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Home , Ded Moroz, Joy to the World (House), New Year tree

Twin Pines Activity Kit

This is Kit #12, the last kit of 2020.

“Enhancing the quality of life for the community.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO STOP RECEIVING THESE KITS? CALL US AT 595-7444. 1

NEWS AND UPDATES

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING RETURNS IN 2021 Free Blood Pressure Screenings will be returning in 2021! Screenings will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30-12:30. No appointment needed. Screenings will be held outdoors near the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center and participants must wear a face covering and practice social distancing. This service is provided by a Registered Nurse from Sequoia Hospital.

The holidays are a joyful time. Many of us look forward to gathering with friends and family and celebrating traditions. The Covid- 19 pandemic has changed how we celebrate this year. Although we may not be physically present together, there is so much to be grateful for. As we move into the , we wish you moments of peace amid the challenges, connections with friends and family even if they can’t be in person, the warmth of memories from holidays past, wonderful glimpses of hope for the future, and in each and every day! Have a Joyful New Year! - Cheri & Andrea 2

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE When you’re in a pinch...

Mental note: Actual notes work better

2020 Compliments: You smell great! What hand sanitizer are you wearing?

“Social distancing” = Boring “Exiled for the good of the realm” = Cool

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NAME THIS HOLIDAY SONG You’ve heard them on the radio, or on TV, for decades. Can you match these popular holiday songs when different words are used? Tip: For an extra challenge, avoid looking at the list of names on the right.

1. The preceding all others

2. Small municipality in Judea southwest of Jerusalem A. Deck the Halls

3. Twelve o’clock on a clement night witnessed it’s arrival B. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

4. Exalted heavenly beings who hearkened C. is coming to Town

5. Embellish the interior passageway D. Let It Snow

6. An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good giv- E. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus en to the terrestrial sphere

7. Nocturnal time span of unbroken quietness F. All I Want for is My Two Front Teeth 8. Listen, the celestial messengers produce harmonious sounds G. Angels We Have Heard on High 9. Move thitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief H. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

10. Felicitations for the season I. Merry Christmas

11. Sterling Carillon J.

12. Diminutive masculine master of a skin-covered percussionist cyl- K. Silent Night inders

L. Winter Wonderland 13. Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere

14. Expectation of arrival to a municipality by mythical, masculine M. O Come, All Ye Faithful perennial gift-giver N. Little Town of 15. A hallucinatory phenomenon expecting a natal celebration de- void of colors O. The First Noel

16. Geographic fantasy during the season of Mother Nature’s dor- P. Silver Bells mancy Q. Little Drummer Boy 17. Singular yearning for the twin-anterior incisors R. Peace on Earth 18. precipitation commence S. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas 19. Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven team- ster 4

WINTER TRIVIA WINTER WORD SCRAMBLE How do people around the world cele- brate the holidays or winter solstice? Let's travel around the world to learn some new traditions!

1. What is the season in South Africa during Decem- ber? A) Winter C) Summer B) Spring D) Fall

2. In North America, children frequently leave the items seen here for Santa. What is often left for him instead in Ireland? A) Lemonade and potatoes B) Water and shortbread C) Guinness beer and mince pies D) Whiskey and haggis

3. Between December 16th and 24th, why are you likely to find streets closed to traffic in Caracas, Ven- ezuela, in the early hours of the morning? A) So the streets can be decorated B) For the daily parade C) So people can rollerskate to church D) So Santa can check on children easily

4. Which British monarch is considered responsible for popularising decorated pine trees throughout the Empire? A) King Henry VIII C) Queen Victoria B) King George III D) Queen Elizabeth I

5. There was never meat in mincemeat. A) True B) False

6. is a popular holiday drink that is served warm with spices. A) True B) False Answers on page 9 & 10 5

HIDDEN PICTURES Can you find the hidden pictures? Tip: It may help to turn the image around. For some extra fun, you can add some color to this picture!

