Page 14
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Family memories will ever and always bedeck the prettiest tree ever
By OLIVIA TAYLOR-
YOUNG
IVN Correspondent
A strange persona over-
takes me the day after every
Thanksgiving. Filled with a
compulsive need to decorate
everything in sight, I also
become hopelessly,
“Christmassly” innovative.
Even tree ornaments whose
hook ends have broken off
are recycled into colorful
centerpieces.
My husband swears that
during my holiday trimming
frenzy anything not moving
gets decorated. That could
stem from the time he woke
up from a catnap on the
couch to find himself
wrapped in garlands. My
son has even vowed to find
a 12-step program for
me. Something like Deco-
rators Anonymous, where
I’d fess up by saying, “Hi.
My name is Livvie, and I’ve
never met a Christmas orna-
ment I didn’t like.”
It’s really not all
me. I’m surrounded by en-
ablers. My husband pokes
fun and claims coercion, but
gets into the spirit as much
as I do. He happily freezes
his fingers putting up out-
side lights, and dutifully
climbs ladders to decorate
places out of my reach. And
the son who wants to get me
into a 12-step program
good-naturedly stays on for
the entire Thanksgiving
weekend. even though
he knows that after
Thursday means un-
packing boxes, hang-
ing garlands and put-
ting together miniature
Dickens
vil-
lages. Family friends
and their kids have
also been known to
drive many miles for
turkey leftovers and
decorating duty. It’s
tradition.
I have to admit
that there are moments
during the annual
frenzy when I ask my-
self, “Why are we do-
ing this?” When the
house is at its upside-
down messiest, I also
wonder why I’ve
amassed so many
decorations during the
years and do we really
have to put up every
single one? But then,
when the tree is fully
bedecked and lit --
along with every nook
and cranny in the
house -- and every bone in
our collective bodies aches,
we sit back and delight in
the wonderland we’ve cre-
ated, and always solemnly
agree, “It’s the prettiest tree
we ever had.” That, too, is
tradition.
St. Patrick of the Forest
Catholic Church
Next weekend we will celebrate one of the greatest holy
days, Christmas -- the birth of Jesus.
Two Masses will be celebrated; one at 7 p.m. Saturday,
and one at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The Christmas Eve reading will be from Luke, and the
Christmas Day reading from John, where they tell of the
events surrounding the birth.
So are many holiday
rituals. I know that for some
families, going shopping the
day after Thanksgiving is
one of them. I’m too busy
pulling Christmas stuff out
of our storage closet to think
about shopping that day, but
I never miss the after-
Christmas sales. In fact,
that’s how I’ve accumulated
many of my baubles, ban-
gles and miniature villages,
mostly at 75 percent off. I
also gravitated to
Christmas shops
whenever we trav-
eled. From Dis-
neyland to Monte
Carlo, from Singa-
pore to Paris, we
added
colorful
keepsakes
and
wonderful memo-
ries to our Christ-
mas celebrations.
There are nut-
crackers and a
wooden shepherd
boy from Ger-
many, stuffed min-
isheep from Scot-
land and Ireland;
and speaking of the
Emerald Isle, a
porcelain sham-
rock tree ornament
from the Royal
Tara China fac-
tory. Our tree also
hosts a little Big
Ben, a double-
decker bus and
some
ample-
bellied
Palace
Guards, all bought
in Harrods’ Christmas de-
partment on a rainy London
afternoon.
Putting it all together
is like Christmas come
early. What a gift to unwrap
priceless mementos from
when our children were lit-
tle. Or to become reac-
quainted with sentimental
replicas of favorite
items. Characters from the
“Nutcracker,” for example,
as we go to see it every
year. And a miniScarlett,
Rhett and Tara, because
“Gone With The Wind” is
my all-time, most-loved
movie.
Our annual Christmas
movies are represented as
well. There’s a watch fob
complete with Bob Cratchit
holding Tiny Tim. There are
the buildings of Bedford
Falls from “It’s A Wonder-
ful Life.” And a replica of
George Bailey’s family
when his daughter says,
“Every time a bell rings, an
angel gets his wings.” Ten
years ago, that phrase sadly
became our family’s watch-
word too; you’ll find many,
many bells around in mem-
ory of our beloved youngest
son.
Traditions mix loving
remembrance with joy in the
present. Hence this family’s
decoramania will likely con-
tinue ‘til our bones are too
brittle to risk contact with
our keepsakes.
But just between you
and me. this year’s tree
really is the prettiest one
we’ve ever had!
Joyous Tidings
Kathaleen, Robin, & Jerene
Evergreen Federal
592-2191
130 N. Redwood Hwy.
Merry Christmas
from
Family Tree
Garden Center
Winter rates
only $15
Pharmacy Express
308 S. Redwood Hwy. C.J.
(Next to Shop Smart Food Warehouse)
Phone: 541-592-4555 FAX 541-592-6776
John, Sheri, Betty, Lisa, Jackie & Linda
Have a safe & prosperous holiday season!
25320 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, Oregon 592-3151
Giant
Burger
wishes everyone a
Merry
Christmas
KBCC - LP
107.9 FM
Illinois Valley’s
only Christian
radio station
Senior Nutrition Menu
Sponsored by
M eals are served in the
CJ County Bldg.
