The Citizen - Dec. 23, 2022

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THIS WEEK

Citizen

Huron County’s most trusted independent news source

Friday, December 23, 2022

Volume 38 No. 51

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0

BMGCC comm. exceeds its goal

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Back on stage A traditional holiday season in Huron County is not complete without the concerts and performances of local elementary schools. They are a staple of the season and their dates are always circled on calendars throughout the community. Above, students at Hullett

Central Public School in Londesborough were among those who took to the stage last week to spread holiday cheer and help get their communities ready for the weekend that lies ahead. From left: Jane Edgar, Owen Dalton and Callie Merner.

(John Stephenson photo)

The Inspiring our Future campaign to raise money for the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre has exceeded its $2 million goal by over $400,000.

Campaign Chair Brian TenPas and the rest of the committee made the announcement late last week at one of the committee’s meetings, held at the centre.

“The community centre and arena are the heart of our town,” TenPas said in a press release issued that night. “It’s been wonderful to see so many people step up to make sure it will be there for the next generation.”

At the meeting, TenPas announced that the total raised by the committee was $2,468,000 (the total has already grown by more than $10,000 to $2,478,902, as reported to Huron East Council at its Tuesday night meeting). This exceeds the committee’s goal of $2 million, which had already been increased from $1.4 million when the cost of the project was Continued on page 3

Blyth Centre for the Arts posts surplus, looks ahead

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The Blyth Centre for the Arts held its annual general meeting late last week, and the Blyth Festival posted a surplus of over $51,000, according to General Manager Rachael King.

The meeting was held virtually, due to inclement weather, and included reports from not just the Blyth Festival, but from the Blyth Festival Art Gallery, Blyth Festival Singers and the Blyth Festival Orchestra as well.

In his report, Artistic Director Gil Garratt said the Festival realized an overall attendance increase of 35 per cent over the 2021 season, adding that nearly 20 per cent of the tickets purchased were done so by new buyers.

“We are continuing to be found by new audiences,” Garratt said in his report.

On the staffing side, Garratt said the Festival contracted 81 artists and staff members in 2022, which is

a 300 per cent increase over the 2021 staffing complement of 27.

Garratt also championed the season’s shows, highlighting the return of ensemble casts (rather than the one-person shows of 2021), the connection to The Farm Show production of the 1970s through The Drawer Boy, the return of Festival-specific roots music and the confrontation of important social topics, such as race and Indigenous relations in Canada.

He also noted that in 2022 the Festival had dedicated more time and money to new play development, thanks to the matching gift campaign last holiday season, than it has in decades. That work, he said, was thanks to Associate Artistic Director Severn Thompson. He also thanked his staff, including General Manager Rachael King, and others for the work they put into the season, making it safe for all.

“We are finishing the 2022 season with a modest surplus, and while I want to celebrate that

accomplishment and that all that represents in terms of audience support, donor engagement, government involvement and sheer stick-to-itiveness on the part of our staff and crew and artists, I would happily have taken a deficit this year if it meant the people who held it all together in 2022 had been able to breath more, eat better and sleep deeper. Pulling off 2022 came at a greater cost than is reflected on our

balance sheet,” Garratt said in his report.

“We have a lot planned for next year. Huge growth for our Young Company, reopening Memorial Hall, a shoring up of operations to ensure we both excel and take care of each other, and a season of theatre that we hope will bring audiences from far and wide back to Blyth (or to Blyth for the first time).”

In her report, King mentioned a number of highlights, including the purchase of a four-unit apartment in Blyth to increase housing stock for the Festival, the expansion of the Harvest Stage (including the planting of new trees) and support received from the Tourism Relief Fund and the Festival’s many members and donors.

Elli Cohen, president of the Continued on page 24

Sebastian named award finalist

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Ty Sebastian of Brussels is one of three finalists for the International Softball Congress Canada East Player of the Year Award for the 2022 season.

Sebastian is up against Quinten Bruce of the Bear Creek Express, who is also one of Sebastian’s fellow members of the Canadian national team, as well as Tom

Berube of the Toronto Dieppe and Ridge Legends teams.

Sebastian is being recognized not just for his play with the Huron County Fastball League’s Brussels Tigers, leading them to a fifth straight title, but with the Toronto Batmen as well, who finished third in the Canada East Qualifier.

Sebastian was also named the Playoff Round Most Valuable Player at the national championship tournament playing for the

Batmen, earning his team a silver medal.

As a member of team Canada, he hit a home run and had three RBIs in Canada’s 9-2 win over Japan, while also pitching in two games, earning a win and striking out 14 with an earned run average of 2.86.

The winner will be announced in early January.

For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.iscfastpitch.com

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Belgrave report coming

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree Hullett Central Public School held its annual holiday concert last week to a packed house that was ready to get into the holiday spirit. From left: Mila Lee, Lucy McDowell, Silas Hayes, Kinsley Patterson and Riley Poynton. (John Stephenson photo)

Dam decommissioning approved Despite concerns that council members weren’t privy to all the correct information, North Huron Township Council voted 4-2 in favour of proceeding with the decommissioning of the Howson Dam. During council’s Monday night meeting, it voted to award a tender for the removal of the dam to Roubos Farm Service Limited for $1,036,777.60.

Interim Director of Public Works Chip Wilson said the tenders received had been reviewed and approved by RSS Engineering and, despite a small error in calculating the price, Roubos was the lowest tender, with Looby Construction coming in nearly $300,000 more at $1,335,609.18 and Vandriel Excavating coming in over $650,000 more at $1,698,865.03.

Councillor Mitch Wright, however, wasn’t content with the move, questioning a number of aspects of the current and past staff reports.

First, Wright said he couldn’t find any history of Roubos Farm Service Limited taking on similar roles, while he said there were numerous examples of Looby Construction doing so.

“I’m curious what similar projects Roubos presented as evidence of their experience doing

this work,” he asked Wilson.

Wilson said he couldn’t directly answer that, but since GSS Engineering had previously worked with the company, he felt they would know. He also said he had addressed the issue with B.M. Ross and Associates and heard a similar endorsement.

Wright then said he had two issues with the proposal: one, that the reports of the former Director of Public Works were flawed and council didn’t have all the information to make an informed decision, and two, that the funding proposed, according to his research, wasn’t possible. He added that, if council did approve the removal, it was taking serviceable parts of the dam out alongside the parts that needed to be replaced, adding that even the latter could be used as a base for a new structure.

First, Wright said that staff had said the committee of council had recommended rehabilitation, however that term wasn’t properly defined for staff or council, leading to a misunderstanding. He said the reports from the consulting firm Chant Engineering indicated that such a project could be completed.

Wright then said that the majority of the funding is coming from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), however his

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understanding of the fund made him think it couldn’t be used for demolition. He said if he was mistaken and it could be used for that, there are other projects that the municipality should undertake first.

Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer said the former council had made its decision, and that each member of council has over 40 years of reports to inform their decisions.

He then said the question before this council was whether to proceed or not, and that Wright’s further investigations would need to be dealt with after the vote.

After more debate, council did vote on the motion. Councillor Anita van Hittersum requested a recorded vote in which Wright and fellow Wingham Ward Councillor Lonnie Whitfield voted against the recommendation, while Falconer, Reeve Paul Heffer, van Hittersum and Councillor Ric McBurney all voted in favour. Councillor Chris Palmer was absent from the meeting.

Morris-Turnberry Council is hopeful that a cross-border servicing agreement is forthcoming between itself and North Huron Council, and wants to align the renewal date of such an agreement with an existing agreement.

During North Huron Township Council’s Monday night meeting, council received a letter from Morris-Turnberry’s Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Hallam saying that MorrisTurnberry Council was officially notifying North Huron that the municipality didn’t want to renew the agreement for providing water to North Huron residents in Belgrave. The agreement is set to renew in 2025, however, MorrisTurnberry wants to align the renewal instead with whatever new

cross-border servicing agreement it sets with North Huron.

“This is just a request to align the two anniversary dates,” North Huron Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer said. “That’s what it boils down to.”

Councillor Mitch Wright asked when council would be addressing the cross-border servicing issue, assuming it would be after the budget process was complete.

North Huron Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans said the issue would be back before council in the new year, and that staff would bring a report back, regarding the Morris-Turnberry letter, in the future if that was council’s wishes.

Council directed Evans to prepare a report for the new year.

Merry Christmas and Stay Safe in 2023

Huro on Feeding Syste ems Joe e, Jacquie, Andrew and Staff

Bru ussels 519-887 7--6289 9

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 3.

Committee surpasses goal by nearly $500,000

Mission accomplished The Inspiring Our Future Campaign Committee recently announced its final fundraising total (which has since continued to grow), exceeding the $2 million goal. Back row, from left: Leisa Albers, Jeff McGavin, Kevin Deitner, Dan Fritz, Michelle Blake, Steve Knight, Marnie Knight and Jeff Cardiff. Front row from left: Doug McArter, Roxane Nicholson, Brian TenPas, John van Viet and Patricia Beuermann. Absent were Brett and Laura Fischer, Joe and Deb Seili and Neil McGavin. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Continued from page 1 reassessed and increased due to material costs and supply chain disruptions.

In an interview with The Citizen, TenPas said he is so proud of what the committee and the community has achieved, saying that it’s been both overwhelming and unbelievable to be a part of such an amazing project.

When he was first approached as a potential chair for the campaign, TenPas said, he was unsure about stepping out of his comfort zone.

But, as someone who has lived in the community for a long time, with many ties to Brussels hockey, he felt he had to do it.

The support from the community has been incredible, he said, but he’s not surprised. The people of Brussels and the surrounding communities, he said, can always be counted upon to step up and dig in on an important project, and this one was no different.

He said he never had any doubts when he saw the team that fundraising professional Nicole Jutzi assembled. It is chock full of strong, community-minded people, he said, and he knew they would get the job done. He says the support has been “absolutely tremendous”.

With a both a son and daughter living in the community now, TenPas said it’s great to know that the centre will live on for decades and that his grandchildren will have a place to skate, play hockey, see concerts or enjoy community meals. It’s those events that keep a community strong, he said, and to know that the centre will be there, improved for years to come, it’s a great feeling. Furthermore, it’s a bright time for new residents moving to Brussels he said. They have a lot to look forward to and to be proud of.

Deputy-Chair John van Vliet, in an interview with The Citizen, admits that he thought the $1.4 million goal was a lot to ask of Brussels residents and residents of the village’s surrounding communities, but that he knew they were up to the task. To exceed that original goal by more than $1 million, he said, is truly amazing.

