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Christmas

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Best Present Under the Tree

Maybe it was something for your children—or for you. What's the best gift you gave or received this Christmas?

As children, it's often all about what they get. The hottest toy, video game or favorite outfit.  But sometimes, it's about the gift you can give. Finding the perfect thing for your mom, or your sweetie. Or giving something to someone who really needed the help.  Share photos of Christmas morning smiles by uploading one to our gallery, and tell us your stories of great gifts in the comments.  Merry Christmas to you and your families from all of us at Patch!

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Bucky

6:11 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Bob ... Merry Christmas to you and yours and Happy New year !   more ›

Sunday, December 23, 2012

When's It Best to Break the News about Santa?

Should you lie through your teeth as long as possible, or 'fess up at the first hint of doubt? Tell us what you think the right time is.

As a child, we can all remember the palpable anticipation the night of Christmas Eve, trying to calm down enough to get some shuteye. The same goes for parents. Watching the children fumble down the stairs to see what Santa Claus has brought, and their eyes light up when they see colorfully wrapped presents abound under the Christmas tree — it's a special moment.  The time will come, though, when questions arise about how exactly the big jolly guy does it: "So, Santa flies around the world in one night on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, somehow breaks into millions of homes and neatly stashes presents under trees? And, he still finds time to drink that milk and eat those cookies left out for him?" Parenting experts agree it can be a tough …

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ben burton

8:22 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate you, man.   more ›

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Gov. Walker: Cherish Family This Holiday Season

Gov. Scott Walker delivers a Christmas message for this week's radio address.

Each week, Gov. Scott Walker delivers a weekly radio address. The following is the transcript from his address on Thursday, titled Holiday Message. Hi, I’m Scott Walker.  My wife Tonette and I would like to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness this holiday season.  As we get ready to celebrate Christmas with our sons, Matt and Alex, we pray for a new year filled with faith, hope, and prosperity. This joyful season can be a time to remember as well as a time to hope for the future.  It is also a time to be grateful for the past year and for our loved ones. We hope that in the midst of the hustle and bustle, and in light of the recent tragedy, everyone will take the opportunity to cherish the family around them…

Rick Fink

9:48 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013

I lived in Port Washington when I was a kid and a belated Merry Christmas to everyone there.   more ›

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Inside the Bubble

'Tis the Season of the True Hero

There are those who just scream subtle...

Hamlet had Horatio.  While Hamlet – the Drama Queen / Danish Prince - hogs the spotlight, Horatio stands by his nutty friend.  In fact, Horatio was all set to polish off the poison intended for Hamlet.  Horatio - true, honest, rational, loyal and, according to legend, just two merit badges shy of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. So Horatio was a Life Scout. Bottom line: You cannot do better than Horatio when it comes to picking a friend. Go make it right, Horatio. Frodo Baggins had Samwise Gamgee.  Like Horatio, Samwise - the son of a gardener Hamfast Gamgee -  is the unsung hero.  Frodo, always weepy and weak, had to carry what?  About an ounce of Ring?  Samwise carried the luggage, did the cooking, put up with Gollum and bravely took …

Robert Algrin

9:00 am on Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas Mike and Family!! Wow!! Out of all of the characters and interwoven stories you end with unconditional love!! Tis the reason for the season!! Let us share that all year long!! You're a good man!! God Bless you as you continue to use this gift!! Bob   more ›

Saturday, December 10, 2011

What's Your Worst Holiday Photo?

I'm dedicated to creating a conversation that doesn't include politics, hope this helps your sanity. - Denise

Tinsel, fake metallic Christmas trees, those ugly Christmas sweaters – we’ve all got those photos lurking in our albums. We wish they would go away forever, but your mother would never allow that to happen, not now, and not ever. So here's your chance to -- I don't know, expose them to the world and show how far your Christmas style has really come. Or, like me, you relish the fact that your beautiful sister is wearing the ugliest trousers ever made and you are happy as a clam that your mother didn't make you wear them. Add your photos above and have a good chuckle.

