Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
December 3, 2010 – Legendary horseman Eugene “Gene” Mische, the founder of Stadium Jumping, Inc., passed away on Friday evening, following a long, hard fought battle with cancer.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 26, 1931, Mische, more than any horseman in history, changed the face of horse sports in the United States.
He was 79 years old.
Mische recently celebrated over 60 years in the equestrian industry and over the course of his stellar career managed the most prestigious shows in America including the Budweiser American Invitational, American Grand Prix Association National Jumper Championship, New Albany Classic, Lake Placid and I Love New York Shows, Charlotte Jumper Classic, the American Gold Cup, USEF National Jumper Championships, and the National Horse Show. Other Stadium Jumping Inc. productions included the Olympic Games Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in 2000 and 2004, and the World Equestrian Games Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in 2002 and 2006.
Mische’s crowning achievement was the creation of the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world, the Winter Equestrian Festival, still going strong in Wellington, Florida.
Mische was instrumental in bringing international caliber sport to this nation. In 1980, Mische was part of the five-member Organizing Committee that brought the first World Cup to the U.S. In 1989, Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc. produced the second Volvo World Cup ever held in the U.S., this time hosting it in Tampa. In 2002, Mische produced the first-ever outdoor Nations’ Cup, hosting it at the Internationale Arena in Wellington, Florida.
Mische was the founding president of the Wellington Equestrian Alliance and was deeply involved in a host of equestrian related issues that ranged from the creation of the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Area in the Village’s Comprehensive Plan, to ensuring that the Village’s codes and regulations help protect and enhance the equestrian community.
Mische was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2000 and was also awarded the Jimmy Williams Lifetime Achievement from the United States Equestrian Federation, an award he was most proud of, “because it was voted on by my peers,” he said.
“I hope when they judge me, they look at the overall contributions I’ve made and Stadium Jumping has made to the sport and to the industry,” Mische said in a conversation with PhelpsSports.com last year. “I think there are so many contributions that we’ve made to the sport over the years. I’d be happy to be remembered for any one of them. I feel that I’ve been blessed to be a part of this great sport and was able to do what I did.”
Phelps Media Group, Inc. (PMG), based in Wellington, Florida, is a public relations firm primarily focused on promoting events and people in the equestrian world.
Massage Envy . . . Professional Massages, Murad Facials and an Annual Subscription to Happiness
By Krista Martinelli
When you walk into Massage Envy, you immediately notice the relaxing atmosphere and the many choices you that you have when it comes to finding the perfect massage for your needs. You sit down and start with a glass of cool cucumber water or lemon water. Browse through the book of “Who’s Who” among their staff. Massage Envy proudly employs approximately 55 employees.You can flip through their book and get to know their various professional massage therapists, their hometowns, their hobbies and their areas of specialization. “It’s all about finding the right therapist to meet your needs,” says Josephine Kern, who is co-owner of the Royal Palm Beach Massage Envy along with her husband Bob. Their four sons, Kevin, David, Jerome and Mike, all play a role in managing the business as well.
Bob and Josie Kern, co-owners of Massage Envy in Royal Palm Beach
The Kern family is happy to be putting smiles on people’s faces, erasing the stress.They have seen someone develop, for example, from walking with a cane to being able to walk cane-free after just a few months of massage, stretching and targeting problem areas. They’re also happy to be able to employ so many people, during this time of economic strain.
It’s a busy spa with over 2,500 members just for their location in the Costco plaza on Southern Boulevard. With a $20 per month subscription, members enjoy a $39 relaxing, one-hour massage each month or a facial, along with other perks and opportunities to upgrade. Their customers enjoy the affordability and the flexibility they find at Massage Envy. They are open seven days a week, late hours and accept walk-in appointments. Members of Massage Envy can also receive their massage at any of the over 600 Massage Envy locations that now exist.
When it comes to choosing your massage, you can opt for reflexology, sports, maternity, trigger point, muscle therapy or upgrade to an aromatherapy or hot stone massage. Within the aromatherapy, there are four aromas to choose from: relaxing (mainly lavender and chamomile), refreshing (lemon, geranium, rosewood, may chang and cedar wood oil), lavender garden (patchouli, grapefruit, sweet orange and two lavender oils) or mint & rosemary. Anyone suffering from chronic pain or limited mobility might appreciate the ProHeat Deep Muscle Therapy massage. This massage offers warm towel compression, therapeutic heating oil, target areas of the body and finishes with a cooling gel to release tension.
