Table of Contents
Everybody’s Talking | Quotable Quotes | Trivia | What’s Happening | Your Weekly Horoscope | Did You Know? | On the Lighter Side
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Vol. 2 No. 12:08 Dec 8th, 2025
Everybody’s Talking
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Honest driver: Taxi drivers find lots of items such as hats, cell phones, or briefcases that passengers leave behind in their cabs. However, very few have found what a driver in Singapore discovered in the back seat: a black paper bag containing Sg$1.1 million ($900,000 US). As tempting as it was to keep the money, driver Sia Ka Tian turned the bag in to his company office and waited for the owners to reclaim it. It turned out the money belonged to a Thai couple on vacation. The couple gave Tian an undisclosed monetary reward for the safe return of their cash. As well, the taxi company commended him for his honesty.
Going underground: A Chinese man who once worked in a mine for a living has found a new use for his acquired skills. He is adding extra living space to his small house by digging underneath it. Chen Xinnian is taking these extreme measures because the high price of homes in the city of Zhengzhou, in Henan province, makes moving to a larger abode impossible. Using equipment he purchased himself, the ex-miner plans to dig out enough earth under his home to make room for three bedrooms. According to Xinnian, the new quarters will provide warmth in winter and a cool retreat in summer and will be earthquake resistant.
No door: A tenant in a rented house in Largo, Florida (US) came home one day to quite a shock, the front door to her house was missing. Deidra Navarro wasn’t sure what was going on, so she called the property manager who said that the door had been removed so it could be repaired. Trouble was, Navarro was unaware that there was a problem with her front door. She had asked for repairs on a few other things, but not the front door! The woman ended up being without a front door for over 10 days, during which time she removed her bedroom door and propped it up at the front entrance for the sake of appearance.
Beatle scholar: A woman from Canada can call herself an expert on the Beatles, that fabulous group of musicians who emerged from England in the early 1960s. Mary-Lu Zahalan-Kennedy graduated with a Masters of Arts degree in Beatles, Popular Music and Society from the Liverpool Hope University in England. Course founder, Mike Brocken, started the course so that students could learn about the Beatles and their impact on society. Students also study the composition of the Beatles songs, as well as how Liverpool life in the sixties influenced their music. Zahalan-Kennedy is also a singer as well as a past finalist of the Miss Canada Pageant.
Quotable Quotes
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“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”
– Mark Twain
“A good friend is a connection to life – a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.”
– Lois Wyse
Trivia
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- What was the first successful novel written by Stephen King?
- Sciophobia is the fear of what?
- What is a supernova?
- A type of railway used on steep grades or mountainsides is called what?
- What do you call a hotdog, covered in cornmeal batter and fried on a stick?
▼ Trivia answers at the bottom of the page! ▼
What’s Happening
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December 2025
Red Deer
The Home Depot & BGC Red Deer – Orange Door Project Fundraiser
Date & Time: Now until December 21
Location: The Home Depot, Red Deer
Details: Customers can donate in-store or online to support local at-risk and homeless youth. All contributions stay local and directly assist BGC Red Deer and the 49th Street Youth Shelter.
For More Information: Visit OrangeDoorProject.ca
Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre – Craft & Market Sales
Date & Time: Every Saturday until December 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre, Red Deer
Details: Enjoy festive markets featuring local artisans, handmade goods, and seasonal décor.
For More Information: Contact Parkland Nurseries directly.
Lacombe, Blackfalds, Bentley & Rimbey
Merry & Bright Christmas Crafting Day
Date & Time: December 30, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Details: A festive crafting day for children ages 7–12. Participants will decoupage, paint, sculpt, and create at least four handmade gifts. Lunch, snacks, and hot chocolate are included.
For More Information: Register at lacombePAC.com/events
Lacombe Christmas Exhibit & Santa’s Workshop
Date & Time: Open through December 20
Location: Lacombe Museum
Details: Explore a seasonal exhibit celebrating Christmas traditions, crafts, and historic displays for all ages.
For More Information: Visit lacombemuseum.com
Sylvan Lake, Gasoline Alley, Springbrook & Penhold
New Romantics Book Club
Date & Time: December 10, 6:30–8 p.m.
Location: Lakeshore Café, Sylvan Lake
Details: A book club for romance readers hosted by the Sylvan Lake Municipal Library. December’s featured title is A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone.
For More Information: Visit the Sylvan Lake Municipal Library website.
