by Shelley Bennett
This week is the transition from all things Autumn to full on Christmas mode on Friday. I would like to start with a few words about fall sports at Lassen High. First off, our Cross Country had a strong season this year with three of our runners, senior Brady Johnson, freshmen Kimmie McKernan, and Rocklin Albonico, running in the state meet last weekend.
It’s great to see coach Kris Runyan make improvements to the program every year. She has big goals for our Lassen High runners!
The Lassen High School Football also had great post season success with wins against Pierce and UPrep in the playoffs before falling to Orland in the section championship. I loved listening to the games on the radio and watching in person this season. So many of my students were out their pushing their physical limits while showing great heart and perseverance.
I am SO proud of them!
As we get into the holiday season, watching my favorite Christmas movies is a must. Here is a list of my top 5:
Emmet Otter’s Jug-band Christmas – If you were a lucky kid who had cable in the 70s, chances are you had an opportunity to watch this classic from Jim Henson. Loosely based on The Gift of the Magi, Kermit the Frog as narrator relates this story of a group of otters who are struggling financially to provide gifts and necessities for their families and friends. There’s a feel-good story ending with a sweet lesson on life, a widowed mama otter who does everything for her family, and a nightmarish rock band of misfit critters with a snake on bass. It shouldn’t work, but it does in a delightful, heart-warming way.
A Bad Moms Christmas — With Santa strippers and lots of inappropriate jokes, this film breaks all of my Christmas movie rules. But it’s hilarious! And relatable. Three mom friends (played to perfection by Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn) are often overwhelmed with the unrealistic expectations of a perfect Christmas. Throw in pushy grandmas, absent husbands, and bratty kids and it seems like they will never find the balance of celebration and actually enjoying the moments themselves. However, these moms are funny and resourceful and find a way to make the holidays a good time for all, while finding a closeness with their own moms they didn’t think could exist again.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – the original animated one from 1966. It’s simple, short, and tells all the most important parts of the Dr. Seuss classic. There are some fun songs, dark humor, and another great message to internalize at the end.
Love Actually – I’m not a big fan of RomComs, but this British ensemble cast and the way 10 separate love stories are woven together push it to the top of my list. A narrator opens the film with a reflection on travelers arriving at Heathrow Airport. He reminds us of the love of friends and families welcoming their loved ones. Then the story continues with introducing us to the eight couples who lives are intertwined. Through all the drama, conflicts, and challenges, love prevails in the midst of holiday celebrations.
The Holiday – Another RomCom with British roots, this story of two women, played by Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, who trade houses over the holidays so they can distance themselves from their romantic woes. Jude Law and Jack Black play their leading men and of course everyone ends up happily ever after. It’s also funny, refreshing, and there is the added appeal of a beautiful English countryside during Christmas. Absolutely magical!
What’s on your list?
Hope to see you this Saturday at the Magical Country Christmas! While we may not have the snowstorm of last year, this is ‘THE’ community event of the Holiday Season and will put you in the Christmas mood.
The Drill Team is hosting pictures with The Grinch in the space at 614 Main Street next to Haven. We are asking for a $5 donation to raise money for our competition and uniform expenses and will also have cookies and treats for sale.
Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to [email protected] and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”
