4 a ® ‘ " INSIDE ‘ COMMUNITY ‘ EVENTS B2 -BY THE WAY’ DAWN McBRIDE Ways to conquer holiday stress HE FIRST TIP on how to get tid of Christmas pressure com- es from the authors of “Unplug the Christmas Ma- chine’’. They recommend that you need to de- cide which parts of Christmas are most. deserving of your time and effort so you can plan a celebration that is a fit between your beliefs and expression of who you are, For example, do you believe Christmas is a time to enjoy being with family? Is it a time to strengthen bonds with rel- atives and friends? _ Or, do you feel it is more of a time to honour the spiritual dimension to this holiday? Do you believe it is a festival that in- volves a lot of activity? Alternatively, is it a time to just relax and get re-energized? Making a turkey dinner is a lot like giving birth because there is a lot of labour involved! A question that might give you some in- sight into helping you decide what your ' Christmas priorities are, is to ask yourself, “what are my children learning about Christmas and what do I want my chil- dren to pass onto their children about - celebrating Christmas?”’ Does your answer include the way tra- ditions that are practiced; the type of gifts that are welcomed; the way chores and the various tasks associated with Christ- mas are shared among family members; and the amount of time spent playing and being together? Another way to reduce holiday stress is to examine what worked and has not worked in celebrating Christmas in past years. For instance, what activities did you en- joy last year? What made you feel good about the way you celebrated Christmas? What were some things you didn’t like about the way you celebrated Christmas last year? Your answers will provide valuable . clues as to what you should keep on doing and in other cases, don’| da anymore. An important stress management tip is to remember the phrase: “‘if it works, keep on doing it — if it doesn’t work, try something different! ”’ Other people try to reduce the Christ- mas stress by making a pledge to remove the commercialization of Christmas and simplify the holidays by engaging in ac- livities that reflect what they believe is in the true spirit of Christmas. For example, they commit to express love for their family and friends in more direct ways than presents; or they might initiate an act of peacemaking within their circle of family and friends, Or, perhaps they will choose to remem- ber those people who truly need their gilts. For instance, one family I know donate money to a charity and give the receipt wrapped as a gift, Finally, the last tip to get through the holiday is to laugh it up — to see the funny side to some of the rituals involved in celebrating Christmas. Consider the quote, in Synchronicity magazine, by Catherine Samson who teaches humot, that making a turkey din- ner is a lot like giving birth because there is a lot of labour involved! She admits, men don’t usually care for this example! At any rate, if you can laugh during a stressful event, don’t be Surprised. if-feel your stress shrink. . ~ TERRACE STANDARD O MU | TY« 6387283 ¢ The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 16, 1998 - BI SECTION B SFU course a bonus, says grad Eighteen students earned teaching certificates this month from Simon Fraser University’s local program. LOCAL RESIDENT Megan Reid earned her teaching cer- tificate from Simon Fraser University this month without having to leave town to get it. Reid, 24, said if it weren't for SFU’s Professional Devel- opment Program offered in the Northwest, getting her teaching certificate wouldn’t have been possible. That's because she wouldn't have moved away from her husband and step-son to study elsewhere, “I'm proof in the flesh that you can do it all here,” Reid said. Eighteen students, including Reid, graduated from the Northwest Teacher Education Consortium (NWTEC), a program offered by SFU for students who want to train as teachers in their own communities. Residents from Terrace, Kitimat, the Bulkley Valley, Prince Rupert, the Nass Valley and the Queen Charlotte Is- lands are eligible for the program. Reid called the one-year teaching program a hardcore, intensive course. “Is lots of work because everything is crammed into one year,’" Reid said. She said the course does include six weeks of classes in Burnaby, but the rest of the seminar classes she did in Ter- race. She also did her two teaching practicums here. Reid explained that none of ber courses ittvolved cor- respoudence classes, She met face to face with SFU in- structors here. To potential new recruits, Reid offers this bit of advice: ‘*Be