The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

2 The Canadian Siatesman, BowmamIlle, ecemliber 22, P i( Secian TwNo EDITORIAL COMMENT Great Joy;.Great Sadness Well, another Christmas is just around the corner and it looks like a good one for many people and unfortunately, an extremely sad one for others, General Motors have settled with their employees on a new contract and the prospects for plenty of lucrative employment in this area are high. The postal unions have held off on taking strike action so the mails went through in good shape, and everything appears well under control. Rene Levesque and his Parti Quebec separatists have left the political future of Canada in jeopardy but for the moment at least the country is still intact and hopefully will remain so. As usual, the Christmas season has brought many enjoyable parties for youngsters around the area, and adults too. It's been a real workout for those who function as pseudo Santa Clauses. In the past three days, we've taken pictures of at least three different bearded, pot- bellied, ho ho'ers with kiddies sitting on their laps and it's been great. On Sunday night, Salvation Army Commissioner Arnold Brown re- turned here and recalled that it was 41 years ago that he conducted his first Christmas service in the local citadel - quite an occasion. Tragically, the Christmas season always seems to bring along with the joy, the biggest tragedies of the year. Just last week, a local woman who fully expected to enjoy the Christmas festivities, died in a fire and an area man was seriously injured in a car crash. Several have also died of natural causes, leaving families deep in sorrow at a time when they normally would be celebrating. We feel for them and for all those who for one reason or another won't have a happy time this weekend. They'll have to rely on memories rather than the real thing. But, enough of philosphical reflec- tions, we hope that our readers or the vast majority of them, will have a Christmas filled with happiness, with families returning home to be greeted warmly by parents and fed too much good food. We hope that the gifts received and given will be just the right size and color and not keep the people at the stores busy for days being exchanged. We hope the church choirs singing Hallelujahs will be at their vocal best and that the pews will be packed with worshippers. In short, we hope you'll have a Merry Christmas and be looking forward to a happy and worthwhile New Year. 25 W&L F41; EPNf > J(-)}f FZ Y YO URi? WA AIA 7ô27<oÙ~K1 25 Years Ago Corporal Allen Clayton re- turned home Saturday on 33 days' rotation leave after being wounded in Korea. Spot dances were won by Don Bate, Lorna Fletcher, John Rice, Margie Reynolds, elimination dances won by Dorothy Johns and Keith Shackelton, Ken Kelly and Shirley Mills, at the Christmas Hop Teen Town Club at B.H.S. on Saturday evefing. Miss Barbara Goddard won the silver medal, presented by the Royal Conservatory of Music to her on Thursday in Toronto for winning highest marks in the Provinée in Grade Il singing last June. Lance Plain has been elect- ed president of the Goodyear ltod and Gun Club. CpL Leslie Throop was awarded the 20 year Good Conduct Medal by Commis- sioner W.H. Stringer, on Wednesday in Peterborough. The original meaning of Christmas was an inspiring address at the local Home and School Club meeting by Cap- tain W.E. Deering. Carol singing was led by Miss Helen Morris, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Albert Cole. In the Dim and ýDistant Past 49 Y ears Ago Thursday, Dec. 29th, 1927 Candidates for mayor in the forthcoming municipal elec- tions are T.S. Holgate, nomin- ated by A. Campbell, second- ed by A.M. Hardy, M.J. Elliott, nominated by A.M Hardy and A. Campbell, Lake Shore, Clarke, school report for December, Sr, IV Annabelle Hendry, Sr. III Ruth Holmes, Olive Jaynes, Jr. III Alex Hendry, N Allin, Myrtle Allin. Jr. II J Mitchell, Allan Clark, Sr. Pr'oY Jr. I Jean Holmes, Morice Powell, Floyd Powell, Pr. A Audrey Jaynes, Pr. B Donald Powell. Theresa McNeil, teacher. Mr. Harold Dunham, Beeton is visiting his aunt, Mrs. Albert Colwell and family, Carlisle Avenue. Mr. Colin Smith, Clarke Union Section lost one of his best beef cattle, the cause believed to be from feeding sweet clover. Stu. Candler the centre-man for Bowmanville Junior Hock- ey Club is a real go-getter and is greatly responsible for the success of the tean. How about those three wise men! To start with - they were not kings. Nobody ever said they were. Through the years we've glamorized them into kings, dressed them in royal robes and even given them names. But that's all pure myth. They were just three wise men who came from the East and the whole story reads like a Western movie - except that it's an Eastern. Can't you just see the three good guys riding into town on their dusty camels? They're dog-tired and dirty after their long, hard ride, but they're still very impressive looking - obviously brave men, tough and determined. Straight out they say what they've come for: "Where is he that is born king of the Jews?" That's laying it on the line! No asking around first to find out whether it's healthy for them to get mixed up in this affair. King Herod isn't going to like this at all, but they can't help that. They've been searching for this child for a long time, and