592-2126, 474-5440
FRIDAY, DEC. 23
MEATLOAF W/ GRAVY
Whipped Potatoes w/ Gravy
Mixed Veggies
Squash Bread
Birthday Cake
MONDAY, DEC. 26
*CLOSED FOR THE
HOLIDAY*
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28
BEEF BAKED RIGATONI
Green Beans
Marinated Vegetable Salad
Garlic Bread
Chocolate Chip Bar
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
OF SELMA
18285 Redwood Hwy.
P.O. Box 279, Selma, OR
97538 - 597-4169
Pastor Monty Pope
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.
Worship - 11 a.m.
Sunday evening: 7 p.m.
Wednesday Bible Study
7:30 p.m.
***
BRIDGEVIEW
COMMUNITY CHURCH
P.O. Box 645
5181 Holland Loop
Non-Denominational
Pastor Frank Salerni
Children’s Church-10:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study
7 p.m.
Wednesday Youth Group
7 p.m.
Youth Group Leaders
Lance & Judy Baker
Women’s Prayer Thursday
9:30 a.m.
Men’s Prayer Meeting
1st & 3rd Saturday - 8 a.m.
Corner Dick George/
Holland Loop
***
GOOD SHEPHERD
LUTHERAN CHURCH
East River Street
& Lewis Court
Sunday Worship - 9 a.m.
Sunday School - 10 a.m.
Church Phone: 592-2290
***
ST. MATTHIAS
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
25904 N. Redwood Hwy.
Sunday Services:
10 a.m.
592-2006
***
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
451 S. Junction Avenue
592-3956
Pastor Mark McLean
Sunday School - 10 a.m.
Morning Worship - 11 a.m.
Evening Worship - 6 p.m.
Wednesday - 7 p.m.
Adult Bible Study
***
ST. PATRICK OF THE FOREST
CATHOLIC CHURCH
407 W. River Street, CJ
592-3658
Father Harry Holwell
Parochial Vicar
Masses - Sunday
Daylight Saving - 9 a.m.
Standard Time - 10 a.m.
Daily Mass Tues. - Fri. 9 a.m.
First Saturday - 10 a.m.
Holy Days - 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday - 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
***
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH
113 S. Caves Avenue, CJ
Evangelical &
Non-Denominational
Sunday School 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Jr. Church, Infant & Toddler
Nursery Provided
Youth Awana & Crossquest
Wednesday - 6:15 to 8 p.m.
Dr. Don Blackburn, Pastor
Community Christian Academy
Preschool to 12th grade
***
BEIT EMMANUEL
A Messianic Congregation
P.O. Box 1949, CJ 97523
Sabbath Services
Hebrew classes, worship in
dance classes and celebrations
of the Lord’s Feasts - 592-3843
***
SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH
265 S. Old Stage Road
Sabbath School - 9:30 a.m.
Sat. Church Service
11 a.m. Sat.
Prayer & Praise
7 p.m. Tues.
Pastor Vern Hyland
Church 592-3218
Everyone Welcome
Madrone Adventist School
592-3330
Sr. Teacher: Mrs. Amy
Whitchurch
592-6604
***
IMMANUEL UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
200 Watkins Ph. 592-3876
Pastor David Goodrich
Sunday School - 8 a.m.
Sunday Worship - 9:15 a.m.
Child-care for small children
Potluck/Bible Study
Thursday 7 p.m.
Web Page:
http://UMCImmanuel.org
***
VALLEY EVANGELICAL
FREE CHURCH
498 Laurel Road
P.O. Box 1248
Pastor Les Knapp
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.
Worship Service - 11 a.m.
Ladies Bible Study
Mon. 10:30 a.m.
Adult Bible Studies
Thursday 6 p.m.
evfree@frontiernet.net
592-6160
***
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
207 Junction Avenue, CJ
Priesthood, Relief Soc.
9 a.m.
Sunday School - 10 a.m.
Sacrament Meet - 10:50 a.m.
Bishop Charles Rigby
1st Counselor Dennis Swift
2nd Counselor Sam Williams
***
ILLINOIS VALLEY
PRAISE CENTER
28569 Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction
Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Prayer Meeting - 6 p.m.
Thursday evening - 7 p.m.
Home Bible Study/Youth
Group
Non-Denominational
Bible Teaching Church
Pastor Doug Wilson
592-4872
***
TAKILMA BIBLE CHURCH
10300 Takilma Road
Pastor Dan Robinson
Bible Study/Prayer Time
9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship
11 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study
7 p.m.
***
ILLINOIS VALLEY
PENTECOSTALS
Bible Study & Fellowship
987 ½ Caves Hwy.
2 p.m. Sunday
7:30 p.m. Thursday
592-4716
Individual Bible Studies
available
Pastor Wendell Owens
* * *
FIRST LOVE
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
139 Caves Ave. Front door
Pastors Drs. Bob &
Virginia Kurko
592-4775
The Church that Love has
built in the Heart of
Cave Junction
Worship Schedule
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday School & Nursery
10:30 a.m.
Tues. & Wed. Bible college
classes - 7 p.m.
Thurs. ‘First Love Kitchen’
Free meal
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Fri. Genesis 12 Step - 7 p.m.
Sat. ‘Free Bread’
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
“A Full Restoration,
NT Church”
Phone for classes being
offered this semester.
***
ILLINOIS VALLEY
BAPTIST CHURCH
2110 Caves Hwy.
Stanley W. Smith, Pastor
Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m.
& 6:30 p.m.
Bible Study - Thursday - 6 p.m.
Youth Meeting -
Thursday - 6 p.m.
A Southern Baptist Ministry
Phone: 592-3029
Cell: 659-8934
* * *
BAHA’I FAITH
Phone 592-5234
* * *
Attend the church
of your choice