On a Friday afternoon, I visited Massage Envy for a massage with Claudine. Running on very little sleep, I warned her that I might fall asleep during the massage, which is a nice combination of truly relaxing, plus a little embarrassing. She just assured me it happens to a lot of people and that I should take advantage of the time to relax. She was prompt, polite, made sure that I was getting the right amount of pressure and provided for a truly relaxing experience. So relaxing that I did, indeed, fall asleep toward the end of it. By the way, according to Josie Kern, one hour massage can be equivalent to as much as five hours of sleep. I needed that!
Another relaxing option at Massage Envy is the Murad facial.
The famous Murad facial products
Choose from four Murad healthy skin facials – Anti-Aging Facial, Sensitive Skin Facial, Clarifying Enzyme Acne Facial and the Environmental Shield Vitamin C Infusion Facial. The world-renowned skin care expert Dr. Howard Murad shared his line of products with Massage Envy, so that clients can restore their skin affordably and conveniently. These one-hour facials offer the following benefits: moisturizing skin, increasing the body’s circulation, reversing visible signs of aging, improving skin tone, alleviating redness and sensitivity, reducing wrinkles, reducing blemishes and breakouts. Massage Envy Spa clients enjoy having the new option of a facial, another great item added to the Massage Envy menu of services.
Originally, the Kerns were impressed with the franchise of Massage Envy, seeing that their locations were very busy and yielded such good results for their customers. Jerome and Michael Kern decided to buy the Massage Envy rights from Miami up to Port St. Lucie, along with buying a location in Davie. Then parents Bob and Josie decided to buy a second location in Royal Palm Beach. Meanwhile, Jerome is launching a new fitness business, in the same plaza as the Royal Palm Beach Massage Envy, called Orange Theory Fitness. Orange Theory, based on scientific research, is a program that pushes you to burn fat for 24 to 38 hours after you complete your workout. It’s a high energy class that is designed to get you into the best shape in your life, coming in the next couple of months.
The Kerns also own European Wax Center, a hair removal spa, also located in the same plaza as Massage Envy. One of the finest body wax systems in the world, European Wax is a convenient, affordable way to remove hair. An advantage to customers is that they can receive discounts on both Massage Envy and European Wax Center at the same time. Just stop in Massage Envy for more information.
Speaking of special offers, Massage Envy is now offering beautiful gift baskets during the holiday season. Buy 4 gift cards and receive a FREE gift basket or one free massage. The gift basket comes with these holiday specials too . . .
·$105 includes a 2-hour massage, gratuity
·$120 includes a 1-hour massage, facial and gratuity
·$175 gift card purchase
·$177 3-month membership, includes three 1-hour massages
·$150 purchase of Murad products
Call Massage Envy at (561) 422-8889 or stop by for further details on the holiday gift certificates and gift baskets.
Josie Kern shows off the Holiday Gift Basket specials
What makes the Royal Palm Beach Massage Envy the busiest location in South Florida? It just might be the personalized attention that their customers get. Thanks to the involvement of Bob, Josie and Kevin Kern, “we always have an owner on the premises and we’re always happy to talk to them,” says Kevin. In general, people are beginning to see the therapeutic benefits of massage. They love it as a path to wellness, instead of having to take so many pills, according to Kevin Kern. At Massage Envy, the therapists want all ages to feel comfortable, from young people up to senior clients. “It’s all about listening to their needs,” says Josie.
With 45 therapists and being open 7 days a week, scheduling is “a little like a chess game,” says Kevin Kern, who seems to enjoy the challenge. Kevin is also the head golf pro at the Palm Beach Gardens Golf Course. Michael and Jerome Kern tend to travel a lot as regional representatives for Massage Envy. Meanwhile, David Kern visits from Buffalo a couple of times each month. The Kern family works well together in their multiple businesses, all bringing different skills to the table.
The Massage Envy staff stays busy and is also required to stay up-to-date in their education as well. Massage Envy offers education courses, so that all employees are skilled in the latest techniques and the different modalities.
The clients of Massage Envy tend to walk out feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and relieved. “We take care of people the best we can,” says Josie, summing up the most satisfying aspect of the business. “And they keep coming back.”
Massage Envy Spa on Southern Blvd. in the Costco Plaza
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Question: How many Alan Williamsons does it take to hang holiday lights on a house? Answer: Two. The cheerful, whistle-while-you-work AW that puts them up and the aggravated, despondent AW that takes them down and starts all over because of a bonehead mistake of colossal idiocy.
