Vol. 43  No. 10   December 2006
 
 
President’s Update
I can’t believe that December is already upon us!  I want to wish each and every Markland Wood resident the Best of the Holiday season.  The big event in Markland Wood this month is our Annual Christmas Caravan.  This year is the 39th running of this fantastic event, and it takes place on Sunday, December 17.  Please see the article in this issue by Marty Ross, the tireless organizer of the Caravan. 
A special note:  Due to scheduling conflicts, we have changed the date of our next Annual General Meeting from June 4, 2007 to June 11, 2007.  Please take note of the change, and plan to attend! 
We had a very busy Directors’ meeting on November 6, with several residents in attendance.  These meetings are open for anyone to attend, and take place on the first Monday of the month (see the web site for details: marklandwood.org).  A group of residents from the NW quadrant have been working together to tackle the increasing problem of heavy traffic and speeding through Markland Wood.  This is an issue which the Board has been involved in over the last few years.  A large part of the problem is with commuter traffic using Markland Drive and Mill Road as shortcuts on their way to and from Mississauga and other outlying communities.  We are forming a coalition to work closely with City traffic department representatives and elected officials to come up with solutions to this growing and potentially very serious problem.  Please see the article in this issue for more details. 
As you know by now, we had only one submission for the Scholarship this year.  I have received several emails and calls regarding this issue.  We are working on revamping the annual Scholarship parameters in order to make it more valid.  One email that I got was from a Markland resident and Grade 12 student at Silverthorn Collegiate, Heather Kindness.  Heather has started a chapter of Free the Children at her school (please see the accompanying article by Heather).  She asked me if we would be willing to donate the unclaimed $1000 to her group, in order to help meet their goal of raising $6500 to build a school in Sierra Leone .  I asked Heather to come and speak to the Directors at the November meeting.  We were all struck by her poise and impressed by her initiative in starting this group.  The Directors voted unanimously that night to donate the $1000 to the Silverthorn chapter of Free the Children.  This may be the future of the Scholarship as we have had some feedback that maybe Markland students do not need the money.  We are considering opening it up to Markland students to write an essay, with the winning submissions getting $1000 to go to the charity of their choice.  I would be interested in getting any feedback on this idea. 
It looks like we will revamp our four Crime / Safety committees into one master committee.  Marlene Cater, who has been heading the At Large Committee has graciously accepted my request to head the new all-encompassing committee.  We will be sending an email out to all of the people who registered with these committees, and to all other Markland residents who have registered their email addresses with us.  We are aiming to organize another public meeting in the New Year.  This remains an area of concern, as I continue to get reports of vandalism and other serious issues within Markland Wood.  Please book June 4 on your calendar if you are a senior, or have a senior in your life.  In conjunction with The Masters, we will be presenting a seminar / meeting in conjunction with 22 Division, relating to a variety of seniors’ issues, including safety, health, finances etc.  Stay tuned for more details.  Before we leave this subject, I take this from the last 22 Division Police Report: “Thieves are on the hunt for vehicles left warming up and unattended by their owners – all too common a practice in colder weather.  DON’T FALL PREY TO AUTO THEFT.”  As many of you are aware, several vehicles have been stolen in Markland Wood over the last few years.  Don’t make it easier for the thieves. 
At the end of September, for several days we had what could have been a very serious problem in Markland Wood.  There was a fire in the telephone relay box on Markland Dr. east of Mill Rd.   Phone service was out in about 1000 homes for up to one week.  I have heard all sorts of rumours as to what happened, but thankfully, it seems that everyone made it through this without serious repercussions.  There are many senior residents without cell phones, who would not have had access to 911, if they had needed it.  There has been a real lack of information on this matter.  I took it upon myself to call Bell and I have to state that it was one of the most aggravating experiences that I have had in a long time!  Suffice it to say, after being told that the incident basically never happened, and then being told to call 911 to get an answer, I had to go to the Executive Offices.  The very short synopsis is that there was a fire – no cause given – no Police report filed.  We will continue to pursue Bell for some answers as to what happened. 
By the time you read this, we should have pretty well wrapped up our Annual Dues Collection.  The Directors are out in the neighborhood, on their own time, collecting $10 from the vast majority of houses.  I have no problem defending this as a fantastic value for all that the neighborhood gets back.  The Christmas Caravan will be the next example of what your Association accomplishes.  I want to thank all of the people who have graciously paid their dues.  I have one request to make.  We will go back to a house up to 4-5 times attempting to collect the membership fee.  If you are one of the residents who hasn’t been , or hasn’t had the $10 handy, PLEASE take the time to drop it off at a Director’s house.  
I have run out of space again!  Some quick shots: I continue to take clothing donations at my house – drop them off any time; we need nominations for Markland’s Finest; we will have photos of our Markland Wood logo merchandise up on our web site soon; Bob Cooke and Brian Brennand have been working diligently with the City on custom street signs for Markland Wood – we hope to have some updates soon.  Until next year! 
Best regards, Greg Rohn. President MHA
 
