Timeless: A Tribute to Betty White

Timeless: A Tribute to Betty White

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman. 

On the very last day of 2021, the world lost one of its icons, a treasure kept for many decades. Betty White tragically passed away in December 31rst 2021. To make it even more tragic, she died mere weeks from celebrating her 100th birthday. 

Betty White was part of Television history as it happened. Her career began first in radio in 1939. She was also the first women to produce and star in a sitcom life with Elizabeth which ran from 1953 until 1955. It was cancelled after a short, partly because of biases that existed at the time, and the fact that Betty was ahead of her time and an ally to all. She had hired an African American tap dancer to guest star on the show. When there were demands for the show to be cancelled, Betty responded by giving the man more time in front of the camera and told everyone “Deal with it.” After the unfortunate cancellation of her first sitcom, her career did not slow down at all. 

She continued to star in various comedy shows and game shows. She found her first huge role as Sue Ann Nivens on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. A role she held from 1973 until 1977. Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls from 1985 until 1992. She became the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live at the age of 88. Elka Ostrovky on Hot in Cleveland from 2010, until 2015.

Betty White has been part of television for eight decades. She has earned a Guinness World Record for "Longest TV career by an entertainer (female)" in 2014 and in 2018 for her lengthy work in television. She has received eight Emmy Awards in various categories, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was a 1995 Television Hall of Fame inductee, and was an honorary mayor of Hollywood in 1955 as well. 

Betty was a huge supporter of animal welfare, who had always wanted to be a park ranger but do to gender inequality in her younger years, it was not allowed. She also opposed racial injustice, exemplified by her decision to hire Arthur Duncan for her show in her early career on television. A decision that many agreed with, simply because Arthur Duncan is black. Betty White always believed in equal opportunity. Sixty-three years after that decision, he reunited with Betty and thanked her. Betty also supports LGBT+ rights and advocates for education on HIV/AIDS. 

Whilst she had been married three times, her third marriage was on of true love. In 1963, Betty married Allen Ludden, host of Password. They never had children of their own, but Allen had three children from a previous marriage, where he was widowed. Allen Ludden died in 1981 from stomach cancer. She never remarried after that. White never remarried. When asked the reason for this in an interview with Larry King, Betty responded by saying "Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?". When asked by James Lipton on Inside The Actor's Studio that should Heaven exist, what would she like God to say to her when she walked through the Pearly gates, White replied "Come on in Betty. Here's Allen.

Betty White had spent the last two years in near isolation. It is said that she died of natural causes and went while she slept. Her long time agent reported that the last word she spoke before her eternal sleep was ‘Allen.’ 

Betty White has always been a hero of mine and I will miss her deeply. Thank you, Betty. Thank you for being a friend. 

Eco-Friendly Tips for the Holidays

Eco-Friendly Tips for the Holidays

By: Maria Garcia Manzano, AEIC of the Quill

Photo Credits: Google Images

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year. It is a time of celebrating and spending time with your loved ones. Last holiday season we were not able to gather and celebrate with our loved ones due to the ongoing pandemic. This year will hopefully be different since most Manitobans have been vaccinated. Therefore, we all deserve an amazing Holiday season this year. Unfortunately, Holiday season can also be a time of waste. The good news is that recycling at Holiday season is easy. You can do many things to reduce your impact and still get a lot of joy out of the holidays. Below are some of my tips and tricks for reducing your impact.


Gift Buying

Giving gifts to people you care about is a fun tradition. Unfortunately, the truth is many of us already have everything we need, and if we don’t, we generally go out and buy it. So, when it comes to the Holiday season, the options can be limited. Some families have decided that it is no longer necessary to buy gifts or only buy them for children. This is a great step to take. However, if you can’t bring yourself to give up gifts entirely, here are some great options to reduce waste this Holiday season.


  1. Give Kris Kringle or Secret Santa a go at home. This is where everyone selects a name from a hat and buys a gift for that one person rather than buying a gift for everyone. It means you can focus your efforts and your funds on one person, they get a better-quality gift. Which reduces the chance of them getting a gift they didn’t want.


  1. Why not ask your family what they really want or need? It might just save the item from being discarded after the Holiday season.


  1. Look for gifts that have a low or positive impact. Eco-Friendly gifts like metal straws or plastic-free alternatives can make great presents.


  1. Choose an experience for a gift. Maybe you could even share the experience with them and make a lasting memory.


  1. Make something out of materials that you already have.


Gift Wrapping

We all like shiny things, but did you know what makes gift wrapping, glitter, and tinsel shiny is actually a layer of plastic and metal? This attractive layering makes it pretty much impossible to recycle. One of the best ways to reduce waste during the Holiday season is to choose more eco-friendly alternatives. You can make a real difference just by making some small changes.

Here are our tips for gift wrapping.

  1. Re-use bits of wrapping paper you have lying around from last year. Why not make a patchwork masterpiece out of all the small unusable pieces of wrapping paper.


  1. Avoid shiny and metallic wrapping paper. As mentioned above, this type of wrapping paper is made from a plastic film and has to go to landfill.


  1. If you want to dress it up, use raffia, string, and paper bows. Traditional ribbons and bows are too hard to recycle and go to landfill.


  1. Buy recycled wrapping paper that can be recycled again.


  1. Have you tried fabric wrapping? It’s a lovely idea and can look beautiful. Just be careful not to buy new fabrics for this as textile waste is a bit of an issue. Maybe use some fabric you have around the house, or why not wrap your presents in a tea towel or something that can become part of the present.


  1. Use gift tags made from recycled paper and reuse them as much as you can.


  1. Why not go naked and forget the wrapping paper this year. You can have some fun with it, like hiding the gift in the house somewhere for them to find.

