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arts editorial Note From the Editorial Staff 1 his holiday issue is the result of a combined effort by Capilano College Extension Program students taking the Magazine Production course, and myself. Their stories liven up the editorial and their editing and perspectives make this issue one of the best to date. The following group editorial is a result of a class where we reflected on how the arts and traditions are an integral part of our holiday memories. -- G l o r i a Loree Looking at this photograph of one of Cates tugboats reminds me so much of the Christmases I've spent on the Sunshine Coast. I'm from a tiny fishing community named Pender Harbour, located about 70 km from North Vancouver. Every Christmas fishers from the village decorate their fishing boats with Christmas trees and bright lights. On a pre-arranged night (usually about three days before Christmas), large groups get together on their boats and sail around the harbour, singing Christmas carols along the way. We call this event Carol Ship Night, and it is a truly exhilarating sight to see a floating parade of lights and hear music winding its way along the coastline. Local residents gather on their balconies to cheer the fleet on. Many inhabitants choose to add their own colour to the event by setting up brightly lit Christmas trees on their wharves and by decorating their net sheds. -- Dianne Mackay Christmas has always involved some kind of craft for me. M y mother was the first to introduce me to the art of making your own Christmas tree decorations. We still have my first attempt from 1965 when I was two: a styrofoam ball with cotton balls glued onto it to make a snowball. Every year our homemade decorations were displayed, except for the year we had an edible tree with homemade gingerbread men--culinary art at its finest! Gifts of pottery, needlepoint and knitting projects are the most treasured items I have both given and received. -- L o r i Vanderspek Coming from a country where festivals are celebrated with passion, innovative ways of celebrating the traditional holidays of India have merged with the traditions of this country. In my home you can glimpse a shining tree skin made out of a silk sari underneath the tree adorned with Indian figurines made by my mother. The outdoor lantern lights go up in November in time for the Indian Festival of Light, Diwali, and stay on long enough to see us through the warmth of Christmas holidays. Who says East and West can't meet? -- N i n a Schmieder I love looking at the glow of Christmas tree lights--it evokes memories of Christmas Eve services I sang and participated in as a child. One year I was an angel, another I was one of the wise men. I remember dimmed stage lights on music stands illuminating the notes of my violin part while all around me the orchestra and choir made holiday music. Later, there were my own young music students standing in front of their parents, performing for the first time at the Christmas recitals. There is mist in my eyes as I turn out the Christmas lights and I know the holidays have arrived. -- L a u r i e Townsend It wasn't until my first year at college that I understood the true meaning of Christmas. I learned there is more to Christmas than pulling out your wallet and buying expensive presents. It's about being resourceful, using the skills and tools at hand and creating gifts and decorations, even baking. It is being around people you enjoy and having everyone join in on the carols even if some people can't carry a tune. It's about huddling around the pub T V watching Charlie Brown and cheering the Grinch on. And what about those pot-luck dinners where there are six pots of macaroni and cheese and one can of diced pineapples? ("Okay, who went the extra mile?") That was exactly ten years ago and the phrase "It's the thought that counts" has since had true meaning for me. -- Jeff Taylor A unique custom has evolved within the tugboat fleet towboats in the harbour have traditionally celebrated the "Christmas tieup" by attaching evergreen trees to the foremast of the vessel. This picture of the Charles H. Cates IX with Charles W. Cates (mayor of the City of North Vancouver 1954-1957) ing out of the lean- whee/house window dates from the 1950s. Photo: Francis Mainsbridge, courtesy of the North Vancouver Museum Archives and Win F r e e Tickets to Handel's 1 M e s s i a h Just answer two questions: 1. Where did you get your copy of Arts Alive" . 2. Where w i l l the Vancouver Chamber Choir perform Handel's Messiah? (hint: see their full-page ad in this issue). Fax (984-3563), e-mail (aalive@wimsey.com) or mail (148 East 2nd St., North Vancouver, B C V 7 L 1C3) your responses with your name, address, telephone number by Friday. November 29. Y o u ' l l be entered in a draw to win one of three pairs of tickets to the Vancouver Chamber Choir's performance of Messiah this December. Our Lucky Winners From Last Month These people were the lucky winners of cwo tickets to the FANS Award Night, courtesy of Arts Alive: Carol McQuarric, Pauline Atkinson and Pedram Shakibafar, all of North Vancouver. Congratulations!