All that has been accomplished in less than one year, with the campaign officially kicking off in the spring of 2022.

Van Vliet said it’s a real testament to the people of the community. He felt quite early on that there was a lot of momentum with the project and that it was going to be successful and he thinks the other

committee members would agree.

He said the committee was tightlipped about progress as it did its work, but that it was all worth it when members were able to announce the final total that’s been raised in recent months.

As a resident, he said it makes him proud to know that the centre will have a new life, not just for the ice surface and dressing rooms, but for improvements to the entrance and the kitchen and the inclusion of a gym, something Brussels has never really had. Hopefully, he said, all of this work will make the centre more appealing to users and potential renters, resulting in an increase in usage at the centre, which will translate into more revenue for the centre.

He says the hope, for him, is that it will last another 40 years, just as the original centre construction did.

Van Vliet’s fellow Deputy-Chair Doug McArter said that he too was unsure of the original fundraising goal, but knew that the community of Brussels and its neighbouring residents were up to the challenge.

He’s been involved in enough projects over the years, he said, that he knew it would be successful.

One thing he highlighted was the

Patricia Beuermann, Kevin Deitner, Jeff McGavin, Steve and Marnie Knight and Jeff Cardiff.

The total cost of the project is over $7.5 million and the remainder will be paid by grants from the provincial and federal governments and funds from Huron East and Morris-Turnberry.

“The first stages of the construction project are already underway. The outer walls of the extension, which will allow for six larger dressing rooms, are going up.

While there is still a lot of work to be done, it is heartening to see this long-awaited project begin to take shape,” reads the press release issued that night. “In addition to the six dressing rooms, the renovated community centre will have a streamlined foyer, unobstructed and

heated viewing area, space for a multi-purpose fitness centre, a modernized kitchen, improved auditorium entrance, increased storage for user groups, a modernized sound system and a new roof.”

Nicholson was one of the first people involved in the project and she said she knew the committee, and the community, would accomplish whatever goal was set back in June of 2018. When the study was conducted, finding that the campaign could yield in excess of $2 million, she said it confirmed what many of the committee members knew in their hearts.

She said she wasn’t surprised when the committee raised more than the $2 million it was tasked with raising.

naming opportunities for the renovated and expanded centre.

When donors contributed funds in order to name different areas of the centre proved to be very popular, he said, he knew the committee was going to end up in a good place.

McArter says he really chalks up the success of the campaign to the people involved. So many of the committee members, he said, have been residents of the community for so long and they’ve worked on similar campaigns. They came from Brussels, as well as MorrisTurnberry and Huron East’s Grey Ward as well, so he said it was nice to see everyone coming together from throughout the community in the name of the centre.

He said he has great pride in the centre and the work that will now be done will help preserve the centre and its important place in the community for decades to come.

In addition to TenPas, van Vliet and McArter, Roxane Nicholson served as the campaign coordinator, while Dan Fritz, Michelle Blake and Leisa Albers were sector chairs and Joe and Deb Seili and Neil McGavin were honorary advisors. Canvassers included Brett and Laura Fischer,

His master-purpose!

(Charles Spurgeon, “Christ’s Incarnation, the Foundation of Christianity”) Let us gather with grateful boldness around the infant in the manger, and behold our God! “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins!” Matthew 1:21 The great object of our Lord’s coming here was not to live, but to die.

He appeared, not so much to subdue sin by His teachings, or to manifest goodness or to perfect an example for us to imitate—but “to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”

The modern teachers of error would thrust the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus into the background—but our Lord placed it in the forefront. He came to take away our sins, Do not think of Jesus without remembering the design of His coming.

We preach Christ—so do a great many more. But, “we preach Christ crucified!” 1 Corinthians 1:23. We preach, concerning our Lord—His cross His blood, His death! Upon the blood of His cross we lay great stress, extolling much “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” by putting away their sin “by the sacrifice of Himself.”

We will not deny, or conceal, or depreciate His master-purpose—lest we be found guilty of trampling upon His blood, and treating it as an unholy thing.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst!” 1 Timothy 1:15 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

The Citizen will be closed for holidays from Friday, December 23 until January 2 at 9:00 am Please Note: There will be no paper published on Friday, December 30 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Editorials & Opinions

Founding Publisher: Keith Roulston Publisher & President: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld

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Diverging paths Year-end polls by Angus Reid are showing that while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has actually improved his popularity, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is struggling to find the same approval with only one-inthree (33 per cent) of Canadians viewing him favourably and 54 per cent holding a negative view. While it is early days in his campaign, the negative numbers are much higher than those previous party leaders Andrew Scheer, Erin O’Toole, and Stephen Harper were posting at a similar point in their leadership ventures.

After a year in which Trudeau shouldered much of the hostility around the so-called Freedom Convoy, high inflation and interest rates, a scarcity of children’s medications and a crumbling health care system, he rebounded by five points to end the year on a high note.

Notably, Poilievre’s largest hurdle will be gaining the trust and approval of women, demonstrated by this poll that showed around 15 per cent of Canadian women viewing him unfavourably and 40 per cent viewing him very unfavourably. This result is understandable, as he seems to think that a Trump-style appeal to angry, white men is his ticket to Sussex Drive. Not surprisingly this has resulted in his popularity being the highest in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the lowest in Quebec and Ontario, which happen to have the highest number of federal seats.

Whether he heeds the polls and works on delivering a platform that has a much more broad appeal remains to be seen, but it will be a story to watch in the upcoming year. – DS

Everyone loves a circus As traditional news outlets like newspapers and television stations struggle to compete for curious eyeballs, social networks like Twitter seem to have no problem snatching them up, regardless of the importance (or lack thereof) of what’s being discussed.

Real journalists are out there doing important work (and getting banned from Twitter in some cases, for that matter, as a result), but it seems like the world is much more interested in watching the world burn. Since the world’s richest infant, Elon Musk, bought Twitter on what seems like some sort of billionaire’s lark, heads everywhere are left shaking every week. He has welcomed back Nazis, criminals and other unsavoury characters like Jordan Peterson, but has had his hands full banning journalists who have had the audacity to produce stories about Musk and the impact he’s having on the world (Twitter’s advertisers are leaving in droves and Tesla stock is in the toilet).

It seems that the king of free speech and power to the people is less interested in the idea when he’s the subject of criticism, earning him the nickname of “Space Karen” and that he gets his kicks by opening up just about everything to a Twitter poll. One such poll yielded a win for those voting for Musk to step down from Twitter. Meanwhile, rapper Snoop Dogg has held his own poll in the hopes of taking over.

So, while we know that nothing catches eyeballs like a car crash or a dumpster fire, it’s saddening to see the world captivated by a rich person having somewhat of a public breakdown, while honest, hardworking journalists and entertainment content creators struggle to keep their projects afloat. That, unfortunately, is today’s world. – SL

Lock him up It’s easy, even for news junkies, to shrug off the day’s developments regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6 Committee when the world is so upside down and Trump himself dedicates himself daily anew to being more outrageous than he was the previous day.

However, the final committee recommendations should not be shrugged off. They are historic for a world leader and the fact that they aren’t being treated that way and that many still support Trump’s absurd claims show just how far democracy south of the border has fallen.

In its final public meeting, the committee recommended to the Justice Department that Trump be prosecuted on at least four charges connected to the Jan. 6 attack on The Capitol. The recommended charges include obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress, assisting an insurrection and conspiring to defraud the United States.

We’ve come a long way from the pesky task of fact-checking the former president on winning Michigan’s (non-existent) Man of the Year Award and his childish nicknames. These are real crimes that, many believe, have been committed by the former President of the United States, the world’s shining beacon of democracy and freedom (according to Americans) and a lot of Americans (both politicians and residents) would prefer to ignore them or actively question their accuracy.

It’s been a long time since that fateful November day in 2016 when what Hillary Clinton opined was a “basket of deplorables” turned out to be more like nearly 63 million Americans who steered Trump into office and there’s been a lot of chaos along the way. That shouldn’t numb us to the severity of what happened on Jan. 6, 2021 and, it appears, the major role Trump played in one of the darkest days in American history. – SL

Looking Back Through the Years December 23, 1965 George Cousins of Cousins Dairy in Brussels placed fourth in the province for butter manufactured in the last 12 months. This butter was evaluated in the yeast and mold competition and was examined for any yeast and mold, as well as its pH level.

The award was the fourth won by the local dairy in 1965.

The Honorable Charles S. McNaughton, Minister of Highways, was in Grey Township to officially open a new bridge spanning the Maitland River on Concession 8 of Grey Township, just east of Ethel.

Reeve Clifford Dunbar said the bridge was the most expensive in the history of Grey Township.

December 24, 1975 Blyth United Church held its annual Christmas service on Dec. 21. The special program included three holiday-themed musical numbers by the junior choir and another two from the intermediate choir.

Due to anti-inflation guidelines, a cost of living allowance for HuronPerth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board teachers could not be considered for the coming term.

The Seaforth Community Band performed a Christmas program for residents of Huronview Home for the Aged. Dr. Toll directed the program.

On Dec. 19, the Blyth PeeWee hockey team took on Mildmay in Blyth, but they ended up on the wrong end of a losing score. Frank Van Dongen, Kevin Coultes, Robbie Plunkett and Neil Elliott all scored goals for the home team in a losing effort.

The Londesborough Women’s

Institute held a special card party before the end of the year. Mrs. Bert Shobbrook was the high lady of the day, while Harry Snell was the competition’s high man.

December 24, 1997 The issue of fire coverage on the fringes of Brussels may have finally been settled.

Morris Township Council met on Dec. 17 and the council chambers were overflowing with members of the community, firefighters and volunteers from local fire boards. In the end, council decided that the area determined to be the fringe of Brussels would become the response area of the Brussels Fire Department, despite being in Morris Township.

A bid by Bell Canada to expand the local calling area would result in more free calls for Blyth and Brussels residents.

As a result, in the first quarter of 1998, Brussels customers would be able to locally call Goderich and Clinton, while Blyth residents would then have access to Wingham. Seaforth exchanges would be able to call Goderich as a local call and Wingham callers would be able to reach Blyth, Clinton and Goderich.

The expansion of the calling area was part of a plan by Bell to improve service for 6.8 million customers for a cost of $200 million.

