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Sage, Winston, Chota, and many great gift items for the angler
in your life.

extra days show up, it can be nearly
impossible. Thankfully, I didn't have
to worry about that for Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rather,
we walked from the rabbi's house to
generous families who fed us ar their
long dining room tables and wel-
comed us into their community.
Every year, fall comes with turning
leaves falling softly to the ground.
Kids return to school, the turtlenecks
come our of the closet, we cuddle
closer for warmth. Our fall holidays
are not festive as much as contempla-
tive; Avy and I certainly spent time
focusing on how we could better
relate to each other, even though we
just married in August.
Before sundown on Friday, erev
Rosh Hashanah, I called my mother
in Farmington Hills. Her voice
sounded soothinc, across the distance.
At her house, she was warming
stuffed cabbage, mixing salad with
dressing, folding napkins in the din-
ing room for the small group of rela-
tives who would gather there. In the
bathroom, Avy steam-ironed his suit,
ready to stand for two hours straight
as he led services. Then I placed the
phone in its cradle and blocked out
the sounds of distance for two days.
I remember spending the holidays
with my family. It was always hectic,
someone bringing a last-minute
kugel to put into the oven. Later,
forks clattered against plates whose
patterns I never noticed (I now look
at people's china all the time, and
eye the matching flatware knowing-
ly). My grandfather presided over
the long table, leaves added to
accommodate cousins, siblings, chil-
dren and neighbors who came to
share the sentiment of a sweet new
year, of forgiveness and fresh starts,
together.
After the meal ended, we'd sink
into the soft couches in the living
room and reminisce about our child-
hood years, recalling practical jokes
and nicknames, laughing until late.
This year, I sat quietly at times,
learning about strangers I may never
meet again, learning a different way
to be Jewish. This year, I introduced
myself in crowds as "the chazzan's
wife," proudly smiling as my eyes
met Avy's, proudly listening as he
chanted and sang on the bimah.
This year, I stood for all of n'ilah

in the sanctuary, lending silent moral
support as he stood stiff in posture,
facing the Ark.
This year, I am someone's wife.
This year, I wear hats over my curly
hair. This year, I think about what it
will be like in years to come, when
(G-d-willing), children who resem-
ble us crawl under our own table
and smear the honey on their chub-
by faces.
I am no longer a kid, celebrating at
a table made pretty by my elders. I
have become the adult.
Just as the High Holidays are a
time of regal contemplation and
learning once again who we are and
who we want to be, Chanukah is a
time for joyful remembrance. Shortly
after the wedding, I called my moth-
er and eagerly offered to host the
family Chanukah party.
She sounded surprised, agreed,
then settled into the idea of passing
the obligation of making beautiful
holidays on to her children.
, So now I cook and clean and pretty
up my house to welcome in guests.
When I decided to host the festive
event, Avy quickly called his mother
for a family cheese-latke recipe. My
husband will fry the potatoes, and I
will neurotically wipe the grease from
the burners. Someone will bring
bagels, another person a salad, some-
one else the cut fruit, and I will make
blintz souffle, eggs, whatever delicious
dairy treats I reserve for this winter
holiday.
Now we take due bills back to the
stores where we registered and pur-
chase colorful plates for serving pota-
to pancakes. I set paper goods with
bright designs on the mahogany table
and before guests stream through the
door of our small house and hang up
their heavy coats, push play on the
stereo to hear the sounds of "Ma'oz
Tsur" by pop artist Marc Cohn.
The holidays are different now that
I'm married. I have two families to
visit and a third beginning. The
smells in my kitchen spark memories
of my mother and my grandmother,
all the years until now when I stud-
ied their hands and copied down
their recipes.
Now, I am building on the tradi-
tion of all viho came before me, lay-
ing one more brick on a solid foun-
dation.

Check out the Holiday Umpqua Fly Box selections. They are
perfect for the angler who thinks he/she has everything.

DEC 9th: SLIDE PRESENTATION ON MONTANA & CHILL Back by
popular demand is Jay Burgin, owner of Five Rivers Lodge in
Montana and Rio Palma Lodge is Chile. These are two of the
best slide presentation we have seen. To see Montana and
Chile in their entire splendor, you must see these shows.
Slides start at 3pm. The "As Always" raffle is a $50.00 gift
certificate to the store.

Sign up for our Holiday Gift List. Stop in, fill it out, leave it with
us, and then tell the gift buyers in your life to head to Westbank
Anglers Michigan fulfill your holiday wishes.

OS;

Join one of our hosted trips to great destinations around the
world. Upcoming trips include, Playa Blanca, 2 weeks at Five
Rivers Lodge in Montana, and Rainbow River Lodge in Alaska.
Ask us about specific dates and costs.

FLY CASTING SCHOOLS: For 2001, held at Cranbrook Academy.
June 2, 16, 30 (women's only), July 14, 28, and our on-site
school at the Whippoorwill Lodge on the Ausable river.

persi, 6612 Telegraph Rd at Maple
Areig
Stii3
er
asnjg
n Bloomfield Plaza

248-538-3474
Holiday Hours: Monzfri 10am-9pm, Sat Iftam-7pm & Sun 12-5pm

DON THOMAS SPORTHAUS AND BOGNER, PARTNERS IN FASHION SINCE 1955

DON THOMAS SPORTHAUS FEATURES MICHIGAN'S FINEST
SELECTION OF WINTERWEAR AND STUNNING SLOPESIDE FASHIONS.

WEEKEND NOVICE OR DOWNHILL RACER. WE'LL PUT YOU ON THE RIGHT
SKIS OR BOARD AND SHOW YOU HOW TO LOOK GOOD USING THEM.

oan gkomasr

r

drOrthatiS

❑

WE ENJOY SKIING AS MUCH AS YOU DO.

6600 TELEGRAPH ROAD . BLOOMFIELD PLAZA . BLOOMFIELD HILLS . 248.626.9500
OTSEGO CLUB . GAYLORD . 517.731.3322 . WWW.LETSSKI.COM

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