INSIDE COMMUNITY EVENTS B2

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JUST A THOUGHT: KATHY FLORITTO

Life’s about learning

S WE RESOLVE to make this

year our best ever, it’s good to

search the one just passed — the

mistakes are expected — the blessings may surprise us.

Now that all but one of our children live too many miles and too many dollars away to come home for Christmas, we miss the pace they set for us during their growing up years.

The peace we longed for when they were youngsters is ours now —— and we’ve dis- covered it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Some of you probably know that all too well,

Still, the lack of frenetic activity offers an opportunity for reflection and for ack- nowledging how many of those blessing, mentioned earlier are ours.

Young Jonah, whose arrival was greeted by much babbling by two first-time and deliriously happy grandparents, had his first birthday on Nov. 2.

He’s beautiful, bright and healthy, finding challenge and excitement in every new day — it’s a delight just watching him explore his universe. As he learns, so do we — an- other blessing not to be ignored.

And speaking of learning — a friend just sent me a piece entitled “I’ve Learned,’’ I

& ['ve leamed that you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. (age 6)

A I’ve learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back. (age 9)

A [’ve learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom inakes me clean it up. (age 12

Arve learned that if you want to cheer your- self up, you should try cheering someone else. (age 13)

A lve Icarned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice. (age 24)

A I’ve learned that brushing my child’s hair is one of life’s great pleasures. (age 25)

A Pye learned that if someone says something unkiad about me, ] must live so that no one will believe it. (age 39)

&é I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don’t know how to show it, {age 44)

A I’ve learned that children and grandparenis are natural allies. (age 46)

A l’ve Icarned that singing Amazing Grace can lift my spirits for hours. (age 49)

A I’ve learned that motel matiresses are better on the side away from the phone, (age 50)

A I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights. (age 52)

A I’ve learned that regardless of your rela- tionship wilh your parents, you miss them ter- tibly after they dic. (age 53)

A I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life, (age 58)

A I’ve learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, try to improve your inarriage. (age 61)

A l’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. (age 64)

A I've learned that whenever I decide some- thing with kindness, [ usually make the right de- cision, (age 65)

& I've learned that everyone can use a kind word (age 72)

A ['ve learned that miracles do happen. Truth- fully, I’ve seen several. (age 73)

& I've learned that even when I have pains, [ don't have to be one, (age 82)

A I’ve Icarned that every. day you should reach out and touch someone. Everyone loves and needs that human touch — holding hands, a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back. (age 85)

A I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. (age 92).

Have a wonderful 1998 everyone — may it be everything you hope it to be — and your best year yet. .

SECTION B

MMUNITY-

The making of a rainbow

By CRIS LEYKAUF KAREN GRAHAM knows how to brighten gray winter days,

“Even on a gray day a stained glass window looks beautiful. They don’t need a lot of light,’’ says Graham.

She’s one of seven art- ists exhibiling now at the Terrace Art Gallery, until Jan, 25,

Graham moved to Ter- race in July from ihe “Beaches’’ area of Toronto. It was while living in the area and tenovating one of its characteristic old Victoria homes that she developed a love for stained glass.

“‘We used to have rain- bows through our living room each day,’’ she says of her former house.

Her love developed into a hobby as she learned how to score and cut the glass, then fit the pieces together to form her own windows.

Cutting glass isn’t easy, she says, and you have to know ‘how it runs.’’ Glass has a memory like wood, she explains, and numerous cuts are needed to make those curved pieces,

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Graham buys glass in

sheets. They come in many textures and. colours. Even plain trans- parent glass becomes beautiful when rippled and bubbicd, and soldered together in

elegant designs.

“Texture is as impor- tant al the colour,’’ she says.

Sometimes price dic- tates what colour of glass you can buy — pink glass for example is very ex- pensive because it’s made with gold.

“I was petrified,’’ Gra- ham says of her experi- ence working wilh pink glass. Every time she made a cut she was scared the glass would break improperly.

Graham’s favourite colour is amber. “‘It com- pliments every colour in the rainbow.”

Most of Graham’s windows are Victorian in design. Sometimes she picks a design from a pat- tern book but she also makes many of her own designs, adapting other patterns. It’s the flowing lines that draws Graham to Victorian designs.