Blyth’s trustee to the Huron County Board of Education, Abby Armstrong, was named the chair of the board, which would officially join with the Perth County Board of Education to form the Avon Maitland District School Board in just a few days. Armstrong represented the area of “Huron Central”, which included Blyth,

Clinton, Seaforth, Bayfield and Hullett, McKillop, Stanley and Tuckersmith Townships.

The vice-chair was Ray Ford, a Perth trustee for the Stratford area.

Blyth Public School held its annual Christmas concert on Dec. 17 and the theme was “Christmas is Music”. Kristin Oster served as the mistress of ceremonies for the evening.

December 16, 2021 Blyth’s Julie Sawchuk was named the chair of the provincial government’s committee tapped to review the Design of Public Spaces accessibility standards. The goal of the committee was to review existing accessibility standards and consider whether new standards might be necessary.

Blyth Business Improvement Area Chair David Sparling said the organization would be revealing two new art projects in 2022. The first was a pair of pennyfarthing bicycle statues meant to honour a rather anticlimactic bicycle race in Blyth that didn’t travel nearly as far as it was supposed to, ending with a collision just a few hundred feet after starting. The race was supposed to end in Londesborough.

The second art piece would be installed along the Goderich-toGuelph Rail Trail, created by renowned artist Randy Jones.

A five-storey, 73-unit apartment building proposed to be built in Wingham had drawn the ire of some residents and neighbours. The opponents of the project were worried about a number of things, including the prospect of introducing renters to the community, with one person saying those who rent were “all-around crazier people” than those who owned their own property.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Help others this Christmas season

S

ometimes it’s hard to see the Christmas spirit in the world around us. On one hand, the T.V. news every night features the generosity of people who have given to a number of Christmas food drives, but on the other there is the reality that we still need food banks.

We see the wonderful open hearts of people who donate coats, mittens and new underwear to people who are poor, but on the other hand, why are there so many people living in poverty or, worse, living in makeshift shelters like tents in the middle of a Canadian winter?

With our government-supported housing, our welfare system and so many government supports, not to mention better general living standards, we are so far ahead of the days of Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol, that I mentioned in last week’s column. On the other hand, with so many people able to invest in rental houses and apartments, we also have a larger portion of the population who are like Scrooge, out to get every penny they can from their investments. How many landlords, big and small, have hiked up their rents during the last inflationary year, not just to meet their additional costs, but boost their profits?

Meanwhile, we have a government in Ontario that reduced the provincial tax on gas and gave car owners back their license fees, while pleading poverty as far as providing health care and school workers with a wage that keeps up with inflation.

So with some people, like food and clothing shelter volunteers and those collecting toys and gifts to give to families in need on one hand, and those trying to maximize their investments on the other, it’s sometimes hard to remember that Christmas shows the best of humanity.

Then the other day I was doing my exercises in front of the window and the trees outside

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk were dripping icicles from freezing rain that was falling and my memories were jogged about the 1998 ice storm that pelted eastern Ontario and southern Quebec with up to 100 millimetres of freezing rain, leaving some people without power for weeks as even giant electricity towers caved in under the weight of the ice.

Fortunately, I wasn’t in the middle of the area hit by the storm so generally my memories are of the good and generous side of human beings as they reached out to help.

It all started on Jan. 4, when the freezing rain began falling and it lasted for days. I was attending Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week, in Elmwood, for a week-long series of information days on crops, beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, horses and ecological farming as part of my primary job as editor of our sister publication, the farm magazine The Rural Voice.

On day one, the subject of the hardship hitting their eastern comrades kept farmers buzzing at all breaks and the luncheon session.

By the second day, talk was of what could be done to help and soon farmers were bringing their portable electrical generators to the event, to be loaded on trucks to be sent east to farmers in need of power to help milk their cows or feed their pigs. Momentum to help grew with each passing day. A week designed to help farmers from Grey and Bruce Counties also

facilitated helping farmers in the eastern part of the province.

The crisis went on and on as 30,000 utility poles fell, causing a blackout for half its population. In Quebec, 3.5 million lost power, and more than a million Ontarians, and thousands in the Maritimes were left in the dark, some for several weeks.

A total of 35 people died as a direct result of the ice storm.

The army was called in to help with 16,000 Canadian Forces personnel engaged in the largest deployment of Canadian military personnel since its involvement in the Korean War. I don’t know how many of the generators loaned at Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week (or by farmers in Huron, Perth and elsewhere) actually made it home. Many were worn out and useless after exhaustive use on farms in the east. I’m sure the farmers who donated them were repaid in good memories.

There are other examples of such neighbourly generosity too. I remember as a kid, one Christmas season, when a single ring on our pre-dial party-line told our neighbours there was a fire at the farm across the road. All the neighbours were on hand by the time the local fire department arrived. The fire turned out to be minor and was dealt with quickly by so many volunteers, but the lesson of caring individuals has stuck with me for nearly 70 years.

So, what do we tend to remember as Christmas approaches? The few who are so consumed with profits or the many caring, giving people who try to improve the lives of those less fortunate than themselves by giving to food banks and homeless shelters?

Be one of the good people this Christmas, those rewarded by helping others.

Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus, etc.

W

ell folks, Christmas is literally upon us (most readers will be seeing this on Dec. 23 hopefully) and it marks an interesting year in which we all returned to some sense of normalcy.

Some of us decide to wear masks, some of us don’t. Some of us are following up on our COVID-19 and flu shots, and some of us won’t. Regardless, we have weathered enough of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that the world seems to be getting back to normal (unless, in the couple of weeks since I penned this in my last week at The Citizen, we’ve got some new variant that bypasses all the resistances we’ve built up entirely).

Much like that first breath of chilled air when you step on the ice for the first time in a season, or like that first breath of spring air after the long cold air, 2022 will be remembered by many as the year that we found our way out from under the yoke of COVID-19.

During my last couple of weeks at The Citizen, I pushed on ahead with local families’ Christmas stories to make sure this issue would continue to be the special product that it has been in years past and the subject of a “normal” Christmas came up a number of times, especially when I was interviewing North Woods Elementary School Principal Dree Park.

Mr. Park, alongside his wife and two sons, have some fun Christmas traditions, but when we sat down to chat, we ended up talking a lot about how Christmas will be celebrated at the school.

Aside from Christmas, he said that there had been a number of events held at the school over the year that showed how a norm was being re-established through the school community.

From Halloween parties to non-cohorted

Denny Scott Denny’s Den events, the school year looked a little different than the previous two years under COVID-19 lockdowns, Park said, and with a Christmas concert on the horizon, he was happy to be able to welcome families back to the school for the traditions that had been part of the school year prior to COVID-19.

While I’m not running a school in my spare time, I knew exactly what he meant. For the first time in a couple years I was looking forward to a regular Christmas. I plan on visiting friends over the holidays, enjoying some family Christmas parties and doing all of it with only a niggling fear of COVID-19 in the back of my mind. Sure, last year we were able to see people at Christmas, but there was this pall cast over the celebrations as every sniffle could lead to a celebration being canceled or having people not be able to make it.

I mean, we’re not out of the woods here.

Even the lowly cold seems to be rougher now because of a couple of years of isolation. My daughter had a heck of an upper respiratory infection near the end of November and it did result in me missing some plans I had with friends, but every sniffle isn’t arousing the same concerns.

Hopefully we’ve all learned a little something about staying home when sick over the past couple of years - I know I have. A day of rest can save you a few more days feeling unwell. In the case of the office, it can also

save your coworkers from taking home the bug and, in the case of your family holidays, it can save your relatives, especially the very young and the very old, from, at best, a couple of days in bed instead of celebrating or, at worst, a trip to the hospital. Trust me, those are the worst times to have to visit a hospital.

Play it as normal as possible, but play it safe as well. That way one holiday party missed doesn’t turn into an entire holiday season missed.

With that said, I now, as my last column at The Citizen, wish everyone a more normal happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas, a joyous Kwanza, a “Hanukkah Sameach” and a Happy Festivus for the rest of us. May your holidays be filled with clean bills of health, friends, family, food and fun. And also, don’t forget to save the airing of grievances until the end of the night.

“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”

- Charles Dickens

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Making memories

S

o goes the famous song by The Dubliners, named for the woman in it, “In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone.” Great song, to be sure, but recently it served as a reminder to me about the passage of time and working to fulfil your goals.

Thanks to the wonder of Facebook Memories, my wife Jess recently reminded me of my obsession with the song back when we were first dating and my subsequent discovery that, in Dublin, on Suffolk Street, there is an oft-visited statue of the song’s titular (and fictional) subject, Molly Malone. Imagined as a rather buxom young woman pushing a fish cart, as she is said to do in the song, the statue was created in the late 1980s and has since become a destination for many looking to catch a glimpse of “The Tart with the Cart” as the statue is colloquially known.

Furthermore, a glimpse or a picture just isn’t enough for some. In a country known for its lucky charms (not the cereal - think of the Blarney Stone or shamrocks), legend has it that a rub of the statue’s bosom will bring good luck to the person who has done the rubbing.

Not exactly your typical aquarium, museum or art gallery, and yet, just as much of a tourist attraction as any of those things in a city chock full of history and things to see.

Alright - enough of that. I suppose I’ve done enough to earn my cheque from Tourism Ireland now, so Liam Neeson and I can run on down to the bank and cash in those Euros.

Anyway, back to my story. So, in 2010, when Jess and I were dating - young and in love - she said that one of these days we would visit that statue. Sure enough, in 2018, on our honeymoon after a day of pints of Guinness at the Stag’s Head, the Long Hall and O’Donoghue’s (ironically the pub in which The Dubliners were often known to play) we visited sweet Molly Malone and attempted to earn ourselves some good luck from her.

Little did we know, back in 2010, when Jess and I were casually chatting about an obscure tourism attraction in Ireland that eight years later we’d be married and visiting it on our honeymoon, fulfilling that promise made so many years earlier.

I often think of this kind of thing, randomly, when we give Tallulah a bath. She has a few toys for the tub, but really what she loves to do is play with plastic cups in there. She scoops up water and pours it back out or pours from cup to cup and it seems - if water temperature wasn’t an issue - that she could sit there for hours. And those cups she uses were smuggled back to Canada by her parents from Chicago over a decade ago.

Jess and I - again, young and in love - went to Wrigley Field for the first time to see the Cubs play the Cincinnati Reds. (This was back before the Cubs were good - they lost 101 games that year - although now they’re back to being pretty bad.) We dined and drank at what was then the Captain Morgan Club, a patio in front of the stadium and every double came in one of those cups, so we bagged them up and hauled them back to Canada with us.

