Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Founded 1901

Royal Purple

A very RP holiday

As the semester winds down, students cram for finals with the distant hope that soon enough, they will be gathering with friends and family and celebrating one of many potential holidays coming in the next months. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years and other traditional and ceremonial events are happening now, or are right around the corner. The Royal Purple editorial staff share their holiday experiences as another wonderful semester of news comes to a close.

Justin St. Peter, Sports editor, remembers a loved one

My mom passed away from lung cancer when I was in eighth grade without ever having consumed a tobacco product in her life. The year before, the T-Baum Foundation heard her story and sent me and my family on an all expenses paid trip for four days to Disney World and a three-day Disney Cruise. Every year in Belguim, Wisconsin, the founders of the T-Baum Foundation decorate their house and yard with Christmas lights and sync it to a few Christmas songs for spectacular light show. The house is run entirely off of donations to the charity and lasts 10 minutes. All you have to do is sit in your car, tune in your radio, and be amazed. Spectators are encouraged to donate to help families like mine through the worst times of their lives. It is always one of the many things that I look forward to as the holiday season approaches.

Kimberly Wethal, News editor, shares a culinary experience

A culinary delicacy, compliments of the Wethal family.

Cheesy Hash Browns

2 lbs. hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 cup sour cream

½ cup minced onion

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup (or one of your choice)

½ tsp each of salt and pepper

½ cup butter

2 cups of diced ham

2 cups grated or shredded cheddar cheese

Crushed corn flake crumbs

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. When potatoes are thawed, mix all ingredients, excluding the corn flake crumbs, together in a large bowl. Spread the mixture in a greased 9×13” pan and bake for 45-60 minutes. Sprinkle corn flake crumbs over the top once out of the oven and serve warm.

Abrielle Backhaus, Arts & Rec editor, competes in a battle of wordy wits

Catch-a-phrase. Ever heard of the game? Probably not. My grandmother pronounces it that way; but it’s actually Catchphrase. Still not familiar? Attend any Backhaus holiday celebration and you’ll spend hours in family rivalry over a game of description. It’s grandma’s favorite game, so no one can escape.

The goal for each player is to have their team say the word or word phrase displayed in the handheld disc, under whichever topic is chosen. One half of our family loves to choose “the world” because the other half of the family is geographically unintelligent, while that side likes to choose fun & games because they like to not stress the brain for a simple game. One might think a million dollars was on the line for some of my family members.

The best part of this game is we all think different things when we are challenged to describe a person, place or thing. Things like training bras, Mark Wahlberg and a mistaken understanding of the hokey pokey as the hanky panky have led us all to tears of laughter. Try it out, see how fast you are at clearly transmitting descriptions or just how fast you can lose your chill.

Ashley McCallum, Lifestyle editor, buys gifts worthy of a chuckle

Although the birth of my darling younger sister is not considered a national holiday, yet, her birthday falls a couple weeks after the New Year and I always associate it with the holiday season. In the last couple of years, we started a tradition where on each others’ birthdays where we buy a card for a completely unrelated event, leading to a very hilarious reveal, typicaly partnered with a witty joke on the inside. Along with the card, I have gotten into the routine of buying my sister a calendar for the upcoming year that will make her laugh harder than the last. It all started with a dogs doing yoga poster two years ago, last year was the firefighters of Denver. This year, I’m thinking “nuns having fun,” but shh, don’t tell her, it’s a surprise.

Alena Purpero, Multimedia editor, chows down on delectable dessert

I have spent far too many years depriving myself during the month of December up until Christmas day when I get to eat ungodly amounts of Italian Christmas cookies at family gatherings.

On Christmas day I have other food to conquer. Unfortunately, I can’t be the weirdo cousin in the corner eating Italian cookies and coffee by herself (at least not all day). Therefore I took it upon myself to make sure my dad and I pay a visit to Peter Scortino’s Bakery every year in Milwaukee during winter break so we can have our fix of Italian pastries. I’m a pretty health-oriented person, but I won’t hold back from treating myself during the holidays. Plus, studies show that Italian pastries are good for the soul and I’m sure they provide a health benefit of some sort. Don’t look it up though.

Brad Allen, Biz & Tech editor, enjoys Christmas in July

The Fourth of July is definitely my favorite holiday of the year.

Every year, my extended family gets together for a reunion, and I’m able to see family members whom I rarely can visit.

After my family’s gathering, I always see close friends at a fireworks show in Janesville; we always light off our own fireworks afterwards too. It’s a tradition we have, and it’s always a very fun time!

Personal firework shows can be a lot of fun, in the right setting. Lighting off smaller firework packages and larger fountains is a great way to end the holiday.

It’s important to keep in mind that you have to be careful with what your lighting off. Using giant rockets or mortar fireworks may not be the best idea, and I can speak from experience.

My friends and I have been hit by bottle rockets, had fountains tip over and spray out towards us, dodged exploding firecrackers, accidentally lit a lawn chair on fire, and we’ve had a very ‘messy’ incident in which a mortar exploded a watermelon.

It’s very important to only light off fireworks in a very open area; however, if you have a safe location and are willing to accept a possible ticket, then mortars can be a lot of fun (just do not ever light one in town).

Another thing I enjoy about the holiday is a sense of real unity in the community. Everyone seems to have a good time with their families and friends, and it’s great to have a day to celebrate having our own free country!

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Founded 1901
A very RP holiday