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As the children nestle down to Christmas dreams, we extend happy wishes to you and your family. Smits Cycle. and Sports. HENRI and MARIE SMITS, PROP. 2 3 3 RD SC »e 3¢ £2 D 2 9% = ) (Errore 3) ) ( (© Tessier: by Reta M. Berrill My Christmas Story I'm slowly becomming an addict. Not of cigarettes, drugs or alcohol, but of auction sales. Slightly more than two years ago | attended my first one, and have never declined an invitation to accompany anyone since. I'm not an antique collector or bargain hunter and wouldn't know the value of anything in dollars and cents. For me, it's a walk down Memory Lane. But, on a recent journey, | found a treasure--a little china milk jug decorated with palest green and a cluster of pink and red roses. And it's filled with a [Christmas story "that I'd like to share . . . In a tiny cabin on the Saskatchewan prairie it was Christmas time, and family finances were nil. My parents worried their way through each day that brought that 'Special Day nearer, and conversed in low tones Ta™ into the night, trying to find some way to keep faith with their family. To several small children Santa Claus had to come. Finally, in desperation my father decided he'd go into town and ask the general-store keeper for 'Just a few things" on delayed payment. So very little would do. It was now the day before Christmas and with it had come a prairie blizzard. A storm that obliterated their whole world, but my father had made up his mind. He ignored my mother's pleading while he harnessed the horses and nudged them into the storm, and then, something she'd said made sense. "Much better that the children have no Christmas this year than to have no father.' And he knew that ten miles on a windswept prairie could be a hazardous journey. My mother won. And throughout the day the storm howled on. But must have subsided with early darkness. Santa Claus came. In the morning the kitchen table was arrayed with gifts--something for everyone. And Kindly neighbors had wrought a miracle. Maybe they'd planned to add an extra sparkle to our family Christmas. Or, possibly they knew our monetary plight. And then, perhaps their own Christmas happiness was, spreading cheer to others. We never knew--and motives didn't matter. We were too young to comprehend our parents anguish, or later, their "Cup that" - runneth over." The complete story was told only after we'd reached an age of understanding, and needless to say, kept alive in our hearts as long as our parents lived. | was less than four years old, but remember seeing that table of gifts, although .but one thing was to register on my mind and stay there through the years. It was a china milk jug decorated with palest green and a cluster of pink and red roses, and in it, stood an unclothed celluloid doll. the doll was for me, but strangely, it was the milk jug that left an imprint on my memory. In later years, whereever I've seen that particular china-cups, plate or bowl,-1've been reminded of that little milk jug now brimming with nostalgia, and all that it symbolized. My newly acquired treasure will have a special place in my home. As that first one has had a special niche in my heart, and has always been my personal version of, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." Going "Mumming" "Mumming" is a Yule cus tom that originated in early England. Mummers, masked and in costume, silently en- acted ritual plays about the death of winter and the old year. The custom still survives in some parts of the world, al- though the plays are no longer performed. Today mummers usually entertain with dancing and instrumental ninsic They are Jewarded with treats. BAN ON MISTLETOE Mistletoe is almost never one of the greens used in church decorations, because it has always been consid- ered pagan, as the badge of the Druid. . 'CHRISTMAS TIME! We'd like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for your patronage! 'BOB PRENTICE. BARBER SHOP . 'Happy Holidays to you" -- that's in tune with our wishes. Children's Boutique Here, beneath the lamplight's glow, we gather to "joyously sing out, "Hello," To you and all these you hold dear, a holiday filled with lots of cheer! Port Perry A and Appliances Wishing "You ) { Rg All the | Joys of : (fitistmas < H snr asi Thore's a jingle in the air as holiday cheer rings everywhere. Gordon's Market and STAFF Caesarea e25; SIR § Christmas holiday scason 1s a time for expressions of appreciation and friendship. May peace. jov and happiness be vour gift during this Holiday Scason and follow vou throughout the coming New Year. Beare Motors Chevrolet | Te Se _ EAs . « A oY