For Fort Lauderdale writer Alan Williamson, the fine line between Christmas spirit dizzy and impending disaster dizzy finds its flash point atop a low-budget ladder in “Let There Be Lights,” a high-wire act of a holiday story appearing in two new Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas collections.
In Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tales of Christmas, Williamson recalls his apprehension about the prospect of hanging lights from his roof to try and create maximum dazzle for his home with minimum damage to his physical well being.
“Along with having a shaky sense of balance, I was completely intimidated by the challenge of attaching lights to the roof in a way that would keep them hanging after I let go,” Williamson admitted. “Which, when you think about it, is really the most important part of light hanging.”
From a desperate research mission through neighborhood streets to a daring but ill-fated attempt at igniting a homespun festival of lights with limited electrical aptitude, the story finds a common bond with all who have had their own less-than-masterful experiences trying to create some Christmas magic.
After an award-winning run as an advertising copywriter, Williamson launched a second career in 2009 as a nationally-published humor writer. His recent work includes a piece that appeared in the March 2010 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, an article in the Summer 2010 issue of Hearing Health Magazine, a travelogue scheduled to appear in the March 2011 issue of Houseboat Magazine, and a story now appearing in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters anthology. His humor column, “As I Was Saying,” has appeared monthly in Lighthouse Point Magazine (www.LHPmag.com) since 2003 and on www.aroundwellington.com since 2006.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas is available exclusively at Wal-Mart and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tales of Christmas is available exclusively at Barnes and Noble. Mr. Williamson can be reached at alwilly@bellsouth.net or www.unauthorizedinsights.blogspot.com.
Editor’s Note: Check out Alan Williamson’s “As I Was Saying” each month here at AroundWellington.com.
4:00 WELCOME- Roxanne Stein WPTV News Channel 5, International Polo Club, Wellington Chamber and City of Wellington
4:05 Star Spangled Banner
4:10 Shay Marie
4:20 Rocky Dance Arts Conservatory Performers
4:25 Taylor Renee
4:30 ELVIS- Al Maeyens
4:40 Saxophone Player Luis Bonilla
4:50 Meghan Ritmiller
4:55 Lexi Luca
5:00 ELVIS Al Maeyens
5:10 Ultima Fitness – XtremeTae Kwon Do
5:20 Ultima Fitness- ULTIMA GROUP FITNESS
5:25 Lexi Luca and Taylor Renee
5:30 Meghan Ritmiller
5:40 Donna Tucci School of Dance Performance
5:45 Shay Marie
5:50 Kristen Cook- Cook Professional Dance Academy
VANILLA ICE Performance
6:00 KICK OFF TO VIP PARTY ANNOUNCED BY Dr. Randy Laurich of the Wellness Experience of Wellington and Marge Sullivan and John Lacy-Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc.
6:05 Lexi Luca
6:10 Kristen Cook- Cook Professional Dance Academy
6:20 Shay Marie
6:25 Taylor Renee
6:30 Reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas with Mayor Bowen
6:45 Meghan Ritmiller
6:50 Donna Tucci School of Dance Dancers
VANILLA ICE Performance
7:00 Meghan Ritmiller
7:05 Saxophone Player Luis Bonilla
7:10 Shay Marie
7:15 IPC AND ESP DVDS
7:20 Lexi Luca
7:25 ELVIS- Al Maeyens
7:30 Salute to the Troops- Ret.Ltc.Col Allen West (District 22 Congressman Elect)
7:45 Taylor Renee
7:50 Announcements
8:00 MAYOR BOWEN AND SPONSORS TO LIGHT TREE
VANILLA ICE ICE ICE BABY SONG
Event Ends
VIP PARTY FOR Wellington Chamber, Vendors, Lake Wellington Professional Centre, UNTIL 9:00pm ELVIS STAYS AT VIP PARTY!
