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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Monday, December 23, 1996 3 A Star Is Born... Don't Miss a Single Issue Catch all the news, sports and advertising that make up our community. Continued front Page One hadn't dawned on them yet. The lights, you see, spent most of the time blinking off and blinking on and engaging headache-producing arguments over whether blue, the color of ice, was better than red, the color of Santa's suit. Or whether yellow, the color of stars, was better than green, the color of Christmas trees. Or whether white, the color of snow, was better than orange, the color of tangerines. Or whether.... Well, you gel the picture. The strings of lights may have been plugged into 120 volts of electrical current, but sometimes they weren't very bright. Which leaves us with Sparky, the Christmas star. Since he was first taken out of his cardboard box 75 years ago, Sparky had presided over the tree in Peabody's Department Store. Nobody ever elected Sparky the leader and nobody had made him boss. But, there was little doubt that he was the star in more ways than one. There, atop his pinnacle pinnacle of fir, he watched over Christmas, never failing to shine brightly every day. Sometimes, for a particularly tired shopper, he beamed an extra sparkle or two in their direction and saw their steps grow lighter and their faces more cheerful. Sometimes, Sparky would use his magic on over-worked store employees and especially on little kids who were impatient or bored or, for some reason, sad about Christmas. "Mommy, that star winked at me," more than one youngster had exclaimed. "That's nice," Mom would reply as she hurried to the escalator. escalator. She didn't believe. But, Sparky and the children knew different. So, Sparky was somewhat sad to learn that the Christmas decorations would probably be put away for the last time this year. He wondered what would become of him. He certainly didn't want to end up on parade forever in a collector's cabinet, like the toy soldiers. And somehow, it would seem odd to be looking down from a brand new plastic Christmas tree in some brand new shopping mall next Christmas. It just wouldn't be the same. Worse yet, would be the prospect of lying in a dusty packing case year after year and Christmas after Christmas while the music and the jingle bells passed him by. So, Sparky shone bravely as ever. But he was troubled. He looked up to the small rectangle of night sky visible from the front window of Peabody's Department Store. Up there, way up, between a church steeple and an old factory factory smokestack, he could see the night sky shimmering in a way that Christmas lights could never match. And Sparky made the same wish he had made almost every Christmas since he first looked down from the tree. You couldn't say he wished upon a star, since he was one. But, he wished upon children's laughter and Christmas carols and Santa's beard that his wish might come true tonight. He wished with every sparkle of his being. And, who knows? Perhaps the wish could come true. For this was Christmas Eve -- a time when you had the feeling that anything might happen. Each Christmas Eve, around midnight, Sparky would catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer flying overhead in that tiny patch of sky between CORRECTION NOTICE We wish to draw your attention to the following In our current "Christmas Countdown Sate" Flyer. Page 10. Champion Jr. In-line Skates, 84-7254X. The Option Points should read: 250. NOT 2500. We sincerely regret any Inconvenience we may have caused you. © j.p. ' cnote352-96 All Zones Happy Holidays 73 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone 623-8772 ©J.P, H&ohTc 'Tpw,! "Tpuc! tyotc! 'Zfotc! *76<ut6 tya! The Municipality of Clarington's United Way Committee would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their support of and donation to the recent United Way Auction. 3C Computers Lou Ann Birkett Bowmanville Sports Shop Marshall, Macklin, Monaghan Bowmanville Zoo Montreal Expos Baseball Club Brock's Service Centre Mount Kirby Ski Shop Canadian Statesman Nancy O'Flaherty Canadian Tire (Bowmanville) New York Yankees Baseball Carnovale Construction Club Catherine Eisan Newcastle Golf Course Clarington Place Cinemas Nick Coined Clarington Firelighters Assoc. Oak Unlimited Furniture Clarington Fitness Centre Oshawa Ski Club Clipps & Crafts Oshawa Central Newspaper Coined Pools Port Darlington Marina Donna Hutton Print-Ziples Fred Horvath Radio Shack G.M. Sernas Schickcdanz Brothers Colder Associates Silks Café Gary Hancwich Bill Stockwcll Heather Lynch Today's Business Hooper's Jewellery Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Intownc Gallery Club James Publishing Toronto Argonauts Football Jr. A Eagles Hockey Club Club Justin Barry Optical Totten. Sims, llubicki Ken Marskell Valiant Property Management Special Thanks to our Auctioneer, Boh Stapleton , ( Clarington ■■ CS a (nd. 6263 www ©j.p. ■■ Finally, as dawn was breaking breaking and the big reindeer turned their antlers to the wind and headed north, the most amazing thing happened of all. Santa reached into his pocket pocket and gently picked up Sparky. He smiled. "Well, this is it," he said. "My work is done. Except, I think there's one more Christmas wish to grant. Merry Christmas, Sparky." And with that, he flung the little star the half the length of the Milky Way, until Sparky landed at last on the soft cushion cushion of the night sky. His fellow stars sparkled at him and moved over a little to give him room to shine. Sparky smiled and shone a few beams in the direction of the sled that was now speeding north. Highland dancer Heidi Douglas of Bowmanville entertained entertained the Bowmanville Lioness Club at their December December 14th meeting. The performance was Heidi's way of saying thank-you for a donation that helped pay