 89 by Graeagle. Refreshments will be served. There will be a raffle with prizes. Proceeds from this juried show and from the spring show go to Quincy and Portola High Schools, Carmichael Elementary and the pre-schools in Graeagle and Portola as well as Plumas Charter School for their art and music programs. The guild and its members also support Plumas Arts. For more information call Marian Haid at 530-836-1399.
In Susanville, the public is invited to the Lassen County Fair, Christmas Craft Fair on Friday, December 4 from 5-9 PM and Saturday, December 5 from 10-3. Last year this craft fair attracted over 2,000 people and was held in three separate buildings on the fairgrounds. Visitors were shuttled up and down the midway to the different buildings. A local group will be running a food concession stand for visitors and crafters to enjoy. For those who would like to participate in the craft fair, applications may be downloaded at www.lassencountyfair.org/CRAFTFAIR.asp and returned to them by Nov. 20th, 2009. Or call 530-251-8900 for more information.
In Chester, The Bailey Creek Boutiquers will be holding their annual craft
fair at the Elks Lodge on Main Street in Chester on Saturday, November 28. This was my favorite fair last year for several reasons. Twelve women from Bailey Creek, who love to make crafts, decided that they wanted a project that was fun for themselves and that would also benefit the community. As a result, they have kept prices low and included many articles that children can buy for their parents for Christmas, starting at 50 cents. They also give a percentage of the profits to the Angel Tree Program which collects money and provides baskets of food, clothing, and toys for those in need. Articles for sale include holiday gifts, cards, delicious homemade baked goods and candy with samples available, jewelry, hand knitted scarves and hats and artwork. Suzanne Newman will also have a makeup and skin care booth with demonstrations.
Musical Celebrations
Susanville, CA is the site of the “Magical Country Christmas Parade” in Historic Uptown Susanville. On December 5, local musical talent will begin the evening followed by the lighted Christmas parade ending at the Elks Lodge at the top of Main Street. Here Santa will light the town Christmas Tree followed by a fireworks display. The parade begins at 5:30 sharp with tree lighting at 6 p.m. For more information you may call the Chamber of Commerce at 530-257-4323 or log onto www.lassencountychamber.org
The Susanville Symphony will bring the Christmas spirit alive with this year’s world premier of Maestro Benjamin Wade’s original arrangement of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”. Other traditional favorites include Winter Wonderland, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Overture to the Miracle on 34th Street and other seasonal favorites. Tickets may be purchased for performances on either Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 PM or Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2:30 PM at Susanville Assembly of God Church. Information on all performances by the symphony can be found at www.susanvillesymphony.com.
In Chester, CA, the Chester Community Chorus will be performing their annual Christmas concert on Dec. 4, 5 and 6 entitled “We Wish You a Merry Madrigal”. The repertoire for this concert will include a mixture of light madrigal music, traditional music with a new touch, and some new pieces. Some of the music will be sung in other languages including Pasko Na Naman, a Filipino song from Director Elsie Wesley’s native country that reflects a holiday spirit filled with excitement and anticipation . The performing groups include the Chorus, Chorale, Kindred Spirits, NEWGEN, Handbell Ensemble, and special performances of solo flute with piano, a vocal solo and interpretive dance. The Friday and Saturday concerts begin at 7 PM and Sunday matinee begins at 3 PM. There is no charge for the concerts but donations are always appreciated. Come early for a good seat.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Santa keeps very busy here in the mountains. Not only will he be at Susanville for the lighting of the tree and the Magical Country Christmas Parade on December 5 but he will also be at the following places.
Chester, CA will celebrate Santa’s return on November 27 with their annual Merchants Night and Light Parade. This is holiday fun for friends and families. Merchants stay open with holiday goodies and sales. There will be bonfires, caroling, Christmas tree lighting and a light parade. Festivities take place between 5 and 9 pm. The whole family will enjoy coming out to welcome in the holiday season. Call Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce for further info at (530) 258-2426.
Westwood, CA will see Santa on December 5 at the Community Center on Ash Street. After the tree lighting, visitors will have a chance to welcome Santa, have some hot chocolate and cookies while the Westwood Family Resource Center gifts each child with a new children’s book. To find out more, call Westwood Chamber of Commerce at (530) 256-2456.
If you visit downtown Graegle, CA between 1 and 5 PM on December 5, you will have a chance to visit the little red houses, have your picture taken with Santa and also ride through town in the horse-drawn trolley. For more information call (530) 836-2712.
