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8 - PORT PERRY STAR CHRISTMAS GREETINGS - Tuesday, December 18, 1990 by Cheryl Hudgins, Port Perry I was blessed with a second chance. Second chances don't come along everyday; maybe if you're lucky, once in a lifetime. It wasn't a second chance at picking the winning numbers in the lottery from last week, or a se- cond chance at making a good first impression, or even a second chance to turn back the hands of time and do everything right this time. Let me ask you this. How many of us have stopped to really see the miracles that unfold before our eyes during the holiday season? When was the last time you took a moment to just look out the window and see more than the pile of wood that needs to be split before it is covered in snow, or how much time you wasted cut- ting the grass in the summer on- ly to see it covered in a cold, white blanket now ? When was the last time we regarded shopping for presents as a chance to show someone how much we care, instead of how much it is going to cost us in the end? In this day and age, most peo- ple view Christmas as highly commercialized and extremely expensive. Where did the joy of giving, turn into a major headache on Christmas Eve for presents not bought, or even a touch of claustrophobia in the HONOURABLE MENTION PORT PERRY STAR CHRISTMAS STORY CONTEST Count Your Blessings and I didn't ask for it, but I was one of the lucky ones to get it. I got to see the Christmas holi- day season through brand new eyes; through the eyes of a young child. My daughter Brittany was born in February of 1988, and, as for all other children, everything that surrounded her was indeed a sight to behold. Seemingly trivial and minute things that to us are everyday oc- currences are to a child a totally new experience. Imagine to be totally in awe of the joyous decorations in store front windows that spread giant smiles and put a sparkle in every child's eye; to be literally as- tounded by the white flakes fall- ing from the sky, the wonder and bewilderment in their eyes seeing them disappear as they touch the ground; the unfamiliar festive songs and music filling their tiny ears in every merchant's store; the merry faces and cheerful ""Hello's" from each passerby on the street that seem to thrill a tot; the overall light-hearted at- mosphere that surrounds them, are in themselves enough to make a child enchanted. But still there is even more. Have you been lucky enough to see a child on their first Christmas? If you have, then you probably were surprised to find that they prefer to play with the bows and boxes instead of your painstakingly purchased gift So now when I look into store windows, I don't just see the displays as an attempt to lure me inside to buy their wares, but also as a sincere endeavour to put all of society into the Christmas spirit of giving from the heart. And now I take five minutes out of my busy day to stand at the window with Brittany or peer through a merchant's glass, and let those feelings touch me that I know she is experiencing at the same time. It looks like I owe my daughter a sincere heartfelt thank-you for rekindling the fire that before was a dying ember and for making those old feelings of Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men become a reality again. The next time someone tells me to count my blessings, I'll finally be able to give an all-knowing smile. ORIGINS OF RUDOLPH One of the most beloved figures in modern Christmas lore, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was born when a Montgomery Ward advertis- ing copywriter named Robert L. May was told to create a booklet which could be given to children at Christmastime. That was in 1939, and "Rudolph with his nose so bright," the nose which made him a laughingstock Keep your tree alive after Xmas festivities In some parts of Canada, peo- ple celebrate Christmas with a balled and burlapped tree which may be added to the landscape after the holidays or the following spring. To this point, there has been little success in keeping pot- ted trees alive but to increase the chances, please observe the following points: 1. The adaptability of the species to the home landscape should be considered. Some species are not appropriate for a residential land- scape. Check with a reliable tree nursery. 2' The tree should be stored in an unheated and unsheltered area such as a garage or porch, out of the wind and sun. Do not expose the root ball to repetitive freezing and thawing. 3. The tree should be moved into the house no earlier than a day or two before Christmas. Just a few days inside is long enough for live trees. If they stay inside any longer, they will become too ac- customed to being in the warmth and will not be able to withstand the harsh cold outside again. 4. The tree should receive ade- quate water. The root ball should be kept damp, but not soaking wet. Wrap the root ball in plastic or place it in a tub while it is in the house. 5. The tree may be decorated, but with care. If lights are used, they give off as little heat as possible. Twinkle lights are best. 6. After Christmas, do not remove the tree from a warm house directly out into freezing temperatures. Instead, move it to a sheltered area first to allow the tree to become accustomed to the cold. 7. If the ground is not frozen, the tree may be replanted. The spot to be dug should be mulched to prevent freezing. Plant as soon as possible. 8. Do not remove the burlap and strapping. This keeps the root ball solid and secure. Earth removed from the original hole should be back-filled around the root ball. Mulch heavily over the top of the planted root ball to prevent it from freezing. Water frequently but carefully in the spring: a flooded tree may die. 9. Stake the tree to prevent wind- tipping or damage during the first growing season. enclosed. Additionally, you might among the other reindeer, has charmed nearest shopping mall? be left speechless when you generations of children for over 50 When did we forget that To all our friends Christmas is a time for sharing and being with loved ones for a realize that after opening one pre- sent, they really aren't interested years. Interestingly enough, the words our deepest thanks and appreciation. in opening another. I guess that of the song, "Rudolph the Red- one gift is sufficient. Maybe we Nosed Reindeer," were not included should remember this when we in the original booklet that told are looking under the tree to see Rudolph's story, and were not writ- relaxing, carefree, well-deserved break? Why do we feel that it is im- perative to attend Christmas Eve Mass, when every other Sunday we are just too busy to go to church? Did we forget that every day is a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ? What happened to that feeling that literally overwhelmed thousands of people when December 25th neared? The biggest question is how do we change our outlook and feel- ings about the Christmas season and get things back into perspective? This is where my second chance comes in. I wasn't expecting it how many presents are there for us. So maybe it's time for all of us to regroup and remember how the Christmas holidays used to be. Try to recall how our parents always seemed to make every lit- tle thing special, and how even the smallest act of generosity is forever etched in our minds. We must remember that they never had it as good as we do now. Throughout my mother's childhood her only request was for a doll with hair. She never got it. HAVE A FON-FILLED SEASON! J PLAY IT A GAME Leona and Dave Sandison -- and -- Margaret and Randy Scott We're not just playing around when we say, "you're the greatest Thanks for making doing business a pleasure. With sincere best ten by May. Rather, 10 years after May's original creation, his brother-in-law, composer Johnny Marks, put Rudolph's tale to music, and wrote the lyrics with which we are familiar today. Cowboy-singer Gene Autry recorded the tune, which was released in the fall of 1949 and quickly became a smash hit. $X901861 community. New Year. Have a winning holiday! PINERIDGE SPORTS 985-2839 With the current turmoil in various parts of the world, we in Scugog should be very grateful, especially at this time of the year, to live in a community full of friendship, respect for one's neighbours' view and above all, the ability and desire to work together for the betterment of our May I, on behalf of Council, take this opportunity to wish each and everyone not only a Very Merry Christmas, but a prosperous and happy W. Howard Hall, Mayor TOWNSHIP of SCUGOG