The end is in sight, as this is the last issue of this semester. I would like to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone who reads the Voice, and I definitely want to give a thank-you for reading it. I’ve enjoyed working on and writing for the Voice this semester, and I look forward with excitement to what the next semester has to offer. It is a sincere prayer of mine that you all are able to make it to Christmas as stress free as possible, to enjoy the time off with family and friends. Regardless of the stressors that can be found with the finishing off of school, Christmas shopping, and perhaps being involved in Christmas events, I hope that you are able to breathe a sigh of relief and be able to take in the majesty and beauty of the season. To be able to walk or drive along and see the amazing decorations and contrast of beautiful Christmas lights and soft white snow. To be able to inhale deeply and take in the smells and tastes of Christmas, of fresh, but cold air, the pine smell of a Christmas tree, the smell and delight of a cooked turkey, or ham. And most of all, to be able to reflect on the majesty of the season, as we rest in the knowledge and remembrance that Christ descended from Heaven, giving up all the power and glory that he had, to live on earth as Emmanuel.

Shalom, and God Bless

Wesley Hague: Editor

In this Issue:
Main Page:
Christmas Production: Generations to Generations: Christie Heemskerk
Tournament Day: Matthew Vandervoet
Volunteers Needed: Julie-Anne
Vegeterian Experiment: Matt Winger
Fun Stuff – Twas the Nite Before Finals

Creative Corner:
A Hard Path: Wesley Hague

Devotionals:
EBC Devotional: Jason Edgar
Evergreen: James Fretz
Revival: Tim Chester

Global Perspectives:
EBC Students Abroad

Reviews:
Music: The Killers “Day and Age”: Mathew Winger

Social Concerns:
Advent Conspiracy: Mathew Winger

Spotlight:
Vice President: Melissa Doerr

Voice on the Street:
“Favourite Christmas Tradition”: Matthew Vandervoet

The crowd’s voices lingered as Rachel Neumeister began to play the piano. As the choir approached the stage, their voices rang throughout the chapel “ding, dong”. The dramatic presentations accurately reflected the theme of Generation to Generation well and were entertaining to watch. The crowd broke out in laughter during James Moore’s monologue about the man who wrote the hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and cried during Brandon Meyer’s performance reflecting the life of World War II soldier during Christmas.

The monks were a personal favourite. Although there was a slight mistake on Friday night, Brandon Meyers, Daniel Weber and Kyle Wijnands pulled off an amazing performance on Saturday night. “I’m really enjoying the show” said Ruth Scott. “It accurately reflects what Christmas is all about”. “Everybody was just bang on” said Tina “the singing was really good”. All in all people really enjoyed the show and the glory of God was reflected through the nature of how it was presented.

Christie Heemskerk

Matthew Vandervoet

Seeking volunteers  to work one shift a week in the café serving your fellow students next semester: All Shifts Available. A training session will be offered for those who sign up, whether a new or current volunteer - contact Julie-Anne Wideman (me_wideman@hotmail.com)  with your preferred shift to work.

We Need You!

Why vegetarian, why not the infamous “Super Size Me” diet or something else that included more food? There wasn’t a lot of “variety” (as I was soon to find out) and it was a very random decision, but that night after dinner, Brandon and I sat down and signed a 3-month contract stating that we were now vegetarian until Christmas.

We decided to develop a bit of reasoning behind why we were doing something so rash such as missing out on turkey dinner at Thanksgiving. What was the purpose of our experiment? Not trying to single any one out, because I am guilty as well, but I wanted to try something before I “knocked” it. Also being newly in charge of Social Concerns here at EBC, I thought the experiment would be applicable. The process of making meat is very negative towards the impact it has on the environment. Unless you eat green eggs and ham, meat isn’t green. Cows are a leading cause to greenhouse gases produced, and the amount of water that goes into making a 5kg piece of steak in very substantial. Sure there is a downside, but what are the upsides? I wanted to discover the pros and cons to a food choice lifestyle as being a vegetarian.

The experiment had started, and the first week in it was very easy. All we had to do was show up in the cafeteria, ask for the vegetarian option, and take a couple “vegetarian” jokes. It was pretty straightforward. The guys opposed and the girls supported – but that is beside the point, we clearly weren’t trying to impress anyone.

It was exciting trying new foods, learning about what we could eat in order to get a good amount of protein that we were missing form not eating meat. Lentils, beans, and soy. The funniest thing to me was while I was being served my food I would see a person being served meat and their plate was full of options; meat, vegetables, and whatever else went with it. My plate usually consisted of 3 separate styles of vegetables. And then I would leave the line and proceed to get some salad.

Unfortunately, the turning point for me may have been towards the beginning when I accidentally ate a piece of pizza covered in pepperoni… because this started a chain that wasn’t so accidental. I tried hard, and managed to not eat any meat over Thanksgiving, but late nights and weekends got the best of me. I wouldn’t consider myself a full-time vegetarian anymore, but I did learn a lot from this experiment.