 
2006-2007 Board of Directors
 
EXECUTIVE:
PRESIDENT: Greg Rohn
VICE-PRESIDENT: Anna Schaefer
SECRETARY: Romeo Sinopoli
TREASURER: Gerard Betsch
 
DIRECTORS
Richard Boehnke
Brian Brennand
Patrick Clifford
Bob Cooke
Bev Evans
Michael Georgopoulos
Bo Lawrentiw
Graham Maguire
Paul Marano
Don Matheson
Tom Napier
 
Associate Directors
Stephen Blimkie, Helen Boehnke, Paul Cavanagh, Tamara Greene, Mary Lordan, Peter Sgro, Ian Sillars, Irene Sillars, Donna Sokic, MP (Pierina) Stokes, Anne-Marie Stoneburgh and Patti Thorne.
 
Christmas Caravan
 
On Sunday December 17th the Markland Homes Association will be celebrating our 39th Christmas Caravan.
 
This is our annual event to collect non-perishable foods from every home on every street in Markland Wood.
 
No matter what the weather is like, our Caravan, with its many volunteers, will be knocking on your door to ask for your food donations.
 
We will start at the Markland Wood Plaza at 8:45a.m., where will be form up and cheerfully collect on the north side of Bloor St., break for a hot chocolate, collect some more and then have a quick lunch at Bloordale United Church. Our afternoon will be the south side of Bloor St. starting at around 1:30 p.m., and we should finish around 3:30 p.m., finish collecting that is. Then it’s time for our human chain gang to unload the goodies in the trailer into my garage for the Charities to pick up on Monday morning.
 
If this sounds like fun to you, well it is, and the rewards are unbelievable!
 
Our Caravan consists of a sound vehicle to herald a carol”, a jolly old man in a red suit, Police and Fire trucks, a transport trailer and dozens of  “elves” collecting  door to door.
 
Our charity recipients are The Salvation Army, the Brothers of the Good Shepherd, the Scott Mission and all monies collected go to the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
 
We are always in need of volunteers to help throughout the day. If you would like to join us for the morning, or afternoon, show up anytime with a smile, enthusiasm and a warm coat.
 
If you would like any further information, please call any MHA Director, or myself.
 
Merry Christmas and thanks,
 
Martin Ross
Christmas Caravan Chair, 621-6931
 
 
 