Portola, CA will have a festive tree lighting ceremony and bonfire on Commercial Street on December 4 and on December 5 you can visit with Santa at the Portola Railroad Museum and have some hot chocolate and other refreshments. If you miss Santa on December 5, he will return here on December 12! For more information on the Santa Train, call (530) 832-4141.
Be sure and check out the Calendar of Events in the back of this magazine for further information on all the festivities in this area including Chico, Redding, and Reno. Happy Holidays!
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 St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.
It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)
After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice-which he believed to be God’s-spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.
To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation-an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)
Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. (Although there were a small number of Christians on the island when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. The Irish culture centered on a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick’s life became exaggerated over the centuries-spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life.)
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.
 On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
T he first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.
Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called “Irish Aid” societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.
Up until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into America to escape starvation. Despised for their religious beliefs and funny accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country’s cities took to the streets on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.
However, the Irish soon began to realize that their great numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the “green machine,” became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.
In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick’s Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland ‘s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.
Courtesy of history.com
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Maybe next year!
Okay, you just got your tree over Thanksgiving and now it’s time to deck the halls, the house, the tree and the yard. You climb up to that space over the rafters in the garage where the holiday decorations are stored. Maybe your decorations are in an attic storage, along with other seasonal decorations, suitcases, boxes of trophies and other school memorabilia from your kids, that broken touch lamp you knocked over last year and didn’t want to throw away…you get the idea.
The decorations are brought out and everyone is ready to go. Then, the real fun begins. You reach into the bag of lights and pull out what looks like a very large coiled monster ready to engulf you. It’s made up of numerous of those 100 mini-light strings tangled together. The rhetorical question, “who put these lights away last year?’ is greeted by a deafening silence.
Meanwhile, in another corner, eager kids are digging through a large bag with sparkling garland all twisted together and shedding as they try to untangle the strands. Glass Christmas balls roll across the floor from a shaky cardboard box.
After a month of holiday activities and entertaining, many of us just want to put away decorations and get ready for the new year. I promised myself I would organize my holiday decorations last summer. Well, it did not happen, especially since the attic storage closet is about 100° in July!
While at lunch last fall, I heard a woman at the next table discussing how she had finally organized all her seasonal decorations last year, about two months before Christmas. She said she brought all the Christmas decorations into her living room. Evenings, while watching TV or chatting with her husband, she would sort them and put them into marked boxes she had prepared earlier. She said she was really motivated to do it right before the holidays. She also followed through with clearing out decorations she had not used for years but could not let go of. All her children’s handmade decorations were put in a special “Christmas memories box.”
Well it is never too late to make a change. There are all types of holiday storage boxes available now, even molded ones for Christmas balls. I bought some last year, with the best of intentions, but never followed through. The holiday season is here, but you can pick any month to make organizing your holiday decorations a project. Invite you children, husband, friends, whoever stops by, to pitch in. Everything goes faster with many hands. Having project months might help with other tasks we tend to put off, such as organizing the sewing cabinet! I think a monthly project might be a good New Year’s resolution for me. Maybe it will work for you as well.
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Contributed by Michelle Williams, Banner Lassen Medical Center
Every year you rush through the holidays in a frenzy of shopping, eating, drinking, and traveling. You spend too much. You overindulge. Your stress level goes through the roof. And when it’s all over, you vow that next year you’ll do things differently. You’ll reconnect to the spirit of the holidays.
Well, next year is here. Before you get caught up in the holiday hustle, remember last year’s mayhem. Then think about how you can bring spirituality and altruism to the holiday table.
Here’s one way to do it: Volunteer. Good for Others, Good for You
Whatever your interests, you can find an organization right in your backyard that needs some kind of help. The arts? Your museum needs docents. Kids? Schools, libraries, and youth groups need leaders. Sports? Your local basketball league needs coaches and referees. Health Care? Your local hospital needs support in a variety of areas.
And while you are helping others, there’s so much in it for you.
• You’ll focus on what really matters, which can lower your stress by helping you let go of the less important things in your life.
• You’ll connect to the outside world. A sense of purpose in the world brings inner peace, even when you’re alone or facing hardship of your own.
• You’ll make new relationships.
• You’ll be healthier. Scientific research seems to show that positive social interactions boost the body’s ability to heal itself, reducing blood pressure and chasing away anxiety. Studies have found that older men and women with larger social circles have a much lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease.