In summary, do your best to reuse what you have from last year, stick to paper, cardboard, and string or get inventive and use other materials around your home or garden. Buy recycled or better still go naked and don’t wrap the present at all!


Packaging

Recycling during the Holiday season includes many different types of materials. Whether it’s the product packaging or the delivery box the item arrived in, it’s important to recycle all of your packaging this Holiday season.  You can reuse your delivery packaging. Fold it up, and keep it stored somewhere. This is especially useful if you plan to send presents to loved ones or sell things online. For the packaging that cannot be reused, here are our recycling tips. 

  1. Cardboard can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin.


  1. Polystyrene packaging will need to be taken to a specialist recycler. To my understanding there are not available in Brandon and will most likely end up in our landfill.


  1. Rigid molded plastic packaging can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin.


  1. Packing peanuts can be recycled at a few locations or may be biodegradable. The best option is to reuse them, then recycle them; otherwise, dispose of them. Check our article for more info.


  1. Plastic bags or other soft plastics like soft plastic packaging can be recycled at your local Co op plastic bag drop off location or at any Brandon thrift store that accept plastic bags.

If you are unsure about how to recycle other materials that I have not mentioned please check out Simply Recycle. Here’s a list of common items that you’ll find around the holidays, and what you should do with them. Taken from Simply Recycle. https://simplyrecycle.ca/holiday-recycling-tips/ 

  • Aluminum foil, Pie Plates and Trays: Garbage.

  • Bows and Ribbon: Reuse if possible, otherwise garbage.

  • Blister packaging: These are hard to open containers you’ll find consumer products in. These are accepted in your blue bin.

  • Cardboard: Recycle in your blue bin. Flatten boxes to save space for other recyclables.

  • Cellophane: Garbage.

  • Holiday season trees and Wreaths (real): Most municipalities run a Holiday season tree recycling program for residents. Contact your municipality for details.

  • Holiday season trees and Wreaths (artificial): Reuse or donate.

  • Decorations: Reuse or donate.

  • Foam packaging (Styrofoam): Garbage.

  • Gift bags (mesh): Reuse

  • Gift bags (cloth): Reuse or donate to a second-hand store.

  • Gift bags (paper): Recycle in your blue bin or reuse.

  • Gift boxes: Recycle in your blue bin or reuse.

  • Gift tags (paper): Recycle in your blue bin.

  • Greeting cards: Recycle in your blue bin.

  • Lights: Reuse or donate.

  • Plastic cards (i.e. Gift cards): Garbage.

  • Plastic cutlery and Plates: Garbage.

  • Tinsel: Garbage.

  • Wrapping paper (from a tree): This is also known as craft paper. Recycle this in your blue bin.

  • Wrapping paper (with dyes, glitter or foil): Reuse if possible, otherwise garbage.

Depression: A Hidden Problem Uncovered

Depression: A Hidden Problem Uncovered

By Zach Roozendaal

 

Well hello everyone. I took a big hiatus, and I’m sure many of you are wondering why I haven’t done any writing in a while. I’m back now, and there’s a few reasons I haven’t been writing much, and the biggest one is why I’m writing this article in the first place. It’s a very late start for me to be writing articles this far into the academic year, as most of my fellow journalists start writing in September or October. But better late than never, though never late is better, and I apologize for the lack of activity.

 

            Before I get into this, for anyone who may feel sensitive towards the subject of depression, trauma or suicide, those things will be mention in this article, so you may not feel comfortable with reading the rest of this article, however there are resources for anyone with mental illness to access that I will mention towards the end of the article that I will leave in bold.

 

            Depression is a mental illness that many people of all different ages suffer from, just like most illnesses. Unfortunately, the signs of it aren’t necessarily as recognizable as other illnesses. Influenza is an illness that many people can recognize and physically see the effect it’s taking on a person. Sweating, chills, nausea, fever, vomiting and runny noses are all signs of that, but depression is far different. There’s no vaccine or shot you can take to prevent it, there’s no cure that necessarily fixes it.

 

            Depression eats away at a person, and robs them of joy from things they may have liked doing at one point. It makes them insecure, and feel like they’re insignificant. It also robs them of their motivation to do even the simplest of things, like shower, cook a meal and go outside. It also causes them to feel more exhausted and less attentive. Depression should not ever be viewed as laziness. A person can want to do things but lack the motivation and have problems overcoming the dozens of mental roadblocks that keep them from doing what they want. It’s important to note that there is a difference between wanting to do something and having the motivation to do it. An example of this is me wanting to write an article and feeling like it’s impossible to do, and that the short walk downstairs to the shower is like walking from one end of Toronto to the other.

 

            In case it hasn’t been obvious by now, I’m writing this article because I’m passionate about this subject and feel it’s extremely important to share this information with you, but also because I like 1 in 5 Canadians suffer from depression. The statistics I’ll be using are mostly from the Health Canada page on the Canadian Government’s website. The link to the page is here if you’re interested in reading it more in depth or looking at related articles.

 

            https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/diseases/mental-health-depression.html

 

            One of the most important things to remember is that depression is an illness, and not just someone who is sad or emotionally weak. Depression is the clinical term used to describe prolonged periods of at least 2 months or more where an individual’s personality has become more negative and where they feel less motivated and also a feeling of hopelessness or worthlessness. If you believe you may be suffering from depression, inform your doctor of it. Even if they’re just a general practitioner, they can give you a referral to someone who is a psychiatric specialist that can help you figure out if you do have it.

