December 2010

The Winner of the Sound of Music Soundtrack Is….

The winner of the Sound of Music Soundtrack is Colleen! Thank you to Sony Music Entertainment for providing the giveaway, and also to everyone who participated. Happy New Year!

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The Sound of Music Soundtrack Giveaway

The Sound of Music Tune In Alert: On Sunday December 26th, 7:00 p.m ET – THE SOUND OF MUSIC airs in HDTV as the “ABC Sunday Movie of the week.” Then, on Monday December 27th, check local listings – THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW re-broadcasts THE SOUND OF MUSIC reunion episode. AND, I happen to have [...]

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A Ghost Story of Christmas

by Cie McCullough Buschle

During the Victorian Age, many Christmas traditions that we take for granted were introduced in England and others were revived. In the mid 18th Century, Prince Albert helped bring the German tradition of Christmas trees to the Royal Palace and the first ever Christmas cards were being sold in London. Even caroling, previously called wassailing, [...]

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"Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"

by Cie McCullough Buschle

In 1897, eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of The Sun, an old New York City newspaper. Oddly enough, it was not written in December, or November, or even early January. It was written on September 21st, well before the Christmas season. The response is now part of the folklore of Christmas [...]

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The Secret Life of Christmas Elves

by Cie McCullough Buschle

Santa’s elves are known to be tiny, dwarf-like creatures, either male or female, with pointed ears. They are immortal and have magical powers that can control what you see and hear. Christmas elves can become invisible any time they wish and are very hard to see. They were once thought to be youthful but are [...]

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Got a Toy to Spare? Adopt-a-Family Program in the Capital Region Needs Your Help

by Sandra Foyt

On Friday, a message went out from Robert C. Parker School that there was an urgent need for a last minute toy drive. Unity House, a social services provider in Troy that shelters victims of domestic violence, the homeless, people who suffer from mental illness and/or HIV/AIDS has been overwhelmed this year, and will not [...]

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Why Do We Wrap Gifts?

by Cie McCullough Buschle

The idea of wrapping presents has been around since the time that paper was invented, during the 2nd Century BCE when the Chinese used it both for wrapping and padding. The Chinese were very secretive about the process of making paper, and considered it sacred. Sharing the methods of making paper might result in severe [...]

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SkateFest: A Holiday School Break Week Program

by Sandra Foyt

Looking for something to do with the kids during the holiday school break week? This FREE SkateFest program in Albany offers lessons, demonstrations, and lots more indoor fun. The Albany Figure Skating Club is pleased to host a special event as part of U.S. Figure Skating’s National Skating Month. SkateFest will be held at the [...]

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And the winners are…

by Sandra Foyt

We have two winners of the Dog Toy Giveaway: Giveaway #1: Steve will receive a dog toy shipped directly from Hartz. Giveaway #2: Margo will receive a Loofa Dog toy at her next visit to Hair of the Dog. Thank you to Hartz and to Hair of the Dog for providing the giveaways. And thank [...]

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A Giveaway For The Dogs In Your Life

by Sandra Foyt

We are digging into another giveaway, but this time it’s just for the dogs. Like the rest of us, our pets like to wake up to a full stocking on Christmas morning. Naughty or nice, Santa Claus is kind to Yoohoo, our Chocolate Lab. On Christmas morning, he usually finds a stocking filled with toys, [...]