now - "Where is he?" they ask. But you notice they don't ask questions about who this child might Their Ke Drivers should think of the car key as "their key to safety", according to the Canada Safety Council. In bringing the 1976 version of "Safe Driving Week" to the atten- tion of Canadian drivers, the Council suggests that the key to safety is in the hands of each individual at the wheel of a powered vehicle. Before placing the key in the ignition, a driver should know beyond any doubt that the vehicle is in a safe condition to drive . . . that brakes, steering, lights, etc. all work properly. The driver must also be certain beyond doubt that he or she is in a fit medical and mental condition to drive, and it is in the latter category that many tragedies originate. All too often, a driver may be y be, because they know .... "he that is born king of the Jews" they say boldly. Would anybody like to step up and argue that point? Oh yes - it's true their faith is based on certain signs and portents. They themselves say - "For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him." That's clear enough. These wise men who study the heavens saw a new star - and believed. And how, they believe! They've followed that star all across the desert and through the mountains until now, finally, it comes to rest over this stable in Bethlehem. So they go right in - and what do they do when they see the child? .... "they fall down and worship him." Just like that. No proof of identity required. No questions asked. They just fall down and worship their king. They give him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and then, mission completed, our three Eastern heroes ride off into the sunset. How about those Three Wise Men! Those very, very wise men! to Safety responding to pressures that have nothing to do with driving a car. It may be the loss of a job, fight with a spouse or lover, or worry over a sick loved one. Each reduces a driver's ability to think quickly and clearly, and to react promptly to sudden situations. Most drivers can remember some such situation: one arrives at a point with a sudden realization that nothing is remembered about the past mile or so. We have driven by instinct, one eye on the road, but mental attention somewhere else entirely. It is a form of impairment that no breathalyzer will ever measure. No one can take a driver off the road except himself. Until he hits something! Letter to the Editor C.N.I.B. Drive Raises $9,254 Dear Editor: The annual campaign for the blind took place in October. Through the columns of your paper, the C.N.I.B. would like to thank: - the dozens of captains who plan- ned that all areas would be cover- ed, the hundreds of canvassers who criss-crossed our very large area so completely, 0NA JOHN M. JAME Editor-Publisher - the householders who received the canvassers so kindly. Our objective was $8,500.00 and total receipts were $9,254.33. It was a good and an enjoyable campaign and on behalf of the C,N.I.B., we would say thank you so much, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Les. Langs, Treasurer, Morgan Lunney, Campaign Chairman Durham County's Great Family Journa' Established 122 years ago in 1854 IAiso incorporating The Bowmanville.News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mail registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by IHE JAMES PUBLlŠHING COMPANY LIMITED 6266 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario LiC 3K9 S GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr "Copyright and-or property rights subsist in the image appearing on this proof. Permission to reproduce in whole orin part and n any form whatsoever, particularly by photographic or offset processtin a publication, must be obtained from the pulaisher and the prinfer. Any unauthoried reproduction will be subject f0 recourse in law."' $10.00a year -6 months $5.5U strictly in advance foreign - $21.00 a year Although every precaution will b taken fo avoid error, The Canadian Statesman dccepts advertising in its columns on the understanding that it will not be ljable for any error in th advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement is requested in writin4 by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by the advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted in writing thereon, and in that case if any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman its liability shah not exceed such a portion of the entire cost of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Letters to Santa Claus Dear Santa, I want some Lego and a Walkie Talkie please. I hope you be good to my sisters. My mom wants a pair of slippers. Thank you. Love Robert Milliken Dear Santa, I want Evel Knievel and a walkie talkie. Shailyn wants tree top. Thank you. Love Bradley Carnegie Dear Santa, Santa, I want a art set and a record player. Thank you Love Leisa Graham Dear Santa, I want Hush Little Baby and the horse. I will leave out milk and cookies and cake. Thank you. Love Melinda Bragg Dear Santa, Please bring me some pencil crayons and some crayons and Cher's dressing room. I hope you know that I am going to leave some cookies and milk out for you and a little carrot for Rudolph. I hope you will bring me some goodies in my stocking. Thank you. Your friend Tammy Kirkton Dear Santa, If you could bring me these