Being a vegetarian is a hard thing at EBC. I would eat the vegetarian option, and shortly after find myself needing to eat again. I don’t think that I would do it again, unless I lived on my own and was actually making the food myself. Being a vegetarian isn’t necessarily healthier because you have to try a lot harder to get the vitamins and nutrient that you are missing when not eating meat.

It has been fun, but honestly, I cannot wait until December 23 – Christmas dinner this year will be very, very good.

Matt Winger

Snow and homework have crept up on us. We all knew it was coming, as it comes every year at this time. Yet every year it seems to catch most of us prepared. Sure we made plans to be prepared for it this year, and yet somehow it seems that very few of us are ever truly all that prepared the handle it. The Death Week(s) are now upon us and many people will spend countless sleepless hours awake doing homework. Nevertheless, there is a silver lining to this, just like the snow despite its temperature wraps the world around us in its majestic white, there is something to look forward to with all this work: Christmas. While some may think it’s too early to think about it and others have been shopping already for it, Christmas is the beacon of light at the end of this tunnel. That regardless of the amount of the homework we have, it will all pass, and we will be able to enjoy the break, time with family, friends, and most of all time away from school work.

It is my wish that you all are able to manage the stress of this season, be it from snow, homework or both. In only a couple more weeks, we will be able to look back on these weeks with fond memories, as the things that matter now, will pass by, like almost everything does.

Wesley Hague

In this Issue:

Main Page:

Milton to Speyside Hike: November 8th, 2008: Tim Grace
A Boy Named Qwop: Tim Grace
Wildcat Café Contest:  Isaiah Boronka and JulieAnne Wideman
Coffee House: Matthew Vandervoet

Creative Corner:
To Stand: Wesley Hague
Unknown Soldier: Heather Marion

Photo Gallery:
Milton to Speyside Hike
Memories of Wildcats With Brooms - Curling

Voice on the Street:
“What would you ask for Voice on the Street?”: Matthew Vandervoet

As a beginning of a story, that is how it’s done.  Unfortunately, that is a different story altogether.  This story, the one we’re actually talking about, included different characters, and not so much green.  It happened near the city of Milton on a trail through the woods, on the Bruce Trail to be exact.  The Bruce trail stretches almost 900 km from Queenston (near Niagara) to Tobermory, effectively stretching the complete distance of the Niagara Escarpment.  Various terrains and landscapes are encountered along this trail.  Hikers of many ages take on the challenge of the entire trail, or smaller sections as they see fit.

On this day, six young adventurers gathered together to walk a greater distance than most would consider walking on a regular basis.  On their adventure, they encountered wildlife (snake), crevices, cliffs, foliage (at least where there once was foliage), streams, harrowing gaps to leap over (most of the time taking the hard way before realizing there was an easier way just a few metres away), and enjoyed the view.  Only on one occasion did this group stray from the trail.  They were walking along an old forest road when one of the hikers noticed a sign that read “Private Property, Do Not Enter”.  They then realized that there were no blazes to be seen and had to backtrack a bit to find the place where they missed a turnoff.

The distance: 10.6 kilometres from near Hilton Falls Conservation area north to the small hamlet of Speyside.  The pain: sore ankles, knees, backs, rough terrain, ups and downs, the never-ending section (the last 2 km), and even a bit of rain? oh, and the abandonment that the passengers must have felt when the drivers dropped them off and drove away, claiming we’d be back in 20-30 minutes.  The reward: Christian Chicken (Swiss Chalet) and the experience of spending four hours in nature.

Was it worth it?  Yes.
Would I do it again?  Yes.
Would I recommend you come with us on the next one?  Yes.

Next hike:  Sunday, November 30th to Terra Cotta Conservation Area (near Georgetown).  Distance: 5-7km (shorter trails available for those who can’t go longer).  Snow or shine (if it’s safe to drive).  Bring a snack, warm clothes, water, and a camera.  Sign up on Tim Grace’s door by Friday, November 28th at 4:00 PM.

Next Semester Hikes:

January: Waterfalls of Hamilton Car Hike Webster’s Falls, Tew’s Falls, Tiffany Falls and more.  Walking Distance: 2-4 km - Sunday January 18th
February:  Waterloo Park  Bus Hike - Wednesday February 11
March:  Snow Hike - Location TBD - Saturday
April:  Speyside Forest Loop - Pre-Exam Wednesday Hike

*Based off the Vinyl Café on CBC Radio.

You find out.

Go here to find out more:  http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html

So get your pencils, pens and Photoshops ready along with a creative mind fuelled by a Wildcat Latté and get a started for the best contest of the semester!

All submissions can be emailed or put in our mailboxes.

Isaiah Boronka and Julie-Anne Wideman