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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 13 ,2 01 8 | 34 HaltonHills ChristmasDay HouseholdWasteCollectionNotice Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday December 23 24 Christmas Day 25 26 27 28 29 Area D Collection moves Please note collection day changes: Areas A, B & C Collection moves • Aluminum foil & trays • Boxed beverage containers • Plastic bags • Plastic bottles • Plastic plates & cups • All food waste • Paper plates & cups • Napkins • Soiled paper towels • Tissue paper (free of tape and confetti) Gary Carr Regional Chair Tips to stay safe this winter Whether you are on the road, at home or out in the community this winter, here are some helpful tips you can follow to keep our community safe and healthy. • On the road: Do not drive while impaired. Get home safely by arranging a car service, taking transit or a designated driver. If you think you see an impaired driver, call 911. • At home: Clear snow and ice from all walkways and stairs and wear proper winter footwear to prevent any falls. • In the community: Prevent the spread of flu and other viruses by getting the flu shot and washing your hands with soap and water often or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Find more safety tips at halton.ca. Meetings at Halton Region, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 Visit halton.ca for full schedule. December 19 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Garbage • Compostable plastic cups and cutlery • Plastic cutlery • Food wrap • Styrofoam Reduce your holidaywaste age ered bevxoB lastic bottlesP es & tlastic plaP Blue Box Green Cart elswooiled paper tS ee of tape and (fr HaltonWasteManagement Site RegularOperatingHours Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton ClosedTuesday,December 25 andTuesday, January 1 HolidayWasteTips • Reuse gift wrap, gift bags, bows and ribbon • Wrap presents in newspaper or magazines • Make handmade gifts • Donate household items in good condition Reminder: Your 2019-2020 Halton Region Guide & Waste Collection Calendar will be delivered at the end of January 2019. Visithalton.ca/waste or download theOneHalton app to sign up for weekly reminders, find your collection day and learn about acceptable items. 121 31 8 Please place your waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled holiday collection day. Areas A, B & C:Waste collection moves to December 27. Area D:Waste collection moves to December 29. GIFT GUIDE The history of Christmas stockings Just when the excitement of opening presents abates after the last of the packages under the Christmas tree have been torn open, children and adults alike may discover that there are more treats to be had nestled inside of stockings hung on the mantle. The hanging of Christmas stockings is a familiar tradition with an extensive history. Several legends attribute the hanging of stockings to different people or events. Here is a look at some of the stories that have made Christmas stockings so popular. St. Nicholas Day Rather than hanging stockings on Christmas, many countries celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6, and this is when stockings are proudly left out for treats. The small, inexpensive trinkets are later unwrapped and enjoyed on Christmas Day. Dutch heritage One tradition says that, in 16th century Holland, children kept their clogs filled with straw in front of the hearth for Santa's reindeer to find. They also left treats for Santa Claus. In return, Santa would leave gifts in the clogs. Over time, stockings were swapped out for clogs. Merchant's family story A popular tale tells the story of a merchant, his wife and three daughters. After the wife falls ill and dies, the man becomes devastated and squanders all of his wealth on frivolous things to mask his sadness. When it comes time for the daughters to marry, the man does not have money for a dowry. St. Nicholas hears of the plight and knows the man would be too proud to accept charity. Therefore, St. Nicholas anonymously tosses three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The man's daughters had done the laundry prior and left their stockings hanging by the fireplace to dry. The gold landed in the stockings, thus starting the Christmas stocking tradition. Italian good witch One stocking story does not attribute the tradition to Santa, but to a kind-hearted Italian witch named "La Befana." La Befana arrives on a broomstick the night of January 5 and fills the stockings of good children with sweet treats and toys. Bad children are awarded lumps of coal. La Befana is also credited with being the old woman who the wise men ask for directions to Christ's manger in the Christ child's story. After turning down an offer to accompany them, La Befana later carried gifts in search of Christ. Christmas stockings have become part of holiday traditions, and this beloved tradition has its own unique history.