Answers on page 9

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NEW YEAR’S TRIVIA

1. Throughout Scotland there are many traditions for 7. What happens to the crockery, perhaps collected New Year's or celebrations. One tradition throughout the year, in Denmark on New Year's is to link arms and sing the words of which Robert Eve? A) Smashed at front doors Burns' poem? B) Plated with a special meal A) A Red, Red Rose B) Scots Wha Hae C) Thrown away in community dump- C) D) Ae Fond Kiss sters D) Painted with the Queen’s portrait 2. Many New Year's Eve celebrations in are visited by Ded Moroz and Snegurockka (Grandfather Frost and ). Do they bring pre- sents? 8. In Greece, which fruit will you often see hanging A) Yes B) No by or above the front door, which is smashed on New Year's Day during the Kalo Podariko? 3. Some of the new year celebrations A) Pomegranate in Brazil honor the Afro-Brazilian god- B) Apple dess Iemanjá. Though many things C) Banana are offered, which of these is given D) Orange by throwing them into the sea? A) Fires B) Flowers 9. Since the Christmas season ends in the Feast of C) Clothes D) Rocks the Three Kings, in Spain and Latin American coun- tries there is a tradition that you need to eat 12 4. It is a New Year's tradition in Panama to construct pieces of this food at midnight on New Year’s Eve by one or more muñecos de año viejo (old year dolls) to the end of the 12th bell toll. What is this round symbolize what should be left behind with the old food? year. What happens to these on New Year's Eve? A) Chocolates C) Cookies A) They are stomped on B) Grapes D) Cheese cakes B) They are thrown in the water C) They are burned or exploded 10. In Mexico and some other Latin American coun- D) They are torn apart tires, there is a superstition that if you want to trav- el in the new year, you must do what at midnight? 5. The Chinese New Year celebration is sixteen days A) Pack your bags long. It starts on New Year's Eve with a reunion din- B) Make reservations to a hotel ner for the extended family. The start date is always C) Dress in traditional clothes of the country you a few weeks later than the western date. Why? want to visit A) They celebrate the date set by the Ming Dynasty D) Carry suitcases around the block of your B) They celebrate the lunar new year C) Their solar calendar is different from ours D) To give people a chance to travel back home

6. One of Germany's traditions for Silvester (New Year's Eve) is to eat Pfannkuchen or Krapfen. Anoth- er tradition started in 1963 with the New Year's Eve showing of which British comedy sketch? A) The Two Ronnies B) Mr Bean Goes to the Restaurant C) The Four Yorkshiremen D) Answers on page 9 7

LET’S WORK THAT BRAIN

Answers on page 10

Answers on page 10

Three friends live in houses next to each other in Frosty Lane and they have built one snowman. Can you work out where each friend lives, and what item each of them brought to dress the snowman? Clues: A) Mark lives in house 1 but wasn’t the one who brought a carrot for the snowman’s nose. B) Katie brought a scarf to put on the snowman. C) Sarah doesn’t live in the house next door to Mark. D) One of the friends brought a hat. House 1 House 2 House 3 Name Item 8

Winter Holidays Trivia Answers 1. C Summer South Africa, as well as other countries like Australia and New Zealand are located in the southern hemisphere, which means their seasons are the complete opposite as ours. 2. B Guinness beer and . might be substituted for the mince pie. Santa can also be left beer in Australia or England. The fact that it's specifically Guinness in Ireland must be influenced by the fact that Guinness is made in Ireland. Santa is likely to get a bowl of porridge in Sweden or Norway. 3. So people can roller skate to church. Between December 16th and 24th, Venezuelans go to a daily service called Early Morn- ing Mass (Misa de Aguinaldo). In keeping with tradition, many people roller skate to this mass and many streets are closed to traffic before 8:00, particularly in the capital city of Caracas. 4. C Queen Victoria Decorating trees with nuts and fruit has been around for centuries. In fact using evergreen trees and branches as a symbol of eternal life can be dated back to the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. The “”, as we know it, began in 15th or 16th century Germany, and was first lit with candles in the 18th century. Queen Victoria was raised by a German mother and her husband was German. She reportedly had a Christmas tree in every room when growing up. 5. False. Some recipes for this British favorite call for meat and some do not. Mince is a combination of spiced apples, raisins, sultans, suet and lots of spices. This preserve is used in pies and tarts which range in size from single serving to large 9" pies. Older recipes will include beef and venison. 6. True. Mulled wine is usually a red wine, spiced, and then served very warm, often with fruit added. The garnish is often a cinnamon stick. It is a popular holiday drink in many parts of the world.