 

            Symptoms of depression vary from person to person, and can also be more intense in some cases, especially if there are other issues or illnesses a person may have. These symptoms can also present themselves physically in some cases but can unfortunately be shrugged off by others as laziness or weakness. The symptoms include:

 

• A change in diet or sleep patterns.

• Lack of motivation.

• Seemingly constant fatigue.

• Thoughts of suicide.

• Easily agitated or upset.

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.

• Difficulty focussing.

• Poor hygiene.

• Difficulty leaving certain places, like home or bedroom.

• Having little or no energy.

• Loss of enjoyment in activities that were once enjoyable.

• Crying for seemingly no reason or feeling extreme sadness for no reason.

• Difficulty making decisions.

• Detachment from life and those around you.

• Headaches or upset stomachs that occur frequently.

• Negative thoughts or behaviour.

 

Depression unfortunately isn’t as harmless to one’s physical health as some may think. Depression has been linked to diseases like diabetes or heart disease, and can also lead some to treat their symptoms with substances, such as alcohol or narcotics to temporarily numb the pain, and get them motivated. Obviously, narcotics and alcohol and other addictions can lead to a variety of other problems, especially health related ones. Depression isn’t something that is easily overcome by everyone, it’s not like being sad, it’s far deeper and more complicated than that. A common misconception I’ve heard is that people with depression are using it as an excuse to feel sorry for themselves. That’s not at all the case with most people, and ridiculing them for a lack of motivation can make the problem worse and isolate them further.

 

Something I’ve also heard people around me say before is that “Well everyone has problems, you’re not the only one so quit making excuses because I feel really sad too and have deep problems but I’m doing lots and am accomplishing more.”

 

There are a few problems with saying things like that to someone who has depression. While yes, it is true that everyone has problems, depression isn’t just being really sad, and saying that it’s an excuse just because you know others with depression who are doing lots despite that. Most of those individuals are likely on antidepressants, and have been able to deal with their depression through that. Not everyone has that luxury. Telling someone everyone has problems is basically the same of saying “Suck it up and quit whining and being weak.” I don’t need to tell you that saying that doesn’t help, it actually just invalidates that person’s struggle and comes across as you trivializing their depression.

 

I plan on making a part 2 to this, but knowing I’ve got enough here for the editor to pass out from exhaustion from reading, I’ll leave it here. There are lots of articles I wished to do, and didn’t get to do, and will likely post on a Facebook page that I’m creating that I’m going to call TLA, or The Lost Articles for short.

 

As for the resources you can access, please contact the following:

 

24/7 Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 or go to this website to find the best crisis help within your area: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/looking-for-local-resources-support/

 

You can also contact the Kids Help Phone 24 Hour Support Line for anyone between the ages of 5 to 29 to receive free and anonymous support. Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text 686868 or visit their website for help connecting through Facebook Messenger. https://kidshelpphone.ca/

 

For Indigenous and Metis people, there is also the Hope for Wellness Helpline. You can call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or visit their online live support chat. https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

 

That’s about it, and apologies to the editor for the lengthy last-minute submission. And now, I’ll leave you all with my final thought:

 

The scars that are invisible to others are often the ones far more painful than any cuts or bruises, but the best way to treat them is through help, love, care and kindness.

 

Take care my friends, and hopefully the other articles I’ve submitted make it through, otherwise, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and stay safe out there and please be careful and spread joy and love this holiday season.

 

Until next time, this is Zach Roozendaal, signing off.

Traditional Xmas Mexican Foods

Traditional Xmas Mexican Foods

By: Maria Garcia Manzano, AEIC of the Quill

Christmas in my house has always been about two things – food and family. Like in many Mexican households, Christmas Eve is almost a bigger deal than actual Christmas day. On Christmas Eve, my whole family gets together to sing songs to celebrate, we open presents at midnight and most importantly, we eat a lot of food! From the moment we wake up until around 6pm, my parents and siblings are in the kitchen making goodies like tamales, empanadas, posole, menudo, bunuelos, ponche, and so much more!


Here are some of my favorite Mexican Christmas foods to celebrate the big day.

Red Posole Recipe

This Red Posole is a comforting Mexican stew filled with shredded pork and hominy in a warm red chile broth. It’s easy to make and full of authentic Mexican flavor!

Ingredients

For the sauce

  • 5 dried guajillo chiles, seeds removed

  • 3 dried ancho chiles, seeds removed

  • 2 arbol chiles, seeds removed if you want a mild spice level

  • 3 cups hot water

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

  • 3 teaspoons chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons cumin powder

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

  • 1 small portion Abuelita Mexican chocolate (about 1/8 of tablet – 8 grams)

For pork

  • 2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into large 4-inch chunks

  • 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the stew

  • 4 cups chicken broth (or beef or vegetable broth)

  • 3 15-ounce cans white hominy, drained and rinsed (about 4 cups)

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the sauce

  • In a large bowl, combine the dried chiles and 3 cups of hot water. Cover the bowl with a large plate or aluminum foil, and let the chiles soak for about 5-10 minutes, until softened.

  • Transfer the softened chiles and the water they soaked in into a large blender. Add the salt, chili powder, cumin powder, minced garlic and Mexican chocolate. Blend until completely smooth.

Sear the pork

  • Season the pork with salt and black pepper. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add in the cooking oil and then the pork. Sear on all sides until nicely browned.

  • Add the red chile sauce and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen all the brown bits.

Make the stew

  • Add the chicken broth and stir until the red chile sauce and broth are fully mixed. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer and cover. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, until the pork falls apart tenderly.

  • Shred the pork with a fork or spatula (it should fall apart very easily). Add the hominy and dried oregano. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Taste and season with more salt, if necessary.