Sip & Shop Christmas Market
Date & Time: December 12, 5–9 p.m.
Location: Nexsource Centre, Sylvan Lake
Details: A cozy holiday market featuring 30+ local vendors, artisan goods, food, drinks, and festive cheer. Includes mocktails, cocktails, and door prizes.
For More Information: Contact Nexsource Centre or visit their event listings.
Your Weekly Horoscope
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Lucky numbers this week: This week’s odds favour Aquarius winners with the luckiest number being2.
This weeks edition is sponsored by:
Aries (March 21 - April 20)
Life may seem like less of a struggle and doors of opportunity may open rather easily for you. It might be a good time to promote your creative ideas. Lucky Numbers: 14, 17, 23, 27, 32, 37.
Gemini (May 22 - June 21)
You may feel very sociable and seek hospitality with those who really know how to enjoy themselves. Cherish strong friendships. Lucky Numbers: 3, 7, 23, 27, 30, 43.
Taurus (April 21 - May 21)
This may be a very positive time for you. If you are a writer or are involved in any intellectual work, ideas could flow and make it easier for you to express your thoughts. Lucky Numbers: 16, 19, 27, 39, 40, 46.
Cancer (June 22 - July 23)
Doors may open, bringing new opportunities for personal growth. Any initiative you feel inclined to take could likely lead to a positive goal. Lucky Numbers: 1, 13, 18, 31, 33, 38.
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 23)
You may be in a quiet, reflective and meditative mood. Any activity that requires self-discipline and concentrated focus could be of benefit to you. Lucky Numbers: 5, 18, 23, 25, 30, 31.
Libra (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)
You might find that you have a lot of energy and your reflexes to be quick. There may be a strong urge for some excitement. Do something new and out of the ordinary. Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, 14, 24, 34, 44.
Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23)
Avoid any social conversation or trivialities that distract you from your work. Now may be the time to learn practical skills and take care of business. Lucky Numbers: 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42.
Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
A personal situation may require that you speak what’s on your mind. Clearly voice your opinion and make a good decision. Lucky Numbers: 15, 19, 25, 36, 39, 45.
Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)
Social activity is sure to benefit all. As a result, friendships and cooperative endeavours may flourish and you could achieve a more harmonious balance in your life. Lucky Numbers: 5, 18, 24, 35, 38, 44.
Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)
You may be feeling extremely subjective and moody, but don’t allow your feelings to ruin your week. Try to make more rational decisions for those long-range goals. Lucky Numbers: 7, 9, 19, 27, 39, 47.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)
The recognition or support from your superiors will be very clear. If you take the initiative, those in a position to assist you could be especially helpful. Lucky Numbers: 2, 22, 29, 32, 39, 41.
Pisces (Feb. 20 - March 20)
Although your desire for pleasure and affection may be strong, it may interfere with complicated situations. Try to be more assertive. Lucky Numbers: 25, 30, 35, 38, 40, 45.
Did you Know?
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Popular paintings: Norman Rockwell was an American artist famous for depicting everyday life. One of his paintings, Saying Grace, recently sold at auction for $46 million (US). Another, The Gossips, sold for $8.5 million (US). Rockwell died in 1978.
Landlocked: Slovakia, a landlocked country of over 5 million people, is located in Central Europe. It has borders with five other nations: Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Its largest city is Bratislava, which is also the country’s capital.
Chirp, chirp: An old wives’ tale says you can tell the temperature by counting cricket chirps. For Fahrenheit, count the chirps in 14 seconds and add 40. For Celsius, count the chirps in 25 seconds and divide by three, then add four. Give it a try!
Racers: In the sport of pigeon racing, specially bred pigeons, called the Racing Homer, are released. The time it takes for them to fly home over a specified distance is measured. Race distances are usually between 100 and 1000 kilometres (60 and 620 miles).
On the Lighter Side
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When does a gardener call a plumber? When the leeks sprout!
Sign on travel agency window: We Mean It When We Say We Want You To Go Away!
Mickey: “Hey, Yogi! What’s that big wooden thing over your fireplace?”
Yogi: “Why, that’s a mantel, Mickey.”
Auction: Where you get something for nodding.
What does a hungry termite say when it strolls into a tavern? “Hi! Is the bar tender here?”
Trivia answers:
- “Carrie”
- Shadows
- Exploding star
- Funicular
- Corn dog
This edition has been brought to you by Trophy Loft
© Published with permission of Costain Corp