 
Be the Change!
A phrase that has become synonymous with a group of 30 students from Silverthorn Collegiate, who are trying to do just tha; be the change the world needs. All of these students are a part of the new Free the Children chapter at Silverthorn Collegiate.
For those of you who are not familiar with Free The Children; it is the largest network of children helping children through education around the world. It is a non-government organization dedicated to building schools, clean water wells and health care clinics in developing nations around the world. Through school chapters across North America and through individual donations, this organization is raising money to build schools around the world to both alleviate child poverty and end child labour.  This organization was started 12 years ago by a 12 year old boy named Craig Keilburger. He was angered one morning by an article he saw in the paper about a 12 year old boy in Pakistan who had been murdered after having escaped child labour and becoming an activist against it. Craig was shocked and angry and he took the article to his grade 7 class and said, “I don’t know what we are going to do, but if you are as angry as I am, then join me”, and 11 of his friends did and Free the Children was born. At first the organization was about raising awareness about child labour, but it has since evolved into an organization that has built over 450 schools in over 22 different countries. Their philosophy is that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and stopping child labour, and thousands of children around the world agree. We certainly do at Silverthorn, and that is why we have decided to begin a chapter this year, and raise the money to build a school in Sierra Leone .
Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the world. The average yearly income of a family is about 150 dollars U.S. , and the life expectancy is 37.4 years. They have the highest maternal mortality rate, and 1 in every 3 children will die before the age of five. Seventy percent of the population lives below the poverty line and 57% of its people live on less than one dollar a day. Half of the people are undernourished; there are over three-hundred thousand child labourers, and the list goes on and on. But the part about Sierra Leone that stood out the most to us students was that it has just finished an 11-year civil war, in which almost 100,000 people were murdered, and thousands more maimed and raped by the rebel armies. All the schools and health care clinics were destroyed and the government does not have the money to rebuild them. Free the Children is the only non-government organization that has stayed in Sierra Leone and they are the only ones rebuilding schools, so that these children can begin to live normally again, and get the education they are entitled to. They are also helping to rehabilitate the thousands of child soldiers that were captured by the rebel armies and forced to fight, and these schools are helping them to re-enter society. Needless to say, we felt that this was the neediest area and the students at Silverthorne have dedicated themselves to raising $6,500 to build a school, and we are a third of the way there!
I had the opportunity to travel with Free the Children to Kenya this summer to build a school and teach.  I can personally account for the amazing work that Free the Children does, and say that they really do change the lives of thousands of children everyday, by simply giving them a chance to get an education. The village I worked with knew how blessed they were to be given the chance of an education, and the chance at a better life. The children would literally sprint into class in the morning, thrilled to be able to be in school that day.
With the help of the Markland Homes Association, we were able to get one step closer to providing hundreds of children with an education in Sierra Leone . The Markland Homes Association has generously donated the unused scholarship money from 2006 to our Free the Children chapter at Silverthorn Collegiate. On behalf of all the students of Silverthorn and Free the Children, and from the future students of our school in Sierra Leone , we want to deeply thank the Homes Association from the bottom of our hearts.
With this school, we hope to be able to make a change in the world, if just a small one and we hope that this Free the Children chapter will be at Silverthorn for many years to come. We want to see every child have an elementary school education, so we are building a school for them to go to.  We want everyone in our community to know about the conditions of children around the world, so we are raising awareness.  We want a change in the world, so we are being that change.
Heather Kindness
 
 
 
Traffic Concerns in Markland Wood
 
“Speed again has prompted residents of the north west quadrant of Markland Drive to place pylons, flashing “Slow” lights, stop TTC and School Board bus drivers and implore motorists to observe the 40 mph maximum speed limit.
            A most welcome addition of several new young families with children has heightened the concern over speeding interlopers from Mississauga and elsewhere using the quadrant as a short cut.
A Petition from the residents of the quadrant was followed by a meeting with Dominic Gulli, Manager of Traffic Operations, West District of the City, and a representative of Councillor Holyday on October 24th.  The residents attended and reported to the Board of Directors on November 6th.
 
Communication to Mr. Gulli has sought intermediate steps to address this pending the studies promised  by him  to be carried out by the Spring of next year :
 
1. Place the presently existing 40 kph signs immediately to be seen when entering the quadrant from the north and south to avoid drivers thinking they are in a 50 kph zone, while traversing the first one-thirds of the quadrant;
 
2. Place stop signs at each end of Cherry Post
 
3. Inform his colleagues at the TTC and TSB that their drivers’ excessive speed is endangering our residents.
 
Make sure, fellow residents, that we are not among the motorists exceeding posted speed limits.
 