Who would have known that a decade later, our beautiful daughter would be playing with them in the bath, in a house we own together in Blyth?

As the time of change is upon us and the calendar is due to turn from 2022 to 2023, think about the plans you’ve made and the ones you will make and where you’ll end up years down the road. It’s always sure to surprise us and the path is always a mystery, but I suppose that’s the beauty of life.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Work to make memories this Christmas A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

The anticipation is increasing.

Clear thinking is decreasing. There are so many things to think about as details for your special gatherings surface. Stop, take a big breath.

What is the reason for this season?

Ah yes, it’s the love that God sends our way. Simple and clear, your role is to remember, and focus on the important stuff.

I have a plaque that says “The

best Christmas gifts are memories”.

That serves as a very good reminder that the finite details of Christmas are only important to the person who thinks they are. Christmas is a feeling, so help those around you catch the peace and love.

Music tells the story of the season, often putting words to our very thoughts in ways that we cannot. We go to church to hear carols, we play our own favourites while the stores and radios offer random songs. We hear the ones that connect with us. We listen in gratitude to feel-good songs, sentimental ones, dreaming ones and remembering tunes. We pause as we catch the tune that gets our minds moving to another time and we feel hope as we celebrate the season.

The smells that signal Christmas

are a big plus for me. Starting with the evergreen, sitting front and centre in the house, and the greens that come with Christmas bouquets; big breath and sigh. The spices that signal Christmas cause another sigh, as the anticipation of lovely desserts hits. Finally the smell of turkey and dressing gives your nose a Christmas rush. Pure joy.

To bring all these thoughts together, you need children.

Children are the ones who know how to celebrate the moment. Their anticipation is vocal and active.

There is no wondering what they are thinking, as they try to find their patience. Weston and Hark in Edmonton are my guides as they voice and dance and sing their way to Christmas. I was taught a new song yesterday and when I heard the Christmas request, my heart

At the Branch

Two more ‘Ace’ draws in 2022

By Jo-Ann McDonald In only two days, it will be Christmas. Families will gather.

Presents will be opened and everyone will fill their hunger with turkey or ham and all the trimmings. Merry Christmas to all and we hope all have a wonderful time with family and friends!

The Brussels Lions Club held its Christmas party on Monday evening at the Branch. Members included their spouses or special loved one to join in the meal and entertainment. They had a dinner of ham and chicken breasts, planned by their Christmas committee and prepared by the Legion ladies.

After dinner they enjoyed singing Christmas carols with pianist Glenda Morrison playing for them.

It was a lovely evening for the 55 who attended. Legion helpers included Linda Bird, Judy Lee, Kathy Burkholder, Mabel Glanville and Jo-Ann McDonald. A lovely job, ladies, with tables decorated in red and green and poinsettia centerpieces for Christmas. Merry Christmas to the Lions!

The Catch the Ace draw was held on Friday evening with Jo-Ann, Nanci and Deb in charge. The lucky weekly winner was Ken Pennington who won $208. He chose envelope number 49 and the

10 of spades was revealed. The estimated jackpot for tonight is $4,700. Get your tickets now! What a great Christmas present to receive!

Tonight, Friday, Dec. 23 will be the Catch the Ace draw, the quilt draw, and the meat draws, all with entertainment with Jelly Bean Blue.

Come on down to the Brussels Legion Branch and enjoy an evening of fun, food, prizes and laughs. The meat draws will begin at 6:30 p.m. and there are only three regular draws and one mega draw: a box of assorted meat prizes to keep you fed over the Christmas

holidays. The quilt draw will also take place after the Catch the Ace draw. Come down and have some fun. Food will be available.

Looking ahead to next Friday, Dec. 30, it will be the Catch the Ace draw as usual at 7:15 p.m.

Members and friends of the Legion are invited to attend a social evening. Bring along a snack to share and have some fun and laughs to celebrate the almost-end of 2022.

We appreciate all who help at the Legion and support the Legion at events. Drop by and have a little fun. Happy New Year to all and all the best in 2023.

soared. Weston wants a box for Christmas, a pretty big one was the specific order. Oh yes, keep the child in you and them with you.

Now, as we remember the birth of one baby years and years ago, we anticipate the potential of every baby born. As we celebrate this season, we pass the love of God on.

Our generosity in this season and in the year to come is a continuation of that gift of love.

May the Christmas hope live in your heart, bringing you peace and joy as you connect your faith and community with God’s love.

Celebrate in comfort and joy!

Christmas blessings, Betty G. & Ralph

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

General Meeting at Branch 218 Brussels is CANCELLED on December 27th Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Ken Pennington, $208 Envelope #49 found the 10 of Spades Estimated jackpot for December 23 is $4,700

Royal Canadian Legion Brussels Branch 218 Wishes to extend Christmas Tidings and New Year Wishes to all its members and faithful supporters for all their work and support this past year.

Best Wishes for a Happy 2023.

RADAR AUTO PARTS "You will find it at CARQUEST" For all your automotive and sleigh needs, see the friendly folks at Radar for your Christmas gift ideas.

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20 King St., CLINTON 519-482-3445 Have a safe and happy holiday

Have a safe and Merry Christmas from the Brussels, Grey and Seaforth Firefighters Huron East Fire Department

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 7.

Sparling earns silver, world championship berth

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Blyth native Grant Sparling has earned a silver medal in the Precision Rifle Series Rimfire Match Series Finale, a precision shooting event that served as the

North American championship for the season.

The event went ahead in Texas late last month and Sparling came up just short, losing by two shots to the eventual winner. Even that finish, he said in an interview Continued on page 12

Season’s Greetings Blyth Business Improvement Association www.blythnow.ca

On target Blyth native Grant Sparling repeated his silver-medal-winning performance in the Precision Rifle Series Rimfire National Series Finale from 2021 in late November, this time earning him a spot at next year’s world championships in Italy. (Courtesy photo)

Blyth BIA

Wishing our Community a Merry Christmas

Caesar, Lahey lead lone hands From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Karen Mason, who will celebrate on Dec. 23; Bill Howson, Goderich, Dec. 28; Brock Vodden, London, Dec. 29; Connie Nesbitt, Jan. 1; Deb Hakkers, Mike Haggitt and Jenna DeCorte, Exeter area, Jan. 4; and Brodie Nesbitt , Jan. 5. Happy birthday everyone, hope you have a good day.

Happy anniversary to Karen and Rob Mason, who will celebrate on Dec. 28.

Winners of the Dec. 19 euchre were: first, Sharon Freeman and Mac Brooks, both with a score of 77; second, Susan Harman, 73, and Diane Clark, 76; lone hands,

Virginia Caesar and Carol Lahey, both with four, and share the wealth, Sharon Freeman and Gord Haggitt. Congratulations to all the players for the week.

Monday morning coffee at Trinity Anglican Church is taking time out until Jan. 9. Come out in the new year, have some fun and get caught up on everyone’s holiday excursions. See you on Monday, Jan. 9 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

My family and I would like to wish all our readers, friends and families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here is hoping that the weather people are wrong on their forecast for this coming week for those who are travelling to see family and friends for Christmas. They are forecasting a major storm moving in with, you guessed it, rain, snow and high winds for the Lake Huron areas. They have been wrong before, so hopefully they are wrong on this prediction.

Stay safe and have a good holiday season and you will hear from me in 2023.

Blyth Community Betterment Don’t miss our upcoming New Year’s Eve fireworks December 31st, 6:30 pm at Blyth Community Centre Follow us on Facebook or visit blythcommunitybetterment.ca

NEWS FROM BLYTH

H ave a s a fe a n d Mer r y Christmas from the Fire Depar tment of Nor th Huron Holiday Entertaining • Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan. Ensure they are aware of all exits in your home.

• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking.

• Ask smokers to smoke outside.

• Don't drink & drive or let your guests drink & drive. Make sure you plan ahead and have a designated driver, arrange for a cab or other alternative transportation.

Merry Christmas May the beauty of the season bring warmth to your heart and home.

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Huron Heat teams looking ahead to 2023 The U9B teams took on the London Devilettes in half-ice action, while the U9HL White and Black teams played the North Middlesex Junior Stars, also in halfice action. Both games were in Seaforth.

The U11C Heat played the Stratford Aces in Blyth and shutout the visitors by a score of 2-0. The U11B Heat beat the Lucan Irish in Seaforth by a score of 3-1, while the U15BB Heat won on the road against the Bluewater Hawks, beating them by a score of 2-0.

The U18BB Heat hosted the Lambton Attack in Clinton on Saturday night, winning

that contest by a score of 1-0.

On Friday, Dec. 16, the U18C team played the host Saugeen Shores Storm in the Silver Stick Tournament, though a score was unavailable at press time.

The U11HL team hosted the St. Marys Rock in Blyth, but a score was unavailable at press time.

On Dec. 15, the U15BB Heat team was in Blyth to welcome the Walkerton Capitals, but the visitors won the game by a score of 2-0.

On Dec. 13, the U15C Heat tied the West Oxford Inferno at two in Seaforth.

For more information or a full schedule, visit huronheat.com.

eason’s Greetings With best wishes from our entire team.

Susan, Doug, Kim and Sue

Tough loss The U15 C Huron Heat team was in action on Sunday at the Central Huron Community Complex, taking on the Woodstock Wildcats. Unfortunately for the home team, when the final horn blew, they found themselves on the wrong side of a 1-0 score. They are in (John Stephenson action next in Seaforth on Jan. 3 when they play the St. Marys Rock. photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The Huron Heat girls’ hockey organization is winding down its year and looking ahead to 2023.

Tonight, Dec. 23, the U18C Huron Heat will be in Seaforth to host the Lucan Irish, as the organization’s last game before the Christmas break.

Teams are back in action again on Tuesday, Dec. 27 with two U9B Heat teams in half-ice action at the Seaforth and District Community Centre, taking on teams from Waterloo.

The next night, on Dec. 28, the U11C Heat will be on the road in Woodstock to take on the Wildcats.

The final game on the Heat calendar for 2022 will be the U11HL Heat in Blyth to welcome the Woodstock Wildcats HL White team.

Games begin again in 2023 with home games on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

The U15C Heat take on the St. Marys Rock in Seaforth, while the U18C Heat will play the Mitchell Meteors at the Central Huron

Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year

Community Complex in Clinton.

There’s one game on the schedule for Jan. 5, with the U11C Heat hosting the Central Perth Predators at the Blyth and District Community Centre.