Do Well by Doing Good
Volunteering may even help you live longer. A few years back, researchers at the University of Michigan collected information on the health and habits of more than 1,200 older adults. Then they tracked their health over the next seven years. The researchers found, after taking all factors into account, that people who had been volunteers at the study’s start had the lowest death rate. Those who volunteered a modest 40 hours a year—that’s less than one hour a week—fared the best.
This holiday season, why not reach out to others. Look for opportunities to volunteer with organizations you care about. Do well—and be well—by doing good.
Volunteering: Where to Begin
1. Think about what matters to you. Hospitals, places of worship, museums, community centers, political organizations, environmental groups, youth sports leagues, and many others often need volunteers. Volunteering does more when it means something to you as well as to those you’re helping.
2. Do some research. If no organization springs to mind, try these Web sites:
• Volunteermatch.org
• Networkforgood.org
You can search for volunteer opportunities by state and area of interest.
3. Set up volunteer work with your co-workers. Ask your supervisors and managers if they’ll provide incentives for participation, such as a formal volunteer recognition program or a company match for fundraising ventures.
Banner Lassen Medical Center exists to make a difference in people’s lives and offers several opportunities for volunteers. For information about volunteering at Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville, call (530) 252-2231 or visit www.bannerhealth.com keyword: Lassen, or contact the health care facility in your area for information on volunteering.
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Happy Holidays Mountain Valley neighbors! Tis once again the season to put up the Christmas tree. My favorite part is cutting day. Hot chocolate, snowball fights, and the hunt for the perfect tree are all part of the tradition. Cutting permits are currently on sale for $10.00, limit 2 per household, and include a map of designated cutting areas. It is also required to attach your permit to the tree before leaving the cutting area to avoid penalties. Mountain weather is unpredictable this time of year so be sure to dress appropriately and be ready for ice and snow. Its also a great idea to bring along a tarp. It will protect the branches while dragging the tree and also keep the stray pine needles contained for easy clean up. Less work, More fun. Save the trimmed branches for wreath making on decorating day. Nothing says Christmas is coming like the smell of fresh cut pine. For recorded permit information call 530-836-7177 or 530-283-7869. You can purchase a permit at your local Forestry office or Ranger Station. Permits are also on sale at the following businesses.
Portola-Blairsden-Doyle-Sierraville Area:
Doyle Payless
Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce – Blairsden
Graeagle Outpost
Hallelujah Junction General Store
Sierraville Service
Williams House Museum- Portola
Quincy-Meadow Valley area:
Blue Sky Chevron
Fuelstar/Beacon
One Stop
Plumas County Visitor Center
76 Unocal
Sav-Mor
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 By Melissa Wynn
Christmas is a time of year that inspires wonders and awe in the eyes of the children. The winter world is all a-twinkle and their dreams revolve around Santa. Imagine presenting the wish list to the man in red himself on a nighttime ride aboard The Santa Train. Glowing with Christmas lights, the 5 car train is sure to bring squeals of delight.
On Saturdays December 6th and 13th Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a rare appearance at The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, Ca. Less than an hour from Reno, this quaint mountain village is the perfect home to this winter wonderland adventure. Rides in the cozy caboose train will begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m. or until all wish makers have had their ride with Santa.
Sponsored by the Feather River Rail Society this magical experience costs a mere $5.00 per person or $12.00 per family. Steaming cups of coffee and hot chocolate are free along with the neighborly conversation and baked goods served in the museum.
Christmas comes but once a year and your children will only be little once. Enjoy their excitement and make it larger than life with a fantastic Santa Train ride. You can read more about the Feather River Rail Society and Western Pacific Railroad Museum online at www.wplives.org. Pack up those little ones and come join us for the night in Portola. A quiet winter morning in the mountains following an exciting night aboard the Santa Train, now there’s an overnighter to remember!
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Proclaimed as a National Holiday
By President George Washington, 1789
As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America:
“ Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Continue reading Thanksgiving..
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’s the stress, busyness and lack of sleep, not to mention the potlucks and potbellies. Oh, and flu season should strike, well, just about any minute now. Joy to the world. This year, beginning with the buildup to Thanksgiving and continuing through Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, trade holiday survival for holiday celebration. You’ll be surprised at how much better your mind and body will feel. Continue reading 22 STEPS TO A HEALTHY HOLIDAY
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dia-credit name="Bigstockphoto.com" align="alignleft" width="100"][/media-credit]By Lorraine Shoemaker
