Holiday / Christmas Contest Winners

Transcription

FR
E
E
BA
TT VOL
LE UM
CR E 35
EE , NU
K MB
/ M ER
AR 11
SH
AL
L
Christmas Story Contest Winners Inside
a season celebrated together
ACCREDITED INSTRUCTORS
•
•
•
•
723 U.S. 27 North | Marshall, MI 49068 | 269-781-9858
www.kempffuneralhome.com | RECEPTION HALL AVAILABLE
• CURRICULUM CHOICES
• FINE ARTS OFFERINGS
• TECHNOLOGY MULTIMEDIA
CLASSES
• BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL
ACTIVITIES
• EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
• ADVANCED LEVEL CLASSES
3 W es t Va n B u ren Street • Battl e Creek • M i chi g an 49017
2 6 9 - 9 6 5 - 94 65 • www. b attl ecreek p ub l i cschool s. or g
Puppy Classes • Obedience
Agility • Showmanship
Group or Private Lessons
Behavior Consultations
New Classes
Starting Soon
269-781-7800 |
www.MichiganDog.com
Wherever you are
it is your friends that
make your world.
111 Evergreen Road, Battle Creek
269-969-6110 | www.evergreenscc.com
Because We Care
Since 1882
105 Capital Ave., N.E. at North Avenue • 962-5527
S A L O N / S P A
ALYSSA DERUITER STYLIST
2545 Capital Ave., SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-565-1134 | fx 269-441-2117
Gift Certificates, Gift Packages and
AVEDA Products Available
2
During the holidays, we become more sentimental and reflect on days gone by.
Memories of loved ones, shopping, Christmas morning, opening gifts, or getting together with
family, fill us with warmth and love.
For those who have recently lost a loved one, joy is mixed with a sense of loss and
grief. That’s when family and friends are so important. We understand because we too have
lost loved ones. We’re good listeners and are here to help you through a time of sorrow.
We are proud to serve you, and we send you our warmest wishes...
from our family to yours.
www.bachmanhebble.com
223 NORTH BEDFORD ROAD • BATTLE CREEK • MI • 269-965-5145
The Staff of Michigan Tle and Carpet wishes your and yours a very
and a Happy New Year!
MICHIGAN
TILE & CARPET
99 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek
269-962-6227 • www.michtile.com
Hours: Mon 9am-8pm
Tue-Fri 9am-6pm / Sat 9am-3pm
HANS & ALICIA STARK
3
Oaklawn Health
BY TRACEE HATHAWAY, RNC
Magnet Conference 2010: a moving experience for Oaklawn RN
I was privileged to be one of six registered
nurses that Oaklawn sent to the 2010 National
Magnet Conference in Phoenix, put on by
the American Nurses Credentialing Center
(ANCC). It was truly a moving experience
for me and more than 6000 nurses who
attended from 45 states and three countries.
The “Magnet Recognition Program” was
developed by the ANCC to recognize health
care organizations that provide the very best
in nursing care. Organizations must meet
stringent criteria for nursing professionalism,
teamwork, and the highest standards in
patient care. When Oaklawn became a
Magnet Hospital in September ‘09, it was one
of just 348 hospitals from over 5000 hospitals
nationwide to have achieved the honor.
Each year the ANCC hosts a national
Magnet Conference inviting nurses who work
at Magnet organizations or who are seeking
more information about becoming a Magnet
organization. The 3-day conference is an
inspirational experience for those committed
to the nursing profession, allowing them to
hear renowned speakers and see exciting
exhibits and presentations. The theme for
this year’s conference was Magnet: A Culture
(from left): Tracee Hathaway, Kristin Sims, Tina Olinyk,
Virgie Smith, Cindy Rathbun, and Sondra Fettes.
of Caring. It was an opportunity for nurses
from around the world to focus on their own
well-being and learn how to maximize their
contributions to the wider community that
nurses serve.
The RNs that represented Oaklawn
and accompanied Chief Nursing Officer
Kristin Sims and Magnet co-chair, Sondra
Fettes, were selected based on an essay they
submitted. They were: Tina Olinyk from the
Wound Clinic and Homecare, Virgie Smith
from Emergency, and Cindy Rathbun and
Tracee Hathaway from the Birth Center.
I was inspired by the keynote speakers,
Great Nursing: It’s official.
Magnet Certified
4
Dr. Deepak Chopra, an expert in the field of
mind-body medicine; and Jean Watson, PhD,
RN, a nursing theorist; but the true highlight
for me was the powerful celebration put on
for new and re-designated hospitals that have
received their designation since last year’s
conference, which included Oaklawn. It was
the wildest pep rally that I’ve ever witnessed
and brought all of us immense pride as we
represented more than 900 colleagues who
are members of the Oaklawn family.
Something I’ll remember longest was a
“hoop dance” performed at a social gathering
by a Native American dancer and educator
named Eddie Madril, that signified harmony,
well-being, and the circle. Madril emphasized
renewing the passion for becoming a nurse
and praised the voice that nurses have for
inspiring wellness. He closed by saying:
“watch for teachers. It may be one of your
patients. We learn so much by listening. Be
curious and open, and don’t be shy.” I found
that to be a powerful message.
Next year’s Magnet conference will be
held in Baltimore, October 4-6. I envy the
Oaklawn representatives who will be in
attendance.
Contents
VOLUME 35 - NUMBER 11
ARTICLES:
Scene Magazine Christmas Story Contest
Publisher’s Choice ........................................................ Alex Odden ......................................................... 7
First Place ...................................................................... Richard Schlatter ................................................ 8
Second Place .................................................................. Ellen B. Thornton ............................................. 15
Third Place .................................................................... Sydney Bonifer ................................................. 26
Honorable Mention ....................................................... Denise Poyer ..................................................... 30
Honorable Mention ....................................................... Ariel Rose ......................................................... 35
SCENE COLUMNS:
SCENE FEATURES:
Oaklawn Health ........... Dan Stulberg ...................... 4
As Scene By ................... Richard F. DeRuiter .......... 6
Touching The Bases ..... Carl Angelo ..................... 12
Fun With Food ............. Joanna Stelloh-Phelps ..... 20
Real Estate Scene ......... Kathy Perrett ................... 21
Downtown Scene .......... Alyssa Jones .................... 22
Health Scene ................. Peter Phelps ..................... 23
To Be Drug Free ....................................................... 25
Our Humane Society ............................................... 33
Entertainment Calendar .........................................
Business Listings ......................................................
Local Interest ............................................................
Advertiser’s Index ....................................................
11
16
29
38
STAFF:
Publisher ................................................. Frederick (Rick) DeRuiter
Assistant Publisher/Sales...................................... Shirley DeRuiter
Business Manager ........................................................ Shelii Penny
Executive Editor ......................................................... Sherii Sherban
COVER: This month’s cover was created with
the digital magic of Rick DeRuiter and inspired by the
magical days of the Holiday Season!
Publications Coordinator ................................. Frederick DeRuiter
General Manager/ Systems Manager...................... Keith Sherban
Typesetters ................................ Frederick DeRuiter, Terri DeRuiter
Artists ....................................................... Frederick (Rick) DeRuiter
David Sherban, Matt Travis
Staff Photographer .............................. Nate Zanotti, Keith Sherban
Advertising Sales ........................... Shirley DeRuiter, Leslie Hewitt,
Sherii Sherban
Printing ............................................... Millbrook Printing Company
Scene was established in June, 1977, and is published twelve times per year by
W.W. Thayne Advertising, Incorporated. Scene is distributed free through our
advertisers, area professional offices, and key points of interest in the Battle
Creek/Marshall area. Scene is also available by mail subscription, $22 for
twelve issues, $38 for twenty-four issues. Due to bulk rate restrictions, copies
of Scene are not forwarded automatically by the U.S. Post Office to recipients
when they move or are temporarily away. Please contact our office with your
new address before you move so we can update our mail list and provide you
with uninterrupted service. Opinions expressed by writers in Scene are their
own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of Scene or W.W.
Thayne Advertising, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction without
permission is prohibited.
For advertising and publicity for your event or organization:
Scene Magazine
4642 Capital Avenue Southwest
Battle Creek MI 49015-9350
Our telephone is (269) 979-1410, telefax (269) 979-3474
Or you can e-mail us at: [email protected] / [email protected]
For editorial: [email protected]
For ads, photos or graphics: [email protected]
REMEMBER TO VISIT SCENE’S WEBSITE AT... www.scenepub.com
© 2010 by Scene Magazine, a division of W.W. Thayne Advertising Consultants, Inc.
Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission. All rights reserved.
5
As Scene By
BY RICHARD F. DERUITER
Christmas, I Have Proof
Q: Rich, I noticed
you shoveling snow
the other day and
there wasn’t even a
quarter of an inch on
the ground. I think
you need another
hobby.
A: I just wanted
to make sure all my
snow equipment was ready to go and that it
was all located in a place I could get at quickly. As for the shoveling, I had just rotated
the blade on my favorite shovel. This blade
is mounted in such a way that you can rotate
it 180 degrees, and you have a new surface
to work. Pretty nifty. It’s a shovel that has
wheels and turns into sort of a snow plow...
people are always stopping and asking me
where I bought it. I have shovels for particular applications and locate them where
I will be using them. For instance, I have a
sidewalk shovel that I keep by my front door.
I use that one to quickly shovel one half of
the sidewalk and then turn around and shovel
the other half. Next, I bend over and remove
the cover from a five gallon stoneware crock
located next to the sidewalk shovel, and
remove a coffee can full of ice melt for the
sidewalk. The object is to get my wife’s car
started and warm and remove all the snow
that is behind her car, all the way to the road.
During a heavy snow I may repeat shoveling
all day and do nothing else.
Q: Rich, what are you working on? You
should have written a Christmas story.
A: Every day is Christmas. I spend every
spare moment looking for things created by
talented people all over the world… even
people in China before 1950 when their creations came from their heart, not what was
going to their government’s wealth. I have
beautiful things from China, mostly from
the early Ching dynasty that people have no
interest in because they assume it’s a cheap
rip off. What am I working on? I found a
large old frame (more historic looking than
“Victorian decorative”) with 100-year-old
bubbled glass for less than $10. The paper
inside was a repro from the 1881 tombstone
paper with a cover story on the gunfight at
the OK corral and I paid only $4 for it. I cut
an antique gold mat and put newspaper with
mat in the old frame, and it’s breathtaking.
It’s just a little project I wouldn’t normally
do but I had to. Sometimes other dealers
ask me why I have charged so much for a
particular item. I can only say, “If you saw
this piece before I saved it, you would say...
charge more.”
DON’T MISS
YOUR
CHANCE
TO WIN!
And now my true Christmas story...
My Guardian Angels must have led
me there that day… old framed bust of
Jesus with a torn velvet background, broken
hands, chipped lips and head. The gold
frame was coming apart, paint was missing, but yet, although loosely still together,
somehow nothing was missing. I bought it
at the Salvation Army for $12, I guess a
dollar for every Disciple. How many times
has Jesus protected, healed and saved me
from myself? I could name many, some so
profound that if you believed me you would
feel Comfort and Joy and no fear of eternity.
I took the treasure home carefully, holding
it in my arms. As soon as I got it home, my
hands moved as if guided by higher powers. Every color I selected matched, even
the velvet background I found was perfect.
I could go on in great detail about every
step of the way, but the message, even as
it brings tears of jubilation to my eyes,
is more important. God selected me. He
knew I cared enough to bring life back to
the forgotten, to the things that others gave
up on. And best of all, He protected me as
He prepared me. Christ is free and is there
for everyone... He selected you to fulfill
a promise too. The Star of Christmas will
guide you. I have proof.
Be a super sleuth...
join the ongoing hunt
for Rick DeRuiter
Pour through the pages of Scene this month and find the
elusive DeRuiter. Warn your friends. Warn your neighbors. He’s in
there somewhere, waiting for the one lucky detective to find him!
Have you found him in this issue?
If yes, then call Scene at 979-1410
ext. 391 to have your name entered
in the drawing to receive TWO
FREE SPAGHETTI DINNERS from
Fazoli’s. You must make your discovery by December 31, 2010 and the winner will be announced in the next issue
of Scene!
LAST MONTH...
PAGE 15
LAST MONTH’S WINNER...
BETTY BARNEY
LOOK! - Now you can e-mail your
detective work too! [email protected].
Include your name, daytime phone and
what page you found him.
OR on-line at...www.scenepub.com
WIN A
6
VALUABLE PRIZE!
Reading the stories each year, there is always one that totally surprises me, or simply makes
me laugh out loud. It’s always the story that helps rejuvenate me while going through the process.
Below is this year’s “surprise” by Alex Odden, a student at Harper Creek High School. The story is brief, not “actually”
about the holidays, and may be a variant on something you’ve heard. That said, Alex “got me” and I thank him for it!
Congratulations to all the winners this year, and thank you to EVERYONE who participated.
