Celebrate Hanukkah! What a fun way to

Kids can easily turn craft sticks and felt into a magical menorah that they can safely “light” themselves—no flames required! Here’s the how-to from Michaels.com:

What you’ll need Masking tape Wood craft sticks: 9 Standard, 13 Jumbo and 6 Mini (such as Creatology®) 9"x12" felt: Orange and Neon blue

❏

❏ Hot glue ❏ Mod Podge® Matte ❏ Extra-fine glitter

(such as Artminds™) ❏ Glitter glue ❏ Easel (to hold canvas)

blinked out. As Dani watched in horror, the lights in every house on the street went off one by one. “Oh, no!” “You didn’t make that happen,” Rick said.

She was unconvinced. “How do you know?”

“Would it help if I told you I’m an electrician?”

“Only if you can turn the power back on.”

“No, but I can do the next best thing. My mother has an automatic generator, and she’s making chicken soup. Why don’t you come over and warm up?”

Before she could answer, Mrs. Black appeared at her front door. “Come inside, both of you!” she ordered. While they removed their jackets and boots, she told them the radio reported that crews were working to fix a downed power pole.

“Then I didn’t cause the blackout!” Dani said.

“Of course not.” The woman patted her cold hand. “Rick will make a fire, and we’ll get you toasty in no time.”

The soup was the best Dani had ever eaten. After dinner,

Oneafternoon, I was shopping at a local drugstore with my niece. As a teacher, she often likes to pick up surprises for her students, and that day she found some fantastic activity books. While standing in the checkout line, we began chatting with another customer. It turned out that customer’s daughter was also a teacher. Smiling, she handed my niece a $20 bill. “It would be my pleasure to buy these for your students,” she explained. Not only was my niece grateful, but in planning to give a gift, she got one—proof that one good turn really does deserve another, and that teachers are a gift themselves! — Elaine R. Howland,

Hanson, MA