New Year’s Trivia Answers 1. C. The tradition includes joining hands and singing. During the last verse participants' arms are crossed in front of their chest. As the song ends, everyone rushes to the center, then back out only to turn around and face outwards. There are many other festivities which include fire, storytelling and, not surprisingly, whiskey drinking. 2. Yes. Christmas trees were banned in Russia, but a New Year's tree, or novogodnaya yolka, became a holiday symbol in 1935. Ded Moroz and his granddaughter often attend parties and bring presents for children. Another favorite treat is an Olivier salad, made mainly from mayonnaise, boiled potatoes, carrots, dill pickles, green peas, eggs and boiled chicken. 3. B. West African slaves were not allowed to observe their worship, and merged some traditions with Catholicism, creating Candomblé. Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, protects the sailors and fishermen. Celebrants not only offer gifts by throwing them into the sea, but also jump over seven waves to bring strength to the new year. 4. C. These effigies could be of famous folk, such as politicians or actors, or even Transformers and Minions. They are set out- side for everyone to view until they are burned at midnight on New Year's Eve. New Year celebrations continue until Three Kings' Day on January 6. There are also many parties with good food, wine, singing and dancing. 5. B. Marking the beginning of the spring season, observances traditionally take place from the first beginning on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.It is one of the most important holidays in China and neighboring countries. New Year’s Eve is an occasion for families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional to thoroughly clean their house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for incoming good luck. Another. Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes. For the northern regions of China, dumplings are fea- tured prominently, often served as the first meal of the year either at midnight or as breakfast of the first day. 6. D. Originally shown in Germany in 1963, the 17-minute sketch is broadcast each year while folks gather around to watch. Some other German traditions include fireworks, good luck charms, melting lead and church bells. 7. A. The breaking of the dishes traditionally brings luck to the friend, neighbor or loved one when they are on their doorstep. Another favorite tradition is the monarch's speech. This dates back the a "toast to the fatherland" by Christian IX in the 1880s. Keeping up with technology, these were broadcast on radio, and have been televised since 1958. 8. A. Just before midnight (or as the clocks begin to strike), the house lights are turned off and the family exits the home. The Kalo Podariko (first footing) then begins with someone pure of heart entering with the right foot first. The second personto enter is the one to smash the pomegranate with the amount of luck reflected in the number of seeds (more seeds = more luck). 9. B. The object is to start as the bells begin and finish eating all 12 grapes before they stop. It's quite a challenge to chew and swallow the 12 green grapes before the bells stop ringing. Apparently, the tradition started because they were trying to figure out what to do with bumper crops of grapes. 10. B. If you see someone doing this around your block, don’t worry, they’re not getting kicked out of their house. Some have empty suitcases, some have everything they will need for the destination they are hoping for (swimsuit or a sweater?). Some will leisurely walk, and some will run at full speed with suitcase in hand. I’m sure that after the year 2020, most people will do everything possible to help them travel to that previously cancelled or long-awaited destination.

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Name That Word Scramble Answers Crossword Answers Song answers 1. O 2. N 3. H 4. G 5. A 6. J 7. K 8. B 9. M 10. I 11. P 12. Q 13. R 14. C 15. S 16. L 17. F 18. D 19. E Hidden Pictures Answers

The Snowman Answers

Mark lives in house 1 (clue A). Sarah doesn't live next door to Mark (clue C), so she lives in house 3. By elimination, Katie lives in house 2 and brought a scarf (clue B). Mark didn't bring a carrot (clue A), so a hat. By elimination, Sarah brought a carrot.

House 1 House 2 House 3 Name Mark Katie Sarah Item Hat Scarf Carrot

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