To our readers and advertisers: I hope 2010 is the holiday season you’ll always remember!
Frederick (Rick) DeRuiter, Publisher, Scene Magazine
It’s Going to be a Cold Winter
O
ne day in early September the
chief of a Native American tribe
was asked by his tribal elders if
the winter of 2010 was going to be
cold or mild. The chief asked his medicine man,
but he too had lost touch with reading the signs
from the natural world around the Great Lakes.
In truth, neither of them had any idea about
how to predict the coming winter. However, the
chief decided to take a modern approach, and
the chief rang the National Weather Service in
Gaylord Michigan.
“Yes, it is going to be a cold winter,” the meteorological officer told the chief. Consequently, he went back to his tribe and told the men to
collect plenty of firewood.
A
F I C T I O N A L
S T O R Y
A fortnight later the chief called the Weather
Service and asked for an update. ‘Are you still
forecasting a cold winter?’ he asked.
“Yes, very cold,” the weather officer told
him.
As a result of this brief conversation the
chief went back to the tribe and told his people
to collect every bit of wood they could find.
A month later the chief called the National
Weather Service once more and asked about the
coming winter. “Yes,” he was told, “it is going
to be one of the coldest winters ever.”
“How can you be so sure?” the chief asked.
The weatherman replied: “Because the Native Americans of the Great Lakes are collecting wood like crazy.”
B Y
A L E X
O D D E N
7
Footprints In The Snow
G
and was running down the hall.
randpa, grandpa, tell me the
“
“Wait, grandpa, I’m going to get puppy. I’ll
story about the man and his
be right back.”
dog.”
It was the third Christmas
Puppy was a stuffed dog that looked like he
in a row that my 6-year old grand daughter,
had been in one too many dog fights but usually
Addy, asked me to tell her what happened on
was not too far out of her sight.
“Puppy wants to hear the story too,” she said
Christmas Eve, back in ’03. Even though it had
been six years, every detail was still etched in
as she climbed back into my lap.
my mind, as if it happened six days ago.
“I’m sure he’s gonna like this one.”
“Okay, honey, but let’s go into the family
I reached over and poked the logs on the fire,
room and curl up on the couch in front of the
took another sip of hot chocolate and allowed
fireplace. Bring your hot chocolate with you.”
my thoughts to capture the magic of that snowy
As soon as she was in my lap she popped off
Christmas Eve.
continued
A
8
F I C T I O N A L
S T O R Y
B Y
R I C H A R D
S C H L A T T E R
9
Tips For Managing
Holiday Stress
by Peter Phelps
Research shows that stress, and the
unhealthy behaviors people use to manage
it, contribute to some of the biggest health
problems such as obesity, heart disease,
and diabetes. So it’s imperative that people
take steps to address issues like holiday
stress in healthier ways. According to
the American Psychological Association
(APA), people who manage stress by
engaging overeating, drinking, and
smoking are likely to have their physical
health negatively affected over time, as
opposed to people with a healthy lifestyle.
Everyone responds to her or his stress
in some way. The key is handling stress in
a manner that doesn’t make things worse.
Try to pay attention to what causes stress
and to find healthy ways to manage it.
Tips to help deal with holiday stressors:
• Define holiday stress. People experience
stress differently. Ask yourself if your
stress changes during the holidays and
how you feel when you are stressed.
• Identify holiday stressors. What holiday
events or situations trigger stressful
feelings? Are they related to work, home,
relationships, or something else?
• Recognize how you deal with stress.
Determine if you are relying on unhealthy
behaviors like smoking or eating to manage
stress. Is this a behavior you rely on yearround, or is it specific to the holiday?
• Change one behavior at a time. Unhealthy
behaviors develop over the course of
time. Replacing unhealthy behaviors with
healthy ones requires time. Start small and
focus on changing one behavior.
• Take care of yourself. Watching out for
yourself during the holiday season helps
to keep your mind and body primed to
deal with stress. Pay attention to your
own needs and feelings. Engage in
holiday activities that you enjoy and find
relaxing. Exercise regularly. Eat healthy.
Make sure you get enough rest and sleep.
• Ask for support. Accepting help from
those who care about you and will listen to
you strengthens your resilience and ability
to manage stress. Use the holidays as a
time to reconnect with friends and family
and strengthen your support network.
If you feel overwhelmed by stress, then
consider seeking professional help.
Psychologists are uniquely trained to
understand the connection between the
mind and body. They can offer strategies to
help you manage stress, change unhealthy
behaviors and address emotional issues.
For more information about reducing
your life’s stress, call HelpNet at (269)
660-3900.
10
“Your grandman and I were getting
ready to go to church and I suddenly
remembered that I had forgot to get one
of her gifts on layaway at the mall. In a
panic, I told her that I wanted to go pick
up some eggnog, while the store was still
open, and that I would be right back. As
I approached the entrance to the mall
parking lot, I noticed a shadowy figure
near the large lighted sign. As I got closer,
I could see that it was a man wrapped in
a tattered blanket with a black dog sitting
beside him. He was holding a cardboard
sign that said, ‘Hungry, please help.’”
“Did you talk to him, grandpa?”
“Well, not right then. I only had about
half an hour before the mall closed. I
wanted to make sure that I got grandma’s
gift. But as I walked toward the mall
entrance, I couldn’t help but think about
the man and his dog. Suddenly, I turned
around and walked back to my car.”
“What didya do then, grandpa?”
“Well, honey, I went straight to the
McDonald’s across the street and bought
a big double cheeseburger and some hot
coffee. Then I went back to the parking
lot and walked over to where the man
was sitting. With watery eyes and a
nose as red as Rudolf’s, he extended his
hand for the bag, and softly said, ‘Merry
Christmas, brother, God bless you.’
I reached down to pet his dog and he
told me is name was Rex. Rex licked my
hand as if to say ‘thank you’ too.”
“Then what happened?”
“Well, I kind of felt like I should give
him some money to buy some more
food. But all I had left in my wallet was
a $50 bill and I was going to use that to
get grandma’s gift at the mall. Then I
decided that I could get grandma’s gift
after Christmas. She would understand.”
“Did you give him your money,
grandpa?”
“I sure did and it was the best 50
bucks I ever spent. As I got into my car,
I sat there for a few minutes, watching
as the man sipped his coffee. Then, an
amazing thing happened.”
“What was that, grandpa?”
“The man opened the cheeseburger
wrapper and took one small bite and
gave the rest to his dog. He must have
been starving, yet he chose to feed his
best friend first.”
“Wow, that was cool and puppy thinks
so too.”
“So then I headed back home and tried
to think of what I would say to grandma
because I didn’t have the eggnog.
I decided to tell her a little ‘white lie’.
I told her that the store closed before I
could get there in time. “
“I thought you should never tell a lie,
Grandpa.”
“I know, Addy, but this was one of
those times that it was okay. Besides, I
didn’t want to tell her that I forgot one of
her gifts. I would explain everything to
her later and hope she would understand.”
“Do you want some more hot
chocolate?”
“No thanks, Grandpa. Tell me what
happened next. Did you ever see the man
again?”
“Well, by the time I got home, it was
time to go to church. I wanted to drive
by the mall to see if the man and Rex
were still there, but there was not enough
time. The church service was unusually
beautiful, especially the singing and the
music. I even remember seeing many
old friends, people who were gone or I
hadn’t seen for a long time. My mother
was even there, singing in the choir. Then
right in the middle of one of the Christmas
carols, I heard a loud buzzing.”
“What was it, Grandpa?”
“Well, at first I thought it was the fire
alarm in the church. But everyone kept
singing. Nobody seemed to hear it but
me. And it kept getting louder and louder
until I heard your grandma shouting at
me.”
“What was she shouting?”
“She said, wake up, it’s Christmas!”
“Were you sleeping in church?”
“No, honey, I was in bed. I was
dreaming.”
“You mean the whole story about the
man and his dog was only a dream?”
“Well, yes, I guess. I quickly jumped out
of bed asking myself that same question.
After breakfast, still thinking about the
dream, I decided to take a drive out by
the mall and look around. As I pulled into
the parking lot, past the large mall sign, I
noticed footprints in the new fallen snow. I
parked my car to have a closer look.”
“What did you see, Grandpa?”
“When I walked over to the sign, I
saw more footprints and a bare spot near
the sign as if someone had been sitting
there. And right next to the spot in the
snow were paw prints from a dog. I tried
to make sense of it all but couldn’t until I
looked down and saw something else.”
“What was it, Grandpa?”
“A crumpled McDonald’s bag.”
“But I thought that the story about the
man and his dog was just a dream.”
“It was Addy, but when we dream,
our mind experiences a series of images,
sounds, and emotions that cause us to
remember something that happened in
the past or perhaps predict something that
is yet to happen. Do you understand?”
“Kind of, I think.”
“Remember, in the dream, the $50
that I gave the man?”
“Uh, uh”
“Well, after I saw the McDonald’s
bag in the snow, I looked in my wallet to
see if the $50 bill was still there, and...”
“Hey you two,” came a shout from the
dining room, “dinner is ready.”
“I think grandma is calling us, we’d
better wash up and get ready to tackle
that turkey.”
“But what about the money, Grandpa?
Will you finish the story later?”
“Sure, sweety. When I tuck you in
tonight, I’ll tell you.”
Entertainment Calendar
Events In December and January
December
Thru Dec 23: HOLLY MART, Art
Center of Battle Creek, Special hours: Mon Sat 10am-5pm; Thur 10am–7pm, (269) 9629511, www.artcenterofbattlecreek.org.
2199, www.musiccenterscmi.com/concerts/
landingpage1012.htm.
18: SOUNDS OF THE SEASON, St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church, Coldwater,
7:30-9pm, (269) 965-3931, ext. 2566 www.
bcvarts.org/BCCC.
Thru Dec 23: TOYS OF J.CHEIN &
COMPANY Tin Toy Exhibit, Art Center
of Battle Creek, (269) 962-9511, www.
artcenterofbattlecreek.org.
18-19: Holiday Express, Little River
Railroad, Coldwater, 2pm, (517) 279-7687
www.LittleRiverRailroad.com.
Thru Dec 23: IT’S A WONDERFUL
19: LIVE MUSIC AT KABARET,
LIFE, Dinner Theatre, Cornwell’s
Turkeyville USA, 800-228-4315, www.
turkeyville.com.
Firekeepers Casino, 2-6pm, 877-352-8777,
www.firekeeperscasino.com/default/index.
cfm/restaurants/kabaret-calendar.
Thru Dec 31: INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, Downtown
Battle Creek, (269) 420-4031, www.
bcfestivals.com.
24-25: LIVE MUSIC AT KABARET,
FireKeepers Casino, 7-11pm, 877-352-8777,
25: Merry Christmas
25: MAGIC SHOW, Abbott’s Magic,
Colon, 1pm, (269) 432-3235 www.
abbottmagic.com.
Firekeepers Casino, 2-6pm, 877-352-8777,
28-29: MURDER UNDER THE BIG
TOP, Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA, 12pm,
800-228-4315, www.turkeyville.com/
theatre.taf?_function=detail&show_id=151.
29: COMEDY SHOW PRESENTED BY
16: Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum
FREE ADMISSION DAY, Sponsored by
Oaklawn Hospital, 1-7pm, (517) 629-8023,
kidsnstuff.org/calendar.html.
GARY FIELDS, Kabaret - FireKeepers
Casino, 7pm & 9pm www.firekeeperscasino.
com/default/index.cfm/restaurants/kabaretcalendar.
16: LADIES NIGHT OUT WITH
LYNDIE PARRISH, Art Center of Battle
Creek, 6:30-8:30pm, (269) 962-9511, www.
artcenterofbattlecreek.org/events.html.
FireKeepers Casino, 7-11pm, 877-352-8777,
16: HOLIDAY CAROLERS AT
31: GROWN FOLKS BUSINESS,
SCHULERS, Featuring Dickens
Alumni, 7pm, (269) 781-0600, www.
schulersrestaurant.com/events/index.asp.
17-23: HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE
Holiday Inn - Battle Creek, 8pm,
www.visualinklings.com/grown-folksbusiness.html.
Enjoy the Holidays!
31: SXX, Rock out on New Year’s Eve,
ZOO, Binder Park Zoo, 5-8pm,
(269) 979-1351, www.binderparkzoo.org.
20: FREE CHILDREN’S MOVIE, A
17-18: LIVE MUSIC AT KABARET,
Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey, Albion
District Library, 5:30pm, (517) 629-3993,
www.albioncalendar.com.
Firekeepers Casino, 7-11pm, 877-3528777, www.firekeeperscasino.com/default/
index.cfm/restaurants/kabaret-calendar.
21: READ THE MOVIE, Albion District
18: MAGIC SHOW, Abbott’s Magic,
Library, 6pm, (517) 629-3993, www.
albionecalendar.com.
Colon, 1pm, (269) 432-3235 www.
abbottmagic.com.
18: HOLIDAY CRAFTS FOR KIDS,
ETC Arts Studio, 10am-2pm, (269) 2880076, www.cirfun.com/etc.taf?s=cal_
detail&id=271.
18: ICE SCULPTING EXHIBITION,
Mill Race Park - Battle Creek, 12-4pm,
(269) 420-4031, http://bcfestivals.com/
index.taf?s=4.
18: CHRISTMAS MAGIC, A
Celebration with Music and Dance, W.K.
Kellogg Auditorium, 7:30pm, (269) 565-
21: HOLIDAY CAROLERS AT
SCHULERS, Featuring Classic
Singers, 7pm, (269) 781-0600, www.
schulersrestaurant.com/events/index.asp.
22: COMEDY SHOW PRESENTED BY
GARY FIELDS, Kabaret - FireKeepers
Casino, 7pm & 9pm
24: SKELTON KREW 80’S BAND, Ball
Joint, 9pm, (269) 979-0080, www.facebook.
com/balljointsportsbar.
Planet Rock, 8pm, Planet Rock(269) 9622121, www.myspace.com/planetrockbar.
January
1: Happy New Year!
8-9: ALBION COLLEGE INDOOR
WINTER SERIES, Jumper Show, Albion
College, 9am, (517) 629-0836, www.albion.
edu/heldcenter/news-and-events.
15: OPENING DAY @ CORNWELL’S,
800-228-4315, www.turkeyville.com.
15: THE RAGBIRDS, Franke Center
for the Arts, 8pm, (269) 781-0001, www.
frankecenterforthearts.org.
For additional events, visit www.
battlecreekvisitors.org or email info@
battlecreekvisitors.org. To add events to
this calendar please email details to Sherii
Sherban at [email protected].
11
Touching The Bases
BY CARL ANGELO
BCMAMS: Working During the Holiday Season Towards Festivus III
It’s been said,
“The first essential
is to be content
with your own lot,
and the second is to
support and assist
those you know to
be the most in need,
embracing them all