  • Serve with toppings such as finely shredded cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, thinly sliced radishes, diced onions, dried oregano and red pepper flakes.


Champurrado

This Champurrado recipe is made with Mexican chocolate, masa harina, milk, water, cinnamon, and vanilla. Thick and creamy, this cozy drink is best enjoyed on a cold winter night during the holiday season.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 cups milk

  • 2 ounces piloncillo, plus more to taste

  • 2 (3-ounce) discs Mexican chocolate (I used Abuelita brand)

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water

  • 1/2 cup masa harina

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 pinch salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Add milk, piloncillo, Mexican chocolate, and cinnamon stick to a medium saucepan or pot. Heat over low-medium heat until the piloncillo and chocolate have completely dissolved. Stir frequently to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the saucepan.

  • Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, using a strainer if it has broken into pieces.

  • In a small bowl, add warm water and masa harina. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth.

  • Add the masa harina mixture, vanilla extract, and salt to the saucepan. Whisk to combine.

  • Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook, whisking frequently, for 25-30 minutes until thick, creamy, velvety, and smooth. The champurrado should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

  • Serve and garnish with a touch of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.

Don’t have piloncillo? You can use 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar instead.

Mexican Ponche

Mexican Ponche is a warm and comforting fruit punch made with apples, pears, oranges and guavas and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, tamarind and hibiscus typically served at Christmas time.

INGREDIENTS

  • 16 cups water

  • 6 guavas, peeled and quartered

  • 3 large red apples, cut into chunks

  • 2 pears, cut into chunks

  • 1 orange, sliced

  • 1 pilloncillo cone (or 1 cup of dark brown sugar if you can't find piloncillo)

  • 6 whole cloves

  • 4 cinnamon sticks

  • 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers

  • 1 dried tamarind pod, husked and seeded

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place all ingredients in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

  • Mix and make sure the piloncillo/sugar has completely dissolved. Serve hot in mugs with a splash of rum or brandy if desired. Make sure each cup has some fruit in it - it's the best part!

Mexican Bunuelos

Often served during the Christmas and New Years holidays, this Mexican Bunuelos recipe makes the perfect fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar!

INGREDIENTS

For the bunuelos

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 3/4 cup warm water

  • 4 tablespoons oil, plus 2 or more cups for frying

For the cinnamon sugar topping

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

For the bunuelos

  • Add all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Mix until combined.

  • Add warm water and 4 tablespoons oil. Mix with a spoon or your hands until the dough comes together.

  • Transfer the dough onto a clean working surface and knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

  • Roll the dough into a ball, place it in a bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.

  • While the dough is resting, cover a large plate with paper towels, fill a large sauté pan with 1 to 2 inches of frying oil and make the cinnamon sugar topping. Set aside.

  • Divide the dough into 8 separate pieces and roll each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out each ball into an 8 to 10-inch circle. (I recommend laying the rolled-out dough onto a large kitchen towel in one single layer. Don't stack the rolled-out dough on top of each other or it may stick.)

  • Heat the frying oil to 350°F. Fry each dough circle for about 60 seconds, turning once, until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to prepared plate to drain any excess oil. Sprinkle heavily with cinnamon sugar topping.

For the cinnamon sugar topping

  • Combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.

Christmas Traditions in Mexico

Christmas Traditions in Mexico

By: Maria Garcia Manzano, AEIC of The Quill

Photo Credits: Google Images

Mexico is famous for a variety of different celebrations. Perhaps one of the most famous

and recognized around the world are its Day of the Dead celebrations. But as someone who

was born in Mexico can attest, we also have our own unique Christmas traditions.

Traditional Christmas celebrations in Mexico are a mixture of religious traditions and modern

festivities. The result is a truly enchanting and magical holiday season. The Mexican celebration

of Christmas begins each year on December 16th . Long before the standard Christmas Eve.

In this article I will discuss a variety of Christmas traditions that are celebrated in Mexico.

Las Posadas

The first thing you need to understand about Christmas traditions in Mexico is the

tradition of posadas. This translates to mean “inn” in English, and the celebration begins on

December 16th. Each night from the 16th until the 24th, children go from door to door singing

and asking if there’s an open room at the “inn.” This is meant to represent the story of Mary

and Joseph, but modern-day traditions feature a posada party at the end of each night.

Children will be given candy and Christmas oranges.

Nativity Scenes

If you thought the offerings at the Day of the Dead festivals were impressive, then just

wait until you the some of the more elaborate nativity scenes in Mexico. Because the culture is

still quite religious, the Christmas season is rooted in the Christian story of the birth of Baby

Jesus. Therefore, Christmas nativity scenes are important. However, you won’t find Baby Jesus

inside of the manger until the 24th.

Piñatas

Head to any posada party and you’ll undoubtedly find a piñata hanging from the

ceilings. These are popular additions to nearly every Mexican festivity, and the tradition carries

over into Christmas as well. At Christmas time, however, the piñatas have seven different spikes

around them to represent the seven deadly sins.

Ponche and Rompope

Ponche is pretty much the Mexican equivalent of the kind of mulled wine you’ll find at

European Christmas markets. The warm Christmas punch is made with fruit. And, Rompope is

the equivalent of egg nog. You’ll pretty much always find it spiced to perfection and full of

really strong rum. So, its creamy, filling, and quite alcoholic, usually.

Día de Los Reyes

Similar to Spain and other parts of Latin America, certain families in Mexico celebrate

the Three Kings Day, which falls on January 6th each year. While Santa still visits children on

Christmas Eve, it’s not uncommon for the Three Kings to pay a visit the evening before the

Three Kings Day and leave some candy or small gifts. Children will typically leave their shoes out

with their gift wishes and wait for the three kings to read them.