for a week-long stay at the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre in Ottawa earlier this year. Among the dances Heidi performed performed were the Scottish warrior's sword dance, and the classic Highland Fling done to the tune of Jingle Bells. He was right. Anything could happen on Christmas Eve. And, sometimes wishes do come true. And so, when the Christmas decorations looked to their little patch of sky visible outside the front window of the store Christmas morning, they saw their friend, shining as usual, but from a different place. "He's a real star now," announced the sergeant-major toy soldier. "And so he should be." Then he raised his arm his best salute. Sparky twinkled in reply. the steeple and the smokestack. The little star would wink and Santa would wave. It was a Christmas ritual for the two of them and Sparky liked to think his shining light helped give Santa direction on Christmas Eve, or at least cheered him on. Tonight, he strained for his customary glimpse of Santa and did not go unrewarded. But this time, it was different. The big reindeer slowed their pace. The bulging sled banked sharply to the left and descended descended in a lazy," spiral pattern. Santa was landing. In fact, he was surely landing on the roof of Peabody's Department Store. A few minutes later, there was the sound of heavy footsteps footsteps and bells as Santa himself strolled down the aisle, towards the Christmas tree. Even the brightly colored lights stopped their twittering and bickering to watch what would happen next. "Ho, Ho, Ho," bellowed Santa in his customary Christmas salutation. "And Merry Christmas! You know, I'm not allowed to have favorites. But if I did, I'm sure the tree in the front window at Peabody's would be on my list. There just aren't any trees like it. In fact, if I had time to trim a tree of my own, I think it would look just like this. Everyone here is doing a great job. And I know it must not be easy to shine and sparkle every day." The decorations were speechless, except for Sparky, who said, "Thank you, Santa. But we are glad to do it. In fact, I've often thought we enjoy Christmas more than anybody. The look on the children's faces, the generosity, the goodwill... goodwill... Why, we can see it all, right from the front window of this department store." Santa looked up at the star and smiled. Highland Dancer Entertains Lioness Club "And you, little fellow," he continued, "Have I got a special surprise for you!" Sparky held his breath, wondering wondering if he dared to dream what it might be. "Since Santa knows just about everything connected with Christmas, lie's heard through the grapevine -- or should that be the holly vine -- - that Peabody's old store is closing down and you trinkets might not be together again. But, don't worry about it. There will always be a place in Christmas for all of you. Now, as for Sparky, you're coming with me. Santa picked the star off the top of the tree and placed it gently in his coat pocket. Then, he said goodbye and left. It was a wonderful adventure adventure for Sparky. The night was spread in front of them like an unopened gift and he savoured every minute. They flew past churches churches with their carols ascending to the night sky like incense. They flew past the brightly-lit houses. They stopped on countless countless roofs on numberless cities -- rooftops of mansions, rooftops of farm houses, rooftops of apartments, rooftops of even the tiniest homes. The aroma of Christmas baking and goodwill hung heavy in the air. Sparky saw deserts, mountains, lakes, oceans, rivers, and all the things he had only dreamed about in his days inside the store window. window. Category 1 Subscribers who wish to pick up their own subscription at our offices after 11 a.m. Wednesday. You will be given a card to present each week when you pick up your Statesman. Category 2 Subscribers within Canada Category 3 Subscribers outside of Canada Sub. G.S.T. Total per year $25 $1.75 $26.75 $30 $2.10 $32.10 $100 $7.00 $107.00 I I Name: Subscription Order Form Address:. New Q or Renewal |_| Postal Code:. Telephone No.:. Please pay by cheque, VISA, MasterCard, or money order. VISA/MC Number:. . Expiry Date:. f Catta&iatt Mmn P.0. Box 190,62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3K9 Second Class Mail Permit No. 1561 Drive Merrily, DRIVE .SAFELY Many of our neighbours will be on the road to visit friends and family this Christmas. If you're one of them take your time and relax. Drive safely and enjoy the holiday. Bob's Towing Bowmanville • Courtice • Oshawa 723-5219 ©j.py DURHAM REGION The Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department HOLIDAY CLOSURE OF THE REGION'S WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES The Region's Waste Management Facilities in Oshawa, Port Perry and Blackstock will be closed for the Christmas Holidays on Tuesday, December 24th at noon. They will open on December 27th and 28th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on December 31st, from 8 a.m. to noon only. Normal operations will resume on January 2nd, 3rd and 4th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. V.A. SILGAILIS, P. ENG. COMMISSIONER OF WORKS ©j.p. 49 King St. W, Bowmanville Telephone: 623-5854 O) r>. G loa All our Winter Clothing 1Æ Prime 2 Davs Only Friday and Saturday December 27-28 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Fit) 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sat.) -All Sales Final- MffcoftaMxsEi- Moëæ- APPLIANCE YEAR END SALE ^December 27,25,30,31 Four Days Only NO GST Scratch 'N' Dent Savings Event •Washers -Dryers Fridges -Stoves •Dishwashers Truck load just arrived! FREE DELIVERY pf • Special pricing on Laundry Clearance Fantastic Savings! KitchenAid [fffifff Danby See us at Paddy's Market Taunton Rd.,Hampton ©j.p. N t PADDY'S MARKET ony Rd. Tnunton Rd. TÎ DC Û) u to £ Ham = Hwy.2 o O x: O) in 263-5369 ©J.P