within the circle
of your fellowship.” The Battle Creek
Metropolitan Area Moustache Society
(BCMAMS) is at it again, celebrating
the Christmas spirit. The motto of this
benevolent group of
hairy-lipped men is Stachemobile:
“it’s better to give Driven by Mat
with Kyle
than to receive,” Angelo
LaBrecque to his
as
they
work right. In the
fastidiously through back are AJ
the holiday season in Grumeretz
Jeremy
preparation for their and
Andrews.
tent pole event, the
3rd Annual FebruHairy Festivus. The
benefactor of what
has quickly become
a highly anticipated
event each winter
season will once
again be the Leila
Arboretum, where the
merriment will take
place on February 5,
2011. The two main
cogs of this event are
a cardboard sled race
and a chili cook-off.
A brief history of the BCMAMS:
the idea stemmed from a moustachethemed birthday party for its founder,
Jeremy Andrews. After a lot of
brainstorming, a group consisting of
Andrews, Ben Duval, Dan Barry, Kelly
Eis, and Kevin Becraft decided to start
an official fundraising club that kicked
off in April, 2008. The group has since
grown in numbers (and stature). From its
inception, the mission of the BCMAMS
has been to create and coordinate
fun, with unique and quirky events in
Battle Creek. They partner with area
businesses to raise money for local
charities and non-profit organizations.
Since its first fundraising series, which
was the Summer of Stache in 2008, the
BCMAMS has raised over $44,000 for
charities such as the Charitable Union,
Leila Arboretum Society, Women’s
Cooperative of Battle Creek, Food
Bank of Southwest Michigan, Calhoun
County Animal Coalition, and the
Battle Creek Disc Golf Fund. In August
12
2009, they held the grand opening of an
18-hole disc golf course in Irving Park,
the only disc golf course on the north
side of Battle Creek.
The course was designed and
implemented by club members and has
been a godsend for the once struggling
community park. The increased traffic
and usage of the park has resulted in
a substantial drop-off in undesirable
activities, and six more holes were
recently added, bringing the total to
24 holes. In less than three years, the
BCMAMS has already made a huge
impact on the city of Battle Creek, and
they are just getting started.
Ben Duval is the current VicePresident of the “Joint Chiefs of Stache”
and a 1999 graduate of St. Phillip High
School. He was a three sport athlete
who won ten varsity letters (three each
in football and basketball and four
in baseball). He went on to letter in
football and baseball at Albion College,
and received a BA in Economics and
Management in 2003.
Duval is a key figure in the planning
and execution of Festivus. The original
event was born from an idea he brought
back from Copper Mountain, Colorado,
where he lived and worked from 2003 to
2004. Ben tuned and repaired skis while
working at the Mountain Adventure
Center. It was there that he was first
introduced to cardboard sled racing. It was
an annual ski lodge event and furnished
competition for all its employees, which
included management, ski instructors,
lift operators, housekeeping, chefs,
and serving staffs. The event was very
competitive, but a lot of fun, with people
dressing in costumes to go along with
their themed sled designs. It stuck with
Duval, and he would eventually suggest
it as the sporting focus of a BCMAMS
event.
After a year out West, Duval decided
to return home to begin his career. He
and his brother, Ryan, are the third
generation of Duval men to work at
Mass Mutual Insurance, following in
the footsteps of grandfather, George,
and father, Dennis. Ben has been living
and working in Battle
Creek for the past six
years. He and wife
Kim are expecting
their first child, a
boy, in early 2011.
Might baby Duval be
the fourth generation
to work at Mass
Mutual?
Festivus is a
secular holiday that
was created by Dan
O’Keefe. His son,
Daniel, a screenwriter,
immortalized it by
writing it into an
episode of the popular
1990’s sitcom, Seinfeld called “The
Strike.” Although it is
Photo by
commonly celebrated
Lamont Brown
on December 23rd,
the original Festivus
actually took place in the month of
February. According to the elder
O’Keefe, in 1966, as a celebration of his
first date with his future wife, Deborah,
the name Festivus just popped into his
head. It is usually referred to as “Festivus
for the rest of us,” and the word itself
is Latin, in one reference said to mean
“festive.”
The BCMAMS figured Festivus
was as good a name as any for a winter
event, and in February 2009, they staged
it as the kick-off for a month long
series of fundraising events dubbed
Febru-Hairy Festivus. Teaming with
the Leila Arboretum Society and using
Duval’s idea to have a cardboard sled
competition, the day long event was
filled out with a chili cook-off, an ugly
sweater contest, and various other snowthemed festivities.
Leading up to the first Festivus event,
Mother Nature was not cooperating.
Just a couple of hours before the event,
there wasn’t a flake of snow to be found
at the Leila Arboretum. “We were really
sweating that, because without snow on
the hill, the sled competition would have
been tough to pull off,” says Mathew
Angelo, a BCMAMS board member.
But suddenly, in the early morning hours
before the start of the event, a blizzard
blew into Battle Creek and several
inches of fresh, powdered snow covered
the hill. “To say everyone was relieved
would
be
an
understatement,”
said Mathew. The
day was saved,
and everyone in
attendance had a
fun time.
Interest in the
event has increased
exponentially
since that inaugural
Festivus. The turnout for the 2009
event was in the
neighborhood of
80 to 100 people.
For the second
Festivus, which
took place in
February of this
year, the BCMAMS scheduled the event
to coincide with the annual Free Day at
the Kingman Museum (also located in
the Leila Arboretum). This, along with a
grass roots marketing campaign, proved
to be a good move, as approximately 500
people attended Festivus 2010. To date,
the BCMAMS has raised approximately
$8,000 to help fund children’s
programming for the Leila Arboretum
Society.
The first two Festivus events have
featured a bevy of creative sled designs
and costumes. Everything from a
giant urinal (complete with urinal
cakes) to a psychedelic dragon have
been designed, built, and brought to
the Arboretum to compete in various
categories of competition. The main
winners of the 2009 event were Josh
Barker and Ted Lawrence of Ad-Lib
Grafix and Apparel for Best Run with
their Viking ship sled, and Pat Marcus
for Best Design with a wrecking ball
sled. In 2010, Ben Crane and Ben
Duval won for Best Design with their
“Trippy the Dragon” sled, and Martha
Keuhle and Wendy Cright took the
Best Run honors with their bed pan
sled. Points are given on design and
originality for the sleds, as well as
performance (a bull’s-eye is painted at
the bottom of the hill, and the sled that
gets closest to the center is awarded
the most points). As a general rule, all
sleds can be made of any cardboard or
paper product, but no other materials.
Any type of adhesive or tape can be
used in sled construction, and you can
paint and decorate your sled to match
your theme. Costumes are also strongly
encouraged, and can be the difference
in deciding which
sled team has
the best overall
design.
In addition to
the cardboard sled
race, chili cookoff, and ugly
sweater contest,
the 2011 event
will also have a
new activity – a
game of “Winter
Clothes Twister,”
which will involve participants playing
the game of Twister in a larger setting on
the grounds of the Arboretum. It’s sure
to be a great time for the whole family
to enjoy. So in the coming months, get a
group of people together (sons, daughters
and grandchildren perhaps) and design a
unique sled, create a masterpiece chili
recipe, and raid the local thrift stores in
search of hideous looking sweaters.
The BCMAMS currently has 20
active members, and the Board of
Directors (who jokingly call
themselves “The Hairmen”) is
comprised of President
Jeremy Andrews,
Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t
Ben Duval, Mat
Angelo,
Chad
Curtis, Kelly Eis,
Kyle
LaBrecque,
JJ Ramon, Jennifer
Parker (Accountant), and Olivia Keuten
(Attorney).
If I had to describe the BCMAMS,
they are a brotherhood of benevolence
to our community, and they’ve become
Santa’s Helpers on a year-round basis.
They epitomize the old axiom, Peace
on Earth, Goodwill toward Men…clean
shaven or preferably, not.
In closing, I’d like to commend the
group for bringing two sports to the
forefront of Battle Creek – disc golf and
card board sled racing. I would like to
thank Ben Duval and Mat Angelo for the
information they shared with me for the
writing of this article. From all of us at
Scene Magazine, Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year, and we hope our men
and women in the armed forces stay out
of harm’s way and return home safely
and soon! I’m Carl Angelo, “Touching
the Bases” for Scene Magazine, our
comm-unity’s favorite.
Note: Congratulations to Coach
Vicki Groat and her “Lady Flying
Tigers” on yet another State Volleyball
Championship. How good are
the Tigers? In the future, I
think the MHSAA should
concede the first place
trophy to the Lady Tigers,
and let the rest of the teams
play for second place.
That’s how good
they are!
TOP (l to r):
Jaime Nelson
and young
Alec “Skywalker,”
taking the hill in
an X-Wing Fighter.
Photo by Lamont Brown
Contestants in the
ugly sweater contest.
Photo by
Jan LaBrecque
Ben Duval (in front) and Ben Crane
riding their Trippy the Dragon sled,
which won Best Design.
Photo by Lamont Brown
13
Santa Slept At Our House
F
or
years
afterwards
Olga
“Remember,” Mom said sharply. “Just three
wondered how a Christmas that
items on your wish list – that’s the rule.”
started so much like all the others
“That rule is Mom’s rule,” Olga thought.
before and after could end so
“No matter what we list we always get exactly
magically. Was it possible that her pesky little
the same thing. Every year!” She followed her
sister, Helen, was right? That Santa really had
sisters upstairs. Lola carried the 1911 Sears
slept at their house.
Roebuck catalog, their wish book.
The Christmas season began as usual. After
“Helen, you forgot your paper,” Dad called.
dinner the first Sunday in December, Dad gave
“No, I didn’t. I already sent my letter
each of us a sheet of paper. As usual, in his fine
in August when Santa has lots of time. In
Spenserian script, Dad had written each girl‘s
December he gets so many letters, he mixes me
name at the top of her sheet.
up with all the other Helens. He never brings
“Write your Christmas letter,” he
what I want. This year he will for sure.” There
said, “and give it to me at bedtime. I’ll
was silence from below.
mail them to Santa in the
“Did you really send Santa a letter?” Libby
morning.”
A
14
F I C T I O N A L
asked.
S T O R Y
B Y
E L L E N
continued
B .
T H O R N T O N
15
IF YOU’RE ON THE LIST...THEN YOU’RE ON THE WEB...
A
ETHERIDGE CENTER FOR DENTAL HEALTH
269-968-9121
P-R
EVERGREEN SENIOR CARE & REHAB CTR.
111 Evergreen Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49037
269-969-6110
www.evergreenscc.com
PARTNERS INSURANCE AGENCY OF SW MI
165 N. Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-660-3867
fx: 269-660-3862
ALLEN ANTIQUE BARN
9247 W. Chicago Rd., Allen, MI 49227
517-869-2888
www.allenantiquebarn.com
F
RE/MAX Perrett Assoc., Inc./MIKE DOWNING
317 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-968-6101
www.mikedowning.biz
ALLEN ANTIQUE MALL
9011 W. Chicago, Allen, MI 49227
517-869-2788
FAMILY Y CENTER
182 Capital Ave., NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-963-9622
www.ymcabattlecreek.org
AREA AGENCY ON AGING
200 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 102
Battle Creek, MI 49017
FARLEY ESTES & DOWDLE FUNERAL DIRS.
105 Capital Ave., NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-5527
www.farleyestesdowdle.com
SEASONAL GRILLE
150 W. State St., Hastings, MI 49058
269-948-9222
www.seasonalgrille.com
ART CENTER OF BATTLE CREEK
265 E. Emmett, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-9511 www.artcenterofbattlecreek.org
FOUNDATION FOR BEHAVIORAL RESOURCES
600 South Lincoln, Augusta, MI 49012
269-731-5775
fx: 269-731-5346
SENIOR TIMES
4642 Capital Ave. SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-1479
www.scenepub.com
B
G-I
SIMS/KNOLL’S ELECTRIC
466 Main, Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-963-7910
fx: 269-962-7276
BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP
115 West Michigan, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-968-1622 www.downtownbattlecreek.com
GENERAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES, PC
215 E. Michigan, Wright Medical Bldg. Ste. 3E, Marshall
269-7814267
www.generalsurgicalassoc.com
SONNEBORN ORTHODONTICS
7 Heritage Oak Ln, Ste. 8, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-9329
www.sonnebornortho.com
BATTLE CREEK HEALTH SYSTEM
300 North Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-966-8000
www.bchealth.com
GENERAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES, PC
391 Southshore Dr., Ste. 111B, Battle Creek
269-753-0640
www.generalsurgicalassoc.com
SOUTHWEST REG. REHABILITATION CTR.
393 E. Roosevelt, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-3206
www.sw-rehab.org
BATTLE CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
3 W. Van Buren St., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-9500 www.battlecreekpublicschools.org
GINNY SUE’S FRAME & DESIGN
By Appointment
269-781-2564
STUFFNIQUES
9011 W. Chicago, Allen, MI 49227
517-869-2788
269-979-1411 ext. 103
BATTLE CREEK TILE & MOSAIC CO.
1338 W. Michigan, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-8779
fx: 269-962-0620
HOG CREEK CRAFT & ANTIQUE MALL
10750 W. Chicago Rd. (U.S. 12), Allen, MI 49227
517-490-4131
www.hogcreekmall.com
BEACON RIDGE CONDOMINIUM COMMUNITY
Call for a Private Tour
269-965-5744 www.beaconridgecondos.com
INTEGRATED HEALTH PARTNERS
165 N. Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-660-3850
fx: 269-660-3859
TAKING THE LEAD DOG TRAINING
2050 17 Mile Rd., Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-7800
www.MichiganDog.com
C-E
J-O
TLC EYECARE & LASER CENTERS
363 Fremont, Suite 301, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-964-3018
www.tlceyecare.com
CALHOUN COUNTY MEDICAL CARE FACILITY
1150 E. Michigan, Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-962-5458
www.ccmcf.com
LEGACY AT THE OAKS, THE
