Seasons Greetings from Rocky Forest Area
A fire permit is no longer required for burning inside the Forest Protection Area (FPA). This doesn't mean a wildfire can't start so we are asking you to be safe. We had a very dry summer and fall, the lack of water in the ground will allow a fire to burn deep. Winter burning Tips
One way you can help our firefighters over the winter is to contact us if you have any concerns about a winter burn you are completing or to report a winter burn location. Please call 403.845.8266.
Christmas Tree Facts
- Buy a Christmas Tree permit online
- Real Christmas trees came eighth in a survey of the nation’s favourite smells in 2004, just behind the sea but ahead of perfume.
- Manufactured Christmas tree ornaments were first sold by Woolworths in 1880.
- Martin Luther is credited with the idea of lights on Christmas trees. The 16th-century monk added candles to his tree to look like stars in a forest.
- The first use of the term ‘Christmas tree’ in English was in 1835
- The decorated Christmas tree can be traced back to the ancient Romans who during their winter festival decorated trees with small pieces of metal during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture.
Since 1971, the Province of Nova Scotia has presented the Boston Christmas Tree tree to the people of Boston in gratitude for the relief supplies received from the citizens of Boston after a ship exploded in 1917 following a collision in the Halifax, Nova Scotia Harbor.
- In 1882, Thomas Edison's laboratory assistants introduced the first electrically-lit Christmas tree. It had 80 bulbs and cost a small fortune.
- An evergreen, the Paradise tree, was decorated with apples as a symbol of the feast of Adam and Eve held on December 24th during the middle ages.
- A ‘Tree of Paradise’ was also used in old mystery plays to symbolize the Garden of Eden. Apples hung on it may be the origin of tree decorations.
Watch Hippopotamus for Christmas
Decorated Tree Cookies
This rolled cookie dough recipe can be doubled, and it can be refrigerated for up to three days. To freeze wrap in plastic wrap and place in a zip closure freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator 24 hours. Be creative and use several of the decorating ideas below.
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup soft margarine or butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Decorating stuff
In a large bowl, beat powdered sugar and margarine with an electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with a spoon, until smooth.
Break egg into a small bowl and beat slightly with a fork.
Add egg to sugar mixture and stir in vanilla extract.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
For best results, cover the dough and refrigerate for about two hours.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Lightly flour counter or use a dough board. Place half of dough on surface and form a ball. Rub some flour on the rolling pin and roll dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
Using a Christmas tree cutter cut out several cookies. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. If using egg yolk paint, decorate before baking.
Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool completely before using frosting or glaze to decorate or it will melt.
Barry A. Shellian RPFT
Area Information Coordinator
Rocky Wildfire Management Area
Department of Agriculture and Forestry
P 403.845.8351
May the forest be with you