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HERAID WtiMttimy December in- Reflections on Christmas past By SHIRLEY LAYERS Many Christmas seasons gent flow through my mind as think back through the years Some come easily others are elusive not wanting to be brought Most are enjoyable to recapture but there were disap pointing ones and sorrowful ones along the way Special toys not received and cherished persons no longer here to share the season with My most memorable ones are of Christmases of childhood secure in extended family sur roundings feeling the hope and innocence of only the very young These memorable holidays of youth were spent in a Maritime province The storms of winter there did nothing to diminish the anticipation felt in a child heart The fierce wind which blew over the frozen harbor and through the tall trees meant that the special season was soon to be The first sign of Christmas would begin with the organizing of the concert at the local one room school with all eight grades participating Preconcert tension ran very High but in the end on the big night we acted and sang well much to the amusement of the whole community Another sign of the ap season was the aroma in the air of the home baking be ing done in the kitchens around the small community Upon ap proaching the home the after noon after school one could detect what mother had baked that day to be stored away Grandma pantry held the epitome of untouchable delights About two weeks before the grant event my brother and I set out to find the perfect Christmas tree This was not a difficult hunt there being a great availability in the area then This had been our responsibility and pleasure from the time my brother could safely carry and use an axe Sometimes our choice was not up to and another trip was necessary We didn mind The woodlands were clean and safe then inhabited only by small animals an occasional deer breaking into flight at our ap proach and many different birds The acceptable tree would be carried home by hand or on a handsleigh freshly cut which would fill the house with another unique scent It was decorated with a vanety of ornaments some new ones ad 8770109 Simon 2 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT A Phone 416877 J 132 Mam Street South Georgetown Ontario 5 01 FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ALL TYPES OF MORTGAGE FINANCING PRIME RESIDENTIAL CONVENTIONAL CMHC 6 Months to Years 1225 1275 Residential Commercial Cal DAVE KRAUSE 8734991 to the old ones which were retrieved from Grandmas storage room As the grand day approached parcels of mysterious shapes and sizes would be delivered by the from the mailorder catalogue and more brought home from town The tion to peek within was almost to the point that sometimes there were corners of the parcels to be carefully tucked together as if inquisitive fingers had not been near them at all My brother and I shared a bedroom After we were in bed we would decide which carols we would serenade the younger fmaiiy members with and sing to them with our unsophisticated voices Our mother would listen and yet today she remembers it as one of her special Christmas recollections During all this flurry of activity our father observed the goingson quietly content at leaving most of it to mother He was more concerned with which one of the biggest fat test hens wandering around the henhouse should be chosen as Christmas dinner for his family Finally the big evening would arrive My small gifts to the other family members were wrapped and tucked in amongst the boughs on the tree Christmas Eve was always a ntual with visits to Grandma s house which was close by Then we would return home to prepare for Mid night Mass It would not have been complete without it one of the most important events of the whole season at least to the adults Then the anticipated morning would arrive Before breakfast the stockings were sorted out and emptied with much relief knowing that Santa bad once again found our The gifts were unwrapped inspected by everyone and all greatly appreciated We would have our Christmas dinner around 1pm and finally the stored goodies were ours after the weeks of waiting We always returned to Grand mas house in the late afternoon for another dinner with all the ac companiments The evening was spent either visiting relatives or jvith them coming to our house Sometimes if there was snow on the hills or ice on the harbor we would try out our new skates or sleighs with our cousins or friends We would usually wear our new but very itchy woolen snowsmts By bedtime tion would have set in and sleep left no time for carols that night but we usually slept quite happy with what the day had brought us Such are my favourite Christmas memories intertwm ed with recollections of my holidays spent with my own children when thej were young These latter ones were spent far from the scenes of my own youth Always thoughts come to mind especially on Christmas Eve nostalgia for another place and time and loneliness for dear ly loved persons who lived in that era Reflections of Christmas treasured memories NEW YEARS DINNER j COME AND ENJOY DINNER BEFORE YOUR NEW YEARS PARTY Celebrate with a 4 COURSE DINNER with a complimentary glass of Champagne OA PER FOR UNDER PERSON I From pm ITS ALL GOT TO GO 80 OFF LISTED PRICE OF EVERYTHING BLUE JEANS PANTS T0PS RUNNING SHOES 2oo T0YS GIFTS 80 OFF NEW YEARS PARTY GOODS SWEAT SHIRTS LADIES KNIT SWEATERS MENS SHIRTS SHORTS TOPS PANTS SHIRTS LADIES KNIT SKIRTS 400 CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS 80 OFF TRACK SHOES BOYS UNDERWEAR Keg 36 KIDS CLOTHES 80 OFF CHILDRENS CLOTHES SKI TURTLENECKS Reg 99 C60 NOW T SHIRTS 499 ALL GIFTS OFF LONG UNDERWEAR tops 82 BOTTOMS 82 SPORTS EQUIPMENT 80 OFF AND MUCH MUCH MORE ALL FIXTURES MUST GO tables racks displays SAVINGS YOU CANT AFFORD TO MISS NINTENDO HO OFF EVERY GAME LOTS OF ITEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION NINTENDO RENTALS FOR SALE HOUSEWARE ITEMS 80 OFF DOORS OPEN THURSDAY AT NOON CCP LIQUIDATORS ARE CLOSING THEIR RETAIL OPERATION PRICE or LESS STORE GEORGETOWN SOME ITEMS EXCLUDED