22 ~- Sunday, November 26 , 1989 — North Shore News Femaeemesenene eit a pi sap ste ate So 6 Ob tN; he MATCHES Trains put under Xmas tree THERE’S SOMETHING magical about a toy train running around the vase of a Christmas tree. An engine, a few rail cars and a caboose ... and suddenly you’ve created a world of enchantment. It’s a world that recalis long family tradition and fond childhood memories. The train-under-the-tree tradition began in the early 1900s with German tin metal sets powered by wind-up engines. A few trips around the tree and then it was time to wind up again. In the ’20s and ’30s the first electric sets began to appear, and by the 1950s, it seemed as if every child either already had a train under the tree or desperately wished Santa would leave one there. Interest in model trains began to decline during the ‘60s and '70s with the appearance of car racing sets and electronic games. But by that time, many of the children who received trains in the ’5@s had already developed a love for model railroading as a hobby. Elaborate rail yard layouts have been filling base- ments and spare bedrooms ever since. Model trains are once again a Christmas favorite for the young (and the young at heart). An industry expert says that the larger sets are par- ticularly suited for under the tree use because ‘‘there are no small parts to frustrate a child, and the large size makes set-up and take-down much easier to han- te.” No matter what the size, if this is the year to put a train under your tree, by all means buy a bag of cot- ton wool. It’s amazing how quickly you can create a beautiful snowy scene. And when a child looks on with delight, as a train travels ’round the tree, you'll know that a tradition has passed from one generation to the next. Buy the best batteries NEWS photo Cindy Goodman SIX-YEAR-OLD Jeffrey Allen knows whai he wants for Christmas. The Highland Elementary student was Christmas browsing this week at Girder and Bezrn in Lonsdale Quay. Line To Send Presents... A, Uh Wrapping packages and spending the morning in line at the post office can take the jingle bells out of anybouy Hf you don't have elves to help, then do the next best thing Bring ail of your out-of-town gifts to Pak Mail. We'll Pack if, Stuff a, Seal it, Tape tt, Glue it, Wrap it, Tre it, Send it, Copy it, Fax it, Box it, Stanp it, and get it there on me and in one proce Just think of us as... PAK MAIL * 738 Marine Drive North Vancouver 988-2363 JOHNNY RECEIVES a portable am/fm cassette player as a Christmas gift and buys alkaline. batteries to power it. Has Johnny selected the correct batteries or is he wasting his money? Will Johnny be listening to music far into the night or heading off to his local department store to buy new batteries? Which batteries are the best? And hew do you know what to buy? These are two questions that will be asked thousands of times during the upcoming holiday season. Christmas time is the biggest battery buying season, and more than half the yearly sales of bat- teries are made during this time. According to the battery experts, Johnny was a smart consumer and made the right selection. Because of their long life, alkaline batteries are your best buy for high-drain products, such as portable radios, children’s toys, electronic games or portable televisions. Alkalines come in five popular sizes — AAA, AA, ©, D and 9- volt — and offer excellent shelf life and tolerance to temperature ex- tremes. Alkaline batteries are the perfect stocking stuffer. If you plan to give a loved one a power-hungry, heavy-use gift, such as a boomin box, portable CD player, remote-controlled car or photoflash unit, rechargeable bat- teries are an excellent buy. Rechargeables are usually nickel-cadmium and can be recharged up to 1,000 times. Remember, only batteries specified as rechargeables can be recharged. Since rechargeables are more expensive than alkalines, consider giving them as a separate gift. BELIEVING IN SANTA SHOULD BE FREE Free Photos With Santa November 18 until December 23 Santa Hours: Daily 10 am - 1 pm, 2-5 pm, 6-8 pm (late nights only) Sunday 1-4 pm . UNCFUN PE ay GPE Odds “Free Parking’”’ 935 Marine Dr. North Van 980-8561 Donatemy are weleome por thy Vancotter Stan Chibdren's Brand HE OPCCR TE TTY "BLACKS. (_ saceees J “Daycare Available” OPEN: Mon.-Wed. & Sat. 9:30-5:30 pm Thurs.-Fri. 9:30-9:00 pm Sun. Hoon to 5:00 pm