561-790-6200 Contact: Mary Lou Bedford, Marketing Manager
561 791-2069 Fax
Marylou@palmswest.com
27th Annual Holiday Parade “Home for the Holidays” Honors Troops
THE PALMS WEST CHAMBER invites you to celebrate with your family and friends at the 27th Annual “Home for the Holidays” Parade and Celebration Sunday, December 12th beginning at 1pm.This year’s Parade theme, “Home for the Holidays” ties in perfectly with this year’s focus on our soldiers, many of who will be home for the holidays for the first time since their deployment. Our Grand Marshalls this year will be a representative from each branch of our Armed Forces. One of the Marshalls representing the Army is Wellington’s own, 1st Sergeant Bobby Parlor, who just returned home from Iraq. This year’s parade will also feature a steel column from the World Trade Center which will be the centerpiece of the new park being built in Wellington, later this year, called the Patriot Memorial.The artifact is expected to arrive from Ground Zero just days before the parade. We are thrilled that it will be part of this special community holiday celebration.
The Holiday Parade is a favorite community tradition that will once again usher in the holidays for thousands of parade lovers who are drawn each year to view the creative floats, local high school marching bands, twirlers and dance troupes, magnificent horses, colorful clowns and costume characters, as well as the many celebrity guests. Besides ushering in the holiday season in the Western Communities, the Parade, also, raises thousands of dollars for scholarships awarded to deserving high school students.The route of the parade begins at Wellington Trace and cuts through the center of town, going down Forest Hill Boulevard, and ends at the new Wellington Town Center and Amphitheatre.And, much to the delight of the thousands of children lining the parade route, Santa Claus will undoubtedly makes his annual appearance before the day in done!
The 27th AnnualHoliday Parade wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable co-operation of the Village of Wellington, the PBSO and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and through the generosity of presenting sponsor Schumacher Family of Dealerships. Community partners include: South Florida Fair, Republic Services of Palm Beach, Southern Palm Crossing, The Village Shoppes at 441, Fidelity Investments, City of Greenacres, TKM Farms, Callery-Judge Grove, DiSalvo Trattoria, I’m Greek Today, Wellington Golf Cars, The Mall at Wellington Green,Wellington Regional Medical Center, J.J. Muggs, Two Men and a Truck, Whole Foods, Boynton Financial Group, Grapeseeker Advertising & Design, Christine Rose Photography, and Hill Audio Visual. Media Partners includeThe Palm Beach Post, Town-Crier, Wellington the Magazine, The Forum Group, Wellington Neighborhood News and Around Wellington. For more information and sponsorship opportunities call Mary Lou Bedford at 561-790-6200 for parade applications, please visit www.palmswest.com
We’ve attacked the holidays in many ways this month, thanks to our
excellent monthly columnists. Check out the following articles in order to make the most of your holiday season and also to avoid the worst aspects that might come along with it.
Check out “Teen Talk” for a little holiday reflection and reality from a teen who seems wise beyond her years, Stephanie Courtois.
Don’t let stress get the best of you during these hectic times. In “Health & Fitness,”writer Ruth Mansmith tells you how to deal with “Stress Gone Wild” during the holidays.
Every year I look forward to Wendell Abern’s “Scroogie Awards” in his “Cantankerously Yours.” It’s a great window into the worst of customer service, annoying personalities and other annoyances. Crab on, Wendell!
In this month’s “Lighten Up with Lisa,” Lightworker Lisa gives us an enlightening summary of the past year of her columns, set to the music of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”OK, a few of these are tongue twisters, but it’s all part of the fun.
New this month! I’m happy to welcome a new monthly columnist, who is equipped to answer your real-life relationship questions, Dr. Laura Zipris. In “Ask Dr. Z” this month, she addresses a lonely wife who seems to be losing her workaholic husband and then answers a mother of an 8-year-old who has been acting out since a separation. Dr. Laura Zipris holds a doctorate in Psychology and is licensed to practice psychotherapy in Florida and New York. Laura is certified in Imago Relationship Therapy, a transformational approach that has been used successfully with couples around the world to help them to strengthen their partnerships. Questions for this column should be sent to Dr. “Z” at Drlaurazip@gmail.com or call her at (561) 558-7815.
So I’m always envious of our travel writer Terri Farris, who just changed back to her maiden name Terri Marshall. In addition to happily traveling the world, she also holds the title of “National Chocolate Examiner” for www.examiner.comand also does the job of checking out bars forwww.barzz.net. So this month, taking a break from the travel, chocolate and bar scenes, she reflects on life’s little detours. Check out “Life’s a Trip” in “Travel with Terri.”And- this just in – meet her third grandchild, who was just born before posting this article.
In “Mommy Moments,”I take a turn at reflecting on holiday traditions. I give a listing of a few local holiday attractions and traditions that our family has enjoyed in past years. I’d love to hear from you, if you’d like to share some of your local places to visit during the holidays too. Just email me at: editor@aroundwellington.com
Need a few good cookie recipes for the holidays?Visit “AW Stories of the Month” for Amish Ginger Cookies, Seven Layer Magic Bars and Snickerdoodles. Yum!
