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44 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | DECEMBER 2022 | Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see, like the conductor on The Polar Express. The Happy Cookers Christmas Party is in the South Clubhouse on Dec. 17, from 6 to 8:30 pm. Food will be provided by Russo's Italian Restaurant, there will be door prizes, and entertainment will be by Jamestown. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for guests. If you have not yet signed up, call Barbara Elness at (407) 432-8363. Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy. Don't you just love Santa Claus? Well, the experts tell us Santa Claus still appears to be very sentimental for most adults as they recall listening for reindeer on the roof, leaving out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, and mailing their own letters to the North Pole during their adolescence. After all, it's not just the gifts that Santa brings that make the holidays memorable, it's the traditions wrapped in nostalgia and witnessing the appeal across the generations. One of the things I remember the most from my childhood about Santa is the age-old tradition of writing letters to Santa. This amazingly hasn't changed even in today's world of instant gratification, overnight deliveries, and email. Somehow the magic of Santa is still alive as the children continue to handwrite letters to Santa and mail them to North Pole. Now onto the most important Happy Cookers topic: FOOD. There's no doubt that turkey goes with Thanksgiving, but perhaps this year your family ate something other than turkey, like ham. Turkey really does symbolize the holiday no matter how you look at it. But what about Christmas? Is there really a main dish that is symbolic of Christmas? Not really — it appears that everyone does something different. Maybe that's what is so special about the holiday. I imagine we can all admit it is the most exciting time of the year. And don't we all love giving and receiving gifts during the Christmas season; but let's be honest — we're here for the FOOD! From that juicy ham to Grandma's pecan tarts and Christmas fudge, it's all about the Christmas meal! We know that a family's food traditions are an integral part of the holiday season. Which made me curious as to what the most popular side dishes were in America. Here is what I discovered: roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, breads or rolls, sweet potatoes or yams, scalloped potatoes, green beans, asparagus, fruit salad, glazed carrots, mixed vegetables, apples, applesauce, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberries, rice, squash/ butternut squash, corn, deviled eggs, Jell-O, broccoli salad, and potato salad. No matter what side dishes you serve, enjoy and remember- it's the holiday season… let the overeating begin. Your Happy Cookers Board (Raelene Kretchman, Jeannie Lloyd, Doug Deans, Jolyn Deans, Lois Jordan, Mary Miller, Barbara Elness, & Ginny DeBry) wishes you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a healthy and prosperous New Year. ~ President, Raelene Kretchman, (714) 815-6990 Happy Cookers