Rosca de Reyes

Because the Three Kings Day is one of the most popular Christmas traditions in Mexico,

you better bet that there’s a cake to accompany the festivities. On this special day, families

gather around to enjoy something called a Rosca de Reyes. The oval-shaped bread is covered in

fruits and, hidden inside, you’ll find a baby figurine. Whoever gets the small plastic baby in their

slice has to throw a tamale party on February 2nd.

Candelaria’s Day

February 2nd might be the day of the coveted tamale party. But it also marks the end of

the Mexican Christmas season. The day itself is called La Candelaria, or Candlemas, and it’s

marked by lots of crazy parties and festivities to end the wonderful holiday season.

How to Decorate for Christmas: University Student Edition

How to Decorate for Christmas: University Student Edition

By: Maria Garcia Manzano, AEIC of the Quill

Photo Credits: Google Images

As November comes to an end and final exams are upon us, students need something to look forward

to. In my free time (when I don’t have to study or work on an assignment) I like to rearrange and

decorate my room. I still live at home with my parents and my room is relatively small, but I still find

ways to bring a little holiday spirit. I know that a lot of Brandon University students still live at home or

may be living in BU residence or may have gotten an apartment in Brandon. Don’t worry, my decoration

suggestions apply to all student living situations!

1. Keep it Green

It won’t feel like Christmas without a few pines, spruces and firs. Adding an artificial tree or even a

festive wreath will instantly make your room Christmassy. You can get them for dirt cheap on Amazon. If

space is an issue, why not tape some green tinsel to a wall in the shape of a tree to celebrate the holiday

season without much hassle? Throw in some teardrop swags or tinsel garlands to set the scene with the

rich tones of the fall season. Don’t forget to hang a mistletoe over the doorway for good luck!

2. Light it Up

String lights are a surefire way to brighten up your room when it comes to Christmas decoration ideas.

Bright fairy lights can be wrapped around your bed frame or draped across furniture to achieve that

festive glow. You can also string them across your ceiling or weave them in and out of empty glass

bottles for a fun centerpiece that doesn’t break the bank. Introduce holiday warmth to the room with a

scented candle or two. If you’re wary of smoke detectors, swap them for LED candles and a room spray

for the same effect.

You can also attach some family and friends’ pictures to the rope, so you don’t miss their presence and

relive the Christmas celebrated with them.

3. Go as big or as small as you want

The best part about Christmas decoration ideas is that there are no rules! You can hang up stockings

with candies and little treats for yourself/ your housemates or your family. Or you can play carols over

the speaker for a festive air.

These Christmas decoration ideas will not only add pizzazz to your room but also make it cozy and

welcoming for the holiday season.

Studying for End of Term Exams

Studying for End of Term Exams

by Ronnie Kayla Neiman

It is time to prepare for your final exams once again, and for another year, a majority of exams are being done online in order to keep social distancing. It can be difficult to study for an exam on a so-called normal year but it can certainly be even more so when everything, or close to everything has been done online. 

There are not too many options for in-person study sessions, unless you happen to live with others who are taking the same class. Not too many have that option. Some can choose to do an online study session where you can bounce ideas, questions and notes back and forth. Studying is defined as reading carefully with the intent to remember. However, it can also be attributed to writing as well. 

Studying in a group allows students to see different perspectives and possibly learn study habits. It can also be a lot easier to ask a question in a small group or when emailing classmates and/or instructors. 

Even if you decide to study on your own, be sure to bounce your information off of someone else, either a person you live with, or over an online format, video or chat. Studying is a commitment, so when you study, be sure to actually study. It can be quite easy to become distracted, so be sure to take breaks. 

Several tips on how to study when alone, or in a group, in whichever medium is available to you;


  • Write point form important information

  • Highlight keywords your instructor has mentioned frequently

  • Write or type out questions related to your subject

  • Ask yourself questions out loud (even if you are alone)— It helps!

  • Create mock exams for yourself

  • Email your instructor if you have any information you need clarified


Stay calm and don’t panic! Study well and you will do great!

Holiday Movies That Aren’t Really Holiday Movies

Holiday Movies That Aren’t Really Holiday Movies

By Cedric Bell

Photo Credit: rottentomatoes.com 

Holiday movies are hard to make suggestions about, because lists usually consist of the same couple of movies because there aren’t that many, and even fewer that stand the test of time and remain rewatchable year after year. That is why, instead of suggesting holiday movies, I will be suggesting holiday movies that people generally don’t consider holiday movies that actually are, at least in some sense. 


Die Hard

The status of Die Hard as a holiday movie is still often debated. Many people think it counts, and many people don’t. I for one champion it as a holiday movie, mostly so that I have a chance to watch Die Hard again every year. What often gets lost in the debate about Die Hard is that it is a really, really good movie. The action is special because it’s exciting but still believable and relies more on smarts than big set pieces. It also has some great performances and is a really fun movie overall.


The Nightmare Before Christmas

This one is also hotly debated because of its clashing settings. Is it a Christmas movie, or a Halloween movie? Is it both, or neither? The answer to that is; yes. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a great animated movie full of fun characters, great songs and captivating stop motion animation.


Gremlins

Gremlins is more of a horror comedy than a holiday movie, but it takes place around the holidays, so it counts. It has some really funny and disturbing scenes, an interesting premise, and while it often gets left out of holiday movie discourse, it is a great holiday movie.


Edward Scissorhands

This is one of those holiday movies that because of the subject matter, it is easy to forget it takes place around the holidays entirely. Still, it is a great movie with a lot of visual style, a truly original story, and a great gothic theme that differentiates it from a lot of holiday movies out there.