things I would like Cher's dressing room and a Disco Rock tape. Thank you. Love Susan Gibbs Dear Santa, I would like the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Repair Station and the Evel Knievel Formula one Drag- ster and my sister wants Jamie Summers and her Beauty Salon. I hope you like the jolly Santas we leave out for you and the carotts we leave are for your reindeer. Don't let your elves work too hard. Thank you. Michael Simpson Dear Santa, Please bring me two walkie talkies. And a recorder. I liked the things you brought me last year and my brothers did too.. Thank you. Love David Smith Dear Santa, How are you doing? I hope Mrs. Claus is fine. I would like walkie talkie and Six Million Dollar Man. Thank you Santa. Love Brian Noble Dear Santa, I hope you can get me some pencil crayons, Baby That Away, some clothes and a baby brother. And my brother would like some lego. And I will leave it to you because I don't know what Sherry would like. And I will leave out some cookies and some beer. Thank you. Love Tammy Pracey Dear Santa, I want a Mascatrom and a police lego set. I would like to give you some cookies. Love Tom Brooks Thank you Dear Santa, r I would like walkie talkies and shoes please. I am going to leave out cookies. Thank you. Love Brooks Brown Dear Santa, I would like a crash car. I would like a watch. I would like a record play. I would like a train. I would like a drum. Love Michael Boosma Dear Santa, I'd like walkie talkies and Big Jim. I want Evel Knievel and lego. Thank you. Love George Coombes Dear Santa, I want a kissing doll. I want pencil crayons, I want a Hobby Purse. I want mini skiis. Thank you Santa. Love vicki O'Neill Dear Santa, I would like a drum and baby Alive and Dipaflower. I will give an apple for Rudolph and for you cookies and milk. Joy Toker Dear Santa, I would like a watch, mini skiis and I would like a tape recorder. Thank you. Mikeal Tapley. Dear Santa, I would like a Kiss me baby doll. Thank you. Love Lesley Clements Stephenson Rd, R.R.2, Newcastle Dear Santa, This letter is from Kathy Bieber, but I am writing it for her. How are your elves? This is a picture of Santa (picture) For Christmas I would like to have a Marching Mickey Mouse and a Thumblena doll that puts your hands out to you. And I want a baby that when you squeeze her hands she'll walk, and she'll never walk alone. From Kathy Bieber 8 Lorrainne Ct., Bowmanville Dear Santa, My name is Jason and I am 5 years old. For Christmas could you please bring me a Batman Clock, a tool set, some Lego blocks and a Cookie Monster. I try to be good and not fight. Please say hi to Mrs. Claus and the reindeer for me. Love Jason Vacheresse 23 Jane St. Bowmanville Dear Santa, My name is Brad and I am 3 years old. For Christmas I would like you to please bring me toys. I would like a Cookie Monster, a family treehouse, some tools and a new gun. If it says "Milton-Bradley". I get it right cause that is my name. Say Merry Christmas to everyone at the North Pole for me please. Love Bradley Vacheresse 23 Jane St. Bowmanville Dear Santa, How are you today. I would like a Ballerina Barbie and Jaws and Barbie Sunsole and barbies' clothers. Julie Bieber Dear Santa, I would like the magie set and a bike please. My sister wants Mary-go-train. One more thing she wants is Kiss-me-baby. For both of us double seater. How are your helpers? And Mrs. Santa. We will be at my Gramma Ingrams, at Campbellford. Love Tammy and Julie Robinson Dear Santa, My name is Cindy and I am 42 years old. My mummy is helping me write this because I don't know how to write yet. I have tried to be good all year and if you have enough, could I please have a Snoopy Tooth Brush and a Weebles Tree House. There will be a treat for you and your reindeer on the kitchen table. Love Cindy Shackelton 19 Frank St., Bowmanville Dear Santa, My name is Jill Blundell. I would like Baby-That-Away, a jewelery box and the game Jaws. Have a Nice Christmas! Love Jill Blundell 7 Shoreview Dr. Bowmanville, Ont. Dear Santa, I would like a typewriter from you and I will live you some cookies and milk. From Angela Delorme 32 Carruthers Drive. Dear Santa, Joyeux Noel to you and Mrs. Santa Claus. For Christmas may I please have a game of sorry and a baby that a way. The tree is downstairs. I will leave you a treat. Thank you merci. Love Tracey Welsh Dear Santa, I want Marching Micky Mouse and a picture of Rudolph and Bat Man and Robin. I will leave out some carrots and milk. Love Jason Albin Dear Santa, I want a cork rifle for Christmas. Thank you. I love you Santa Claus. From David Todish Dear Santa Claus, Could I please have Balar- me Barbie, Kiss me Baby and Barbie clothes. Love Michelle Fowler Dear Santa, I have been a good girl this year. I help my mommy do the dishes sometimes. I am three years old. This year I would like you to bring me a doll carriage and a new doll, and some lego. I will leave you a snack. Thank you. Allison uochrane R.R.1, Orono Dear Santa, My name is Derek Rogers. I live in Newcastle. I have been a good boy this year and picked up all my toys. T am 5 years old. This year for Christmas I would like Steve Austin. I hope you are good to aIl the boys and girls. Merry Christmas, From Derek. Poets Corner And as all the chords are played Life makes me less afraid CHRISTMAS MUSIC For joy is far unfurled How joyful is the music My favorite