Heather Rayne Geyer

5:01 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2011

LOL. Ok. Added one. I SWEAR I did not always look like that hahaha!!   more ›

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Christmas Already? But it's Only September

Why is there a need to start the "Christmas season" earlier and earlier every year?

Is that the sun?* After days of constant dreariness and gloominess (unless you’re a Brewers fan), the clouds disappeared and the sun came out to make for a pretty good fall afternoon. Leaves are just starting to fall to the ground, neighbors are starting to put out some Halloween decorations and the high school football regular season is already two-thirds complete. It’s September. It’s fall in Wisconsin. So why the heck are stores already selling Christmas decorations? Last weekend, I visited Brookfield Square’s JCPenney. When I got to the home living section, I stopped dead in my tracks to see Christmas trees, ornaments and other holiday decorations. It was Sept. 23! More than a month before Halloween. Two months away from Thanksgiving. …

Veronica Wallace-k

3:16 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011

I believe that Thanksgiving should be celebrated in October! That is the month of the harvest and the Harvest Moon. There is no harvested food to be brought to the table in November. It all has to be truck in and more cost to the consumer. Let the end of October celebrate the harvest and our being Thankfull and the kids can do the Halloween and Trick'r'Treat. Then November could be as straight …   more ›

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas Tree Disposal Instructions

DPW asks residents make trees accessible for pick up.

There are people who like to get rid of their Christmas Tree right after Dec. 25 and then there are people who like to hold on to their trees till after New Years. Then there are those few people who wait till the end of January to dispose of their Christmas tree. Whatever the case may be in your home, the Greendale Department of Public Works will be more than happy to help you out. Carl Tisonik, director of Public Works, says people usually throw out their trees mid-January, however, trees will still be picked up until late-January. Trees can be left out with the rest of the trash with the butt facing the street so that DPW can pick them up. Tisonik asks residents "to make sure to make the trees accessible for pick up."

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Greendale Carolers Take a Stroll on Candy Cane Lane

Greendale Middle School and High School choir director and her students sing Christmas songs for onlookers.

Last night, members of the Greendale High School and Middle School choir and their teacher, Erica Wilkinson, sung Christmas carols on Candy Cane Lane for fundraising. Located in West Allis, Candy Cane Lane is known as a winter wonderland and attracts locals every December to view the lavishly decorated houses. Visitors slowly drive through to see the colorful lights or some park and walk around the neighborhood. Candy Cane Lane is located by Oklahoma and Montana Avenues and 92nd to 96th Street. Onlookers are able to donate to the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc.) during the festivities. Although the weather was rainy and foggy, Wilkinson and her students were in good spirits and there were plenty of onlookers to …

Monday, December 20, 2010

Last-Minute Holiday Fun for the Family Provided in Greendale

There is still plenty to do with your kids as Christmas approaches.

As Christmas approaches next weekend, families are coming together, and parents are looking for ways to enjoy the holiday week with their children. While lots of holiday events have come and gone, here are a few ways you can have some family fun and prepare for the big day. First, the Greendale Parks & Recreation Department will be releasing their winter guide to activities that families can take part in next week. Parents can enjoy going through the catalog with their kids and discussing the various arts and crafts programs, as well as the fun sports programs that Greendale will be holding this season. The booklet will be distributed to Greendale residents via mail. If you don't get one, or you are not a Greendale resident, extra copies …

Monday, December 13, 2010

Martin Luther High School Inspires with Christmas Concert

“Christ Child: Songs of the Nativity” showcased the high school's talented bands and choirs in a Christmas celebration.

Martin Luther High School performed their annual Christmas concert in their Worship/Fine Arts Center on December 10 and 11.  This year's program, dubbed, "Christ Child: Songs of the Nativity", comprised of two halves: the first half conducted by the various bands, and the second half performed by a variety of choir combinations. After conductor Jonathan Wiegert opened the Friday evening concert with a prayer, the Varsity Band first took the stage. The band was composed of a rather small grouping of student musicians. The brass, wind instruments, and percussion all blended well to create a big sound out of less than 15 players. Their second piece, "Yuletide Festival", was a fun medley of classic Christian hymns. The second group was the …

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