The Harry Potter Series

The Harry Potter movies are never really considered holiday movies, but there are multiple christmas scenes throughout that suggest they should be considered holiday movies. The early ones especially are pretty upbeat and festive, and are fan favorites for a reason.


Home Alone

Home alone takes place over the holidays and has a lot of Christmas iconography, so why isn’t it considered a holiday movie by some? Maybe because it’s more about a child defending his home with vicious booby traps than about holiday cheer. Still, it is a really fun movie with a lot of heart, and stands as one of my favourite mostly unofficial holiday movies, and one of my favorite movies in general.

Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts events return with Farewell to Fall

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts events return with Farewell to Fall

After a hiatus due to pandemic constraints, Assiniboine Community College’s culinary events are

back, kicking off with a brand new event, Farewell to Fall.

BRANDON, Man. (November 16, 2021)—From the kitchen that delivered your local event favourites like Great Grey Owl Restaurant, Harvest on the Hill and Holiday Buffet, we’re introducing Farewell to Fall—an all-new culinary experience hosted at the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts (MICA) on December 2. Tickets go on sale November 18 at 10 a.m.

“Assiniboine has long provided the community with remarkable culinary events,” said Tim Hore, Dean, School of Agriculture & Environment. “With Farewell to Fall, we hope to bolster our reputation as the host of ‘can’t miss events’ and continue that legacy.”

Farewell to Fall, a new event to the MICA event repertoire, includes a multi-course dinner, fused with selfserve appetizer and dessert action stations. The event promises a 5-star dining experience with the flair of flambé and other culinary show techniques. Along with dinner, guests will have the opportunity to peruse an evening market with seasonal products, such as jams, jellies and preserves made by students for purchase.

“We’re proud of the work that our MICA students put in each year to our many renowned events, so it’s

spectacular to see this new event on the books this winter,” said Hore. “This is a great learning experience for students, and we know the community will welcome the opportunity to enjoy what our MICA students have to offer once again.”

Guests at Farewell to Fall will experience the work and talents of Culinary Arts, Baking Foundations and Hotel and Restaurant Management students. The evening event will have four available seating times. Tickets are $60 and must be purchased in full table allotments of either two, four or six.

Visit assiniboine.net/farewelltofall for more information. To purchase tickets, call 204.725.8738 or

800.862.6307 ext 6516 starting at 10 a.m. on November 18. Guests must be fully vaccinated; proof of

vaccination and corresponding ID will be checked at the door.

About Assiniboine Community College

Assiniboine Community College has been providing exceptional learning experiences for more than 55 years and offers certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs across a variety of disciplines including culinary arts and hospitality, business, agriculture and environment, health and human services, and trades and technology. The college also delivers apprenticeship programming in a range of skilled trades disciplines.

With more than 3,600 students, and campuses in Brandon, Dauphin and Winnipeg, Assiniboine provides

comprehensive educational opportunities throughout Manitoba. The college also partners with many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training. Assiniboine’s annual provincial economic impact is $612 million.

Assiniboine Community College campuses are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and Treaty No. 2, the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge their welcome to the students who seek knowledge here.

For more information, please contact:

Anya McNabb

Communications Specialist

Assiniboine Community College

204.868.5453

mcnabba@assiniboine.net

Winter Is Here

Winter Is Here

(Images taken one week apart)

by Ronnie Kayla Neiman

After having a rather hot summer and a very mild Autumn, winter has come to the prairies with a vengeance. Snow covers the ground, roads are still not fully plowed. The snow has created a mix of slush and ice. 

It can create some hazardous conditions. being both cold and slippery. Make sure you are wearing warm winter clothes. Also be sure to wear insulated boots, preferably with a good sole grip. It will help prevent slipping.Winter Weather Basics

While the sudden snowfall wasn’t considered to be a bad storm, it did create some issues with travelling and safety. 

A winter storm is an event in which the main types of precipitation are snow, sleet or freezing rain.

How can winter storms be dangerous?

Most deaths from winter storms are not directly related to the storm itself.

▪ People die in traffic accidents on icy roads.

▪ People die of heart attacks while shoveling snow.

▪ People die of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.

Everyone is potentially at risk during winter storms. The actual threat to you depends on your specific situation. Recent observations show that:

▪ Of injuries related to ice and snow:

▪ About 70% occur in automobiles.

▪ About 25% are people caught out in the storm.

▪ Majority are males over 40 years old.

▪ Of injuries related to exposure to cold:

▪ 50% are people over 60 years old.

▪ Over 75% are males.

▪ About 20% occur in the home.

How do winter storms form?

Just like any other storm at other times of the year, the right combination of ingredients is necessary for a winter storm to develop.

Three basic ingredients are necessary to make a winter storm:

▪ Cold air. Below freezing temperatures in the clouds and near the ground are necessary to make snow and/or ice.

▪ Lift. Something to raise the moist air to form the clouds and cause precipitation. An example of lift is warm air colliding with cold air and being forced to rise over the cold dome. The boundary between the warm and cold air masses is called a front. Another example of lift is air flowing up a mountainside.

▪ Moisture. To form clouds and precipitation. Air blowing across a body of water, such as a large lake or the ocean, is an excellent source of moisture.


Many students do have online classes during the pandemic but  there are those who do need to attend in-person classes. Just remember, dress warm, travel safely and help others when you can.

