It’s worth the drive to Byemoor to see the fantastic Christmas light display there.
As usual, Betty Campbell has a magnificent light display at the Campbell farm just outside Byemoor with lights extending right to Byemoor. Byemoor Park is beautifully decorated, and the Gallagher and Wasdal families and Byemoor Hotel also have impressive displays, among others.
In Endiang, Terry Gallant has decorated the park north of the Endiang Hall and her yard in splendid fashion. It certainly gives the hamlet a holiday vibe. Robert and Sheila Buchwitz, Brian and Theresa Christie, Blaine and Debbie Goeson and Garnet McLearn also have striking light displays.
Albert and Jean Mappin returned home on Dec. 6 from a very enjoyable three-week vacation to New Zealand. They were on a Western Stockgrower’s agricultural tour.
One thing that impressed the Mappins was how wonderfully green and lush that country is. The terrain has a lot of steep hills and there are definitely lots of sheep and dairies. It is the summer season in New Zealand right now. It sounds like it was a fantastic trip.
DeAnna Groundwater and her sister Amber Knauft enjoyed a vacation to Mexico, returning on Dec. 8. Their beautiful resort was at picturesque Bucerias, north of Puerto Vallarta. Some fun in the sun is a nice break from the Canadian winter.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Dec. 16 — The Children’s Christmas Party from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Scapa Community Hall. Santa Claus is coming.
Parents, please bring a gift for your child for Santa to hand out. Call or text Scott at 403-854-2124 by Dec. 14 with a number of children attending so organizers can have enough crafts and treat bags.
Dec. 17 — The Church of Endiang Christmas Carol service, “The Cathedral in the Country,” at 2:30 p.m. at the Endiang Community Hall. Treats for the coffee after the service are welcomed. Donations are gratefully received for the Food Banks.
Dec. 19 — Byemoor School Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. at the Byemoor Community Hall. A bin will be set up for Food Bank donations.
Dec. 23 — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Scapa) Candlelight Christmas Service at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Christmas Trivia
“Bing Crosby’s version of ‘White Christmas’ is the highest-selling single of all time.”
“Before Coca-Cola decided to use Santa’s image for advertising he looked more spooky than jolly. In 1931, the beverage company hired an illustrator named Haddon Sundblom to depict the jolly old man for magazine ads. This is the version of Santa we recognize today.”
“The abbreviation X in X-mas is not an abbreviation. It actually stands for ‘Chi’ meaning Christ in Greek.”
“The custom of bringing evergreens into the home at Christmas began in the 16th century among Europeans, primarily Germans. As a means of making the tree more uniform, the cut-off excess branches were woven into wreaths with religious significance. The circular shape, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul and the everlasting life we find in Christ.”
“It is a tradition in Japan to eat KFC for Christmas. Orders must be placed two months in advance.”