In Pictures: The sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas 2013
Finally, 2013 is well and truly done and 2014 waits ahead. But just before we push ahead into the future, The Revelstoke Current in pleased to offer you a peek back at the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas 2013 courtesy of the talents of Laura Stovel, Jason Portras, Sarah Mickel and Lucie Bergeron.
December 14
By Lucie Bergeron
Over 30 people, most but not all of them children, came to the Library for a Gingerbread Man Scavenger hunt on Saturday, December 14. They helped round-up a bunch of escapee gingerbread men. Thanks Linda Dickson for the great idea!
Here are some very cute photos from this event:
Megan and Sam MacIsaac made a sad gingerbread man – because he knows he is about to get eaten! Lucie Bergeron photoMorgan Teggart and friend Loucious Cadieux getting creative with the sprinkles. Lucie Bergeron photoYorke and Monica Parkin shared a chair, but they each had their own gingerbread man. Lucie Bergeron photo
December 18
By David F. Rooney
Columbia Park Elementary School led the parade of Christmas Concerts with a standing-room-only performance in its gymnasium on Wednesday, December 18. Normally I would have stayed for the entire event and shot a couple of hundred photos throughout. However, I was under a lot of pressure and strain during November and December and really had to cut back on a lot of activity.
I did nonetheless shoot a few events, starting with CPE:
Columbia Park Elementary School’s gymnasium was jammed with hundreds of parents, family members and other visitors for their Christmas concert on December 18. David F. Rooney photoMs. Rota’s Grade 1/2 Class were all dressed up for their performance of Must Be Santa. David F. Rooney photoStudents in Ms. Eyjolfsson’s Grade 5/6 Class enjoyed singing the 12 Days of Canada. David F. Rooney photo
December 19
By Jason Portras
The Arrow Heights Elementary Christmas Concert, entitled A Revelstoke Christmas Carol, a play created by Mrs. Amber Thompson, was very entertaining. Based on a mix of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas young and old were well entertained.
You’ll be seeing more work by Jason Portras in 2014 as he will be shooting many events for The Current in the months ahead. In the meantime, here are some of Jason’s great photos from the concert:
A very large audience of family & friends was first greeted by Ms. Tedesco’s Kindergarten/Grade One split performing their rendition of Welcome Christmas. Jason Portras photoKindergarten student, Phoenix Portras, rocks out the guitar solo. Jason Portras photoMrs. Thompson’s Grade Two/Three split have a nice kumbaya moment while singing the rousing Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree… Jason Portras photo… followed by everyone dancing merrily in a new old fashioned way and listening to hear the voices singing. Jason Portras photo
Nothing like giving your partner a spin. Jason Portras photo
AHE Principal Todd Hicks dons his fairy wings to the enjoyment of the crowd and students, becoming the Fairy of Things To Come. Jason Portras photo
One of the four Grinch characters, this one played by Jackson Litke, has his heart grow with the Christmas spirit, as he gives money to the little French Girl, played by Madeline Hunt. Jason Portras photoMs. Johnson’s Grade Six/Seven class filled the stage and performed the song, Need a Little Christmas. Jason Portras photo
December 19
By David F. Rooney
As you can see from this shot, BVE’s gymnasium was also packed! David F. Rooney photoAll I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth was a hit with the audience at Begbie View. David F. Rooney photoAs always, the kids outdid themselves. David F. Rooney photoParents snag photos of their children’s performance at Begbie View Elementary School’s December 19 concert. David F. Rooney photo
December 20
By Sarah Mickel
Photographer and parent Sarah Mickel shot 900 photos at the Christmas Recital staged at the Performing Arts Centre by singing teacher Joanne Stacey.
