wishes you a Happy Holiday Season and thanks you for your patronage in 2003. from Doug, Sharlene, eg eta Thank. yea 2 * Our patronage an FOES, 3720 RIVER DRIVE 638-8001 Toll Free 1-888-638-8001 (2 All the best to your family during this... holiday season!’ ~ Airport Terminal & Downtown Location at 4912 Hwy. 16 W. Happy New Year. Alcan Primary Metal ALCAN" British Columbia O n behalf of Management and Employees at Alcan Kitimat Works, we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas anda Dy the Spirit of the Season we have chosen to make a donation to the Food bank in leew of our Annual Chaistmas Card mailout, ANNA Viitasaari and Satu Lehtinieni are at home in Finland celebrating Christ- mas. They'll return to Terrace in the new year to continue their studies at Northwest Community College. SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN PHOTO In Finland, Santa is called Joulupukki By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN ANYONE who thinks Santa Claus is a fat guy in a red suit who lives in the North Pole has it all wrong — at least that’s what the Finns think. In Finland, the he does wear a red suit, he does bring toys to children around the’ world in a sleigh pulled by reindeer but that’s where the similarities stop. According to Finnish tradition Santa is actually called Joulupukki and he doesn't live in the North Pole, he lives on a small mountain in Finland called Korvatunturi, say two Finnish exchange students going to school in Terrace. He makes his rounds on Christmas Eve but doesn’t Jand on rooftops — he parks his sleigh respectfully in front of each house and brings gifts to the door. Anna Viitasaari, and Satu Lehtinieni, both 22, are attending Northwest Com- munity College as business administra- tion students. They left late last week to join their families in Finland for a tradi- tional Christmas — they'll be returning in January for their second semester of school here which includes a work co-op placement in the local business commun- ity. ; While Christmas in Finland is cel- ebrated in many of the same traditions as here, there are some dislincl differences. ... __ The Santa Claus story is just, one ex-.* ample. “The celebration day is Christmas Eve,” explains Satu, adding that’s when gifts are distributed and opened and a tra- ditional Christmas dinner is shared with one’s immediate Family. “People are slarting to eat turkey now,” says Anna, adding the traditional meals feature ham instead. “Then we have our own food which is a Itttle diffi- cult to explatn.” That includes a mashed potato dish baked in the oven called perunalaatikko, a baked rice and carrot dish called pok- kanalaatio and salad rosolli, a salad filled with beets, potatoes, carrots, onions and apples. , It’s not unusual for pickled herring to be served as well. And for dessert, ginger- bread cookies and star-shaped pastries filled with plum jam. , Both students are taken with the amount of effort that goes in to decorating homes in Canada for the holidays. lion system has also, tak 4641 Lazelle Ave. 635-7117 “We don’t have so much decorations - we don’ have lights,” says Anna, adding Christmas trees aren't laden with the strings of lights scen in homes here. Trees are lil with electric candles - slemining from the okler tradition of plac- ing candles oan the trees. “The other tradition for many people is they: go to church on Christmas Eve,” says Saku, adding the predominant reli- gion in Finland is Lutheran. “And if they don’t go to church they might for to a graveyard and light candles for people who have died.” The glimmering candles make for a stunning sight, she says. The two Finns have adjusted weil to the Canadian way of life and say the big- gest difference they had to gel used to here was just how friendly Canadians are. “People here are more open here — more talkative,” says Saku. “We don’t have the small talk culture in Finland.” So when people they don't know strike up-a conversation they’re offen not sure what to say. “You don’t say hi to strangers or peo- ple you've met only once,” explains Anna, “We feel kind of rude sometimes because we don’t know how to answer.” Getting used to.a very different educa- sone. adjust- Qe hi MeN a tnneases anh , While the class’ sizes ‘al-the college here are similar to those al their home school, Turku Polytechnic, the exam structure is very different. “In Finland we stay in school maybe eight hours .a day but here it's maybe three hours, but much more homework,” Anna says. On the flip side, going to school here allows the students to accumulate more marks toward a final mark by writing a 50 “per cent final exam. ‘In Finland, the students’ final exami- nations are worth at least 80 per cent of their mark, But if they fail they get Iwo more chances. at rewriting the exam. Perhaps the biggest difference in scheal between Finland and here isl the cosl; the girls say. While students here are expected to pay for tuilion, books, rent, food and other expenses, in Finland school is not only free buy students have 80 per cent of their rent paid through government subsidies. | f We've decked all the hails. Polished up our good cheer So we'le wishing you oll Happy holidays this year. e— CANADIAN FREIGHTWAYS LIMITED a1istobn®, fey A errs, BC, 006-2) EG warmth and much health in 2004! All Instore Wedding Gowns 40-50% OFF 4 Jariwary 9th and 10th, 2004 >» (Glass Slipper * ~~ Bridal Boutique 4605 Lazelle Ave, Terrace 635-6966 We're baking up best wishes for a happy holiday! Hope your stockings are stuffed with good things! | (across from Terrace & ’ District Credit Union} oe] i erry Ch The gang at Terrace Chrysler would like to wish all their clients fo Mas is a ‘ A. E aS istmas! and friends a safe and happy holiday this merry season 1-800-313-7187 4916 Hwy. 16 West 6635-71587 4 a 7 DLRAYG5958 Sy i‘ i h ‘ ” 2s i ‘4