By Kobe Gallagher Tulloch, Newsletter editor
It has been a lovely few months writing you these letters. You have been my Sundays. A cup of coffee in one café or another. A little more time spent typing than it rightfully needed to take.
This will be the last of them, before we head into the holidays. You’ll get another letter sometime in January, but it won’t carry my name. So kick back, relax and read this one all the way through, for my sake.
Bake Alex’s cookies, too. That one is for her.
On the docket
- We got away with one.
- Canada Post negotiations indicate my package is still gonna be sitting at the border for a while.
- Chai is dead. Long live Early Grey.
I hope you’ve enjoyed your autumn almost as much as I have.
We had one real big story come this semester, about the battle ongoing in Bragg Creek over logging rights. It’s by our journalist in residence Doug Horner, you can read it here!
Or, you could go read a story I wrote about a deli opening up. It’s old, and not relevant, but I liked it. It’s my last newsletter. I should get to plug my own stuff every once in awhile.
— One last time, Kobe
Researching Researchers: Yvonne Poitras Pratt
Traditional oral storytelling holds great value and importance in Indigenous communities. However, due to the nature of the method, it is difficult to reach large audiences and break into the mainstream in the same way as common colonial narratives.
Yvonne Poitras Pratt aims to change this, however, by using digital media to preserve and tell the stories of many Métis nations around Alberta.
Poitras Pratt, a card-carrying citizen of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government, returned to the University of Calgary as a mature student in 1996—where she earned her three degrees.
Listen to the full podcast with Poitras Pratt here.
Horoscopes going into the New Year
By Alex Janz, Environment editor
Note from the Newsletter Editor: Alex has been wanting to do a Horoscope write-up for this newsletter since day one. I figured now would be the best time to toss that bone her way, given that they can’t fire me from this anymore.
Aries
Aries this new year brings a lot of promise to grow. Whatever you have been thinking about, a big business venture or travel plans now is the time to follow through on it.
Taurus
Take the time to surround yourself with people you find commonalities in, Taurus. They will be your community for the upcoming challenges and adventure facing you in the new year.
Gemini
People in your life have been really depending on you this year Gemini, and maybe it has been putting a strain on your relationship. The new year will turn a new leaf, so keep an open mind.
Cancer
You’ve spent your year working hard to create opportunities Cancer. 2025 is when all this hard work will pay off, try to recognize and revel in your achievements.
Leo
December will be a whirlwind of serotonin and validation seeking experiences and events. January will be your chance to come back to yourself and try out some new self care and really see how you’re doing—not others.
Virgo
You’ve been very focused on your home life and public perception Virgo, especially during the holidays. 2025 will take you out of your comfort zone be ready for new opportunities and don’t be afraid of leadership roles.
Libra
This year has brought a lot of challenges and lessons. Apply what you’ve learned to the new year Libra, remain open minded and ready for new possibilities.
Scorpio
The new year will bring major financial prosperity if you are willing to focus and work for it. Concentrate on using your time meaningfully and intentionally.
Sagittarius
You’ve had a very productive but stressful past few months. Now is the time to put other aspects of your life first, focus on our relationships in the New Year.
Capricorn
You made some big strides and have been very decisive in the last half of the year. Remember as you eagerly await plans later in 2025 to be present and check in with yourself and others.
Aquarius
It has been a complicated year for you emotionally. This year may bring a time in your life to move on from those who have been holding you back, though it may be difficult. You will only benefit from this in the long run.
Pisces
Slow down, you can’t get everything you want all at once Pisces. The New Year is the best time for you to do this, and reflect on that recent-life-change you didn’t see coming.
The Newsweek index
The Roundup
By Kelsea Arnett, News editor
With this semester drawing to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say how grateful I am to have been your news editor these last few months. I’ve loved putting together these news roundups and doing my best to stay on top of what’s happening in our city.
Thank you so much for supporting this newsletter and all the amazing work our student reporters do. With that, here’s the final (holiday-themed) news roundup of the year:
Calgary airport still rebuilding from summer hailstorm but ready for holiday rush | CBC News
Calgary small business owners concerned about holiday shopping season amid Canada Post strike | Calgary Herald
Worms for Christmas: An unexpectedly great gift for the holidays | Livewire Calgary
Cookie inflation: How much more is your holiday baking costing you this year? | CTV News
Family spruce to be this year’s McDougall Centre Christmas tree | Global News
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A conversation with Prof. Crystal Chokshi on the evolving impacts of AI on communication professionals
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Orange Earl Grey cookies.
Also By Alex Janz, Environment editor. She really got her licks in for this newsletter.
Okay everyone is talking about chai cookies right now. But, I think other teas need to shine too. I am happy to present my first original recipe. (no big deal) Earl Grey sugar cookies! This is a great new one to try during the holidays to break up the monotony of shortbread, peppermint chocolate and gingerbread cookies. You could even do an icing on these if you want to get really fancy.
Wet Ingredients:
1 ⅛ cup Butter
½ cup Granulated Sugar
½ cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Tbsp Orange juice (preferably fresh)
1 bag Earl Grey dried tea
Dry Ingredients:
2 ¼ cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cream of Tartar
*option here to add cranberries or white chocolate chips…or both
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350
- Cream together butter and sugars then add egg and vanilla
- Slowly add in flour mixing thoroughly and add in baking soda and tartar
- Once combined, roll out on a floured surface until about ¼ in thick, cut out into shapes and reform dough (no wasting dough okay?)
*or you can scoop them as well
- Optional: Chill in fridge for 20 mins-1hr
- Bake for 8-10 minutes
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