Have you noticed a constant flow of really relaxed looking people coming out of a storefront in the Costco Plaza in Royal Palm Beach?You guessed it – it’s Massage Envy. They did approximately 2500 massages last month, they’re open seven days a week and they offer affordable, professional massages. See our “AW Spotlight” story to see how a Massage Envy membership works – and to learn more about their massages and facials. Call Massage Envy today to schedule an introductory massage (just $39). Also they’re offering special holiday gift baskets along with your gift certificate purchases right now. Call for details (561) 422-8889.
Our really great contests continue! Between Dec. 1st – 10th, please visit our “Contest” page for contest guidelines. In brief, just find the hidden “AW Contest” inside one of the ads on the right side of our website! The winner will be posted on AroundWellington.com on Dec. 11th. The winner will get a one-hour massage at Massage Envy in Royal Palm Beach in the Costco Shopping Center!
Thanks to our contributors for a terrific December issue. There are several articles that I didn’t even mention above, so please explore and enjoy!See below for the latest stories, photos and videos!
I hope that you have a Happy Hannukah, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m very grateful for our writers, photographers, advertisers and our readers, who make this happen. Thanks again to Damon Webb, our intern, who did a wonderful job posting the majority of the articles this month!
I hope that you and your families thoroughly enjoy some of the best foods, traditions and blessings of this time of year.
This is your one-stop source for your favorite restaurants around town where your kids can eat free! All restaurants listed offer one free child meal (10 and under – some are 12 and under) per adult entrée purchased unless specified (drink offers vary). Since most places change their kids eat free promotions from time to time, please call ahead to make sure the offer is still good.
If you have a favorite restaurant that offers a freebie meal not listed, please feel free to share!
Editor’s Note: Please also check out the new schedule of upcoming events at the Wellington Amphitheatre – all FREE events and fun for the whole family! See the bottom of this page.
Sandbar & Grill corner of RPB Blvd. and Okeechobee Blvd. 795-8500
.99 every day after 4 p.m. No drink included
Shawn Thompson has two children, Aaron age 8 and Audrey age 4. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools, attending their activities and taking evening walks with her family and their dog BB. Shawn also helps her husband Tony with his business Relylocal.com. Please e-mail her any free deals you find and would like to have included to chefshawnt@comcast.net.
The holiday shopping season is here, and the search for mind-blowing gifts at budget-babying prices can take you to places you normally wouldn’t go near. For me, something about flea markets triggers strong, negative feelings.
To really enjoy the flea market scene, you have to have an abiding faith in the existence of a great and glorious bargain. What’s more, you have to believe that such a bargain will reveal itself only to those who renounce the comfort and order of civilization and wander nomadically through a vast wilderness of castaway merchandise. Call me a cynic, but I’m not buying it. And while I’m at it, I’m also not buying the following.
The $5 Power Tool Accessory Kit with 49 screwdriver and drill bits made from recycled paper clips.
The $12 Three-CD Boxed Set of The Skyliners Greatest Hits, a late 50s group who had one big hit, Since I Don’t Have You, which leaves 2.9 CD’s of filler.
The $20 luggage that looks like Samsonite, feels like Styrofoam, and wheels like a portable hot dog steamer.
The $25 running shoes with the brand name logo on the outside and the paper-towel cushioning and dead raccoon aroma on the inside.
The $10 Lucky Bamboo Plant whose mystical powers seem unable to bring you the minimal good luck necessary to get a decent cup of coffee at the flea market or prevent the pinhead in the Expedition from expe-dinging your car door in the parking lot.
If, like me, you equate a trip to a flea market with walking through the gates of hell, let me offer you some field-tested advice for surviving the torture.
Once you’re there, the best thing to do is to think of something unique to pick up that you can keep as a symbol of your triumph over adversity. Maybe it’s that Greek Fisherman’s Cap you tried on, the one with the sound chip in the brim that makes seagull noises when you shake your head. Or maybe it’s the plastic ice cubes that light up when you clink them, turning the simple consumption of an iced beverage into an electrifying collision of liquid, light, and color.
