<p>Jon Rombach</p>

What I like about the holidays is how we all try to put aside the competitive nature that seems to drive things the rest of the year. Everybody gets an equal portion of joy to the world. In theory anyway. I guess making the cut to be on Santas good list is sort of competitive, but thats mainly a contest with yourself or a court matter between you and North Pole LLC. For the most part, people concentrate on goodwill to all and its a pity that type of mojo doesnt travel further into the other months. Imagine March with Christmas spirit.

So I almost hate to bestow an award for the best holiday party this season and get away from egalitarian holiday principles but listen to this. Even though were not having a competition, the following Christmas party wins in the category of Christmas parties I attended this year that incorporated a frozen sports theme variation in miniature.

Hilary Valentine explained to me before the construction phase what she had in mind for her holiday party and I confess I found the blueprints to be on the extravagant side of things. But I was supportive, in that kind of way where your friend says theyre going to build a putt-putt golf course in their backyard made of ice and you say, Oh, thats a great idea. And then to yourself you add, Why dont you also build a baseball stadium in a cornfield and invite Ray Liotta over to play catch?

Well, Hilary built it. She pulled it off. Shoeless Joe Jackson was there playing mini golf when I arrived and saw the awesome miniature golf course made of ice in her backyard. One of the holes was in the shape of a candy cane. Perfect. She had specialized score cards made for the occasion. Little tiny pencils for the score cards. Everything. She thought of everything, right down to the course rules posted on the clubhouse door.

Including ice candles. Oh man, ice candles are the greatest thing. These are made from large blocks of frozen water with a hollow inside for dancing flame. So entrancing. I finally understand what goes through a moths head when they see light. Nothing. You just stare and stare at that hypnotic glow. These ice candles are something to behold.

I understand that Susan Dobson brought the knowledge of this ice candle innovation down from Alaska. Heres how to make your own. Get a bucket. Fill it mostly with water, but sink a smaller vessel inside the big bucket and secure that in place, somehow, Im not really clear on that detail. Once its frozen, you should be able to remove the whole shebang from the mold and end up with the depression to sit your candle inside. Everybody get busy making these. I want ice candles in every yard, every driveway. Itll look so cool. Seriously, everybody start making these right now. Ill get Hilary and Susan to teach a seminar if we have to, but this ice candle thing should really become a regular fixture of Wallowa County winter.

I will be presenting Hilary with the golden icicle trophy for excellence in holiday party planning, and also thank her for the ice candle inspiration because my shopping for next year is already done. Everybody will be getting a five gallon block of ice candle, complete with candle.

Happy New Year, Wallowa County.

Jon Rombach is local columnist for the Chieftain.