On Friday, Jan. 6, a number of Heat teams will head to Woodstock for a tournament there. The U11HL, U11B, U13B and U15C teams will all be playing in Woodstock that weekend.

As for the week that was, the Huron Heat had a rough day on Sunday, Dec. 18. The U13C Heat lost by a score of 3-1 to the South

Huron Sabres in Clinton, while the U15BB team tied the Sarnia Lady Sting at two, also in Clinton.

The U15C Heat lost 1-0 to the Woodstock Wildcats in Clinton.

The Senior team played the Stratford Aces in Hensall and the U13B team played the Collingwood Lightning in Goderich, but scores were unavailable at press time.

On Dec. 17, the U18C Heat team played two Silver Stick Tournament games in Saugeen Shores, against the TCDMHA Rebels and the Kincardine Kinucks, but scores were unavailable at press time.

FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM – APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual 2023 Central Huron Façade Grant Program. The Program includes Façade improvements for properties in Central Huron that are assessed as Commercial. The Municipality has set aside funds to help assist property owners in the expansion or improvement of the building Façade or signage. The goal of the program is to enhance the appearance of commercial businesses and by doing so refresh the sense of pride within the community. Please note that the Municipality reserves the right to fund projects as deemed appropriate.

How to Apply: Program details and Application Forms are available at www.centralhuron.ca.

480 Turnberry St., Brussels www.sholdicefinancial.com

Phone: 519-887-2662

DONATION FUND The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual Central Huron Donation Fund. The Municipality will again set aside funds to assist and promote community-based nonprofit organizations. Funding is also available for national and international non-profit organizations provided that they have a local branch or affiliate and whose programs demonstrate a direct benefit for the residents of our Municipality.

Organizations and/or community groups whose primary focus is not within the Municipality are eligible to apply for donations, however preference will be given to organizations and/or charities whose primary focus is within the Municipality.

To Qualify Organizations must be non-profit. Proposed programs or events must clearly demonstrate a direct social or economic benefit for residents of Central Huron. Successful organizations will be required to submit a post project report identifying the use of the funds.

Further information can be found on our website: h t t p s : // w w w. c e n t r a l h u r o n . c a / e n / b u s i n e s s - a n d development/donation-fund.aspx Application Applications for funding should include: • Description of program or event • Date of program or event • Organization budget for proposed program or event • Targeted resident group, if appropriate • Supporting information including statistics for previous similar projects • Amount of funding requested, specifying whether a cash or in-kind donation is required.

Applications must be received to the undersigned by

February 28, 2023 by 4:30pm:

BLYTH VETERINARY SERVICES Lee Siertsema, DVM Grace Hildebrand, DVM Nicole Burcar, DVM and Staff

“Central Huron Façade Grant Program” Attention: Nicole Lowe, Records Clerk Municipality of Central Huron 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 Tel: 519 482 3997 Fax: 519 482 9183 info@centralhuron.com If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Nicole Lowe at 519-482-3997 Ext. 1230.

If your organization has questions or comments they should be directed to the undersigned at 519-482-3997 Ext. 1230 or email records@centralhuron.com.

Applications clearly marked Central Huron Donation Fund are to be received by the undersigned on Friday, March 31, 2023: Nicole Lowe, Records Clerk Municipality of Central Huron 23 Albert St. PO Box 400 Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 records@centralhuron.com

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 9.

Crusaders teams wrap up 2022 on a high Black and Burgundy teams played Huron Heat teams in Blyth, while the U9 team played the Wingham Ironmen Yellow team in Brussels, but scores were not kept for those games.

The U15 Rep Crusaders played the Lakers in Shallow Lake, but lost by a score of 7-4, while the U13 Rep team was able to find a win, beating the Central Perth Predators in Brussels by a score of 7-2.

On Friday, Dec. 16, the U11 Local League Black and U21 teams both posted wins in Brussels, a 6-5 over the Goderich Sailors Black team for the U11 team and a 2-1 win over the Arthur Vipers for the

U21 Crusaders. The U11 Local League Burgundy team was on the road that night to take on the Goderich Sailors White team in Goderich. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

The U8 Black team was in Goderich to play the Sailors that night, but a score was not kept for that game.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the U15 Rep team beat the Mitchell Meteors in Brussels by a score of 8-2, while the U18 Rep team lost to the Bruce Peninsula Predators by a score of 64, also in Brussels.

For more information, scores and a full schedule for the season, visit blythbrusselsminorhockey.ca.

A big win The Blyth Brussels U13 Rep Crusaders were at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Saturday afternoon to host the Central Perth Predators. The locals used home ice to their full advantage, posting a 7-2 win over the visitors. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Members of the Blyth Brussels Crusaders have just a handful of games left before they bid farewell to 2022 and welcome 2023 with open arms.

Local teams aren’t in action again until after Christmas, with the U13 Rep and U15 Rep Crusaders heading to Kincardine to take part in the regional Silver Stick Tournament. The U13 team will take on the Arran Elderslie Ice Dogs and the Wingham Ironmen on Dec. 27, the first day of the tournament, while the U15 Rep team will play the Wingham Ironmen and the Shallow Lake Lakers that day.

On Dec. 28, the U13 Rep and U15 Rep teams will then both play South Grey teams in more tournament action.

On Friday, Dec. 30, the U8

Burgundy and Black teams will be in Wingham to play in the Wingham Jamboree one-day tournament.

On Monday, Jan. 2, ushering in the new year, the U18 Rep and U21 teams will both make the trip to Shallow Lake for games against the Lakers. Then, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, the U13 Local League team will welcome the Wingham Ironmen to Blyth.

As for the past week’s action, the U11 Rep team lost to the MidHuron Huskies in Hensall on Monday night, while the U15 Local League Crusaders beat the Goderich Sailors by a score of 6-0 and the U18 Local League team beat the Mitchell Meteors by a score of 2-1. Both games were played in Blyth.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, the U11 Rep team lost by a score of 5-1 to the Minto Mad Dogs, while the U11 Local League Burgundy team had better luck, defeating the Central

Perth Predators in Blyth by a score of 3-2.

The U8 Black and Burgundy teams both played in half-ice action against the Seaforth Stars in Blyth, but scores were not kept for those games.

On Saturday, Dec. 17, the U13 Local League team played in the Canadian Tire Cup Tournament in Hanover, but scores were unavailable at press time.

The U6 team hosted the Howick Hornets in Blyth, but a score was not kept for that game. The U7

519-335-3557

www.mvca.on.ca

Tidings of Comfort & Peace As we usher in the holiday season, we are moved to remember all of the loved ones past and present who have brought so much joy and light to our lives. We cherish their presence and their memories, and all fo the blessings that touch our hearts and spirits.

We hope that this Christmas and the New Year deliver much happiness, goodwill and good fortune to you and yours.

Thank you for your trust in us and your friendship.

McBurney Funeral Home Ltd. Funeral Director: Dayna Deans Serving the funeral service needs of North Huron since 1979.

35 Patrick Street West, Wingham

519-357-1170

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CANADIAN-INDEPENDENT

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Ironmen split weekend games, retain third place

by Dylan Szymanowski, his 12th of the season and second of the game, assisted by Bryan Richardson and Brody Leblanc.

Vance Meyer stopped 31 of 33 shots for the win, playing all 60 minutes of the game, while Wingham’s Garrett Golley stopped 24 of 27 shots in the 58:33 minutes he played.

There were plenty of penalty minutes handed out in the game, totalling nearly an hour in the penalty box between both teams.

Wingham’s Noah Wettlaufer was called for tripping in the first period for a two-minute penalty, while Matt Tolton, also of the Ironmen, was penalized for cross checking.

In the second, Bryan Richardson was called for head contact at 14:16, earning him two minutes in the penalty box.

Referee Derek Bridgeman handed out five penalties as the result of a skirmish at 16:15 of the second period. Jonah Burley and Garrett Golley of Wingham both received two-minute roughing penalties, while Mount Forest’s Reid Caswell was called for two, two-minute head contact penalties and the Patriots’ Austin Griffin was handed two minutes for roughing.

To close out the period, Nate Bloemberg of Wingham was called for too many men on the ice Continued on page 11

Merry Christmas Back of the net

To all our patients, associates and their families, go our best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

For the gift of your trust, we are deeply grateful.

Matt Tolton, number 15, scored his 12th goal of the year on this shot last Friday night, putting the Wingham Ironmen ahead of the Mitchell Hawks by a score of 2-0, which is how the game would end when the final horn blew. The Ironmen are still in third place in the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, behind the Hanover Barons and the Mount Forest Patriots, who beat the Ironmen by a score of 4-2 on Saturday night. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen With a win and a loss over the weekend, the Wingham Ironmen remain in third place in the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, with just one game left on the calendar for 2022.

On Saturday night, in Mount Forest, the Ironmen lost to the division-leading Patriots by a score of 4-2. This came after a 2-0 win over the second-place Mitchell Hawks at home in Wingham on Friday night.

The Patriots remain atop the division with 39 points, trailed by the Hawks with 34 and the Ironmen with 33.

On Saturday night, the Ironmen

found themselves in a hole just over halfway through the first period with Mount Forest’s Dylan Szymanowski scoring his 11th goal of the season at 10:50 of the first, assisted by Aidan Doig.

Wingham answered back, however, just over a minute later with Patrick Galloway’s first goal of the season, at 11:52 of the period, assisted by Nate Bloemberg and Noah Bloemberg.

The teams continued to trade goals in the second period. The Patriots’ Brody Leblanc scored his sixth goal of the season, unassisted, at 2:59 of the second period. Tayt Bramhill pulled the Ironmen even again at 15:27 with his fifth goal of the year, assisted by Matt Tolton and Kyle Stanbury on the power play.

We’re Filled With

Caleb Cribbin found the back of the net one second before the horn went on the second period. He scored his 19th goal of the season at 19:59 of the second period, assisted

by Brody Leblanc on the power play.

Entering the third period, the Patriots had a one goal lead and they scored the only goal of the period, an empty net marker scored

Listowel Hearing Maryanne Perrie 135 Argyle Ave. N. • 519-291-4554

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Gratitude!

As we gear up for Christmas, we’d like to share our thanks and best wishes with you, our valued customers and friends here in the community. Your support and goodwill have really made our year special, and we sincerely appreciate your patronage.

Happy Holidays!