706 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-964-4655
www.trilogyhs.com
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CTR. OF BATTLE CREEK
4625 Beckley Rd., Ste. 300, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-8119 www.christiancounselingbc.com
MERCY COMMUNITY PHYSICIANS
363 Fremont St., Ste. 210, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-966-8309
fx: 269-966-8305
CRAIG K. KEMPF FUNERAL HOME, INC.
723 US 27 North, Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-9858
www.kempffuneralhome.com
MICHIGAN TILE & CARPET
269-962-6227
www.michtile.com
EDWARD ROSE & SONS
115 Pine Knoll Dr., Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-962-0222
www.edwardrose.com
OAKLAWN HOSPITAL
200 North Madison, Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-4271
www.oaklawnhospital.org
ALLEGRA PRINT & IMAGING
1514 W. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-968-2403
www.allegrabattlecreek.com
16
S
T
W-Z
WW THAYNE ADVERTISING
269-979-1411
fx: 269-979-3474
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO
APPEAR IN SCENE’S BUSINESS LISTINGS?
CALL 269-979-1410
“Of course, I did. Jimmy Barber and I
bought stamps and took our letters to Mr.
Rogers at the train station. He promised
to mail them in Petoskey – that’s closer
to the North Pole so our letters went even
faster.”
Her six year old confidence and logic
were amazing to Olga.
“So, what did you ask for?” Gretchen
asked.
“It’s a secret. Just me and Santa
know. And it’s just one thing. Really
small. Santa could even carry it in his
pocket.” Helen turned her attention to
her paper dolls and the others started on
the Christmas letters.
During the following days everyone
asked Helen about her secret wishedfor present. She remained stubbornly
silent; confident that Santa would get it
right this year with no help from anyone
else. “I am the only Helen who wrote to
him in August,” she kept saying. “So of
course he won’t forget me.”
The big blizzard came roaring in on
the 19th. Dad tied rope guidelines from
the house to the stable and the outhouse.
“Everyone is to use them.” he ordered,
“It’s too easy to get confused and lose
your way in this blowing snow.”
Schools and shops were closed.
Everyone stayed inside. The girls
worked making Christmas gifts, paper
chains, and strings of popcorn.
Late in the afternoon Uncle Frank
came pounding on the door and
hollering, “Come help, Sam. The train’s
blocked. We’ve got to get people off and
into shelter.”
After Dad left, Mom sent the girls to
make up the extra bedroom. She started a
kettle of soup and had Lola start a batch
of cookies. “Who knows how many extra
we’ll have to feed,” she said.
It was dark when they heard the
team returning, the horses stomping and
snorting in the cold wind.
“Oh!” Helen said, looking out the
window. “it’s Santa Claus. Come to our
house.”
“Don’t be silly,” Mom said, then
stopped. The person coming through
their kitchen door was round, his cheeks
and nose red with cold, his white hair
feathering up around his fur cap. He had
fur mittens which he removed to shake
Mom’s hand.
“Nicholas Nickowicz,” he said,
“everyone calls me Nick. Thank you for
your hospitality. Hello, girls. Something
smells good.” He walked over to the
stove. “Cookies! I just never get enough
cookies – my wife says there is no cookie
I won’t eat. And that’s true – especially
with a glass of milk.”
“I told you it was Santa,” Helen whispered. “The cookies and milk prove it.”
“Doesn’t prove anything,’ Gretchen
argued, “everybody loves cookies and
milk. Especially boys. And what about
his clothes-that’s just a plain suit and
Wishing you & your family a happy
Holiday Season
Nationally known leaders
in the treatment of Cataracts,
Diseases of the eye,
Diabetic Eye Care needs,
Macular Degeneration,
Glaucoma, and Dry eyes.
Paul Ernest, M.D.
Kevin Lavery, M.D.
Raphael Addiego, M.D.
Surendar Purohit, M.D.
*TLC Eyecare can bill these conditions
to your medical insurance.
363 Fremont St., Ste 301
877-852-8463
www.tlceyecare.com
Top providers in Premium Technologies
for Cataract Surgery, retina procedures,
and Laser Vision Correction.
Other locations: Adrian, Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, Chelsea, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing
A Warm Heartfelt Thank You
to all our Staff, Families and Friends here
at Evergreen. We love you for all you do the whole
year through. Have a very Merry Christmas,
and God Bless!
Senior Care & Rehab Center
111 Evergreen Rd., Springfield, MI 49037 | www.evergreenscc.com | 269-969-6110
continued
17
Providing excellence in
Andrew J.
Gordon, MD, FACS
General Surgical Services
in Battle Creek, Marshall
and surrounding areas
for our current and
new patients.
Caron Warnsby, MD
To better serve our patients and
referring providers we continue to
have two convenient locations...
Battle Creek Office:
Oakridge Office Complex
391 South Shore Drive, Suite 111b
Phone: 269-753-0640
Fax: 269-753-0643
Marshall Office:
Wright Medical Building
215 East Mansion Street, Suite 3E
Phone: 269-781-4267
Fax: 269-781-2710
18
Thomas G. Casale,
MD, FACS
We provide the following services:
• Abdominal Surgery
• Laparoscopic
Surgery
• Breast Surgery
• Endoscopy
(Colonoscopy &
EGD)
• Endocrine Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Gynecologic
Surgery
• Body Wall
(Cysts, Lumps, Skin
moles/lesions)
Please feel free to contact either location for
appointments, questions and/or referrals. We are
ALWAYS here to help with your surgical needs.
shirt like Dad wears.”
“He doesn’t get to wear his red velvet
suit everyday. Just on Christmas, it’s
special.” Helen sounded very certain.
“Stop bickering,” Mom snapped.
Dad staggered through the door with
two huge leather cases. Uncle Frank
followed with one more. “What’s he got
in these – rocks?” Uncle Frank moaned.
“He said they were salesman’s
samples, but it sure feels like rocks.”
Uncle Frank followed Dad upstairs to
the guest room.
No one minded that the storm lasted
three more days. Nick kept everyone
busy. He played chess with Dad, Chinese
checkers with Gretchen, cribbage with
Olga, dominoes with everyone. He ate
cookies as fast as Lola could bake them.
He listened to all of them. Even shy,
quiet Lola talked to him. Sometimes the
girls heard Mom chuckling and laughing
when Nick was in the kitchen. Very odd,
indeed.
When he wasn’t playing games, Nick
sat by the stove whittling. He made
wonderful whistles, balls in chains,
and all sorts of animals. “Critters” Nick
called them. “My favorite things to
whittle.” He gave Helen his knife and a
carving lesson, in spite of Mom’s frown
of disapproval. Helen made a threelegged thing that she said was a cat.
“I’ll get better.” she said.
The ‘critter’ did look a little bit
like a cat. “Do you make toys for your
children,” someone asked Nick..
“My wife and I have no children. We
do enjoy making things for children.
We spend a lot of time making things
we think will make people happy,” Nick
answered.
Helen nodded with a sly little smile.
Later she assured her sisters that Nick
was really Santa because he made the
best toys ever.
The morning of the fourth day they
awoke to silence - no wind blew and
everything was deep in snow. All over
town folks were out clearing paths and
door steps. “A relief train is due about
noon,” Uncle Frank said as he passed on
his way to work. “I’ll be back to take Mr.
Nickowicz to the station.”
Mom fixed an early lunch and packed
a big basket of cookies for Nick to take
with him.
“I’m glad to get going again,” Nick
said. “I enjoyed myself but this is my
busiest time of the year. I was worried
about keeping to schedule. My wife and
the staff will have kept all in order back
home but still” - - - his voice trailed
away. “I’ve left a few things upstairs
for all of you. Thanks so much.” He
followed Uncle Frank out to the sleigh.
They all waved until he was out of sight.
“Goodbye, Santa. Travel safely.”
Helen called.
“He is not Santa,” Gretchen said.
“He’s just a nice man who happens to be
called Nick.”
“He is too Santa. You just wait and
see.” Helen said smugly.
Christmas morning, as usual, the girls
found an orange, a striped candy stick and
a new toothbrush in their socking. Their
gifts were equally predictable. Lola, the
oldest, got a new night gown. That night
she would pass her old one to Olga, who
passed her old one to Gretchen who
passed hers on to Libby. Libby threw
her patched and faded nightgown into
the rag bag. Helen still wore the dreaded
gray wool Dr. Denton’s sleep suit. Olga
received a new middy blouse, Gretchen
got a skirt, and Libby and Helen new
boots. Each girl got two pairs of black
stockings and yet another book of Bible
stories. Santa never brought toys or
games which were reserved for birthday
gifts.
Finally Dad brought down the boxes
Nick had left. Each bore a neat label.
“This one says Maud - must be yours.”
Dad handed Mom the first box. Inside
was a peach silk night gown with pale
blue ribbons at the neck and sleeves. A
fancy glass bottle of French perfume was
tucked in a corner of the box.
“Why, Maud, you little rascal.” Dad
said and Mom blushed.
“Behave yourself, Sam. I have no
idea why Mr. Nickowicz gave me such a
thing.” But she looked very pleased and
kept stroking the soft silk gown.
The next box said SAM. Dad grinned
when he pulled out a harmonica. “Just
what I have always wished for. My
cousin, Louis, played the harmonica,
and I always wanted to try.” He gave the
shiny thing a noisy blast and danced a
little jig.
Lola got silk stockings and gold earrings. “Not suitable for ---” Mom started
to say but Dad said, “ Well, our girls
are growing up.” Lola pushed back her
blond hair and put on her new earrings.
Olga’s box held not only the wished
for hair brush but a lovely silver dresser
set with a brush, comb and mirror that
fit snugly into a satin lined box. The
mandatory one hundred strokes a night
would be a pleasure now. Their old brush
was almost bald and pulled and tangled
their hair when they used it.
Gretchen received a music box which
played when the lid was raised. Libby
got ice skates. “Just my size! I won’t
have to stuff the toes.”
Finally, the last and smallest box had
For Helen written on it.
“It’s so small,” someone said. “It
doesn’t look like much of a present.”
“It’s just right,” Helen said. “It’s what
I really, really want.” Inside the little box
was a pearl handled pocket knife.
“That’s what you wanted? A pocket
knife?” someone finally asked.
“Of course. And Santa came and gave
me a lesson in carving so I won’t hurt
myself. I just knew my August letter
would work. I knew it would work like
magic”
Thank you to Dr. John J. Schwarz
Southwest Rehab would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. John J. Schwarz for his
generous donation as a founding donor of the Envision Center.
393 E. Roosevelt • Battle Creek • 269.965.3206 • www.sw-rehab.org
Memory loss requires
specialized care. Fortunately,
that’s our specia
ality
y.
FREE TRIAL
Receive up to four hours of complimentary services
at our campus. Call today for more details.
No obligation. Some restrictions apply.
Recognizing the symptoms of
Alzheimer’s, dementia or other forms
of memory challenges can be difficult.
Knowing how to provide the proper
care can be even harder. Take a
break from the responsibilities of
care giving to simply relax
and learn some tips for coping.
Plus, give your loved one the chance
to experience specialized care from
experts who really understand the
issues related to memory loss.
To schedule your complimentary
services, give us a call today.
269-964-4655 • 706 North Avenue • Battle Creek, MI 49017 • theoakshc.com
19
MICHAEL E. DOWNING REALTOR
• ASSOCIATE BROKER • HALL OF FAME AWARD WINNER
• 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • OVER 2,300 CLOSED TRANSACTIONS
• RECIPIENT OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• MEMBER OF THE RE/MAX 100% CLUB FROM 1983 thru 2008
269-968-6101 W • 269-963-2433 H
269-968-3930 WFX • 269-963-0221 HFX
269-967-6315 Cell Phone
www.mikedowning.biz
e-mail: [email protected]
8 TIME
PLATINUM
AWARD
WINNER
RE/MAX Perrett Assoc.Inc.,
Our heartfelt thanks to all our
friends and customers for your friendship
and business throughout the year.
269-962-8779
U.L.A.B.A.
MEMBER
1338 W. Michigan, Battle Creek, MI
Hours: Tue-Fri 8:30am-6:00pm /
Mon 8:30am-8pm & Sat 9am-1pm
QUALITY SERVICE FOR OVER 50 YEARS
BY JOANNA STELLOH PHELPS
Holiday Appetizers
The holidays offer opportunities to
invite family and
friends to our home
to celebrate the
season. A good
hostess must be
prepared
for
a
variety of dietary
needs. Besides using
tags that identify food items on the buffet
to help guide guests, I always create a
menu that takes special needs into account
such as vegetarians, peanut and seafood
allergies, and gluten-free. Below are
several fast and easy appetizers that will
help you relax and enjoy your holiday
entertaining. Merry Christmas and count
your blessings.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
F AS T E XP ER T INS TA L L A TIO N • F R E E E S TIM A TE S • RE S I DE NT I AL & CO M M E RCI AL
New Patients
Always Welcome
• Orthodontics
for Adults and
Children
Arthur A. Sonneborn
D.D.S., MS
• Complimentary
Initial
Consultation
• Member American
Association of Orthodontists
• Flexible Payment Options
Available
7 Heritage Oak Lane | Suite 8 | Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-9329 | www.sonnebornortho.com
20
Fun With
Food
Olive Tapenade Dip
• 1 10 oz. jar (about 1 ½ cups) pitted
kalamata olives
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• salt and pepper to taste (taste before
salting)
Instructions: Put all ingredients into a
food processor and process until pureed.
Serve with fresh vegetables or pita chips.
Meat Lovers Pizza Fondue
• ½ pound ground sausage
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 2 jars (26 oz. each) pasta sauce of your
choice
• 4 ounces ham, finely chopped
• 1 3-oz. package pepperoni, finely
chopped
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
• salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: In skillet, cook sausage until
no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients
and bring to a boil. Remove from heat into
a fondue pot. Serve with cooked meatballs,
cocktail hot dogs, mozzarella cheese cubes
and cubed crusty bread.
Roasted Red Pepper Spread
• 1 cup roasted red peppers, rinsed and
drained
• 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1-oz. package dry Ranch dressing mix
Instructions: Put all ingredients into a
food processor and process until pureed.