If, as is more than likely the case, you’re at a flea market with someone who’s dragged you there against your will, do not make the fatal mistake of offering to split up and meet at a designated time and place. For the person who wants to be there (my wife, for example), the time will fly by unnoticed and the predetermined hour of reunion will come and go unconsummated. For the person who doesn’t want to be there (me, for example), time will move with a velocity similar to linguine being rolled uphill.
I think the thing that bothers me the most about flea markets is the knowledge that the best buys go to those who know how to wheel and deal. My brother-in-law Dennis, for instance, is a natural born bargainer and it bugs me to no end that I’m not.
A Dennis deal that has become legend happened one New Year’s Eve. I was at a mega flea market in Michigan looking at gas log fireplace sets with Dennis, my wife, and their parents.When my in-laws zeroed in on a set they liked, it was time for Dennis to spring into action.
“We’re interested in this Crackling Rosie vented log set,” Dennis alerted the sales guy.
“Good choice,” he commended. “That’s a 60,000 btu manual control system with outstanding flame realism. It’s normally $550 but it’s on sale this week for $495.”
Dennis said nothing, letting the sales pitch hang in the air like a piñata without a prayer. Sherry and I glanced anxiously at each other, sensing the artistry to come.
“Would you knock $50 off it?” Dennis inquired with his patented deadpan delivery.
“Can’t do it on that model,” the sales guy protested. “We’ve already cut the price to the bone.”
Again, Dennis took his time, saying nothing. I softly nudged Sherry, knowing we were about to learn something.
“What time do you close?” Dennis asked.
“Seven,” the guy said, as we all looked at the clock on the wall. It was ten minutes to seven, New Year’s Eve.
“Well, it will probably be your last sale of the year,” Dennis pointed out. “Take $50 off and we’re done.”
“Let me talk to my manager,” the guy muttered. We all stood there awaiting the verdict, wearing our matching poker faces. But there was no suspense. The bargain hit man had struck again.
Where my brother-in-law Dennis can sense a deal for the taking and smoothly maneuver things to his advantage, I’m the guy who walks in, opens his wallet, and says “how much do I owe you?” The answer is almost always: “A lot more than Dennis. And don’t even think of asking us to throw in a lucky bamboo plant.”
A five year old girl is opening her presents. The joy on her face is like that of a shooting star, which is a very rare sight to see. The warmth of the fireplace plus her parents looking intently with an awe-filled gaze at their exuberant daughter makes for a perfect holiday morning. That little girl was me.
Ever since I could remember, December was a month that I looked forward to. The music, the lights, and the whole family coming closer together. Even after moving houses six times throughout my life, a time that I always truly felt at home was during the holidays. It doesn’t matter whether one celebrates Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanzaa. It all boils down to the same concepts, love and faithfulness.
When children are young, they make out their wish lists for their gifts to come. The excitement could be seen bursting out of them from a mile away. Sitting on Santa’s lap is a major part of Christmas and believing the magical myth is what makes this day so merry. The same goes for Chanukah and Kwanzaa, only there is no Santa to visit, but the gifts and bliss are still present.
Aside from the joys of the well-known holidays, many Americans are unaware of what Kwanzaa truly is. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States honoring African heritage and culture; it’s marked by participants lighting a kinara (candle holder) and giving gifts. It is observed from December 26 to January 1.
No matter what the origins, children grow up, become independent and uncover the mystical myth. Parents can do nothing to cease this process for the coming of age. Although, what they may not be aware of, is that deep down teens love the holidays and are quite spirited about them. Of all the adolescents in the world, there are many who have families separated throughout the state, nation and around the globe. December is one of the rare months to see their loved ones.
While teenagers do not receive as many presents compared to previous years, we still acquire a little something that puts an ease to the wallet. For a good length of time, teens don’t have to worry about the money situation. At a certain age, relatives are unsure what teenagers would like, therefore, the gift consists of cash and gift cards for the most part.
On top of it all, winter break is in action. Teens are laid back and ready to spend . December is the month that companies and local businesses look forward to all year. They are prepared for the winter season; they are stocked up, have extra help and are ready to make a profit. It’s a win-win for everyone.
The stages of development happen, and there is nothing that anyone can do to stop it or slow their path. It’s a time to celebrate with loved ones and make memories that will be cherished forever. December is a month to look forward to and it’s a special time of year for each and every one of us.
Stephanie Courtois is a junior at Wellington High School. She is involved in tae kwon do, French, National and Chemistry Honor Societies, and is the news editor for the school newspaper. She loves journalism and aspires to work for a magazine someday.