Give support by emailing Dominic Gulli: dgulli@toronto.ca
Councillor Holyday: councillor holyday@toronto.ca:
 
 
School News
 
Millwood Junior School
Millwood Happenings by Sara 
Millwood has had another fun but busy month. On Halloween, we had an amazing parade. A lot of people came to see our creative costumes. The weather was cooperative and the rain held off for the whole day. 
Millwood is having its first ever basket ball team this year. We held a bake sale to raise money for uniforms. This basket ball team is part of a new program called “Schools on the Move”. This program was introduced to encourage students and teachers to live a healthy, active lifestyle and teach them active playground games. 
The grade five classes were very fortunate to receive a visit from Donna Cansfield, our Minister of Transportation. She came in to talk to the grade fives about her responsibilities. 
As Christmas approaches, our students were reminded to think of others by participating in “Operation Christmas Child”. This charity collects shoe boxes full of new toys, gadgets and games for children of all ages in third world countries. This year we collected over 105 boxes!!
As you can see, the students at Millwood have had a lot of fun during this past month. Stay tuned for more fun at this year’s Christmas Chaos Dance on Thursday, December 21st
 
Millwood Moves by Eden Rose 
On November 3rd it was a big day at Millwood… THE LAUNCH for Toronto School on the Move! It started with Safari Fitness and all the kids loved it. They played various active games with a safari theme. There were big blown up safari animals, which really made the theme come to life. 
In the afternoon there was circuit training. The Playground Pals led it in their bright yellow hats. They are active experts on the exercises. Playground Pals also led games at recess.  In the centre of the gym there were muscular endurance exercises and on the outside of the gym were cardiovascular exercises to get the kid’s heartbeats up. Boy did they move! 
As they skipped out of the gym, all children received a healthy apple to munch on. 
Millwood Junior School continues to be active and healthy. What big event will happen next?
 
 
 
Silverthorn Collegiate
Halfway into the semester, Silverthorn is busy with activities.
 
For the first time in several years, on October 27, SCI held a Halloween Dance, raising money for the History Department’s spring trip to Europe . The dance acted as an opportunity to increase Halloween spirit as, like on Halloween Day at Silverthorn, people wore costumes of cats, and even of a panda.
 
Over the weekend of October 28th, eleven leaders from SCI teamed up with students from other students at the Albion Hills Leadership Training camp and participated in activities to prepare for each school’s individual leadership camp. These Silverthorn leaders are anticipating the upcoming Grade Nine leadership camp in February.
 
On November 1st, Grade Nine students participated in the Take Your Kids to Work Program, visiting their parent’s workplace to explore career paths.
 
The annual Remembrance Day Assembly was held on November 10th. Performances included the String Ensemble, and the Competitive Dance Team. 
 
Actors and actresses were recently named for the school play and the annual Sears Festival play. “An Actor’s Nightmare” will be performed in March or April 2007, while the Sears Festival play, “On the Other Side of the Closet,” revolves around the issue of homophobia, and will be performed at the Etobicoke School of the Arts in February 2007.
 
Mid-term report cards went home on November 17th; on November 23rd, during Parents’ Night, parents were able to discuss their children’s marks with teachers.
 
Also, the Senior Girls’ Basketball Team won the West Region Championships, but unfortunately lost in the Semi-Finals against Oakwood by a score of 61 – 56. The Junior Boys’ Football Team lost the Junior City Championship to Northern Secondary School by a score of 21 – 0. In addition, The Senior Boys’ Football Team unfortunately lost to East York C.I. in the Toronto Bowl Semi-Finals by a score of 42 – 0.
 
The Camp Manitou Executive Team for the 2007 Grade Ten leadership camp was announced; congratulations to Meredith Bawks, Parth Bhowmick, Bayley Robertson, Santiago Martinez Carranza, Sasi Vinayagmoorthy, Raja Yarra, and Jessica Zepeda.
 
The SAC (Student Activity Council) is also busy planning for the annual Semi-Formal on December 1st. Photographers will be at Silverthorn from December 5th to December 12th, taking Grad Photos.
 
Parents and students should note that TDSB Trustees approved two extra professional activity (P.A.) days for December 8th and March 2nd. In addition, the system-wide February 9th P.A. day has been rescheduled for February 16th.
 
The Junior Band, Junior Wind Ensemble, Stage Band, String Ensemble, Orchestra, Concert Band, as well as guest soloists are rehearsing for the annual “Sounds of the Season” concert on Thursday, December 14th. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
 
SCI is in the giving spirit this holiday season. As a result, the school multicultural club, UNITY, is holding a Food Drive taking place from November 20th to December 15th. Proceeds will go to the United Way . SCI’s Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and Prefects’ Organization are also holding a Holiday Toy Drive with proceeds going to a community centre. The Free the Children Club is also holding a Coin Drive for the holiday season.
 