Blyth ULTRAMAR Open daily 6:00 am - 10:00 pm 39977 BLYTH ROAD BLYTH, ONTARIO 519-523-9090 Owned and operated by BRENT & JANET SCRIMGEOUR

417 Parsons Court, Goderich

519-612-1387

Open 12-4 Monday - Friday;10-4 Saturday

facebook.com/parsonsusedfurniture email: parsonsusedfurniture@gmail.com

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 11.

Ironmen to play Patriots tonight to close out 2022 unsportsmanlike conduct at the very end of the game.

The Mount Forest Patriots remain in first place in the North Pollock Division of the league, with a record of 19-4-0-1 and 39 points.

Mitchell has a record of 15-5-2-2 and 34 points, while the Ironmen have 33 points with a record of 157-2-1.

The Hanover Barons are in fourth place with a record of 13-6-2-2 and 30 points, followed by the Kincardine Bulldogs in fifth place with 24 points from a record of 1111-1-1, the Walkerton Capitals in sixth place with a record of 3-151-1 and eight points and the lastplace Goderich Flyers have a record

of 2-22-0-0 and four points.

The Ironmen take on the Mount Forest Patriots again tonight, Friday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m. in Wingham for the home team’s final game of the year. They are back in action again on Friday, Jan. 6 when they play Goderich in Wingham.

The next night, the Ironmen play the Kincardine Bulldogs in Kincardine before beginning a fivegame home stand. On Jan. 13, they take on Mount Forest, followed by Walkerton on Jan. 15, Mitchell on Jan. 20, Hanover on Jan. 22 and Kincardine on Jan. 27.

The Ironmen finish the month in Walkerton for a game against the Hawks on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Catching up While it’s unlikely that Wingham’s Austin Becker was inquiring how this Mitchell Hawk’s Christmas shopping was going, it’s certainly possible. The Ironmen beat the Hawks 2-0 last Friday night. They now look ahead to their final contest of the calendar year, a Dec. 23 game against the division-leading Mount Forest Patriots. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 10 at 19:08 of the second period.

In the third period, Mount Forest’s Charlie Mckenzie was called for holding at 6:57, followed

by Wingham’s Matt Tolton at 11:30, who received a two-minute checking from behind penalty and a game misconduct.

Dawson Fahrer of the Ironmen was called for roughing at 18:33 of the period and Mount Forest’s Austin Griffin was penalized for both roughing and inciting an opponent at 18:33, earning him a game misconduct.

At 19:08, Kyle Stanbury of the Ironmen was also booted from the game, with a two-minute roughing call and a game misconduct.

To close out the game, Aidan Doig of the Patriots was called for roughing at 19:08 and Nate Bloemberg received a tripping penalty at 19:22 of the third period.

All three stars of the game were Patriots. The first was goalie Vance Meyer, who made 31 saves, followed by second star Dylan Szymanowski and his two goals and third star Brody Leblanc, who

scored one goal and two assists.

On Friday night, it took Wingham 25 minutes to find the back of the net for the first goal of their game against the Mitchell Hawks.

There was no scoring in the first period, but at 5:02 of the second, Nate Bloemberg scored his eighth goal of the year, assisted by Turner Mckenzie and Noah Bloemberg.

Matt Tolton doubled the lead for Wingham at 6:59 of the third period, his 12th goal of the year, assisted by Turner Mckenzie and Tayt Bramhill.

Hawks’ goalie Joshua Jacklin stopped 30 of the 32 shots he faced, while Garret Golley of the Ironmen stopped all 20 shots that came his way.

Tayt Bramhill was called for cross checking at 9:28 of the first period, earning the Wingham player two minutes in the penalty box.

Mitchell’s Braeden Burdett received two slashing penalties, the first at 10:30 of the first period and then again at 14:05.

Nate Bloemberg went to the penalty box for two minutes at 14:47 of the first for

Shari Karen Sarah Chrissy 36 King Street, Brussels

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unsportsmanlike conduct and Tyson Fischer, both Ironmen, was called for tripping, also at 14:47 of the period.

In the second period, the Hawks’ Mark Cassidy was called for boarding at 4:40, resulting in a twominute penalty, while Callum McMann of Mitchell was called for roughing after the whistle at 14:50.

Wingham’s Austin Becker also received two minutes for roughing after the whistle at 14:50 of the second period.

The only penalties of the third period went against the Hawks.

Talbot Geiger was called for tripping at 16:25, followed by a bench/coach penalty at 19:37, served by Tanner Meinen. Braeden Burdett was called for

And wishing you the very best in the coming new year!

Lisa Thompson, MPP Huron-Bruce Constituency Offices BLYTH OFFICE 408 Queen Street Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 Ph: 519-523-4251

KINCARDINE OFFICE 807 Queen Street, Unit 2 Kincardine, ON N2Z 2Y2 Ph: 519-396-3007

Website: www.lisathompsonmpp.ca Email: lisa.thompsonco@pc.ola.org

Our Best Wishes Are Coming Your Way! Hope this holiday season delivers a rush of happiness!

May it find you surrounded by love, friendship and goodwill.

Thank you for making our year run so smoothly.

We wouldn’t be here without good friends and customers like all of you.

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Majestic WI packs Christmas boxes look after your neighbours during the holidays and throughout the year.

Everyone helped to clean up, then the Christmas boxes were gathered up to be delivered by members.

Best wishes to all.

By Bev Craddock The Majestic Women’s Institute met on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Brussels Library for the last meeting of 2022. Seven members and two guests shared in a potluck lunch, enjoyed by all.

After the meeting was opened by Doreen Marks, a few readings were shared, leading to lots of laughs and a little business, as everyone shared a Christmas memory. Then, it was all hands on deck as 26 Christmas boxes were put together to give to members of the community to brighten the season. Remember to

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

Advertise it in

The Citizen 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

In the holiday spirit Students at North Woods Elementary School near Ethel recently whipped their parents and grandparents into a holiday-fueled frenzy thanks to the school’s annual holiday concert. From left: Emilia Kellington, Weston Lee, Ellie Wilson and Brynlee Armstrong.

(John Stephenson photo)

Sparling wins silver in Texas Continued from page 7 with The Citizen, is an improvement.

After finishing in second place at last year’s event, the winner edged Sparling by six or seven shots. This year, the same shooter beat Sparling by just two shots.

As a result, Sparling finished tops in Canada and second in all of North America.

Sparling entered the finale with a perfect record on the season. He competed in three matches in Ontario, winning them all, before taking part in the North American regional match in Pennsylvania, which he also won, punching his ticket to the Texas match.

As a result of his second-place finish in Texas, Sparling has earned a spot at next year’s world championships, due to be held in Italy in August. Sparling says this is the first time there has been a world-wide competition for this specific shooting discipline.

He hopes to compete as a member of Team Canada. However, if his home country chooses not to send a team to the event, Sparling’s dual citizenship also allows him to be part of Team U.S.A., for which he has also qualified.

Sparling was planning to take the

2023 season off in an effort to focus on his education, but being part of the first-ever world championship is a prospect he says he certainly finds intriguing.

Next year, he will be attending the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario to earn his Master of Business Administration (MBA) and has been offered the entrepreneurship fellowship there.

So, while he will be focusing on his education, he does hope to take part in the world championships.

He’s undecided how often he’ll compete in the season, but Sparling says he’ll definitely want to keep sharp through competition and practice over the course of the year.

Sparling first began competing in the Precision Rifle Series last year.

He had been shooting casually for a number of years, but during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, he further committed himself as a personal challenge.

However, that combination proved difficult, as many events weren’t able to go ahead.

While he was pleased with his 2021 performance, Sparling said he approached the 2022 season with a different state of mind, working to

Dr. Veronica Lee • Dr. Melinda Lee And Staff

be more mentally sound and agile because so much of target shooting is mental.

That approach, he said, helped him to better prepare for events, but to also better bounce back from errors or any competition developments that didn’t go his way.

As a result, he said he felt he has improved not just from 2021 to 2022, but over the course of the 2022 season as well, getting better from the beginning of competition to November’s finale in Texas.

Sparling’s parents Steven and Laurie were able to be in Texas to see their son compete last month and Grant said it was great to have them there. His parents have supported him so thoroughly in a number of sporting endeavours, he said, and this was another example of that support.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

+XURQ7UDFWRU FRP

Brussels Livestock report

Veal, lambs, sheep, goats all sell steadily at sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Dec. 15 were 1,605 cattle and 1,034 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold fully steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $192 to $200 with sales to $209. Second-cut cattle sold $180 to $191. Aged and medium-fed steers and heifers sold $150 to $179. Holstein steers and

heifers sold $125 to $170. Cows sold steady.

On Thursday, veal, lambs, sheep and goats, all sold steady.

On Friday, calves sold extremely active at fully steady prices.

Yearling heifers sold prices $3 to $5 higher. Yearling steers sold steady to last week.

L&A Black of Proton Station, consigned 12 head. Five gold steers

averaged 1,358 lbs. and sold for an average price of $198.

Francis Riley of Walkerton, consigned nine head. Two black steers averaged 1,350 lbs. and sold for an average price of $198.

There were 375 cows on offer.

Beef sold $86 to $125; good holstein cows, $85 to $113; medium holstein cows, $65 to $85.

Bulls sold $116 to $140.

The future’s so bright...

Hullett Central Public School in Londesborough held its annual holiday concert last week, welcoming parents, grandparents and neighbours to the school for a little Christmas cheer. Brad Bannon, left, Chase Kerr, centre, and Genevieve Garrity, right, were among those doing their best to belt out those holiday tunes and get everyone in the mood for the weekend ahead. (John Stephenson photo)

We have everything to make your holiday season special!

over, $217.50 to $257.

Allan Aitchison of New Liskeard, consigned 73 head. Thirteen charolais heifers averaged 834 lbs. and sold for an average price of $246.

Elam S.B. Martin of Eganville, consigned 30 head.

Seven simmental heifers averaged 798 lbs. and sold for an average price of $246.

Rob Droefke of Chepstow, consigned 63 head. Seven limousin steers averaged 504 lbs. and sold for an average price of $319. Nine limousin heifers averaged 502 lbs. and sold for an average price of $248.

David W. Hoover of Ripley, consigned 14 head. Eleven charolais steers averaged 723 lbs. and sold for an average price of $289.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

9:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep

FRIDAYS

10:00 a.m. Stockers Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca

Call us 519-887-6461

The Citizen

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

Advertise your business here!

One of the most read areas of the paper

SUDOKU Merry Christmas, be safe, be kind, and all the best for 2023!

