CAPTION ONLY: NOW DASHER, NOW PRANCER . . .

Chef Jeff DeJong, left, was among chefs, students and teachers in the Salt Lake Community College chefs' apprenticeship program who used chisels and chain saws Monday to tranform more than three tons of ice into Santa, his sleigh and reindeer on the grounds of the Primary Children's Medical Center. The annual ice carving, which began about eight years ago, is part of the program's Christmas gift to children and staff at the hospital. "We saw joy and happiness in the eyes of children, their parents and hospital staff members," said Jason Schildt, an apprentice chef among the sculptors. Hospital patients also were treated to more than 200 dozen cookies baked by students in the program. Children in the hospital frosted some of the cookies, some of which were made from rice flour for those with allergies or digestive prob-lems. Ricco Renzetti of the college staff says his students look forward to this part of the project, which put smiles on many faces. "The students have a great time and get to use many of the skills they have learned, but the real joy is in seeing the excitement in the children," Renzetti said. Kraft Food Service, Dave's Ice and Westco and Sysco donated ice or food items.