In addition, there is a Holiday Assembly on Thursday, December 21st. The Winter Break will occur between December 25th and January 7th.
 
Happy Holidays, Silverthorn!
 
Sasi Vinayagamoorthy
 
Church News
 
Bloordale United Church
4258 Bloor St. West . Etobicoke , Ontario , M9C 1Z7
621-1710   www.bloordale.ca
Morning services at 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Stephen Iverson 621-1710
 
Our Youth Group, grades 6-12, will be meeting on Tuesday, December 5th and 12th. There will be a flyer coming about upcoming BUC  Juniors events. The group will be selling crafts at the Holly Tea on Dec. 2nd.  Our Christmas pageant, entitled "The Very Important Christmas Pageant" will be presented on December 10th, following our 10:30 a.m. worship service. Our Christmas Eve services are Carols and Readings at 4:30 p.m.  and  Communion Service at 9:30 p.m. I if you have inquiries about any of our events please email me at ted.grady@bellnet.ca.
 
 
St. Clement Church
Saturday: 4:45 p.m.                 
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Confessions
Saturday: 9:30-10:00 a.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m.
 
Wednesday, December 6  -  Advent Reconciliation Service  -  7:00 p.m.
The St. Clement parish community is invited to this special liturgy with individual confessions in preparation for the upcoming feast of Christmas.  Our Grade 2 students will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on this evening.
 
Tuesday, December 12  -  Advent Family Mass – 7:00 p.m.
Please join the St. Clement Junior Choir with our Grade 4 Hosting class in this special Advent celebration. 
 
Friday, December 22  - Christmas School Mass  -  9:30 a.m.
 
Christmas Mass Schedules
Will be available at all entrances to the Church.
 
 
Renforth Baptist Church
627 Burnhamthorpe Road . M9C 2Y9, 621-1990
Sunday services at 10:30 a.m.
PASTOR - Rev. Godfrey Green
 
St. James United Church
400 Burnhamthorpe Road .
Just east of Hwy 427 at The East Mall.
Sunday service: 10:30 a.m. with inspirational music by award-winning choirs.
Challenging sermons, children's stories and hymns. Nursery care available.
 
The Church of Christ the King
475 Rathburn Road , Etobicoke. 621-3630
Just West of Hwy. 427
Regular service times:
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 10:30 a.m.
 
Also check us out on our website:
http://www.netcomsolutions.ca/Christ_the_King
 
Rehoboth Fellowship Christian Reformed Church
800 Burnhamthorpe Road (just east of Mill Rd. )
Etobicoke  622-9647
Worship every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Nursery care available. Programs for people of all ages
We welcome you!
Pastor John Tenyenhuis
 
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church
3962 Bloor St. W. Etobicoke
416-231-4014 office@saintmatts.ca
Services: Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m.
Children's Program and Nursery at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (BCP). For more information please call the church office.

St. Philip's Lutheran Church
61 West Deane Park Drive
Etobicoke , M9B 2S1
(near Rathburn and The East Mall)
Phone: 622-5577
Web:  www.stphilipslutherantoronto.com
 
Pastor: Doug Kramer
Pastoral Intern: Gloria Ryder
Director of Children's & Youth Ministry:
          Steve Elshaw
Director of Music: Paul Wisniewski
 
Sunday Worship:  10:00 a.m.
Sunday School:  11:00 a.m.
 
 
 
 
 
Hats Off (belated)
 
To Jeff Overholt, for becoming a Canadian Golf Professional this summer. He shot 145 for 36 holes in one day to earn his card. He is currently working at Thornhill Golf and Country Club as an assistant Pro and as their golf fitness specialist. Jeff fell in love with the game of golf at our own Markland Wood Country Club, as a sponsored Junior. His hard work and perserverance made his dream come true.
Congratulations Jeff,
Love Mom, Dad, Amy, Greg and Katie
 
People and Places
 
401st Scout Christmas Trees
 
The Scouting group at Bloordale United Church will be selling top quality Christmas Trees again this year.
 
