December 17

December 17, 2012 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The month of December is more than half over and we’re fast approaching the shortest day of the year. The shopping, wrapping presents and baking frenzy is on. I am happy to report that our shopping is done and I don’t bake nearly as much as I used to. There is such a thing as food overload and the older I get the more obvious it seems. I’ve begun to downsize my grocery shopping to the point that Dave has started picking up items. This is not a bad thing except the fridge and freezers are full and all that food makes me crazy.

Miller Concert

            The W.C. Miller 58 annual Christmas Candlelight Concert was held on December 13 and 14 at Buhler Hall in Gretna. The lights were dimmed; the procession of students carrying candles and singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel filled the hall. After the welcome by Principal Jonathan Toews the Junior Concert Band played a beautiful rendition of Angels from the Realms of Glory. They then played We Three Kings which could have been from a movie set; it was that big of a piece. A medley of songs followed entitled Christmas Swing.  The Senior Concert Band performed three pieces which was followed by audience participation with Hark the Herald Angels Sing; a silver collection took place during this carol. The proceeds were donated to a local charity and used to help cover the cost of renting the hall.

            Now the singing portion of the evening began and up first was the Junior Concert Choir with T’was in the Moon of Winter Time. Madison Smith and Carlissa Dyck performed solos during this song.  The audience listened to two more pieces before the Senior Choir filled the stage. They performed three pieces and in this segment the rendition of Jingle Bells was my favourite.

            I have been attending the candlelight service for a number of years and was pleasantly surprised to see that the school now has a Male Choir. Their performance of 12 and ½ Days of Christmas was hilarious and had the audience bursting with laughter. The Chamber Choir was the last to perform and Ashton Cornelson sang a beautiful portion of Domine Fili. The evening closed with the audience participation of the Hallelujah Chorus.

            Special thanks to band director Dwayne Schott, choir director Akufuna Sifuba and piano accompaniment played by Loren Hiebert.

Hockey update

            The Altona Maroon Bantam team played on Wednesday, Dec. 12 taking on Manitou/Somerset at the Gretna arena. They lost 4-1 but it was good to see that Simon Schroeder was back on the ice after his concussion. More bad news on that front: Alex Damphousse has been diagnosed with a concussion from a previous game.

            They traveled to Swan Lake on Saturday, Dec. 15 to play Notre Dame. From all reports this was a good game with clean checks and good skating but they were outplayed and lost 4 - 0. 

School update

            The Farm to School fundraiser ended and the principal, Jason Pilkington, reports that the school made a profit of $280. Enjoy the vegetables.

            Christmas break begins Monday, Dec. 24 with the first day back being Monday, Jan. 7.

Mystery

            I was wondering if anyone could explain why the turbines at the corner of Highway #75 and #14 were not turning and lights were off for the entire week of Dec. 9 – 16. Was Manitoba Hydro trying to save money? It costs more to have them turning than what they produce and sell so maybe the Manitoba taxpayers will get a break? Ah, yes and humbug to you, too.