carol Of Christmas Carols "Joy To The World." Filling ail with Magic For the wise and all the fools. - Marion Taylor Ford Sug r .By Bil Smiley Christmas Time There is no time of the year that passes more quickly than the few weeks before Christmas. One day it's only about the first week in November. The Christmas gif t catalogues are just out, and Bing Crosby has barely commenced singing "I'm Dreaming etc.," and the Santa Claus parade is a few weeks off and the town's Christmas lights have just gone up, so you know that the actual holiday is weeks, if not months, in the future. Then, suddenly, you have about six dicey days to go, and you haven't bought either tree or turkey, let alone gifts and cards, and you know you're going to be flying like a bat out of hell to get ready for the annual bacchanalia with which we cele- brate the birth of Christ. And I guess may be that's part of the fun - going slightly ape for a few aays eacl year, running around like a cat on a hot tin roof, and spending money like a drunken sailor, to coin a few brilliant, original similes and metaphors. Some people, and the rest of us detest them, go around smugly in December telling anyone who will listen that they have all their gifts bought and wrapped, their cards dispatched, their plum pudding made, and even their rotten tree up and decorated. They're like the people in Alden Nowlan's poem, who set the break- fast table before going to bed, make the bed before going down to breakfast, have their names and birthdates inscribed on their tomb- stones before they die, with nothing to add but the date of death. Perhaps they are admirable people, in a way, but I hate them. They are so busy getting ready for tomorrow that they haven't time to enjoy today. Like most slobs, I comfort myself by constantly reasuring myself that truly creative people are tardy, procrastinating and slovenly, that it takes a narrow mind to have a tidy desk, that life is only a preparation for death, which is anything but neat, and that I wouldn't want to be like those people for all the oil in Arabia. Remember when it used to be all the tea in China? It's partly true, though. Every year, the Old Battleaxe and I plan to have a gracious Christmas. We plan it in June, and then forget all about it until Dec. 17th. The plan goes something like this. The cards will be purchased about September, and with care. None of this, "Give me three dozen of those and three dozen of those red ones and about twenty green ones." Our tree will be large, stately and gorgeous, and will be erected without confusion or blasphemy at least a week before Christmas. Every gif t will be chosen with care, about October, wrapped exqui- sitely, and stored in the front hall closet. Christmas dinner will be planned - '.-77ý A;- 11- - - ý- 1 r. ' minimum of fuss. Turkey will be ordered and delivered at precisely the right moment. Plum pudding will be baked and frozen, probably in November, ready to be popped in the oven. Records will be sorted and all set to go on hi-fi. There'll be carol singing, a fire in the fireplace, peac and goodwill in all our hearts, and-' joy to the world. House will be full of lovable children, and gentle Grandad, who will play with each other, while the old lady and I sit around denignly and smile and smile, with our hears overflowing. And we'l all go to church on Christmas Day to get away from the commercialism, and revel in the True Meaning of Christmas. Somewhere between the planning and the execution, something goes awry. Maybe it's because life is too complîcated to spend six months getting ready for a three-day orgy. Somehow, we're too busy with Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day and the Grey Cup and sewing Kim's pants, and marking essays and bickering and making up, to make any preparations at all. Cards are last year's leftovers, plus a few cheap extras, sent out on Dec. 23rd. I go out on the 24th and beat the snow and ice off the third-last skeleton in the Christmas tree lot, and it is erected to the accompani- ment of oaths when I try to nail my finger to the floor, and screams of rage and disgust when the dam' thing falls over for the fourth time. Gifts are purchased with all the careful selection of passengers on the Titanic grabbing for lifebelts. Only one string of the Christmas tree lights works, and the stores are sold out of replacements. Somebody forgot to order the fresh-killed turkey, and we wind up with a beast that was frozen during the last Ice Age. We have to chop the guts out with a chisel. Plum pudding? Forget it. We're all on a diet. Nobody got around to sorting out the records, and on Christmas Eve, instead of We Three Kings of Orient we get There'll Be a Hot Time in t' Old Town Tonight, with pornogra, phic verses by Jakaloo Shuffler and His Shifflers. Somebody has lost the book of carols. There is no kindling and the firewood is wet. It smokes. The only peace in the house is when you lock yourself in the bathroom, and the ock doesn't work, and the infants wander in and say, "What are you doing, Grandad?" Grandchildren are incorrigible, pulling over firescreen, floor lamp and Great-Grandad in a muddle of breaking and bawling, filling their diapers during dinner, and demand- ing to stay up until midnight to see S. Claus. We never make it to church because we're too busy celebrating the birth of Christ. i