Our supplier has promised us another lot of fresh trees. We will be selling Scotch Pine, Balsam Fir and the popular Fraser Fir. This has always been an annual event and helps support our camps and activities throughout the year. Your generous support has always been appreciated.
 
Tree Lot Hours:
Saturdays      9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sundays       12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Weeknights   6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
 
Thankyou for your continued support
 
GENEROSITY REQUIRED
A number of Markland residents volunteer at the “Out Of The Cold” program.  This winter program is hosted by St. Matthew's Anglican Church and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.  We are asking for donations of "Canadian Tire Money" which will be used to buy winter wear for our guests and we are also asking for donations of "Tim Horton's" Gift Certificates.  These will be given to our guests on Christmas Eve, as Christmas presents.  It is our intention that every guest should receive enough "Tim Horton's" Gift Certificates to buy themselves a coffee and a doughnut.  We would like to collect enough gift certificates for 60 guests.  Please call Valerie at 622-8672 for more details.  Thank you.
 
Bloordale Park Rejuvenation Update
 
The kick-off event at Chapters and our Christmas Wreath Drive were hugely successful thanks to many of you.  We had a great turnout on the 23rd and sold over 100 wreaths. While the official results are still being calculated, it looks like the residents of Aymarn Court won the MHA Christmas Challenge - congratulations!
The park thermometer sign went up in late November, so we can all track progress towards our $80,000 goal. 
On behalf of the Friends of Bloordale Park, we thank you so much for your support and hope you have a relaxing and wonderful holiday season.
 
Bloordale Park Rejuvenation Project
A Community in Action
 
 
The Etobicoke Newcomers’ Club for Women
Are you new to the area? Interested in making new friendships? Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Kingsway Lambton United Church , 85 The Kingsway. For further information call Joanne Longo 255-9032.
 
Parenting and Family Literacy Centre
The Parenting and Family Literacy Centre at Eatonville School is runs from Mondays – Thursdays, 8:45 - 1:45. We are a drop in centre where you stay and play with your child. It is a free service run by the Toronto District School Board. Come and play, paint, dress-up, read books and participate in our story and music time! We are open when the school is open. (unfortunately not March break or summer).
Ruth Schefter, Instructor.
 
The Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive , Etobicoke ON M9C 1V7
 
November 28-December 21
In the Main Gallery
 “Escapes” 
Louise Cordingley-Zych
A  collection of recent works, primarily landscapes, in acrylic, watercolour and collage.
Reception: Sunday, December 3 from 1-3 p.m.
 
In the Hall Gallery
"Hallway Hype"
Eileen Menzel, Chris Proctor, Sue Archibald
An exhibit and sale of affordable art
      
" Neilson Park Creative Centre 2007 Artists’ Choice Winter Exhibition"  
In the Main Gallery: January 8-28, 2007
 
Painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, prints, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, fibre arts, calligraphic arts and more
Application forms now available for download.
Application deadline December 14
 
www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com
Email: info@neilsonparkcreativecentre.com
Information: 622-5294
Open: Mon-Sat, 9-3 p.m.
Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Wheelchair accessible. Free admission and parking.
 
MARKLANDER STAFF
 
President: Greg Rohn
 
Editor: Graham Maguire
 
Advertising: Brian Brennand
 
Photographer: Tom Napier
 
Distribution: Richard Boehnke
 
Creative & Design: BBS Printing & Graphics 231-3693
 
Printing: BBS Printing & Signs  231-3693
 
Anna’s Recipe
Feels like we just closed the pool yesterday and now I find myself decorating for Christmas already!  Enjoy my famous Gingerbread recipe and I wish you all a very, Merry Christmas! 
 
Gingerbread Cookies 
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup molasses
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp salt 
 
Cream butter, sugar, molasses and egg yolk until light and fluffy.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Mixture will seem crumbly but try to form a ball using a large wooden spoon by scraping the crumbly batter to one side of the bowl.  Wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.  Roll out, not too thin, and use your favourite Christmas cookie cutters.  Bake at 350F for 11-15 minutes.  Cool on cookie racks.  Decorate cookies.