9 - Supplement to the North Shore News - December 24, 1980 A different Christmas tree ENCINITAS, Calif. (UPI) said Paul junior, who now. set of the “Dean Martin He said a major part of the - Unless you blink. you'll manages the family business. Christmas Show”. research is devoted swear you're seeing Santa “‘We think we have Claus and his 200 helpers developed a winner, a table feverishty preparing for tree standing 4 feet tail that The Mouse Family Christmas By my McCREADIE “Twas the night before Christmas and Munchie the Mouse Took a second trip round through her trim little house Her Mousekins were settied all snug in their beds, While visions of Camembert danced in their heads. Munchie tidied the hearth with a flick of her tall And straightened the booties hung up on the rail They were empty, alas, as Daddy was late -- Moxie Mouse was a father who needed to wait He shopped in the stores when the people had left, Tucking all sorts of goodies up tight in his vest He hopped in the food store and aimed for the cheese; A nip of ripe cheddar gave strength to his knees! He tucked a firm chunk of “Romano” with care Inside his small vest, avoiding the hair. Salami would do for the Christmas Day feast. He helped himself nicely to all the roast beast. Munchie waited alone while her spouse did his jobs. She groomed her small ears and added some bobs. As the darkness drew close, she heard noise at the door. “He's home,” she exulted. What mouse could want more?” And then a cat’s clatter arose from the stair: “I've got you, you Mousekin. I know you are there!” Munchie’s heart jumped inside her, her toes went quite limp. She knew that poor Moxie had wakened Sir Imp. That cat prowled the house from morning to night Except for the times he spent sleeping uptight. Moxie had a large feast tucked up in his vest, But Sir Imp knew exactly what he liked the best! “Mouse on toast,” growled the cat. “I'll have that for my lunch. “If there's any left over, ll have ft for brunch!” Moxie shifted his load from his vest to the stair. He knew that the cat would forget it was there. “Ili give him a run for his catnip,” he vowed. “Pll lead him away from my own family crowd.” Munchie saw with despair the cat lurking outside. She knew that her husband would run ‘til he died. “He won't,” she expounded. “Ill stop that darned cat!” “He'll not eat my Moxie if / can stop that.” She ran through the drainpipe to the kitchen above, Grabbed a can of sardines which she knew all cats love. With a flick of her wrist she revolved the great key And poured all the juice from the fish of the sea. The scent of sardines picked up by the cat -- “Beats any old mousie and I'll swear to that!” Moxie shivered alone at the top of the star, Then grabbed up his vest and flew right out of there. When he dragged his loot home through the door of his house, His Manchie smelled funny, not a bit like a mouse. He checked on his Mousekins, all tucked in their beds, And empted his vest on the little bedsteads. Munchie made him some tea and surveyed all his loot, Then she pressed some fine cheese into cach lttle boot. Moxie stpped on his tea and looked up at his wile. “What is that cologne? Chanel! Bet my life!” “Cologne de Sardine,” she replied with a smile. “We're rid of that cat for the next little while.” “Merry Christmas, my Munchie,” he sald with a hag. “But don't waste good fish on that ugly big tug!” to “We're trying to develop a producing a plant that can yellow poinsettia now, but withstand lower tem- we just haven't gotten the peratures and bloom in a Christmas in a magic can be used instead of the right flower that we can_ shorter period, thus saving seacoast land called En- traditional Christmas treeor market commercially,” the energy costs. Cinitas thousands of miles alongside it.” elder Ecke said. “Our Dutch The poinsettia, native to from the North Pole. Five years in develop- growers are very anxious for Mexico, was first introduced But instead of elves ment, the poinsettia tree the yellow one. We have to the United States in 1925 putting the finishing touches grows on a single stem and 10,000 trial seedlings we are by Joel Robert Poinsett,the on toys for boys and girls, has about 30 blooms. growing in hopes of _ first U.S. ambassador to these Santa’s helpers are Although available now only developing new varities.” Mexico. watching over a sea of inred, Ecke said hybridizers brilhant, eye-arresting red hope to perfect white and and white poinsettia plants pink colors. Just like the destined for every corner of poinsettia plant, it can last the world. for several years and be The mythical Santa is the coaxed into flowering again. pixyish Paul Ecke Sr., 85, The 20-acre Ecke ranch who, with his son Paul Jr... atready has shipped millions run the world’s largest of poinsettia cuttings to poinsettia ranch on a coastal growers throughout the farm, 25 miles north of San world, starting in the spring, Diego the family has and plans to send a quarter operated since 1923. million potted flowers to Ecke Sr., credited with wholesalers around the transforming acommon field nation in the coming month. plant into the “Christmas Many of the plants, in Flower’ prized from spectacular deep. reds, Malaysia to Tehran, boasts a_ whites and spotted, already brand-new innovation this have been brought into full year - the poinsettia tree. color through artificial “We'll be shipping about’ means. One of the first 1,000 of the trees this year.” mayor delivenes was to the “| hope this Christmas will be happy for you........ trimmed with many special things for you and yours. See you in the New Year!” : LARRY GOOD STUFF GAMES 2045 Lonsdale Ave. ‘Across from London Drugs’ 988-6511 Bee IMRT OMAR ON aan mo after Christmas! And meanwhile, have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 1981... Ambient Slimming and Self Care kor Men and Women POO ONT SOR LEO ES: ROG IEE, TEE rp aA va 660 Clyde Avenue West Vancouver BC Tel 926-7315/16 THE POINSETTIA CHRISTMAS TREE provides an alternative to hulking coniferous trees. (k.ast of Taylor Way near the Park Royal Hotel) The Staff at HEADSTOP, iocated in the Dollarton Shopping Centre, would tke to wish you a Merry Chnistmas' and look forward to serving you in the New Year — Batty Brenda Theresa and Bnan who has just joined us Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ... From the management & staff Will Be Open Boxing Day & New Years Day rial) PINK PEARL RESTAURANT iin Fé thy 3 rd C ANTONE St ( UISINE Colette the comnng New voor with fhenicds ane Gard terieas A harmonious 1781 16 Jes fives d ter breapopoeet whens yoo otic ook 1s bicap og oy! Kemember us for all your party treats: © oo kta scmsage folls ¢ hesesse poutfs Blac k booreast Re Ploovealfy oc cakeas Hreacgltthy torercaeds & roolls co 4 5 ‘ te “S) Pane fe 4 * Dundarave Bake Shoppe HEAD STOP PGlosed { dere 25 & Jan / AGOA } Hrs Mon Thurs 21 10 Fro & bat Pt be Sun 4 sl FREE LOCAL OELIVERY 620 Westview Shopping Centre North Vancouver 984-9147 SEASON’S BEST 2454 Marine West Van 922 7533 469 N. Dollarton Hwy _N Van 929-8191