The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor There's a reason they call it the most wonderful time of the year! We all love the holidays for different reasons, be it the generous spirit in the air or the excitement among the children. The Reminder asked some familiar faces around the Flin Flon area: What is your favourite thing about Christmas? *** 'My favourite thing about Christmas is the getting together of family and, from that, the many stories of the past. And just the fun, the eating, the camaraderie, just people getting together. And it starts with family, but it's friends and everybody else.' _ Clarence Pettersen, Flin Flon MLA *** 'Me and my wife spending time with our grandchildren. They have lots of excitement at this time of year...and it's just contagious.' _ Brad Lantz, vice-president, Hudbay's Manitoba Business Unit *** 'On Christmas morning, we get together with all of our family _ it's a long-standing tradition _ at my parents' place. And we have homemade cinnamon buns while we get a chance to catch up and spend some family time together.' _ Mike Dubreuil, recreation manager, City of Flin Flon *** 'I just like the whole feeling around Christmas. I like how people are usually happy and the kind spirit that seems to be released at Christmas that isn't there at any other time.' _ Rhonda Werbicki, trustee, Creighton School Board *** 'My favourite thing about Christmas is the magic associated with it. I personally experience that magic when Christmas Day feels like it lasts at least twice as long as any other day. The announcement of the angels to the shepherds, the birth of Jesus in the unlikely setting of a barn suggest to us a cosmic magic at work. The wise men, or magi, lend a universality to that magic that leads us to understand that the magic of Christmas was never meant to be restricted to a select group of people. There is no indication that the magi were attached to a particular faith. They looked for unusual signs and knew that they had discovered a special magic through the appearance of a star. Through them, we understand that the magic of Christmas is for everyone.' _ Randall Krahn, pastor, Cornerstone Community Church *** 'Trying to keep it sort of a Christian (celebration), (getting) family together, and friends, and enjoying the life that we have.' _ Jean Champagne, councillor, Northern Village of Denare Beach *** 'Getting to spend extra time with family, especially those you don't get to see as often.' _ Corinne Mathews, librarian, Hapnot Collegiate *** 'It's the music, it's family, it's the build-up towards Christmas. Unfortunately all my nieces and nephews are grown up, so I don't get to watch the kids tear open their toys anymore, but they'll start having kids and that will happen. The other thing I like about Christmas is, people seem to move into a more generous spirit. They seem to be more giving and more forgiving. Because I come from a big family, Christmas is huge to me. So it's the whole enchilada for me, I guess you could say.' _ Bill Hanson, councillor, City of Flin Flon *** 'Just spending time with family and friends.' _ Mark Svaren, sergeant, Creighton RCMP *** 'My favourite thing about Christmas is having family all together. In my case I've got four grandchildren; some of them live in Winnipeg, some live here, so everybody gets together and they get to spend a few days together. It's great.' _ Glenn Smith, trustee, Flin Flon School Board *** 'It's just having all the family at home and having all the little ones to share all the excitement. I'm very fortunate this year, I have them all home, so that's pretty exciting.' _ Jeff Lane, alderman, Town of Creighton *** 'When all the family gets together and has Christmas supper and spends the evening together.' _ Rhonda Boyd, director, Flin Flon Guidance Nursery
