The Christmas season is in full swing for The Salvation Army as they continue to work for those in the community in need during the holiday season and beyond.
    The Salvation Army is coming off a very successful Food Drive and they filled 18 skids of food, two more than last year. The speed of processing and sorting was also a record thanks to the great volunteer support.
    Last week the Salvation Army held a registration day for those in need to come and sign up for the hamper program. Lieutenant Rachel Sheils says those who may have missed the sign up day can still register.
    “The blitz happened last Thursday, but if people missed making an appointment they can call the office at 403-823-2215 and we will arrange an appointment time.
    One more designated appointment day is December 18 from 1 -4 p.m.
    They now focus on building the Christmas Hampers.
    The Salvation Army is also working toward filling the hampers with gifts.  Sheils says in general, the hardest to fill are gifts for teenagers, male and female.  The Salvation Army website has a list of the estimated number of toys needed this year. The greatest need is for teenagers followed by youngsters ages 7-11 and children 0-2.
    There are still opportunities for residents to give to the community by volunteering to man the Christmas Kettles.
    “We are still looking for a few more kettle volunteers. We have most of our shifts filled except for the last week before Christmas, we have a few openings still,” said Sheils. “We have about 30 shifts between our locations that we need to fill.”
    To volunteer, contact the Salvation Army Community Services offices at 403-823-2215.  For more information go to the Drumheller Salvation Army website.

Elaine Piwin stands by one of the Salvation Army Kettles around Drumheller this Christmas season. The Salvation Army is asking for residents to help those less fortunate by contributing Christmas hampers, hams, and turkeys.

    Running through malls, online checkouts, price shopping, overindulgence, growing lists and shrinking timelines.
    Christmas can be a mystical magical time of family and celebration. That can sometimes get clouded by the demands of the season. The irony is that our quest to make it a perfect Christmas is what adds to the stress of the season.
    Rosebud Theatre seems to have an uncanny way of creating a venue that strips through the stress, the worry, and the distractions and lets you immerse yourself in the good feelings that Christmas should bring.
    Rosebud’s Christmas musical May and Joe is a Rosebud original, and could be destined to be a Christmas classic. It is co-authored by Heather Pattengale and Morris Ertman. The music and lyrics were written and performed by Paul Zacharias each night of the show.
    They find the Christmas spirit this year on a cold road, somewhere in Northern Ontario. On this cold road are a pregnant teen, a skeptical young man and a bitter angel.  All are a little damaged, but help is just a miracle away.
    In fact, it’s the miracle that plays a role in most Christian thought that is also the centerpiece of this play.
    ‘You’re pregnant? How? Oh, a miracle?”
    As the young innocent couple struggle to reconcile, they are helped along by an angel whose wings have long since withered.
    Rosebud always does Christmas right, and in fact, it’s home grown production,  outshines some of the classics. The story is comical, poignant and moves long well.
    The craftsmanship of the music is what builds the character of the show and sets it apart. Many of these songs can stand alone and act less as devices to carry the action or highlight, but the simple arrangements with a guitar, piano and bass carry the emotion. 
    Sometimes we need a reset button to refocus during the holidays and Rosebud continues to provide that outlet for another holiday season.
    May and Joe runs until December 22.