Serve with toast rounds or crackers.
Real Estate Scene
BY KATHY PERRETT
Majority of Americans Believe Homeownership is a Solid Investment in their Future
Despite economic uncertainty and
recent challenges in
the
real
estate
market, nearly eight
out of 10 Americans
believe buying a
home makes good
financial sense. This
is according to a recent annual survey
released by the National Association of
Realtors® (NAR). The 2010 National
Housing Pulse Survey measures how
affordable housing issues affect consumers.
Predictably, job security concerns
were among the highest in eight years of
sampling. A majority of Americans said
layoffs and unemployment are top concerns
in their area and eight in 10 say those issues
are barriers to homeownership. The Battle
Creek Area Association of REALTORS®
(BCAAR) also cites job security as one
of the main obstacles for consumers who
are considering whether to buy, although
homeownership is still a worthy long-term
investment.
There is no doubt that job recovery is
needed to get the economy and the real
estate market back on track. However,
despite employment concerns, Americans
continue to believe that owning a home
is part of the American Dream, and it
is a dream they still strive to achieve.
Homeownership has proven to offer many
social benefits and build wealth over the
long term.
BCAAR also reports historically low
interest rates and affordable home prices
are attracting buyers to today’s housing
market. According to the survey, more than
one-fourth of renters say they are more
serious about purchasing a home than they
were a year ago. In addition, 63 percent
of renter respondents say owning a home
is a priority in their future, and nearly
40 percent say it is one of their highest
priorities.
Despite attractive prices and low rates,
a majority of Americans, 79 percent,
consider having enough money for down
payment and closing costs to be among
the biggest obstacles to owning a home.
Survey respondents are also concerned
about their ability to be approved for a
loan.
When deciding whether to buy a
home, buyers should carefully evaluate
their finances and get pre-approved
for a loan before beginning the search
process. Realtors® are a valuable source
of information about the costs associated
with buying and owning a home and can
help consumers navigate the increasingly
complex buying process.
While foreclosures are still an issue,
survey respondents state that the rate of
foreclosures is stabilizing in their area.
At this time, foreclosures in our area
have continued to remain the same. The
survey also showed a slight increase in
the number of people who believe the
federal government should take a more
active role in overseeing loans and
mortgages.
When people lose homes to foreclosure,
our communities, the housing market and
our economy all suffer. BCAAR along
with NAR are working hard to keep more
people in their homes.
The 2010 National Housing Pulse
Survey is conducted by American
Strategies and Myers Research & Strategic
Services for NAR’s Housing Opportunity
Program. The telephone survey was among
1,209 adults living in the 25 most populous
metropolitan statistical areas. The study
has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1
percentage points.
Looking to buy or sell your home?
Contact a REALTOR® who knows the
local market and can help you with your
real estate needs. To find a REALTOR® in
your area, please visit our website www.
bcaar.com.
Happy Holidays from
the Residents and Staff of...
AN ACTIVE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
Home For The Holidays
Independent Apartments & Assisted Living Apartments
Call for more information or to schedule a tour
700 North Avenue, Battle Creek | 269-964-7625
www.northpointewoods.org
Managed by Life Care Services, LLC | A Not-For-Profit Community-Based Organization
21
Downtown Scene
BY ALYSSA JONES, Downtown Projects Manager
Dine. Discover. Stroll. Celebrate the Season, downtown!
Dine with friends
and family. Discover
unique gifts from
local shops. Stroll
through the International Festival of
Lights. Surround
yourself with friends
and family, fresh
garlands, holiday music and beautiful
lights as you take a break from the
holiday chaos! Come downtown for the
holiday and explore what downtown
Battle Creek has to offer.
Dine. Meet up with family and
friends or just revive your energy
dining downtown. With over fifteen
restaurants in the downtown area, you
can have breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Stop into Arcadia Brewing Company
& TC’s, Barista Blues Café, Clara’s on
the River, Cricket Club, Griffin Grill &
Pub, J.W. Barleycorns, Mandy’s Café
Express, Nina’s Taqueria, Pancake
House, Par 4 Lounge & Catering,
Pastrami Joe’s, Schlotzsky’s Deli,
Sgt. Peppers Pizza & Deli, Starbucks,
Sports Page, Subway, and Tony’s
Chop Suey. You may be dining at
downtown’s newest restaurant, Malia
before the season is complete. For
more information on where to dine,
visit downtownbattlecreek.com.
Discover. Downtown has a variety
of shops with unique gifts for you
to discover. Visit BC Flower Shop,
22
Conway Photography, Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Elwell Salon, Ermisch
Travel, ETC ARTS Studio, Fashion
Connection Men’s Wear, Fitness Loft,
Horrock’s, Jack Pearl’s Sport Center,
K Mart, Makin’ Waves, Meyer’s Toy
World, Mildred’s Boutique, Pearlman’s
Fine Jewelers, Rice’s Shoes, Steam 1,
Team Active Cycling and Fitness, TJ’s
Photography, Urban Arts Museum, and
Uvettes Braiding Studio.
For more information on places to
discover, visit downtownbattlecreek.
com.
In addition to shopping downtown,
there is plenty to do for entertainment
including a Gingerbread House
event, International Children’s Day,
ice carving, professional basketball
and ice hockey with the Battle Creek
Knights and Battle Creek Revolution,
American Girl Christmas party, choral
performances, concerts and more.
For up-to-date events downtown, visit
downtownbattlecreek.com. You can also
keep up with downtown on Facebook at
Downtown Battle Creek and Twitter @
DowntownBTLCRK.
Stroll. Take a stroll along the
various paths and sidewalks and
experience the light displays, and
then defrost at the Warming House
located at 38 E. Michigan Avenue as
the International Festival of Lights
illuminates downtown. For more
information on places to stroll as part
of the International Festival of Lights,
visit bcfestivals.com.
Get to know downtown, find unique
gifts and comfortable places to relax and
catch up, as well as experience a familyfriendly environment with activities
for all ages this season, downtown.
Convenient, free parking is available in
numerous parking lots downtown. For
information on where to park downtown,
visit downtownbattlecreek.com.
Health Scene
BY PETER PHELPS
When you ‘present’ at the ED, present your medication list too
(Makin’ a list and checkin’ it twice)
Imagine for a
moment that you
begin
exhibiting
symptoms
of
a
heart attack and
you’re rushed to the
hospital’s emergency
department. As the
emergency personnel
assess your situation,
it would be safer for you and easier for them
to know what medications you are taking.
For instance, if you have high blood
pressure, the ED staff needs to know if you
take blood pressure reduction medication
before prescribing a similar drug. If you
‘present’ in the ED with a condition that
might require surgery, it would be extremely
helpful to know if you are taking bloodthinning drugs, which could cause excessive
bleeding during an operation.
“If you come to the ED with a list of
the medications you regularly take, along
with how often and why you take them, and
their dosages, this will be very helpful as
we diagnose your condition and plan your
care,” says Dr. Gregory Fuller, director of
emergency services at Battle Creek Health
System. “Information on medications is
key when considering the potential drug
interactions and side effects that might occur
with treatments the emergency department
may prescribe.”
It’s also possible the symptoms you are
experiencing may be related to medication
side effects so it’s critical for emergency
medicine physicians to consider your
medications when trying to diagnose your
condition. A list of medications is also
important for continuity of care so that you
can continue on your regular medication
regimen.
The ideal approach is to be prepared
ahead of time and carry all your medication
information with you in case you
unexpectedly need medical attention. The
time to prepare this information is when
you’re feeling well, not distracted by a
sickness or injury. It is better to have a
list than to present a bag of pills at the ED
entrance.
Keep that list on your computer so you
can update it easily as your medication use
changes. Again include the medications you
take, how often and why you take them,
their dosages, and also any allergies you
may have.
Include prescribed and over-the-counter
drugs along with any herbal medications,
vitamins, or nutritional supplements you
may take. You should also make sure that
you know the brand as well as the generic
names of your drugs since it’s possible that
you may be double-dosing on the same drug
even though the drugs have different names.
This is especially possible if you have more
than one physician or pharmacy.
Keeping your list accurate and upto-date should be part of your ongoing
responsibility for your own health. If you
are a caregiver or family member of an
elderly or disabled person, then keeping that
person’s list current is also important.
Every emergency department wants to
be your partner in health care. The more
information you can provide, the more
complete a picture it will have of your
overall health and the more quickly it can
expedite the care you need.
23
BC Emphasizes
Agriculture for Economy
NEED A QUICK ON-THE-SPOT LOAN?
A Loan for All
Seasons
A Loan for Any Reason
www.unitedecu.org
800-494-6970
H O L I D AY T R AV E L • S M A L L H O M E I M P R O V E M E N T S
G I F T S • A U T O R E PA I R • E L E C T R O N I C S O R T E L E V I S I O N S
Thank you to Dr. Zihni Yilmaz & Stan Tooley
Southwest Rehab would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Zihni Yilmaz and Stan Tooley
for their generous donations as founding donors of the Envision Center.
393 E. Roosevelt • Battle Creek • 269.965.3206 • www.sw-rehab.org
24
by Jan Frantz
The Battle Creek economy thrived
on food processing, and the bounty of
Michigan agriculture, since the turn of the
20th century. Now claiming the largest
modern industrial park in Michigan, Battle
Creek’s original agricultural heritage
remains an integral part of its economy.
Battle Creek Unlimited, providing
economic development services for more
than three decades, now champions Battle
Creek as the premier location for food
protection and food protection training
services. The International Food Protection
Training Institute (IFPTI) and its parent
organization the Global Food Protection
Institute continue to favorably impact the
Battle Creek economy.
“The IFPTI benefits not only Battle
Creek, but also the state of Michigan,”
said Karl Dehn, president and CEO of
Battle Creek Unlimited. “Its recent and
unprecedented support at the federal level
positions IFPTI as a definitive nationwide
force in the future of food safety and
national agricultural policy.”
Recognizing
Senator
Debbie
Stabenow’s potential as chair of the Senate
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee, Dehn credits Stabenow as
among the determined supporters of a
foundation for food safety in the U.S.
Battle Creek’s fledgling food safety
infrastructure expanded and increased its
training programs as a result.
Throughout her years in the U.S.
Senate, Stabenow has advocated for
Michigan agriculture, with an estimated
economic impact of $71.3 billion.
Stabenow’s untiring efforts on the Senate
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee led to successful international
opportunities for Michigan food producers,
and legislation important to specialty crop
programs, nutrition programs, and a focus
on agricultural research. Stabenow took a
lead role in crafting the 2008 Farm Bill,
with historic focus on specialty crops,
agricultural research, and conservation.
Battle Creek Unlimited is a taxexempt, non-profit corporation under
contract with the city of Battle Creek for
economic development. Marketing and
managing Fort Custer Industrial Park since
its inception in the early 1970’s, Battle
Creek Unlimited conducts downtown
development for Battle Creek as well,
promoting a downtown transformation
with more than $85 million in public and
private investment. Throughout the region,
Battle Creek Unlimited also contracts
with the city of Marshall, Michigan for
economic development.
To Be Drug Free
A New Day Dawns
Suzanne Horsfall, Executive Director
of the Substance Abuse Council, is
relocating to Tennessee after 20 years
of service in the community. Since
her appointment as Executive Director
in 1991, Mrs. Horsfall has utilized
her extensive cultural and human
services background to achieve great
collaborative success in the prevention
and reduction of substance abuse
throughout Calhoun County. Notable
achievements
include:
partnering
with Calhoun County to develop the
Women’s Drug Court and recently
implemented DUI Sobriety Court,
formation of the Calhoun County
Meth Task Force, Celebrate Recovery
Committee,
Underage
Drinking
Prevention Forum, and Prescription
Drug Abuse Task Force; membership in
the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions
of America, and establishment of the
Battle Creek Weed and Seed Program.
With her leadership, the Substance
Abuse Council has secured funding
from local foundations, businesses,
State and Federal Grants to implement
both short and long term initiatives to
sustain the Substance Abuse Council’s
mission to achieve a healthy community
through the prevention and reduction of
substance abuse, including: “Partners
for a Drug Free Community” grassroots
neighborhood projects, implementation
of alcohol and tobacco retailer
compliance checks in partnership with
law enforcement, coordination of the
annual “Drug Free Poster Contest”
with the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s
Office; and implementation of
nationally recognized best-practice
model programs in middle schools,
high schools, alternative schools
and the juvenile home, such as
Strengthening Families, Towards No
Drug Use, Towards No Tobacco Use,
and LifeSkills Training.
A Battle Creek native, Suzanne