She did, as she put it, “a lot of sifting” to find just the right images of Joanne’s students. You be the judge:
Darby Stilwell performs during the December 20 recital by Joanne Stacey’s music students at he Performing Arts Centre. Sarah Mickel photoJoanne Stacey introduces Holly Hamilton during the recital. Sarah Mickel photoSofie Biggs sings for the audience. Sarah Mickel photoAza Deschamps sings to the audience. Sarah Mickel photoSarah Carey was in the mood for the recital by her and Joanne Stacey’s other students. Sarah Mickel photoSinging for a live audience at the Performing Arts Centre was a big deal for young singers like Saelin Cadieux. Sarah Mickel photoEmjai Deschamps works to be dramatic as she sings. Sarah Mickel photoArianna Morrone performs for the crowd. Sarah Mickel photoCarmen Sampson perches on a stol for her song of the night. Sarah Mickel photoCarmen Sampson entrances the audience. Sarah Mickel photoYoung Sofie Biggs melts her way into the audience’s hearts. Sarah Mickel photo
December 23
By Jason Portras
Revelstoke’s Museum & Archives, located downtown at 315 First Street West, held a Multicultural Christmas event on Monday, December 23.
It was a big hit for all the kids and parents who attended, with many crafts and activities celebrating a variety of cultures. At $4 per child, it was a steal of a deal!
Paula, a mom who attended the event with her daughter Dana, helps some of the children at a table designated for creating Christmas Tree decorations. Jason Portras photoHere’s a Christmas Card making station, which was a big hit with the children. In the foreground is a template showing the kids how they can write “Merry Christmas” in a variety of other languages. Jason Portras photoAn even bigger hit was the Christmas Cookie making station which produced just as many smiles as it did cookies. Jason Portras photoA different group of children checks out the Christmas Plates decorating table, helped by Hailey, another Museum host (in red) as one of the moms looks on. Jason Portras photoMore activities were to be found on the upstairs level of the museum. Here a mom helps her children create Christmas Cards. Jason Portras photoIn another room upstairs, Hailey puts on a puppet show to the great enjoyment of her onlookers. Jason Portras photoThe event ended with Kate reading a Christmas story to the children. Jason Portras photoIf this overflow area inundated with a pile of children’s jackets is any indication, we’re likely to see this event happen again next year! Jason Portras photo
December 25
By Laura Stovel
At the Frontier Restaurant on Christmas afternoon, the wonderful aromas of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and vegetables filled the air. Community members dug into heaping plates of food while others darted about serving coffee, tea or juice or just stopping and chatting a while.
This was the annual Christmas dinner “going on 19 years” according to organizer Ginger Shoji. Shoji has organized 17 of them and Frontier owner, Matt Singh, has hosted the meal for 10 years. “It makes my Christmas,” Singh said. “It’s fun and I love doing it.”
Cecil Brown (left) and Glen Allen appreciate the good food. Allen, who often enjoys this meal said, “I’m by myself. No sense cooking a turkey for myself.” This year he brought his son along. Laura Stovel photoLynette Graham (left) from New Zealand enjoys a meal with Kathrin Neuschel from Germany and Jeff Isaac from Saskatoon. They heard about the meal from the Stoke list. Neuschel, who has been in Revelstoke for a month and a half said, “It’s a good idea. At home we have turkey for Christmas and I’ve got my turkey here.” Laura Stovel photoLynne Welock works in the kitchen preparing take-away food — one of the options provided to diners. Laura Stovel photoOrin Seidel greets Santa (Rob Robertson). Laura Stovel photoIlon (left), Bob, Carl and Ina Seidel (right) enjoy the community Christmas dinner every year. “It’s a tradition for us,” Ilon said. “We get to see our old friends.” His mother, Ina, added, “It’s excellent, phenomenal. I’m 85 and I couldn’t make Christmas dinner any more. It’s just fantastic to come and have such a good dinner when you’re this old.” Laura Stovel photoOrganizer Ginger Shoji (right) and Jackie Goodman love this annual event. Laura Stovel photoVal Mathes worked in the kitchen preparing take-away food with Lynne Welock (not shown in this image). The food is provided through donations by local businesspeople. Laura Stovel photoVolunteers Luke and Michelle Keetley (left), Tony Collins and Joe Armillotta take a break after a busy first hour. Laura Stovel photoCommunity Christmas Dinner organizer Ginger Shoji and Frontier Restaurant owner Matt Singh share a laugh near the end of their long, long day. Laura Stovel photo