See us for holiday needs

Brussels 519-887-9740

There were 140 head of veal on offer. Good holsteins sold $205 to $228; SL heavy holsteins, $195 to $215; heavy holsteins, $170 to $208; medium holsteins, $195 to $204; plain holsteins, $185 to $194.

Rudy Shetler of Lucknow, consigned three head. One holstein steer weighed 770 lbs. and sold for a price of $228.

Grant Bergsma of Londesborough, consigned four head. One holstein steer weighed 725 lbs. and sold for a price of $224.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $353 to $400; 50 - 64 lbs., $325 to $385; 65 - 79 lbs., $277.50 to $338; 80 - 94 lbs., $246.50 to $294; 95 - 109 lbs., $223 to $230; 110 lbs. and over, $199 to $212.50.

Sheep sold $120 to $250.

Goats: billies sold $250 to $400; nannies, $100 to $250; kids: meat, $275 to $450; dairy, $200 to $350.

Todd Sheep Company of Lucknow, consigned 16 head. Eight lambs averaged 60 lbs. and sold for an average price of $350.

Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $253 to $285; 400 499 lbs., $265 to $312; 500 - 599 lbs., $270.75 to $319; 600 - 699 lbs., $287.50 to $311; 700 - 799 lbs., $270 to $293; 800 - 899 lbs., $250.75 to $278; 900 - 999 lbs., $252.50 to $265; 1,000 lbs. and over, $232 to $253.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $202 to $260; 500 599 lbs., $230 to $250; 600 - 699 lbs., $226.50 to $246.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $226.25 to $246; 800 - 899 lbs., $237.50 to $246; 900 lbs. and

91 Main St. S., Seaforth 1-800-563-9204 • Fax 519-527-2777

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

Then you’ll love sudoku. This mindbending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 2022.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $8.00 + HST Additional words 20¢ ea. + HST

DEADLINE 2 p.m. Tuesday Phone 519-523-4792 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale CHRISTMAS GIFT BASKETS!!

Three sizes! Filled with jams, maple syrup, cheese, pepperettes, granola and more. Custom orders welcome!

Maitside Orchards. (Large variety of apples, preserves, baking and more in store). 519-835-0099.

50-2p -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-656-2057, 519441-2085.

01-50p -------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $5.00, 5x7 – $6.00, 8x10 – $10.00. Phone to order 519523-4792 or 519-887-9114. tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Fogal’s YIG in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

Births

Coming events Personals AUBURN & DISTRICT LIONS Club Breakfast, Auburn Memorial Community Hall, Sunday, Jan. 8, 8-11 a.m. Adults $12, Children $6, Preschool Free. Maple syrup supplied by Robinson Maple Products. Eggs supplied by Egg Farmers of Ontario. Proceeds for Huron Out of the Cold. We Serve.

51-1 -------------------------------------------CELEBRATE ON CHRISTMAS Day with friends. Noon Christmas Day dinner at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. All are welcome! For more information contact Yvonne 519-887-6098.

49-3p --------------------------------------------

POST ABORTION HEALING. Are you suffering from the emotional aftermath of an abortion?

For support and healing please call Project Rachel at their confidential number 1-888-355-1110. e6w

Wanted WANTED – LOOKING TO RENT a small parcel of farmland in the Blyth area. Boris Wallace. Call evenings 519-523-4909.

49-3 --------------------------------------------

Help wanted Help wanted

The Citizen is looking for a

Full-time

REPORTER

Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad “One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

Let us help you turn that junk into $$ • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

• The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person.

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE - Honda H580 snowblower, plug-in option for starting, $500. 226-880-1948.

51-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - air fryer, brand new, bought for over $200, will sell for $85; handmade hooked mats, brand new, Shillcraft yarn. 519-612-1112.

51-3 -----------------------------------------FREE - CPAP machine for a person experiencing sleep apnea.

Wingham, 519-357-1722.

51-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Class 1 Stihl chainsaw boots, size 12, never used, $85; Dakota insulated winter safety boots with removable liners, size 12, never used, $120. Please text 519-887-9577.

50-3 ------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - set of lamps, $30; Sorel size 6 boots, $50, plus others size 6 shoes and boots, $25 or best offer; crocheted items, $5 each.

Call 519-524-2376.

49-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - “next to new” men’s Bauer hockey skates, size 9; Schwinn ladies white figure skates, size 11; inline skates, size 9, $5 each; and Atomic cross-country skis, poles and boots, size 9, $15.

519-357-6589.

49-3 ------------------------------------------

We are looking for someone to report on community news and events, write feature stories and who has a keen eye for photos. * Computer skills, including layout and design on a PC platform. Some website maintenance and social media * Photography skills including photo editing * Reliable transportation and clean driving record * Ability to meet deadlines

Announce your new arrival in

The Citizen Email or send in a colour photo and writeup (75 words or less) to: info@northhuron.on.ca or mail to PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4792

25

$

(tax incl.)

Full-time position with occasional nights and weekend assignments.

We offer a fun community-oriented atmosphere with flexible office hours.

Please send a résumé and cover letter to:

North Huron Publishing PO Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or email: deb@northhuron.on.ca Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

All word ads in The Citizen classifieds are put on our webpage at www.huroncitizen.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 15.

Duquette presents final BMGCC fundraising report

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Nicole Duquette from the Inspiring Our Future capital campaign provided Huron East Council with the campaign’s final report on Tuesday night, announcing that its had exceeded its $2 million goal, raising nearly $2.5 million for the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre.

With Duquette were a number of committee members, including Campaign Chair Brian TenPas, Deputy-Chairs John van Vliet and Doug McArter and Campaign Coordinator Roxane Nicholson and more. Duquette said that the reported total raised of $2,478,902 had even grown by about $10,000 since the “final” total was reported the previous week and included in a

report for council. She said that, while a “giving deadline” had been set for Dec. 14, it’s likely that funds will continue to stream in and, unless council wanted to take a hard stance on a deadline, the final total raised will continue to grow.

As part of her report, she reminded council of a number of responsibilities, largely administrative, that will be transferred to the municipality in the coming years, now that the campaign has officially concluded.

Issuing tax receipts, sending reminder letters for multi-year pledges and recommendations for donor recognition relations and events, including a small donor appreciation event and open house for the public, were some of them, Duquette said, adding that some of the volunteer committee members had offered to come back and assist

Up top The students at North Woods Elementary School were more than happy to spread some cheer this holiday season last week when the school hosted its annual holiday concert. Andrew Burrell, left, and Eva Brouillette, right, were among the most enthusiastic of the night’s performers. (John Stephenson photo)

the municipality in these efforts, if needed. She said the committee would be passing on all the relevant information to the municipality.

In addition, she reminded council that the money raised by the committee needs to be used for the centre, as it was collected from members of the public, above and beyond tax dollars, under very specific pretenses and people donated because they believe in the future of the community centre.

TenPas also briefly addressed council, saying he was proud to be associated with the project and likened various members of the committee to those on a hockey team. He said Duquette would have been the coach, while Nicholson would have been the captain and van Vliet and McArter would be assistant captains.

Mayor Bernie MacLellan thanked Duquette and the committee for its hard work and dedication to meeting and exceeding the fundraising goal, saying that, if they hadn’t stepped up, no one else would have.

CAO REPORT After Duquette’s presentation, Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts presented an update report on the project and fundraising efforts.

“It should be noted that although the fundraising campaign is completed, there are significant administrative commitments being proposed. These include the following: issue letters to those that made multiple-year pledges, reminding them of the donation payment being due; continue to issue tax receipts for donations and subsequent pledge contributions; donor recognition; personal communication to each donor on progress of the project; hosting of a donor appreciation event in early 2023 and hosting of an open house upon project completion,” McRoberts said in his report to council. “It is important that the surplus funds raised above and beyond the project and contingency expenses be retained for the purpose of future maintenance or capital needs related to the project, as the donors purposely donated to the project.”

He added that there are other costs related to the centre beyond construction costs that will need to be funded by the municipality, such as fixtures, furnishings and equipment (chairs for the lobby, microwaves for the concession

stand, signage, etc.) and administrative costs related to hosting events, postage costs and more.

“These additional fundraising dollars will be available for these items as well. Excess dollars could be allocated to future parking lot resurfacing or improvements that were initially removed from the project as a cost-saving

effort,” he said in his report.

He concluded by saying that the project is progressing, but that staff is concerned that the contingency for the project is being depleted.

Staff will continue to monitor expenditures, he said, as the project progresses.

McRoberts presented the report for information purposes and council didn’t discuss it any further.

Best Wishes from everyone at

Blyth Food Market Blyth 519-523-4551

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HCPA wishes you all the Best for the NEW YEAR See you in 2023!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year We look forward to seeing you at the Show in 2023!

Huron Pioneer Thresher & Hobby Association

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Learn to walk with your Saviour in the eternal life

By Ernest Dow, Exec. Pastor, Huron Chapel EMC, Auburn It’s an almost seemingly insignificant detail, but it’s lodged there in our memories through the traditional telling of the Christmas story. It’s almost a throw-away line, yet, in some ways, it symbolizes the essence of the unique Miracle Man’s ministry and purpose.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7 KJV) Hearing this with our 21stcentury ears, we might respond, “How quaint! But what in the world are ‘swaddling clothes’?!”

Again, as if to make sure we didn’t miss it, the sacred text repeats this small detail a few verses later. Apparently it’s one of the special identifiers by which the shepherds will be able to locate the birthplace of the Miracle Man – or so they are told by the heavenly messengers... “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12 KJV) Alright, our curiosity is piqued.

What’s this “swaddling” about?

Obviously it’s not a modern-day “onesie” Mary puts the baby in, so what is it?

An online dictionary gives this meaning: “To bind (an infant, esp. a newborn infant) with long, narrow strips of cloth to prevent free movement; wrap tightly with clothes.” The Greek word behind the English translation derives from a root “to wrap with strips”.

Swaddling a newborn infant probably served several functions.

It would help to keep them warm.

The confinement of cloth would give them a sense of security, and perhaps help prevent them from waking up startled should involuntary arm “jerks” happen. (which the young parents would appreciate).

A newborn infant is already vulnerable, dependent upon others for care, it won’t survive if left to itself. Yet, it’s even more constricted if wrapped head-to-toe in strips of cloth it’s unable to dislodge. The equivalent for an adult would be a straitjacket!

You’re helpless, immobilized and unable to make a move.

Theologically, this is the last thing anyone would expect if God were to suddenly appear on earth.

