The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #261-Forest Grove will host church services every second and fourth Sunday of the month at 7 p.m.
Bruce Wilcox, Legion Chaplin of the FGL and pastor of the Cariboo Presbyterian Church, will preside over the non-denominational services. Forest Grove has been without a church for several years, so this is welcome news for a lot of people – everyone is welcome.
Christmas party
On Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m., the Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department held a Christmas party for 40 children at the fire hall.
While the children waited for Santa, they were busy colouring and decorating tree ornaments to take home with them, while Christmas movies played on the big screen TV if any of them wanted to watch. Of course, no child's party is complete without hotdogs, chips and hot chocolate. As the children ate their lunch, word came on the radio that Santa was over Williams Lake, fast approaching Forest Grove and it would only be a few minutes before he arrived.
The children's faces were pressed to the windows of the fire hall, watching for the arrival of Santa. Sirens of the fire engine were getting closer and then suddenly there he was, perched in his sleigh on top of the fire truck, coming down the road waving to the children.
Santa looked very spry and fit as he clambered down from the fire truck, swinging the sack of gifts to his shoulder as he made his way to the waiting children. Once Santa got settled in his chair, the gift giving began.
As he called out the children's names, they came and sat on his knee, had a little chat, a photo was taken and Santa gave them their gift, and as they left, an elf gave them a stocking bursting with goodies. The stocking contained a small teddy bear, pencils, colouring book, stickers, wind-up toy and the traditional candy cane.
Some children had to be convinced that Santa was a guy they wanted to be around, but as long as mom or dad was there, they did their best. Some children even gave Santa gifts when it was their turn on his knee.
Proud parents took pictures of their children as they visited Santa, opened their gifts and started playing with their loot. The noise level rose steadily and there was wrapping paper everywhere, so an elf got busy tidying up.
Then, Santa had to head back to the North Pole, so he said goodbye and off he went. But be sure to watch for him in Forest Grove on Christmas Eve.
Santa said he would have time to visit once more before Christmas and he will be in Forest Grove at 6:30 p.m. once again in his sleigh on top of the fire truck then he'll head out to Canim Lake and the surrounding area to say hello to anyone who comes out to meet him.
Merits of a shovel
Everyone has the latest gadgets and contraptions for clearing snow, but have you ever marvelled at the plain old shovel?
Oh sure, you'll clear that driveway in the blink of an eye with the latest and greatest machinery if you don't run out of gas, break a belt or shear pin and worst of all the accursed thing won't start.
I don't know about your shovel, but mine starts every single time and it's great on gas. Not only that, it's quiet as a mouse and needs little or no maintenance whatsoever.
So get out there and enjoy the beautiful winter days and get some exercise, but be careful not to over do it.
I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas.