Home »
Traditions start in Cranbrook
By Brenda Ann Babinski
“Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years.” Tevye
Imagine if you will: It is a bright, sunny Christmas morning. The sun has come out after a few days of big fluffy snowfall. Our mountains are showing off, all white and majestic against the blue sky, and tiny ice crystals dance visibly in the air.
Santa has found us for another year and we rejoice in not making the naughty list once more. (Phew!) The gifts have been opened, and breakfast eaten. A turkey the approximate size of a volkswagon is in the oven and we have headed outside to do some cross-country skiing.
We drive toward South Star trails, passing Idlewild along the way. Dozens of families are gathered on the sledding hill. We can see the youngsters sliding down while a group of parents visit around the bon fire at the top of the hill, sipping their ‘special’ coffees. Skaters are on the lake, and a game of hockey is underway. If Norman Rockwell had lived in Cranbrook, this is a scene he would have painted.
This sounds like something you might see in a cheesy holiday movie, just a little too good to be true. But for those of us who live in Cranbrook, we easily recognize the scenario. And those of us who grew up here know that this perfect Christmas day could have happened just last year, or way back when we were six-years-old, and any year in-between. For my family, getting outside to play in the snow is a timeless and beloved holiday tradition.
Traditions are important. (Just ask Tevye). They contribute to a sense of belonging, bringing families and friends together. Traditions bring comfort and joy.
For example, when we watch the same old Christmas movies every holiday season we build a deep layer of happy memories that we can return to year after year. And traditions offer shared experiences, helping to unite us into a strong, enduring community.
I asked around to hear what other traditions are observed. Here are a just a few:
Monique Courcelles – Grinch pass the gift game…
Trevor Lundy – On Christmas Day we always had a big game of road hockey.
Cathy Gibson Saris-Warkentin – Getting your favourite hot NON-alcoholic beverage and going around looking at all the Christmas lights.
Sue Claydon – Waiting for Santa to come by on Christmas Eve.
Betty Burley – Going to Kelowna to visit your parents!! *FULL DISCLOSURE: This is my Mom.
Betty Burley – Have a bonfire and wiener roast!
Heather Elizabeth – Going to Kelowna to visit your parents… then continuing the trip right to the coast to see your favourite niece! smile emoticon *FULL DISCLOSURE: This is my niece.
Erin Joyce McDonald – We always exchange new pyjamas on Christmas Eve.
Sandie Brassard – We decorate our homemade gingerbread house and men on Christmas Eve, in our new Jammie’s and listening and singing Christmas carols! So much fun.
Tracey Berkopec – Have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and then relax the next day and enjoy leftovers.
Jill Warland – Skating outdoors? I have no domestic genes.
Erin Quimby – The Christmas worm! (A Playdough decoration from my childhood, the first ornament placed on the tree, with much ceremony.) Driving around to look at lights (and try to spot Santa on the firetruck) on Christmas Eve. Bagels and mimosas and stinky fish for breakfast on Christmas day.
Erin Quimby – Also, the Christmas train!
Delaney Kunitz – Watching the Nightmare Before Christmas and snacking on After Eights.
Caroline Roberts – A walk in the neighborhood with a hot toddy enjoying the Christmas magic.
Michelle Hepp McCue – We drive around to look at lights and then come home a watch A Christmas Story. After the fire truck of course.
Leslie Molnar – We go tobogganing in the woods somewhere, then have a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner. After that, there are games, much merriment and the watching of ‘Elf.’ And I like to watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’
Another tradition that my family likes to uphold is to give back as much as possible. The spirit of the holidays is all about giving, and in Cranbrook there are many opportunities to lend a helping hand.
If you are looking for ways to give back this holiday season, here are a few ways to Start in Cranbrook:
– Cranbrook and Kimberley Hospice Society is selling raffle tickets for a couple of new Harley Davidson motorcycles. Look for them at the Tamarack Mall and enter to win. By purchasing a chance to win you will be helping this dedicated group of volunteers who work locally to help others during their end of life journey.
– Cranbrook Hub for Refugees, a newly formed group of caring individuals working through Christ Church Anglican are raising money to sponsor a family of refugees to come and find a home in Cranbrook. Contact Gerry Warner at (250) 489-3271 or Bonnie Spence-Vinge at (250) 426-4274
– The Cranbrook Food Bank and Salvation Army always need support.
– Cranbrook Community Theatre is presenting a New Years Eve Gala Fundraiser, featuring the staged reading of Mel Brooks’ Broadway Musical, Young Frankenstein, followed by live local entertainment, food, champagne and a no host bar. A great way to give back to the theatre community and a perfect gift for that special someone. Contact Brenda Babinski (250) 417-5585 for information.
Cranbrook has a Christmas tradition that shows how big its heart is; the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce’s Turkey Drive. Volunteers raise funds for the Cranbrook Food Bank and Salvation Army, helping provide some Christmas comfort and joy to hundreds of local families.
A similar tradition-in-the-making was born December 11 when Miracle on Baker Street occurred. Twenty-one of Cranbrook’s community leaders stripped down to their Christmas skivvies and jingled their bells in the cold for up to four hours. Their goal was to raise $20,000 in support of the Salvation Army’s efforts to build a 24/7 Homeless shelter. They smashed their goal and raised $55,000; a Christmas miracle for those who need our help.
What are your favorite traditions? And how will you give back this holiday season. Please feel free to share in the comments below.
For more about what Cranbrook has to offer, visit HERE.
Lead image: Idlewild Lake, Cranbrook. Unfortunately, due to the situation with the dam the City of Cranbrook has closed the lake to skating this winter. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
