Magical Lights & Decor

For many people, one of the magical moments at Christmas is enjoying lights on the Christmas tree. Coloured lights. Twinkling lights. Blinking lights. Today there are many options when you decorate your tree.

During the latter half of the 1800s, if people wanted lights on their Christmas tree, it was strategically placed candles – often lit for only a few minutes on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day – with a pail of water or sand nearby in case of fire.

The first string of electric lights used at Christmas time appeared in 1880 at Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory in New Jersey; two years later, the first string of electric lights – red, white and blue - were hung on a Christmas tree.

Boxed sets of electric lights did not become available to the public until 1903, and interestingly, you could buy or rent a string of lights. As more North American homes were wired for electricity, electric Christmas lights became more common with fire departments and insurance companies encouraging people to use them in place of candles.

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German Saying-of-the-Day

Lichterglanz und Kerzenschein
hüllen unsere Herzen in Wärme ein

Twinkling stars and candlelight, making our spirits bright

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Meet the Bluevale Chamber Choir

Today's Concert features Bluevale Chamber Choir performance in 2019

Bluevale’s Chamber Choir is an auditioned group consisting of 20 singers from all grades, who, in addition to being part of the large choir, Bluevale Singers, also come out to rehearse on Thursday mornings at 7am to further express their love for singing. They sing music of all styles, from classical, to folk songs from around the world, to pop and jazz, and are pleased to perform for you. Visit their website for more information.