has remained active in the community
through her service on several boards,
including the Calhoun County
Drug Court Board, Psychological
Consultants Advisory Board, Michigan
Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Steering
Committee and the Michigan Meth
Task Force. Suzanne is a member of
the Battle Creek Rotary Club, is a
sustaining member of Junior League
of Battle Creek, served as a victim
advocate for MADD, and graduated
from the Battle Creek Leadership
Academy
and
Citizens
Police
Academy. She is also a recipient of
the Calhoun County Law Enforcement
Calhoun County’s ONLY
Authorized Armstrong
Dealer
Community Service award.
Dawn Smith will begin as
Executive Director in January. For
more information please contact the
Substance Abuse Council at (269)
968-4699 or visit the website at www.
drugfreebc.org.
THE YELLOW
TRUCK PEOPLE
269-963-7910 • 466 Main St. Battle Creek, MI
[email protected] • www.simselectricinc.com
License # Electrical – 6112007 • License # Mechanical – 7103902
25
Christmas Story
t was Christmas Eve. Charlie paid the
I
She was only walking home from work. She
cab driver and began to walk down
supposed she was just used to blending in with
the busy New York street through
the New York crowd always hustling from place
the light snowfall. She took a deep
to place. To Charlie the city was more stressful
breath and watched her breath float through
than anything. That’s why she walked fast,
the air in a little white cloud. It was cold but
longing to be in her warm apartment. Not that
the traffic was completely unbearable- almost
anyone was waiting for her. She didn’t have any
at a complete stop. Charlie hurried across the
family in the city and her apartment building
street with her head down in frustration as if
didn’t allow pets. The truth was that in a city
she had somewhere to be. She took a moment
with millions of people, Charlie was completely
trying to remember why she was in such a rush.
continued
A
26
F I C T I O N A L
S T O R Y
B Y
S Y D N E Y
B O N I F E R
27
alone. But she enjoyed the general quiet
of her bedroom.
Hustling around the block, she
stopped at her favorite coffee shop to get
something to warm her up. She had nine
blocks to go. She waited in line for what
felt like an hour and finally got her latte.
Charlie wasn’t the type of girl to complain
but it had been an extraordinarily long
day. “People shouldn’t have to work on
Christmas Eve”, Charlie thought, but
she had just gotten a big break in her
journalism career. She had been working
so hard and was trying to impress her
“impossible to please” boss.
Noticing how sore her feet were,
she realized she had about five more
blocks to go. When she glanced up
her eyes met the child’s. Something
turned in her heart when she saw her
sitting there on the sidewalk. Her
dainty blonde curls fell around her
innocent face as she fumbled with a
rock between her small hands. Her
face was stained with dirt and her
cheeks were rosy from the cold. She
didn’t have on a coat but she was
wrapped up in a blanket next to her
young mother, who couldn’t have
been more than twenty years old. The
young girl looked exhausted and like
she hadn’t had a bath in a week, yet
there was something hopeful in this
child’s face. She was a beautiful child
and something touched Charlie’s
heart, not noticing how long she had
28
been staring at the little girl.
“Hello,” rung the child’s sweet voice.
Charlie replied with a hello. She felt
sort of helpless. It was the day before
Christmas and this child was on the
street. She wasn’t sure what to do so she
turned and was on her way. She got to her
apartment and went inside. All the way
up the elevator the girl’s face haunted
Charlie’s thoughts. She wanted to know
her name. She wanted to know if she had
a place to sleep. She wanted to know
where her father was and why she was
so dirty. She walked into her apartment
and sat down and she realized how big
her place was for only one person. An
uneasy feeling filled her stomach. It
was an empty feeling. She just walked
by them. Why didn’t she do something?
She could have at least given them some
money.
It was late in the afternoon and
Charlie looked outside her window at
the sun sinking behind the skyscrapers.
Instead of visions of sugarplums dancing
in her head, heavy thoughts weighed
on her. She simply couldn’t take it any
longer. Charlie had no idea if they would
be at the spot where she saw them earlier
and the mother would probably think she
was a crazy person, but she had made up
her mind to go there. Unsure of what to
do once she got to them, just knowing
she had to do something. Sitting in her
apartment was making her sick.
She hurried down the street and
this time she had a reason to rush. She
pushed through people and broke out
in to a small run. She turned the corner
where she hoped they would be and
there they were. She was a little nervous
and out of breath, but the nerves went
away when she saw the girl’s sweet face
again. Charlie smiled at her and walked
towards the two of them. She knelt down
next to them and thought carefully about
what to say.
“Hi. I’m Charlie. I walked by earlier.”
She paused and there was a bit of an
awkward silence. “I was wondering if
you had anywhere to go tonight.”
“No.” said the mother shyly.
“Well, would you like to come with
me?” She knew how odd it sounded. She
had never met these people and she was
asking them to come home with her on
Christmas Eve. Most people would say
no but the girl looked up at her mother
with that hope in her eyes. “You can’t
stay out on the street on Christmas
Eve, and I have no one else to keep me
company.”
“Please?” whispered the little girl
quietly.
The mother looked at Charlie
questioningly. Anyone would be
reluctant to trust a complete stranger but
she was desperate.
“Okay.” She said. Charlie helped
them up and got a cab. The three of them
got in and drove to Charlie’s apartment
where she made them dinner. They made
small talk and started to warm up to each
other. The little girl’s name was Emily
and the mother’s was Sarah. They had
been homeless for four months now and
Sarah was looking for a job. Charlie
saw something familiar in Sarah. She
seemed sort of lost. Charlie knew the
struggle and she knew how it felt to be
alone. They found that they had much in
common.
As the night went on, the three of
them were telling stories and laughing.
Emily helped Charlie make cookies
while Sarah showered and changed her
clothes. It was dark now and Emily
yawned. Charlie prepared her guest
room for them but Emily fell asleep on
Charlie’s lap watching TV. Sarah came
out of the guest room and sat in a chair.
“Thank you. You don’t know how
much we needed this,” she said with
tears in her eyes. Charlie smiled at her
and nodded her head. Sarah picked
up Emily and returned to their room.
Charlie was pretty tired herself so
she crawled into bed. She felt a warm
feeling inside of her, and couldn’t help
but smile. She had done something for
someone else but felt like they had done
something greater for her. She couldn’t
remember a Christmas like this in years.
Compassion and happiness filled Charlie
and she didn’t feel alone anymore. This
was what Christmas was about. She let
her thoughts take over and drifted into
sleep.
Local Interest
BY SHERII SHERBAN
Share Time With Others
As we reflect
on the season and
prepare for the
festivities of the
holidays it is no
surprise that some
mature adults are
not looking forward
to this season in
ways that they may have in the past. The
loss of friends and loved ones can create
a challenge. Additional frustrations
with health care needs can bring out the
Grinch in the best of us.
While there is no formal Companion
program in our community there are
still ways to connect with others in our
community. If you still have mobility let
me encourage you to get out and visit the
senior centers and make a new friend,
volunteer your time or visit the holiday
events. It becomes more challenging if
you are not but several transportation
programs do exist that you can take
advantage of. It does require advanced
notice but it will still get you out of
the house. Transportation services are
available in Barry, Branch and Calhoun
Counties and are not always limited to
doctor appointments.
A new program being offered
through the Battle Creek VA Medical
Center Foster Home Program in a
way is helping to create new family
environments for Veterans. If you are a
Veteran and need additional care then
this could be just the program for you.
The VA is seeking potential caregivers
from several communities for Veterans
who do not have family members to
care for them. The Medical Foster
Home Program is a new service that will
provide area Veterans with an alternative
to traditional nursing home placements.
If you possess quality personal care
skills, have space in your home, and a
desire to make a difference in a Veteran’s
life, then VA is looking for you.
Through the Battle Creek VA Medical
Center Foster Home Program,
caregivers will provide a safe,
long-term, home-like environment
and an economical long-term care
alternative for Veterans who are
unable to remain in their own homes
because of medical issues and lack
of a reliable caregiver.
Potential caregivers’ homes must be
within a 35-mile radius of the Battle Creek
VA Medical Center or its Community
Based Outpatient Clinics located in
Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Benton
Harbor. Homes must be licensed by the
State of Michigan and will be subject to
inspections by the VA. VA’s Home Based
Primary Care interdisciplinary staff will
make routine visits, including some that
will be unannounced, to ensure Veterans
are receiving quality care.
Caregivers will be screened and
matched to Veterans who are enrolled in
or qualify for the Home Based Primary
Care program. Caregivers can provide
care for up to three people in their homes
through the Medical Foster Home
Program.
Caregivers and their homes must
meet a variety of criteria, including:
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must own or rent your home, which
must be your primary residence.
• Must have experience as a caregiver
(formal or informal).
• Must have a willingness to provide a
safe and therapeutic home environment.
• Must have a willingness to be part
of the Veteran’s treatment team and
implement care plan.
• Must provide three healthy meals per
day and snacks.
• Must provide 24-hour care and
supervision to the Veteran.
• Must meet all federal, state, and local
licensure requirements and regulations.
• Must provide three personal references
and a background check.
A Veteran and / or the Veteran’s family
will operate from a signed agreement
that will define the services that will be
provided. Caregivers are paid directly
by the Veteran receiving care. The rate
is negotiated between the Veteran and
the caregiver, based upon the level of
care needed. For more information on
the program, please contact Suzanne
Reynolds at (269) 223-5635 or via email
at [email protected].
Fostering Self Reliance
600 SOUTH LINCOLN • AUGUSTA • MI • 49012 • 269-731-5775
29
A Letter to Santa
D
me wrong…I’m a Christmas geek, but even I
storage container full and stacked precariously
at 3:30a.m., Black Friday will beckon savvy
in the bulging refrigerator, and the husband
shoppers out into the cold, crowded dark to
and dogs full and stacked snoring on the
pursue the elusive dream of being in line soon
couch in front of the television, I finally have
enough to score a $13.00, junk brand, 200”
a precious two hours before the Christmas
flat screen television. Of course, the dreams
season barges in with the first of numerous
of all but one person will be dashed, but there
opportunities to watch Home Alone. Don’t get
is something to be said for the camaraderie of
ear Santa,
think that Thanksgiving should be allotted a
It’s Thanksgiving even-
whole day. Tomorrow morning, and I use the
ing, and with every last
term “tomorrow” loosely since it will begin
continued
E M B E L L I S H E D
30
N O N
F I C T I O N
B Y
D E N I S E
P O Y E R
31
crazed sale shoppers with horrible
hat-concealed hair. With that to look
forward to, I thought I’d submit my
“Christmas List” to you now. I’m
thinking this puts me extremely near
the top of the nice list.
Actually, I’d like to start by thanking
you for a few especially glorious gifts
whose memory will take up space in
my mind long after I can’t feed myself
anymore. First up on the list was The
Big Burger Grill. The Big Burger
Grill had under its lid a 3” square
hotplate and came with miniature
utensils. While it took literally hours
to cook six hamburgers – each the size
of a Tums, I could turn out cocktail
weenies in no time flat. That thing was
just cooler than anything – including
the Easy Bake Oven, which in my
day, was turquoise and certainly NOT
a “microwave”! The Easy Bake box
clearly depicted its capacity to churn
out overflowing bowls of delicious
popcorn and fluffy frosted cakes, and
you knew it was true because both the
cook and her diners were all smiling
with anticipation. The hope evidently
was that children barely know the
difference between an overflowing
bowl of perfect, delicious popcorn
and a pathetic handful of singed, acrid
smelling, poorly popped corn and lots
of “halfsy” kernels. No matter. We just
kept popping away! It was still fun.
I ask you, what cooks food safer and
faster than a 150 watt bulb??? Kitchen
appliances were among the best things
to ever come out of your shop.
Another gift I’m thankful for is one
you brought my brother, The Chosen
One. It was Rock ‘em Sock’em Robots!
We all had fun with that. That was the
year of the best Christmas EVER. It
was the one and only time that we had
relatives staying over for Christmas,
and also the only time we went to cut
down a Christmas tree with our dad and
our grandpa. We kids went caroling and
came home to fun and food, and we
got to stay up a little later than usual.
Christmas morning was magic that
year. The Rock ‘em Sock em’s of the
‘60s were bigger than the ones you see
today, and the one you brought is long
gone, but I keep that smaller one around
now just to keep my heart full of my
best Christmas ever.
I am mighty obliging to you also for
Posin’ Pepper. That was my first Barbietype doll. She was age appropriate.
She was a normal looking girl with a
pretty, freckled face. Unlike Barbie, her
figure and sensible shoes allowed her
to stand up without the aid of a metal
contraption. My older sister, The Bossy
One, had a real Barbie – which she
wishes she still had, because good ol’
