Joan Carolan (12) won the 7 – 12 category of our Christmas Colouring-in Competition and received her prize from Candy Jubb at Idlers Den on Tuesday.
Matilda (6) is the winner of the 1 – 6 category. Congratulations to both winners on doing a sterling job, and thank you to everyone else who entered.
One week to Christmas! Just enough time to still send those all important letters to Santa. You can post them at Terry Bros Parkes, and while you are there, get a photo in Santa’s sleigh with the kids!
Other fun activities to do with the kids in the run-up to Christmas is to go look at all the lights around town. There is a huge Christmas tree in Cooke Park, and many families have put up beautiful decorations all around town. There is also a $1,000 prize for the best local business Christmas window display. Time to go window shopping too!
Global Gatherings is a new business in Forbes and was born from a love of travel and appreciation of unique handmade products made in communities striving for sustainable livelihoods.
The passion of the people and communities is the main reason the owners want to bring these products to a larger audience. “We feel that our business offers our customers a win-win situation. By purchasing one of our rare finds, you are not only getting a wonderful, handmade product for your home or business, you are also contributing to the preservation of many cultures by helping a craftsperson become financially independent. It is a true economic partnership in every sense of the word.”
Every product has a story. If you listen closely, every product will tell you of the hands that held it and crafted it with care. Every stitch, bead, carve, cut, sand and polish represent a moment an artisan has spent, practicing and perfecting their craft. Handcrafted products celebrate the traditions of cultures around the world.
Each product you purchase has the promise of taking you on an adventure. It is also a great spot to find Christmas presents that are unique and different.
Phil Donato with Beth and Bill Thomas at Lake Endeavour where the Parkes Dragon Boat Club erected a shade structure with funding under the Local Sporting Grant Program. They are also holding new carbon fibre paddles purchased with the funding.
The Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) will be celebrating their Christmas paddle this Sunday under a brand new shade structure made possible with funding under the Local Sporting Grant Program.
Member for Orange, Phil Donato visited Lake Endeavour on Tuesday to see the fruits of the total of $20,680 the club had received under the program for three projects. The rest of the funding will go towards a sports development clinic for members, and new carbon fibre paddles were purchased.
“Dragon boating is growing in popularity, and its inclusiveness has played a big part in attracting newcomers to the sport,” said Phil. “Parkes is lucky to have the Endeavour Dam within close proximity providing an accessible body of water for members to gather and train on.”
The coach of PDBC, Beth Thomas said the club was extremely grateful for the support received. “The club is always welcoming new people to join and having great facilities and equipment make it so much more attractive to prospective members.”
The club trains on Thursday afternoons at 6pm and Sunday mornings at 9pm. Contact Beth on 0418 253 045 if you would like to do a try out session.
A year ago we were battling dust storms and smoke and could only hope the year 2020 (it had such a good ring to it) would roll in a positive change… little did we know how much of a transformation it would bring!
So much has been said and written about this turbulent year that will be etched into our memories forever. There have been countless challenges for all of us, but if we take a moment to reflect, we will all find some positives too.
During the lockdown I was forced out of my comfort zone and had to start digging deep to find positive stories for the paper every week. That was when I discovered once again what a wonderful community we live in, and how easy it was to find great stories once you started looking beyond the obvious.
I also realised, in asking people to write about their experiences, it brought the paper so much closer to the community and fulfilled a new role in sharing experiences and letting everyone know we are in this together.
The absence of events and therefore ‘news’ opened my eyes to the stories that really matter in our community and collecting and writing about these have brought me immense pleasure and satisfaction. Not only did the rain bring us relief and give us so much hope, but the community spirit we shared this year motivated us to keep on enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
I would like to send a big virtual hug to everyone who contributed to keeping our paper going this year. Thank you to our readers, advertisers and everyone who contributed a story, news tip, photo, thumbs up or letter. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and serene 2021.
Maggi
Sophie McGrath and Sophie McQuie started their school holiday on a creative note attending the Painting with Acrylics art workshop on Tuesday.
Wendy Richards and Kate Smede thought the art workshop was great on Tuesday.
Karen Ritchie (left) presented the Painting with Acrylics workshop on Tuesday as part of the Arts Revival Festival that runs until tomorrow. She is with Robyn Morrissey and Roxanne Gallacher.
It’s time to lift our spirits, raise a glass to happiness.
For Christmas is upon us, when joys o’ertop our stress.
Time to embrace Santa, reindeer, snow and Christmas cards
(Though the greeny-greys and browns outside sometimes make it hard)
Time for harvesting, for gathering in
Be it grain, or the year’s ideals.
Though some deny it, many share the excitement that I feel.
Current happenings in our world we find a little fearsome
Package up your doubt and fears,
But don’t put them on the tree.