Hush - A Movie Review 

Hush - A Movie Review 

By: Mallory Johnson 

Photo Credits: Google Images

I recently watched the Netflix horror movie Hush and enjoyed it! The film follows a deaf and mute author named Maddie who is home alone when a creepy masked man arrives at her house and begins to terrorize her. What makes the movie more intense is how Maddie does not know that there is a man outside of her home because she cannot hear him. Before I go any further: SPOILER ALERT, also, trigger warnings for death, blood and gore, stalking, murder, break and enter, jump scares, flashing lights, and forced isolation. The movie is directed by my favourite director: Mike Flanagan. He directed The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game, and Midnight Mass. The movie stars his wife, Kate Siegel (Hill House, Bly Manor), Samantha Sloyan (Midnight Mass, Grey’s Anatomy), John Gallagher Jr (10 Cloverfield Lane, Short Term 12), Michael Trucco (Hunter Killer, Midnight Mass), and Emma Graves (Pitch Perfect, Caged No More). The movie worked well with its small cast, which I find very interesting. There are some Midnight Mass easter eggs in Hush: Maddie and her neighbour talk about Maddie’s first book...called Midnight Mass. The neighbour, played by Samantha Sloyan (the main character in Midnight Mass), says she loved Erin and Riley. Kate Siegel played Erin in the show, and Riley is a major character. Maddie is also seen writing a Midnight Mass sequel throughout the movie. Fun fact: Mike Flanagan originally started writing a Midnight Mass book but did not finish it. He then tried to get it created as a movie but failed and finally made it a Netflix show. I also noticed that there was a Doctor Sleep easter egg, as Hush came out three years before Doctor Sleep, which Mike also directed. 

           I loved how the movie was short, but it still packed a punch and was scary. I highly recommend watching with subtitles on because there is sign language, and subtitles were necessary. The themes of isolation set the scene for a scare. There were plot twists that I did not expect in this movie. As someone who is not the biggest fan of horror because I scare easily, this one scared me but not too bad. If you are paranoid about someone breaking into your home while you cannot hear them, I do not recommend watching. It was a good idea to watch Hush in October because it is a wonderfully spooky season choice. I liked how some parts of the movie had little to no sound to force the audience to be put in Maddie’s shoes and to feel her fear. Hush puts a good spin on the slasher genre and adds home invasion and disability. 

           Overall, I enjoyed watching Hush. It is a perfect movie to watch on Halloween this year! It is graphic at times and rated R, so keep that in mind. I give it a strong 10/10 and cannot wait to see more from Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel!

Halloween 2021

Halloween 2021

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman

Halloween is coming up soon and it the second one during the pandemic of COVID-19. Amidst the fourth wave of cases, many are unsure what to do with a holiday that children usually enjoy. Where people dress up creatively and sometimes ridiculously. Where people eat so much chocolate and candy that they can get sick. It is supposed to be a fun holiday, a way to relax and have fun. While we are not technically in a lockdown, it doesn’t feel safe enough for trick’or treating. 

Halloween is not just a single day celebration, it’s one entire season where tricks and treats happen, people put on their spookiest costumes and attend the eerie ghost tours in Brandon. Other than the regular traditions, there are some virtual events happening that feel safer than being out and about. 

Halloween Afternoon Tea is an event created by Dragonfly Delights Tearoom. 

$35 tea for one box
3 sweets, 2 scones, 3 tea sandwiches.


$70 Tea for Two, three tiered to-go tray
6 sweets, 4 scones, 6 tea sandwiches.


Curbside pick up only during covid.
Address: 339 12th Street
Make your reservations by email,
info@dragonflydelightstearoom.com
telephone 204-729-8914


Brandon Zombie Walk is on October 29th. Like last year, it cannot be done in person. This message is taken directly from their facebook page.

“Hey zombos! As many of you know Covid numbers are rising again and Due to the rising COVID numbers we are unable to have the zombie walk again this year! 😔 so like last year with help from our community we are going to be doing some draws for some pretty cool stuff. This will include some free tows from champion towing, Piercings, epicure, scentsy,  pink zebra, Another tattoo time certificate 🙂 also this year Weiming Zhao has offered another one of his gorgeous paintings!!!  We will also be taking donations of items like food for the cats and dogs, Chew toys and more!    We would like to thank everyone for your wonderful donations and support. We will be selling raffle tickets again for you to enter into these draws. We will either be taking e-transfers with receipt of your raffle ticket purchase, or socially distanced cash transfer. 

Ticket prices are as follows:

1 ticket for $2.00

3 tickets for $5.00

10 tickets for $8.00

Or

$10 for ONE entry into the Weiming Zhao painting 

If you would like to purchase tickets please contact Trista @ 204-730-2498 or Angel @ 204-574-4298

Text messages or phone calls are welcome, please leave a message if we don’t answer your call and we will get back to you asap.

LETS SEE HOW MUCH WE CAN RAISE FOR THESE WONDERFUL FUR BABIES”


These are two of the larger events happening in Brandon. There are also come haunted houses in the Brandon area. 

If you do go out, please take precaution for your safety and your health. Have a good Halloween. 

My Personal Study Tips

My Personal Study Tips

By Maria Garcia Manzano, AEIC of The Quill

Photo Credits: Maria Garcia Manzano

Photo Credits: Maria Garcia Manzano

With over a month of school finally done, midterm season is fast approaching. With midterms comes the inevitable pressure to study. It may not be easy to know where to start with a full course load. Below I will share some tips on what I find helps me study and get better grades. Please note, every individual is different, and what works for me may not work for others.

1. Develop a Daily Routine: 

If you find yourself shuffling around the kitchen at 3 am, foraging for snacks instead of getting the sleep needed to get you through the next day, it’s time to devise a schedule. Even a simple plan is better than none at all. Set a dedicated time to wake up each morning, reserve times for meals, and study for each of your classes. 