Barb is a handsomely priced collectible
now! The great thing about Pepper was
that you could bend her legs. Barbie
always looked like an idiot with rigor
mortis when she was sitting down with
her legs stuck straight out. Not Pepper.
Come See Why Nothing Compares...
BEST VIEW IN TOWN!
Now Reserving For Special
Occassions and Holiday Parties
315 W. Columbia Ave. | 269-962-7622 | www.waterfrontbattlecreek.com
Shop The Allen Antique
Barn For Christmas!
With over 300 booths and 25,000 square feet of antiques, furniture
and collectibles, we have a lot to offer for Christmas gift-giving.
What better gift than to add to someone’s collection. You’ll find quality,
quantity and easy accessibility on two floors of antique and collectible
booths to buy Christmas gifts
that will be treasured for
517-869-2888
9247 West Chicago Rd.
years. We’re open 10am to
Allen, Michigan
5pm, seven days a week
www.allenantiquebarn.com
32
Hours: 10:00-5:00 – 7 Days
OWNERS: DEREK & EILEEN SCHROEDER
My girl was bendable, so she looked like
a lady when she sat. My Pepper is gone
too, but with the wonders of ebay, I was
able to get one just like her in order to
keep some precious on hand at all times!
Speaking of dolls, oh my stars, didn’t
I LOVE the Topper Dawn Doll years!
There were tons of outfits for her and
you gave me that Dawn Fashion Show.
It was a lot of fun, because it required
me to change Dawn and Jessica’s clothes
30,000 times, which young girls just
love to do, you know, and then the slots
in their feet fit onto some plastic prongs
on the rotating base. In the ads, Dawn
is poised and lovely. In real life, Dawn
circled the stage listing terribly to one
side and on occasion, she fell over. My
parents thought she looked like a drunk,
but to me, she was so very groovy. I still
have Jessica, but Dawn was lost in the
shuffle, so she had to be replaced. The
D battery eating fashion show is ancient
history, but I can play dress ups with
them at any time I want.
There were many others too. A
transistor radio with an ear bud, a Battle
Ship game, and then when I was older,
the “From Donny With Love” Donny
Osmond record album – which I DO still
have, thank you very much, a leopard
spotted sleeping bag, a telephone and a
Sound Design stereo which looked very
much like those sold at K-Mart, you
clever man! You outdid yourself over
and over. Each of those things reminds
me of a moment in time – a day I’d like
to do again if I could. Fun and family,
and feeling like we had such bounty
when really, we probably didn’t. We
loved it when you brought us colored
paper, rounded end scissors, and our own
tape. It was almost like you knew us like
family!
I’m thinking that this year, besides
a new Timex Indiglo watch because
really? Mine is seriously dead. I’m
asking for nothing, because I’m pretty
sure you can’t bring what I really want.
What I want comes from the One who
came as a gift to the world—the One
whose birth we celebrate on Christmas
Day. I want a good measure of decent
health and happiness, a piece of mind,
even just a little hope, some grace, and
enough patience to not kill my dogs
when they pilfer stuff out of my purse,
and I’m pretty sure I need to talk to Him
about those sorts of things.
Mostly, I guess I just wanted to thank
you for a lifetime of joy, and for the piece
of the season that you bring to the table-the mystical magic of Christmas. For the
butterflies that will not be quelled even
to this day when I first open my eyes on
Christmas morning. For the gathering
of family and friends, for the spirit of
tradition and giving, and okay, maybe
even just a teeny tiny bit for the fun of
receiving! Merry Christmas, Santa, and
thank you. You’re the best.
— -Denise
Our Humane Society
Keep Pets Safe and Happy During the Holidays
The Humane Society is reminding
people that as they celebrate the season,
many of the things that make the holidays
special -- the hustle and bustle of travel
and large gatherings, festive food and
beverage, and holiday decorations and
plants- may also pose hazards for our
canine and feline friends.
With a few simple precautions, our
pets can share this special time with
us safely. The Humane Society offers
these tips to keep our four legged family
members healthy and happy.
• A number of seasonal plants are
poisonous to pets if nibbled or eaten,
including holly, mistletoe and others.
• Keep holiday decorations away
from pets. Tinsel, bows, ribbons and
wrapping paper can be tempting chew
toys for pets, but can damage their
digestive systems. Remember to keep
tree ornaments high enough that they’re
out of your pet’s reach.
• Provide your pet with a quiet, outof-the-way room during holiday
scraps, especially bones. Bones easily
splinter and can cause serious health
problems, even death.
• Don’t leave candles unattended. Pets
may accidentally knock them over and
spill wax or start a fire.
parties. Though some pets may enjoy
socializing opportunities, others will
be overwhelmed by the excitement of
a party.
• As you enjoy candy and other treats
during the holidays, please don’t
share with your pets. Chocolate can be
especially hazardous. And individually
wrapped candies are double troubles as
some pets might eat both the candy and
the wrapper.
• Avoid the urge to give your pets table
If you’re thinking about adding a
pet to your family at this time of year,
choose adoption and visit your local
animal shelter. Wonderful dogs and cats
are just waiting in shelters to find their
forever home.
Finally, think twice before giving
an animal as a gift. The recipient of
your furry gift may not be ready for
the commitment involved with the
lifetime care of a pet. Instead of a puppy
among the presents, give the gift of
adoption. Many shelters offer adoption
gift certificates so the recipient can
be actively involved in choosing the
perfect pet that will share their home
for years to come. A more mature pet
might be a better option for your friend
or loved one.
K-Wings Game
Made Possible
A r l e n e
Nichols, resident
at the Oaks at
NorthPointe
Woods, had always dreamed of
attending a Kalamazoo Wings pro
hockey game.
Aware of Ms.
Nichols wish, Mrs. Kim Showen,
Director of Resident Programming at
The Oaks at NorthPointe Woods, was
able to make her wish come true with
the help of Never Too Late.
This was a day to remember for
Arlene. She took great pleasure in
watching the K-Wings. At the game,
Arlene was given a shirt and she even got
a special visit from the team’s mascot,
Slappy. They exchanged hugs and he
presented her with an autographed
noisemaker and T-shirt.
To donate to Never Too Late program
please call Kathy Coats at the Oaks at
NorthPointe Woods at 269-964-4655 or
visit www.theoakshc.com.
BY
BY APPOINTMENT
APPOINTMENT
269-781-2564
33
The Christmas Quest
B
risk wind blustered through the
ancient pines and hemlocks and bit
into Romdegard’s well-hewn visage,
seeming to berate him for accepting his
journey’s challenge. Fiercely, the frigid air forced
itself against all exposed flesh, but Romdegard paid
no heed. Instead, the wind spurred him on, arousing
Romdegard’s determination. In anticipation of his
quest’s culmination, he increased the tempo of his
heavy leather boots’ snow-crunching rhythm.
Two days and half a fortnight before, Romdegard
had departed his elders and fellow citizens in search
of an unknown treasure. Every generation of young
men the elders could remember had, since childhood,
envisioned receiving this commission. Successful
return from the journey qualified a young man for
a position of authority among the elders of the land.
From among his peers, Romdegard had been chosen
for his strength, valor, and eager intellect to attempt
the famed trek. Thus far, he had ably surmounted
the challenge of traversing the wild terrain with its
perils and had arrived, despite a furious snowstorm,
at the cavern-honeycombed foothills where he would
locate the treasure-cave he sought. He suddenly
A
34
F I C T I O N A L
T A L E
stopped short in the shelter of a wind-twisted pine
grove to withdraw the worn map entrusted to him
for reassurance. Romdegard carefully reviewed the
ancient characters he had deciphered through grueling
study as a prerequisite to his travels. Replacing the
map, he decisively headed for the middle of the three
hills he faced. His muscular, agile frame scaled the
snow-smothered boulders which lay strewn across
the hill’s surface. Assertively, he navigated the array
until he arrived at an obscure, particularly boulderdense area.
Deep drifts diminished under deft strokes of his
arms, and soon only a light dusting of glistening
snow remained on the boulders over which he
labored. Despite the loss of their bulky white
coats, the boulders maintained a remarkable hulk.
Romdegard felt the boulders’ contours through his
tough gloves, his fingers searching for handhold. He
pressed against the boulders’ junctions, anticipating
in tense readiness a boulder’s slight yielding under
his force as it began to give way. Suddenly, a subtle
shifting hinted that his efforts were rewarded and he
slapped a gauntlet down on the rock in satisfaction.
He heaved against the rock again and a hitherto
B Y
A R I E L
R O S E
reluctant boulder abruptly budged the width of a
finger. Adrenaline coursed through his veins at this
triumph, invigorating him to plough rapidly through
the snow – erasing his footprints with the trench
he left in his wake, and then returning from the
weathered pine grove with a sturdy bough. Wedging
this lever next to the boulder he had marked with the
glove, he replaced his glove and heaved to pry the
boulder loose. Perspiration dampened his forehead
despite the penetrating icy shafts of wind which
buffeted his form. Then, at long last, the grating
groan of the boulder announced the success of
Romdegard’s endeavors.
Romdegard ventured into the grotto’s darkened
mouth without hesitation, striking a spark with his
flint fragment. The spark leapt to the lever-branch
and the glossy, irregular rock nodules of the cave’s
interior reflected the flickering light as the flame
blossomed to render the lever-branch a torch.
Immediately, Romdegard’s keen eyes were drawn
to a motionless, bundled human form on the floor
of the cave against a wall. Romdegard started in
surprise and mild alarm yet inched warily nearer.
A bound collection of flattened scrolls lay splayed
open near one end of the body. He asserted that this
book was the object of his quest. Before examining
the literary treasure, Romdegard’s apprehensive
curiosity intensified in a singular focus on the form
at his feet, compelling him to turn the body over--...
If, he thought, he doesn’t leap up to challenge me
first. Romdegard gripped the shoulders of the body
and gingerly rolled it toward himself. As he did so,
the figure’s hood fell back from the head revealing a
maiden’s fine features, and long, dark-golden curls
spilled out from their confinement. The woman
uttered a faint moan at this disturbance from her
slumber, her eyelids fluttering; then her alert blue
irises darted in a hopeful scan of the cave as she
struggled to raise her torso from the unforgiving
floor.
“Friend or foe?” she inquired shakily.
“Romdegard of the Berundskogs at your service,
maiden.”
A joyful, frail sigh broke from the blonde
woman’s lips. “I have waited here for nine days,”
she managed. Perceiving that the young woman
was severely debilitated, Romdegard’s gaze flew
to a low table at the far end of the cave in search
of nourishment. Advancing toward the table with a
few quick strides, Romdegard was disappointed to
find the ornately carved wooden surface bare except
for a nearly empty wooden trencher vessel, dish in
its center. He lifted this wooden bowl to gather the
continued
35
scarce, scattered crumbs inside it, and at
that moment a childhood rhyme leapt to
the forefront of his mind:
He who would fine conduct seek
Must underneath his meal-dish peek
And each morsel clear away,
The cook to properly repay.
On this impulse, he sheepishly
scrutinized the bowl’s former setting on
the table. A golden ring glimmered in the
torchlight, dispelling his embarrassment
for heeding the childhood proverb.
Romdegard set the bowl down
momentarily and lifted this golden
handle. With a long high-pitched creak
and a sudden pop, a well-concealed panel
in the tabletop opened. A filled silver
chalice beneath shone brightly. The dark
liquid within it was vaguely familiar--a
costly, strengthening brew made from
forest herbs. All this transpired at the
table within a few moments. Romdegard
siezed the cup and bowl in his broad
free hand and returned to the woman.
Romdegard presented the meager pile of
crumbs to her and a faint smile crept into
her face. She carefully tipped the crumbs
into her mouth and slowly savored the
biteful, defying her ravenous appetite’s
urge to swallow the food in an instant.
“Many thanks, kind friend.” She
measured out her breath to Romdegard,
who was meanwhile warming the
invigorating tea with his torch. “I am
called Miera.”
“Miera,”
Romdegard
repeated,
relishing the name’s musicality in his
vocal register, “drink this. You will be
strengthened.” He steadied the cup in
her tremorous grasp and she raised the
intricate silver rim to her lips, drinking
down the dark liquid. Although its
woodland spices bit ferociously at her
tongue, the tea’s overall effect was to ease
her hunger pangs and relax her frame
from its contraction against the cold.
“Rest here. I will return,” Romdegard
assured Miera, as he set out to gather
kindling. He left the dwindling torch
flame beside her on the cold cave floor.
When Romdegard returned with an
armload of boughs and twigs, the torch’s
embers were clinging to their last heat.
Wisps of smoke began to drift toward a
ventilation chimney which had helped
sustain Miera. The hungry embers burst
into flame with the new fuel. Romdegard
reached into his journey-pack for a few
chilled parcels wrapped in leaves--the
remnants of his last meal of wild game.
He skewered the meat with a sturdy stick
and began to roast it.
Miera’s tongue thawed out with her
limbs. Absorbing energy from the fire,
she summoned her strength to recount
the strenuous anticipation of her stay
in the cave. “I was exiled from the
Wergebolts when I attempted to aid a
family of our tribe who had fallen ill.
Besides that predicament, the family’s
36
grains and potatoes had withered,
leaving these people in desperate need
for winter stores. I lent them enough food
from the storehouses to last them until
they were well enough to begin hunting
and trapping. You see, I had served our