Place boxes holding Peace and Joy,
Or filled with Love to spare.
Then watch those first two slink away
They have no business there.
Welcome all our newcomers, it’s sometimes hard to do.
To reach out from our safe little world
When beset by changes new.
But new friends bring a richness
That may catch us unaware.
As we swap our knowledge, we may find It’s a privilege to share.
Be humble, but not servile. We should all feel satisfaction
When good comes from a word or deed
A comfort, a kind action.
It isn’t glory-seeking, it’s a case of “job well done”
The profit is the thanks you get – it comes back to everyone.
Nurture friends, and help them,
You will get the same from them.
Remember, times were also tough in the days of Bethlehem.
Enough lecturing – It’s Christmas time!
Leave behind all thought of stress.
What matters if it’s noisy? Christmas wrappings make a mess.
It’s time for joyous homecomings
Laughter, peace and simple fun.
My message to you all is… GOD BLESS YOU – EVERYONE!
By Heather Veal
It has been suggested that 2020 has been the most stressful year that most of us have ever experienced and so our government has invested much into providing anxiety care. I can imagine what my grandparents would say: “You should have seen what we went through: two world wars, the Spanish flu and the great depression!”
In spite of what has been a very difficult year, we have so much to be thankful for including the lifting of so many restrictions over the past few weeks. Our thoughts and prayers are for all who have experienced loss and grief including loss of loved ones, prolonged separation from family, downturn of business, loss of work and severe crop damage. May the special comfort we sing about at Christmas be especially yours.
The chosen family experienced all kinds of stress: a mandatory government census that required the heavily pregnant Mary to travel a long journey to her ancestral home, the struggle to find a place to stay and even a place to lay her new-born baby. Later they were forced to flee for their lives to a foreign country, as refugees.
But at every stage God provided for their needs. God brought many special visitors including humble shepherds and very wealthy Magi bringing expensive gifts. Most of all, they experienced God’s special peace.
This heavenly peace is promised to all who receive God’s Christmas gift given freely to everyone: His Son. We, all the local Church leaders, have been constantly praying for you and your families that you too will experience heavenly peace and provision especially over the holiday season. Please contact your local church leader regarding Christmas service times.
Heavenly peace, love and joy be multiplied to you and your family.
By Andrew Taggart
Parkes Ministers Association
The Christmas decorations will serve an extra special purpose this year to bring some cheer to a year that has been a struggle for all of us.
After this year of turbulence and drama, we need all the cheering up we can get. Driving around Parkes at night certainly makes things brighter as festive lights and decorations have started to appear all over town for the past few weeks.
In the absence of all the traditional Christmas events this time of year due to COVID cancellations, looking at the lights will probably become a focal point for many families for some cheer and excitement in the buildup to Christmas.
There are some beautifully decorated houses around our town with the owners putting in so much effort into every single detail. From giant Santas and little elves, to reindeer, candy canes and flashing lights. Many businesses in the CBD have also gone to great lengths to decorate their windows. Have you seen the Christmas tree in Cooke Park yet? It’s time to get the kids in the car and take a drive!
Here is a list of some of the streets around town with decorations: Moon Crescent, Molong Road, Paterson Street, Medlyn Street, Banjo Place, Fisher Street, East Street, May Street, Military Road, Billabong Crescent, Orange Street, Clarinda Street, Gap Street, Nash Street, Lower Bushman Street, Grenfell Street near skatepark, Evans Parade, Cookopie Street and Moulder Street.
Summer has set in and while everyone wants to soak up those summer rays, it is extremely important to stay SUN SAFE.
Increasing temperatures lead to an increase in dehydration, particularly in the elderly and young children. Your body needs both water and electrolytes to help you through the day. Water helps you digest food and maintain a normal body temperature, while electrolytes help keep your muscles functioning.
In the heat, or if you are unwell, the balance of water and electrolytes may become disturbed leading to dehydration. Look out for the following signs and symptoms: a dry or sticky mouth; increased thirst; fatigue; headache; decreased urine output and dark yellow urine.
In young children, it can be quite hard to see the signs of dehydration. Look out for dark yellow urine, fewer wet nappies or dry lips.
If you are getting older or care for an elderly person, it’s important to recognise the above signs as elderly persons are at a higher risk of dehydration. A vital sign of dehydration in the elderly is reduced sweating.
How to stay hydrated:
• Keep a water bottle nearby to make a habit of drinking water regularly – at least 8-10 glasses per day.
• At the first signs of dehydration, increase your fluid intake by drinking a large glass of water or sipping on replacement solutions such as Hydralyte (might be better tolerated if frozen).
• Avoid sugary drinks.
• Introduce more ‘wet’ foods into your diet, such as jelly or soup.
Come and see our pharmacists or staff about what else you can do to stay hydrated and safe this summer!