Once Graham scores and cuts the glass for a window she wraps strips of copper foil around the

individual pieces of glass, then solders them togeth- er. It’s a technique that was developed early this century. ° ae

Graham's windows range in price trom $45- 195. They’re not meant to replace normal windows, but instead can be fit snugly in front of them inside. She also makes special comer pieces, to

other

CUTTING GLASS IN curved shapes to form flowers isn't simple, says artist

se EA

Karen Graham. She scores the glass and makes small cuts until it's the right shape, Then she uses a soldering gun, set at 900 degrees, to join the glass to-

gether. Her work and that of six other artists Is on display now at the Terrace Art

Gallery.

fou.

ts r

ove

frame a window.

Stained glass can also highlight kitchen cabinets, mirror frames or be used as a fireplace sercen in the summer.

Graham says there’s not

Dessert and Canadian

songs feature of concert

MOST OF us could use a break from winter by now. How about 2 Satur- day evening by a warm fire, eating your favourite dessert and enjoying some fine music,

That’s what the North- west Singers have planned for you. They’re planning an cvent called “Winterlude’’ for Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ter- race Pentecostal Assemb- ly fireside room.

This popular concert usually takes place in the spring, but the Northwest Singers decided we could all use a treat earlier than that.

During Winterlude the choir will present an entirely Canadian pro- gram with everything from rousing, stomping Newfie tunes tc ballads by Ian Tyson and Connie Caldor,

This is the first concert of the NW Singers’: 15th season. However, they were also the backbone for the community chorus

that accompanied — the Harlem Spiritual Ensem- ble iast November.

Under the direction of Marilyn Brodie, the choir has grown to 25 members — people who’ve come to Terrace from all parts of Canada.

She and the choir are wondering how they'll top their performance of last season when the

cholr won the BC Pravin-

ALL CANADIAN — Marilyn Brodie, director of the

Northwest Singers, looks over a selection of Cana- dian music which will be featured at an upcoming

dessert concert.

cial Festival of the Aris for best choral group. New members and a younger choir has meant some changes this year, and this has sparked something new [rom (he long-time members, So what does that mean for audiences? One of the best concerts ever, choir members are confidently

predicting. Proceeds from Winter- fest will help the NW

Singers atlend Chorfest ,

*98 in. Vancouver in May.

Sealing is limiled, so |

get tickets carly, They’re available for $15 ($10 for students and. seniors) at Erwin’s Jewellers in the Skeena Malt.

a large interest in Terrace

Alice Clayton, pottery by

._Dan Condon, bone carving

change soon.

for stained glass, but

she’s hoping that will by Robert Dodd, knilted ap-

parel by Kevin Michel and Ross Nicholson and photog-

kkk raphy by Sandra Stefanik,

Also al the Terrace Art Gallery is bead work by

Around Town

New Year’s baby named

TERRACE’S first baby of the year has been given a name.

Parents Marlene and George McLean named their sixth child Victoria Diana Mercer Mclean. She was bom New Year’s day at 4:21 p.m., weighing seven pounds and 10 and a half ounces,

Coffeehouse moves

THE TERRACE Musician’s Association regular cof- fechouses are now in new location.

The coffechouses will now be held in the Elks Hall on Tetrault, rather than Groundworks. That’s because too many people were turned away duc to lack af space.

The next coffechouse will start at 8 p.m, on Jan. 17. Musicians will also have a chance to try out the new sound system — the former one, also recently pur- chased — had been stolen.

The line-up for the first coffechouse of the year in- cludes guitarist and song writer Wayne Sheridan and the band Make No Apologies, which played at the Rosswood Music Festival.

Admission is $5 for non-member and $4 for mem- bers. There will also be coffee, teas and deserts avail- able. Proceeds from food sales will go to towards the development of a new youth centre.

Breast cancer checked

AS A WOMAN ages, her risk of breast cancer rises. For women between the ages of 50-79, having a mam- mogram cvery two years is the best defense against breast cancer.

Early detection means more treatment options and better chances for cure. In Terrace, women can call 1- 800-663-9203 to make an appointment to haye a mam- mogram done. The test is free,

a A great prize

IF YOU pledge $100 or more to Terrace Little Theatre’s “Applause ‘98’" telethon before Feb. 1, you'll get two chances to win airfare for two anywhere in the world Canadian Airlines flies.

Terrace Litile Theatre is offering the prize in support of its third annual Gindralser. Money will go towards building 4 250-seat theatre, near the Skeena River.

IC you make a $100 pledge after February 1, you get one chance to enter the conitest.

Pledges can be tade to Terrace Litile Theatre meum- bers.