former benevolent king by organizing
provisions, so I just continued when
Grothkin took over.”
At Grothkin, Romdegard’s jaw tightened.
He had heard the stories of Grothkin’s
bloody and dishonorable revolt in the
neighboring Wergebolt tribe.
“But selfish Grothkin,” Miera
continued, “had reserved the regal
food stores for only his cohorts. None
of the good Wergebolts is glad of his
reign. Grothkin’s men bound me up
and brought me out here, where they
stumbled upon the mouth of this cave.
The boulder looked like it had been
recently disturbed, and there were many
footprints in the vicinity. They startled
a raven at the chimney shaft; the bird
probably wanted the bread, I now think.
But Grothkin’s men took it as a sign that
this was a new tomb. They forced out
coarse laughs as they shoved me inside
and re-sealed the entrance with the
boulder. So I was trapped. A snowstorm
arose and the drifts further hemmed my
position. As you may have gathered, I
found a loaf of cloth-wrapped bread in
the trencher and forced myself to ration
it out. The night before, I had received
a dream of nine boulders, each being
rolled away from a cave’s mouth, so
I decided to divide the bread into nine
portions, hoping that the dream foretold
what I thought it did: I would be rescued
within nine days. I drank a little melted
snow that trickled down from the
chimney hole. Now I am famished and
dehydrated, but glad to be alive. The
God I worship has given me peace, and I
see that He has mercifully rescued me by
your hand.”
Romdegard was taken aback at this
outpouring of explanation, this strange
twist to his quest. He couldn’t help but
wonder if this God Miera worshiped was
real. In his tribe, the elders worshiped
seasonal gods of thunder and rain,
harvest, and sprouting. Yet Miera’s God
seemed more powerful and... personal
than all of these. He had wondered if
somehow something greater was behind
the changing seasons and even life itself.
But that Whoever must be in control,
and must have formed the world with
evident care, would be interested in
communicating with an ordinary person
like Miera? That seemed a little farfetched. Other ponderings began to flood
Romdegard’s mind, but the crackle of
fat that dripped from the roasting meat
interrupted his train of thought, diverting
this attention to the present. He slid all
but one hunk of the meat off his branch
into the wooden bowl offering it to
Miera, and they ate. Before darkness
descended, Romdegard had told Miera
of his quest and left for another cave in
which to sleep. Romdegard was up with
the sun and before Miera awoke, he had
fashioned a sled out of the last sturdy
boughs he could find nearby. He called
Miera to the mouth of the treasure cave
and motioned to her to board the sled.
Miera protested, but Romdegard insisted
that she have time to regain her strength,
and Miera conceded. But she excused
herself and retreated into the cave. Then
she was back and Romdegard eyed the
book in her hands with satisfaction.
Romdegard started for his home, pulling
Miera behind him.
_______
Miera was soon testing her strength
gained from rest and the wild game
Romdegard furnished. In less than two
weeks, Miera astonished Romdegard by
nearly succeeding when he let her try to
draw his bow. Miera admitted she had a
reputation for her archery skills.
Every
evening,
by
firelight,
Romdegard studied the stories of the
book from the treasure-cave. Miera had
advised, “Read it. It is ancient wisdom.
And by reading it, I have come to know
my God better.”
Poring over the text, he, too, learned
about the God of this book. He read
an account of the world’s creation and
stories of ancient kings and prophets
who had worshipped Miera’s God. In
the book, this God seemed to actually
care for His people, not just stand aloft.
Questions he had long pondered were
revisited. He decided that much of his
life’s knowledge fit well with the claims
of this book. Still, he wondered where
this book had come from and why
the elders had not hinted at it before.
Toward the end of this manuscript was
the most strange yet wonderful tale of
all. According to the book, God Himself
sent His Son to be born as a human...
to live...and die...and , astoundingly, be
resurrected…that mankind might regain
a relationship with God – a relationship
lost through rebellion against Him.
Romdegard struggled to comprehend
why a God would die – or even become
human – for rebellious mankind. Yet if
this is true – a wild thrill rose in his heart
and he closed the book for the fourteenth
night. Tomorrow, he would reach the
elders’ seat of authority and inquire
about the book.
_______
The elders greeted Romdegard with
congratulations and subdued curiosity
regarding his companion. Romdegard
introduced Miera and briefly related her
tale; then he presented the book from the
treasure-cave to a hoary-headed elder.
“What is this?” the elder asked.
“Isn’t this the teasure I was supposed
to return to you? You set it in the treasurecave with the bread...”
The elder shook his head sadly,
saying, “The cup.”
Romdegard sagged in defeat. Of
course! Romdegard mentally rebuked
himself for his failure. He glanced
sideways at Miera and noticed with
annoyance that she was strangely
mirthful.
“I brought that book to the cave,
Romdegard. And here is the silver
chalice.”
Romdegard’s face beamed, flooding
with relief. The elders inspected the cup
and confirmed that he had well earned a
position of authority among them. The
next evening was designated as his day
of inauguration. The morning would be
filled with preparations and, Romdegard
learned, a birthday celebration for his
older sister’s first child--a baby boy born
just at daybreak.
“But what of this book?” the elders
asked.
“I received it from a fellow servant
of the God I serve. As you know, this
God rescued me through your champion
Romdegard after nine days in the cave.
Please, read and study the book. If you
will allow me to remain with you, I can
begin to share what I have learned about
Him,” Miera responded.
Consulting with each other, the elders
debated whether they should harbor
a fugitive fleeing from the warlike
Grothkin. Romdegard stepped forward
and announced, “I am an able man; I
will take responsibility for this maiden,
should harm befall us. If battle is our
course of action, I will not shirk my duty
in leading my fellows. We cannot let fear
of Grothkin dominate our society.”
The elders considered his argument
and acknowledged its merits. “You have
spoken wisely, beyond your years,” they
concluded. “Now return to your family;
thay are anxious to hear of your quest.
Romdegard led Miera down the familiar
path to his parents’ abode.
By the next evening, Romdegard had,
with his proud brother-in-law, marveled
at Romdegard’s tiny nephew for a while.
To think that God would become like
this! he had mused. Then the morning’s
birthday festivities had melded into
congratulations
for
Romdegard’s
adventurous feats as the sun sank low
on the horizon. Surrounded by his
comrades in the tribe’s grand meetinghall, Romdegard now joined in their
merriment, exchanging conversation
and hearty, good-natured back-slaps
with his friends as the tribe mingled
and feasted in his honor. A myriad of
emotions, like the muddled mixture of
savory and sweet banquet smells, welled
up inside Romdegard. I left on a quest
for an heirloom silver goblet...but I
found so much more!...Miera--that was
a surprise...Most of all, though, I found
the question of that book. If the God of
Heaven and Earth cared for humankind
enough to send His Son to become a
baby, this changes everything!
Starr would like to express
our heartfelt thanks to our staff,
donors and the entire community for your
vision and support in helping us help local
families and children.
happy holidays!
13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd., Albion MI 49224 | 517.629.5591 | 800.837.5591 | www.starr.org
• chef justin straube owner
• comfortably,
sophisticated
ambiance
• unique flavor
combinations
• enviable wine list
• signature cocktails
• unrivaled coffees
• catering available
150 W. State Street, Hastings, MI 49058
www.seasonalgrille.com
269-948-9222
37
Advertiser’s
Index
SMALL BUSINESS
HealthCare
Strategies
Taking one step to improve your health
can be a leap toward lowering your health
care costs. Creating a strategy for a
better tomorrow.
Call Me Today! Karen M. Rial
1-800-546-8521
165 N. Washington Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49037 | 269-660-3867
www.partnersinsagency.com
AGiftToTheCommunity...
Scene Magazine and all of our elves join together to wish you a Merry Christmas.
This is the time of year when our hearts and minds go toward helping others, so in this spirit,
a portion of the revenue from each elf appearing on this page will be donated to a non-profit
organization. The organization chosen by our elves is indicated in their ads.
1338 W. Michigan, Battle Creek, MI
w w w. b c h e a l t h . c o m
962-8779
—Quality Service For Over 50 Years —
U.L.A.B.A.
MEMBER
Portion Donated To: Food Bank
Portion Donated To: Sexual Assault Services
STATE FARM
INSURANCE
Agent: John J. Chmiel
Off: 965-4556
Res: 965-0301
409 W. Columbia
Battle Creek
Portion Donated To: American Cancer Society
1631 Pratt Avenue
Marshall, MI 49068
269-966-9037
Portion Donated To: Salvation Army
Come Downtown
for the Holidays.
269-979-1410
4642 Capital Ave., SW | www.scenepub.com
Portion Donated To: United Way
38
Visit downtownbattlecreek.com
for up-to-date holiday events and
information. We’ll also keep you posted
on Facebook (downtown Battle Creek) or
Twitter (DowntownBTLCRK)
Portion Donated To:
United Way
Allegra Design • Print • Mail. . . . . . . . 2
Allen Antique Barn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Allen Antique Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Area Agency on Aging. . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Art Center of Battle Creek. . . . . . . . . 39
Bachman Hebble Funeral Service . . . . 3
Battle Creek Downtown
Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 38
Battle Creek Family YMCA . . . . . . . 39
Battle Creek Health System. . . . . 23, 38
Battle Creek Public Schools . . . . . . . . 2
Battle Creek Tile & Mosaic. . . . . 20, 38
Beacon Ridge Condominium
Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Circa VI Salon / Spa
Alyssa DeRuiter, Stylist . . . . . . . . . 2
Calhoun County Medical
Care Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Christian Counseling Center of
Battle Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home
& Cremation Services . . . . . . . . . . 2
Drake’s Batter Mix Company . . . . . . 38
edwardrose.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Etheridge Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . 39
Evergreen Senior Care &
Rehab Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 17
Farley Estes & Dowdle
Funeral Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Foundation for Behavioral
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
General Surgical Associates. . . . . . . . 18
Ginny Sue’s Frame & Design . . . . . . 33
Hog Creek Antique Mall . . . . . . . . . . 39
Legacy At The Oaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Mercy Community Physicians. . . . . . 40
Michigan Tile & Carpet. . . . . . . . . . . . 3
NorthPointe Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Oaklawn Hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Partners Insurance Agency. . . . . . . . . 38
RE/MAX Perrett Assoc., Inc.
Michael E. Downing, Realtor. . . . 20
Scene Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Seasonal Grille. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Sims Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Sonneborn Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . 20
Southwest Regional Rehabilitation
Center / Envision Center . . . . . . . 19
Starr Commonwealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
State Farm Insurance
Agent: John J. Chmiel . . . . . . . . . 38
Taking the Lead Dog Training. . . . . . . 2
TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers . . . . . 17
United Educational Credit Union . . . 24
Waterfront Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
WBCK 95.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Providing services to help
you or your loved one remain
at home longer.
CCMCF is an Eden® registered home dedicated to
resident centered care in a home-like environment.
200 W. Michigan, Suite 102
Located inside Burnham Brook Center
269-966-2450 | 1-800-626-6719
www.region3b.org
1150
150 E
15
E. M
Michigan
ichhiga
igan A
Ave.,
e Battle
le Cre
C
Creek,
reekk MI 49
49014
014 | 269
269-962-5458
96
6 2 5458
5 458 | www.ccmcf.com
mcf coom
Rev. Stan W.
Russell
MA,LPC
736 Capital Ave. SW
269-968-9121
Kip Etheridge
Caring Professionals, Great Outcomes.
D.D.S., P.C.
4625 Beckley Rd., Ste. 300, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-8119 | www.christiancounselingbc.com
email: [email protected]
Family Friends
Fitness Fun!
• State of the art Health
Enhancement Center
• Multi-Sports Complex
• Aquatic Center
• FREE Child Watch and Y in the
Sky Youth Activity Centers
182 CAPITAL AVENUE NE, BATTLE CREEK, MI 49017
265 E. Emmett, Battle Creek, MI 49017 | 269-962-9511
269-963-YMCA • www.ymcabattlecreek.org
w w w .ar t c en t er o f b at t lec r eek.o r g
ALLEN’S
NEWEST
MALL!
427
427 Booths
Booths || Dealers
Dealers From
From 66 States
States
Outpost
Outpost Grill
Grill &
& Restaurant
Restaurant || Bus
Bus Tours
Tours Welcome
Welcome
23,000 SQUARE FEET OF NEW CONSTRUCTION
QUALITY ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
HOURS: 7 DAYS – 10-5
10750 W. CHICAGO ROAD (US 12) • ALLEN, MICHIGAN
517-869-2250 • www.hogcreekmall.com
9011 W. Chicago, Allen, Michigan • 517-869-2788
7 days 10-5 | Take I-69 south to Coldwater exit 13, 10 miles east
39
Scene Magazine
4642 Capital Ave., SW
Battle Creek, MI 49015-9350
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
O
ne of the real joys
of the Holiday Season is the
opportunity to say "Thank You" and to
wish you the very best for the New Year!
Seasons greetings from...

Holiday / Christmas Contest Winners

Transcription

Similar documents

verde creek ranch kerr county, tx - 287 ac +

Slotomania Big Win - Bingo Card Game For Ipad

TA-SETI Goodies

Conceptual Map - West Creek Business Park

2016 Spa Creek Clean Water PaddleFEST

On letterhead

1929 waco ato taperwing - Centennial Aircraft Services

Patio Party - DuPage Pads

U.S.A. - Raisin-South Nation Source Protection

2013 smart meetings