prepared for stress, hard work and late nights, But it’s well worth it, There’s no doubt in my mind that 1 want to bea teacher.” The NWTEC program is in its ninth year. Another group of students begin the program in January. Graduates Debbie Carter from Prince Rupert and Megan Reid from Terrace receive their teaching certificates Dec. 5 at a convocation ceremony at the Ter- race Pentecostal Assembly. Terrace Legion update city for support By PETER CROMPTON THROUGHOUT THE winter months many sports events take place at the branch. Our annual curling bonspeil takes place January 29, 30, and 31st. This mouth saw the poot doubles tournament completed with Unknown Dutchman Bill Vant Kruis with old Timer Dick Braathen coming out winners over Richard Green and Doug Misfeldt. In third spot were Bill Watson aud Irishman Tony Reddy. ; The branch playdowns in cribbage and darts were played, Those representing your branch at zones in crib- bage are: Peter Crompton, Tony Reddy, Judy Green and the Wee Scot, Nelson Gillis. Playing darts are: Bob Ben- nett, Frank Bowsher, Morley York and Neil Mclssac. A sign up sheet for the Annual Spee Dec Printers pool singles tournament will be up shortly. At our December general meeting your new executive for 1999 was elected. They are president Cmde Patrick Smith, Ist Vice, Cmde Doug Misfeldt, 2nd Vice Cmde Joyce Bradley, Treasurer Keith Norman and Secretary Clare Irwin. The new directors are Shondell Myram, Cmde Bud Kirkaldy, Nelson Gillis, Janette Schulmeister and Keith Trask. Good luck to everyone, and a special thank you to out going President Cunde John Groot who served as president for three and a half years, Well done, Comrade. One again we had a super response to our poein, poster and essay contest. The following are the winners now going on the zone level: Janette Berky, junior colour poster and junior essay; Emily Rusch for her junior black and white poster; Francesca Pretto, junior poem; Cassy Murphy, intermediate colour poster; and Danielle Mor- » Greetings Santa! Preschooler Selena Kunar, 4, spent time with Santa at the Terrace Public Li- brary Dec. 12. After Santa gave her a candy cane, Selena hugged him. rison for her senior poem. Entries came from Veritas School, Caledonia Secondary — and from The Northcoast Distanee Education School. Veritas School was given a Certificate of Appreciation for its long time support of this program. Tickets are now on sale at the branch for cur ladies auxil- iary New Year’s Eve Bash. Around Town Early into the New Year we will be having our Installa- tion of Officers Dinner and Dance. Next steak night will be Friday January 8. All other steak nights will be the first Friday of the month. The next General Meeting is Tuesday, January 12. Come . of out and meet your new President and Executive. Locals graduate from UVIC FIVE STUDENTS from Terrace reccived degrees at the University of Victorla’s Fall Convocation ceremonies. Christina Tulloch-Woods received a Master of Education, Cindy Wisniewski received a Bachelor of Arts, Debra Haynes received 2 Bachelor of Education, Brett . Wilson received a Bachelor of Engincering and Anne Johnson and Beverley Bruce received Bachelors of Social Work. Billets needed ANEW GROUP Katimavik teenagers are here to do volunteer work for local non- flashlights. profit organizations, New project leader, Rob Rai, is looking for billets for participants from January 3 to 7, Residents are paid $10 a day for cach participant they can billet. This winter the team will. be doing volunteer work for the Terrace Anti- Poverty group, the Child Development - Centre and the Family Place. ‘For more information call 635-6874, Carols in park Join the Terrace Community Bad at the , bandshell in Little Park Dec, 20 at 7 p.m. Bring your family, carol shects, candles and Don’t forget the President’s Levi and New Year’s Day, slarting at noon, 1999 is our 80th Anniversary in Terrace, Watch our for many special events throughout the year, Once again the citizens of Terrace and the surrounding areas showed that they do care and Remember. Our Poppy Campalgn was a great success, Our fund is in a healthy position, and wil! be used only as directed by our Domin- ion By-Laws, The turnout for our Remembrance day Parade and Ser- vice was overwhelming and so was the topic of conversa- tion in the Branch for many days following. A big thank . you to all who contributed to the Poppy Campaign, you are a caring community. Well its that time of the year again, from all our mem- bers fo cach and everyone in Terrace and areas beyond have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous, and safe New Year. Legion thanks-- t