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

Port Perry Star Christmas Edition Monday, Dec. 22, 1975 Christmas in a pioneer village Often we tend to picture Christmas in the early days of Ontario as consisting of this festive occasion. To many early settlers, Christmas was, in addition to situation is appropriate to Black Creek, a small rural village of the first half of the lavish feasting and nineteenth century. Nowhere a religious feast, a welcome decoration - the Christmas of will you find the "groaning break in the hard work of Dickens. This scene, board" of food, but you will survival in a young country. however, is late Victorian, and a rather different feel the unique atmosphere At Black Creek you will see of pioneer preparations for in each house varied - ." ~ El . ol wu » B x ' "PREPARATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS" From now until January 4th Black Creek Pioneer Village recalls the Christmases of pre-Confederation rural Ontario. The foods, decorations and rituals of Ontario's early settlers are recreated in special demonstrations. The homes of the Village have been decorated to reflect the life styles and beliefs of the original owners. } A Merey Cheisimas It's that warm and cozy Holiday Season when families share with their neighbors and friends happy times and good feelings. We wish you the best, along with our thanks. Mother Jackson's Open Kitchen Ltd. preparations representing different time periods, ethnic backgrounds and economic status. CHRISTMAS CAROLLING To add to the Christmas scene at Black Creek, choir members from St. Philip's Lutheran Church in Islington will sing Christmas carols in various locations through the Village each Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., up to December 21st. . DANIEL STRONG'S FIRST HOME This home was built in 1816 and represents an early home of the area. The Strongs being Pennsylvania German would have a small tree simply decorated for christmas with dyed fleece and apples. Gifts were practical and homemade, such as warm mittens and socks, and the father might whittle a small toy for his children. All cooking was done over the open fire, and Christmas food preparations were neither elaborate nor expensive. DANIEL STRONG'S SECOND HOME Daniel Strong built his second home in 1832. The improved prosperity of the family is indicated by the more extensive preparations for the Christmas season. The Strongs, however, were members of the Evangelical Church and so they would not believe in too much frivolity. The only signs of Christmas in this large house are to be found in the kitchen. The traditional tree is now more heavily decorated, not only with dyed fleece and apples, but also with many decorated cookies. These cookies are traditional at Christmas with -the Penn- sylvania Germans. Garlands of popcorn and cranberries also festoon the tree. There were still many bogs around Southern Ontario where cranberries could be gathered. : Gifts were still mainly homemade, knitted stockings, a doll made from corn husks and perhaps an embroidered show towel for mother. But also, there may have been one or two store bought gifts. Fruit and nuts, cookies and simple fruit cake are ready for the testivities. Traditionally, Pennsylvania German children would set out their breakfast plates the night before Christmas, in hopes of finding a supply of homemade candy in the morning. HALF WAY HOUSE Half Way '{ouse, an 1850 inn, thougn a place of business would acknowledge the Christmas season. A centre piece on the - dining room table, bowls of nuts and fruits, and a "kissing ball" strategically placed in the hall, all added to the festive atmosphere for the patrons. THE DANIEL FLYNN HOME Daniel Flynn was a Catholic and to him Christmas would be primarily a religious festival. In the parlour of this home, which was built in 1858, there is a small hand- made nativity scene and a candle is lit in the window in hope that a priest will come by and a Mass could be celebrated. This village family could afford a few of the Christmas luxuries available at the general store, such as inexpensive toys for the children, and embroidery wools for-Mrs. Flynn. Christmas puddings are cooking on the stove. Sometimes a few oranges and lemons would be pur- chased to add variety to the Christmas fare, and no part was wasted. The peel would be cooked in syrup to make candied peel, sweetmeat and treat for the children. BURWICK HOUSE a delicious This house was owned by the most prosperous family in Black Creek. The Burrs were of British background and their home reflects both their country of origin and their wealth. The decorations were quite lavish with swags of evergreen and berries and a "kissing ball" hanging in the hall. There is no Christmas tree in this house. This is because decorated trees did not become popular with the #® British until the Royal Consort, Prince Albert, introduce: decorated tree ta the Royal "Family at Windsor Castle. The gifts in this 1840's house would be of a less practical nature, some of them would be quite elegant and would have been pur- & chased in a large town such as Toronto rather than in the Laskay Emporium. Further signs of the family's prosperity can be seen in fhe food preparations -- spices and candied fruits to make rich cakes, and im- ported fruits such as figs, dates, oranges and lemons and Christmas delicacies. FISHERVILLE CHURCH The church pulpit is adorned with boughs of greenery, and from the back of the church can be heard strains of the choir prac- tising the (continued on page 5) traditional Be happy and full of good cheer now and throughout the holiday season. HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all our customers and friends NONQUON TRAVEL SERVICE CORNER OF 7A Hwy. AND WATER STREET | Christmas Wishes Share in this holiday's joys with the folks you love best. Jim Heayn AUTO SALES ETE A ANE T ETT GS) SHIRE YE DR FRAG 2N 4. ih oo) - EMMERSON AGENCY ied Pa. - May all the good things Christmas has peace, joy and serenity. We are forever grateful for your kindness. in store be yours -- INSURANCE LIMITED ae