2. Study with Friends:

Form a study group with close classmates for your more difficult classes.  This will force you to review the work often, think about the material, and participate in question-and-answer sessions. 


3. Create a Super-Study Space:

What is it that helps you concentrate? Is it your favorite music? Complete quiet? Snacks? Find the things that help you focus and set up your own super-study space. Creating an inviting environment is one of my go-to study strategies. Think about what types of things in your environment encourage you to study. This could mean having teas or essential oils, such as rosemary or Ginseng, on hand to help you focus. It could mean bringing in your favorite blanket or pillow for comfort. You could have soft music playing gently in the background, ideally only instrumental music, to not interfere with any memory processes while you study. You could keep a stash of brain food, such as pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, oranges, or almonds, handy to help get you through. You might plug in a coffee maker for long study sessions.


4. Review Material Before Each Class:

Take good notes and be sure to review them before each class with your professors. This will help you be more prepared during the session, but there’s another perk. Hearing the information repeated back to you will help you better retain it. I try to take notes during each lecture, and then I take a half-hour afterward to either re-type them more cohesively or jot them down in a notebook, so they’re neater and easier to follow. I find that by writing down the high points of each lecture once or twice, I  remember them better. I also have legible notes to take with you when you leave the house to study. Furthermore, once I have legible notes, I can test myself and practice active recall. 


5. Prioritize Your Work and Relate it to You!

Lastly, be sure to prioritize work from most important to least important.  Dedicate the bulk of your study time to the classes you find most challenging. Spend less time studying for the lessons that come easier. Finally, connecting everything you learn to something personally significant to you will help you better memorize it.

ADES is 20 Years Old at BU!

ADES is 20 Years Old at BU!

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman

Screen Shot 2021-10-18 at 1.00.26 PM.png

As a way to mark the 20th anniversary of the Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies program at Brandon University, the department will be hosting a series of unstructured, informal, and audience-oriented Zoom sessions. On the second Tuesday of every month, students, past and present can join with other past and current ADES students to share ideas, ask your, and connect with like-minded practitioners. 

Starting on October 12th 2021, taking place each moth until May 10th 2022. The meeting will take place at 6PM central time. Zoom ID and password are available on brandonu.ca under the homecoming section. No preparation is required, RSVP is unnecessary, and there are zero fees.

For more info contact John ‘Jack’ Lindsay, Associate Professor and Chair by phone (204) 571-8555 or by email at lindsayj@brandonu.ca

Verity by Colleen Hoover - A Book Review

Verity by Colleen Hoover - A Book Review

By: Mallory Johnson

Photo Credits: Google Images

Photo Credits: Google Images

I recently read the book Verity, by Colleen Hoover, and I LOVED it! It was my first

Colleen Hoover book, and I am so glad I read it. It is an adult romance thriller and is very

intense, dark, and disturbing. I do NOT recommend it for anyone under 18 years old. Before I go

any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for graphic child abuse, death, cancer,

murder, attempted murder, abortion, choking, grief, car crashes, severe injury, self-harm, child

death, cheating, and sexual content. The book is about a struggling author, Lowen, who gets

offered the job of a lifetime: finishing famous author Verity’s popular book series because Verity

got severely injured after an accident. She accepts, and the job requires her to stay at Verity’s

home with her husband and kid. She is sorting through Verity’s office when she finds a

manuscript that she was not supposed to see that details Verity’s life….in graphic detail.

I went into this book knowing it was dark and disturbing, but no warning could have prepared

me for what I was about to read. I highly recommend only reading this book if you can handle

the subject matter because it does not shy away from difficult subjects. This is Colleen’s first

thriller book (she writes romance books typically). I really hope she writes more thrillers because

this book was a wild ride. There are twists and turns that I did not expect at all. The story

features an unreliable narrator, so you do not know who to trust, which I think is very cool,

especially in a thriller. It was interesting to me how the ending was up to your own

interpretation, and I cannot stop thinking about it. I enjoyed reading the manuscript chapters,

even though they were graphic and disturbing. Colleen Hoover has a reputation for heartbreaking

books, and Verity did not disappoint. When it was not sad, it was intense, shocking, and brutal to

read at times.

Overall, I am so glad that I read this book. I love thrillers, and Verity is definitely a new favorite.

I highly recommend reading it, but please check trigger warnings beforehand. I give this a strong

10/10 and am so excited to read more from Colleen Hoover!

Movie Review

Movie Review

By: Kiersten Garbutt

Photo Credits: Google Images

Photo Credits: Google Images

Now that movie theatres are back up and running, with, of course, a few covid related

restrictions, everyone is looking to watch the next best thing. One of the newer movies you will

find is Venom: Let There Be Carnage, brought to you by Sony and associated with Marvel.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a captivating, humorous, and action-packed movie. The

movie starts with Eddie Brock, played by Tom Hardy, struggling with Venom being a part of

him. Eddie and Venom have a funny dynamic, which will have you laughing every time they

argue. This leads to character-building when Eddie and Venom have to overcome their

differences to fight the story's central villain, Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson. The

film itself is very impressive, as it is true that Marvel is never known for lacking in CGI. The

special effects and Venom look very realistic, making the movie enjoyable to watch. Of course,

this would not be a Marvel movie without the post-credit scene, which is very exciting and

surprising without spoiling too much.

Overall, if you are not huge into action movies, Venom: Let There Be Carnage would be

a good choice because it is not just action but really funny. Also, you don't need to know about

other Marvel movies (besides the first Venom movie) to understand what is going on. If you do

enjoy Marvel movies and follow the timeline of movies, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a

must-watch! To conclude, this movie is enjoyable for anyone!