The Almighty Creator, who formed the heavens and the planets, the oceans and the mountains, has power beyond anything the material universe holds. But in Incarnation, He does not burst on the scene as a mighty Titan, one foot on the sea and one on the land, towering above all human edifices. Instead, in Christ, God took on human form at its most vulnerable point. (Though even somehow mighty and terrible King Herod found it impossible to snuff out this tiny baby’s life when the despot threw his military might against it.)

Jesus’ whole ministry showed incredible restraint. He performed miracles of healing, yet declined to rain down fire from heaven upon Samaritan villages that refused to let Him and His disciples lodge there when passing through. Jesus drove demons out of a maniac and sent them rushing down a hill into a lake, yet, when the townsfolk asked

Him to leave their area, He did not object but quietly complied and went elsewhere. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but when this proved the last straw for the Jewish religious leaders who began to plot how to destroy Jesus, He did not ultimately resist them but stood silent against their trumped-up accusations and allowed Himself to be crucified as a blasphemer (even though His enemies were absolutely mistaken).

Jesus, in His earthly form, would exit much the way He entered – wrapped in strips of cloth, embalmed hurriedly by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. He became weak in order to make us strong. He became slaughtered in order to provide us with new life.

He became unjustly condemned and the innocent victim of capital punishment in order to take from us the burden of our sins and provide Continued on page 17

The Regional Ministry of Hope Weekly service live-streamed at 10:30 a.m. on our facebook page or on youtube @St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church Wingham.

ANGLICAN CHRISTMAS SEASON SERVICES Candlelight Communion on Christmas Eve:

Christmas Day: Don’t Be Alone for Christmas:

St. Paul’s - Trinity, Wingham 5 p.m. St. Paul’s - Trinity, Wingham 11 a.m. Carol Sing Service, Lunch to follow 7 p.m. St. John’s, Brussels 9 p.m. Trinity, Blyth New Year’s Day: St. Paul’s - Trinity, Wingham 11 a.m. Celtic New Year’s Service, pot-luck lunch to follow

Come Worship with Us!

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Join Us As We Discover...

Sundays at 10:00 am

Wingham United Church

All Are Welcome

217 Minnie Street, Wingham

Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30 am Sunday School at 10:30 am Christmas Eve worship at 7:30 pm. Communion and Cantata “Sounds of Joy” Services available on YouTube Rev. Colin S. Snyder ~ rev.colinsnyder@gmail.com winghamunited@hurontel.on.ca winghamuc.webs.com

Wheelchair accessible 519-357-2961 and parking

Come Worship With Us

250 Princess St., Brussels • 519 887 6388 • Pastor Ken Gazley

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS There will be no services on December 25 and January 1 at Melville We wish you all the blessings of this Christmas season.

“May your heart be filled with peace, hope, love and joy.” ~ Isaia ah 9:6 Y Merry Christmas and may God bless us all with a Happy New Year!

We return to our regular service on January 8, 2023!

Soup & More 2

Sunday, December 25 at 10 a.m.

BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels **Please note our new location** Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

Join us every Friday from 11:30 am - 1 pm for lunch.

December 23 - A Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings will be served!

December 30 - There will be no Soup & More 2. January 6, 2023 - Soup & Moree 2 returns.

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512

Evangelical Missionary Church CHRISTMAS EVE Sat. Dec. 24, 6:00 p.m.

- Lead Pastor Mike Stanley (Luke 2:1-20) Sun. Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m.

- Exec. Pastor Ernest Dow, “The Wrapping of a Christmas People” (Titus 2:11-14)

BRUSSELS S

U United Chu ur urch We welcome YOU to be with us on Christmas Eve December 24 Carol singing at 7:30 p.m. followed by Worship Service att 8:00 p.m.

No Worship Service December 25 Regular Worship January 1 Congregatiional/Family Fun Time Decemberr 30 at Brussels United 2-4 p.m.. Share in fellowship Bring: leftover goodies, favourite games Contact Alex at ministter.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com y @g Website: b brusselsandblythuc.ca P.O. Box 359,, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259 P.

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR CHURCHES HAVE RE-OPENED. WELCOME BACK.

Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday ~ 6:00 p.m.

17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday ~ 9:00 a.m.

220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday ~ 11:00 a.m.

1025 Wallace Avenue N. Facebook: Search for St. Joseph/Sacred Heart/St. Ambrose Live Sunday Mass, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

Sun. Jan. 1, 10:30 a.m.

- Guest Missions Speaker Jason Bechtel (Ethnos Canada), “Reminded of God’s Saving Power to all Ethnos” (Joshua 4:19-24) Sun. Jan. 1, 6:30 p.m. - PRAYER SUMMIT

Nursery available during worship On-site and online - live.huronchapel.com 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

Join us for our Christmas & New Year Servicces Sunday, December 25

Saturday, December 31 Sunday, January 1

Services are live-streamed and can be found by searching “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

BLY YTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHUR RCH

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 17.

We are healed: Dow Continued from page 16 us with forgiveness. As was prophesied about Him many centuries before, “...He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12) Being swaddled – straitjacketed (if you will) – and made powerless is a startling symbol of the style or posture of Jesus’ whole ministry.

The Almighty subjected Himself to limitation, hunger, ridicule and unjustified flogging and death for the express purpose of freeing us from our own bondage, our entrapment, to sin and death – to besetting sins, temptations and persistent addictions that would otherwise drag us down and destroy us. By His wounds (stripes), we are healed; by His strips we are loosed to walk free in the eternal love and

light of our Heavenly Father.

The Apostle Paul described Jesus’ whole attitude as one of pouring-out; giving up His own power and privilege for the benefit of others... “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

(Philippians 2:6-8 NASV) May the binding of the Miracle Man in strips of cloth, becoming bound and restrained as a helpless babe, become especially precious to you this Christmas as you trust in Him and learn to walk with your Saviour in the eternal life and freedom He has procured for you.

Blyth United Church Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm No service on Christmas Day Regular service on New Year’s Day at 9:30 a.m.

The big man’s watching

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."John 1:1

Jolly Old St. Nick was live and in person on Saturday for a pair of broomball games, handling the whistle and making sure everyone stayed in line, lest they end up on this year’s naughty list. He took time out of preparing for the big day this weekend to referee the Blyth PeeWee Bullets 2 team as it played Seaforth and for the Bantam Boys game against Paisley. (John Stephenson photo)

Outreach project is the Mission and Service fund of the United Church

Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Blyth Memorial Hall would be hosting a Chautuaqua program on February 25-28, 1930.

Admission $2 adult, $1 student.

Read more in the Blyth Repository of History.

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 blythrepositoryofhistory.ca

Fridays

Leadership in energy and environmental design

Devon Henry 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels

devonjhenry@hotmail.com 519-505-2473 The Citizen, Dec. 17, 1997

The Citizen, Dec. 13, 2012

The Citizen, Dec. 10, 1997

The Citizen, Dec. 6, 2012

The Citizen, Dec. 20, 2012

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 19.

Provincial government invests in local hospitals operating funding that will result in more convenient access to diagnostic imaging, eliminating the need to travel out of county to receive an MRI. “Our government is ensuring hospitals across the province have the funds they need to operate their new MRI machines and increase access to diagnostic imaging for people in their communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “For some communities, this funding means they will have their first-ever MRI machine and residents will have more convenient access to care closer to home.”

This funding is part of the government’s investment of over $20 million to support the operations of 27 new MRI machines in hospitals across

Ontario. With more MRI services throughout the province, patients can be diagnosed faster and if needed, begin treatment and follow-up care even sooner.

Sudoku Solution

E

KS

KSE

Giving season

KSE

This week, Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson and her provincial government were in a giving mood, handing out nearly $8 million to local hospitals to support upgrades, repairs and maintenance, including facilities in Clinton, Goderich, Wingham and Seaforth. On Tuesday night, she presented this handsome cheque to Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan at council’s regular meeting for nearly $730,000 for the Seaforth Community Hospital. (Shawn Loughlin photo) On Monday, Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce, announced, through the Ontario Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, $7,748,621 in support for critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance for local hospitals.

“With this significant investment our government is committed to helping patients get the care they need, close to home,” said Thompson. “Investing in critical infrastructure and expanding access to diagnostic care is critical in rural Ontario where so many have to travel long distances to receive these services.”

As part of this investment

the following organizations in or near the riding of Huron-Bruce will receive funding: • Alexandra Marine and General Hospital: $133,552 • Clinton Public Hospital: $516,055 • Grey Bruce Health Services: $1,808,269 • Hanover and District Hospital: $592,926 • Seaforth Community Hospital: $728,183 • South Bruce Grey Health Centre: $692,042 • South Huron Hospital: $2,602,808

• Wingham and District Hospital: $674,786 In addition to the Health Infrastructure Renewal Funds, Thompson also announced in Wingham, Goderich and Kincardine that their respective organization’s applications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines were approved. This funding will provide the three local Huron-Bruce hospitals with annual

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

News from the Gentlemen’s Club with the Kansas Farmer Special correspondent to The Citizen as curated by Paul Nichol

’Twas the day before Christmas, and all through Huron East, Not a staffer was working, and certainly the least, Were the town crew in Brussels who had stopped plowing the snow, When Mayor Bernie told them they were all free to go.

Soon the drifts on the back streets were nine feet high, That’s what we get for electing that guy.

In Hughie Nichol’s day, this would never have been, By 5 a.m. he would have had all the streets clean.

Up above, poor Santa was in a bad state, His right runner had broken and couldn’t carry the freight.

But Old Nick decided, there’s no need to panic, “I’ll stop down below and find a mechanic.”

Well the closest stop was Brussels,

a place he’d been to before, An average sort of place, no less and no more.

With some kids on the bad list, and some on the good, And some in the middle like the whole Lions Club.

Santa waded through the snow, it was up to his waist, He asked Rick at the garage “Is this the place I can find a new runner and get things repaired?

I don’t see McCutcheon’s around anywhere.”

“I’m sorry” says Rick, “But JL’s is no more, But luckily we still have McDonald’s next door.

If you can get through the snow, they might have what you need, But you better go quick ’cause they close at three.

Well Jane was there and said “Santa I’m sorry,

We’re all out of runners, but there’s no need to worry.

Try Donny McNeil’s – just past the snowbank over there, And if you’re in luck, he’ll have a runner to spare.”

Santa plunged over the drifts to Donny’s Old Shop, And the delight of a lifetime; it made his eyes pop.

From floor to ceiling was piled up with treasure, It rivalled Santa’s own workshop, measure for measure.

“My fine man, could you help an Old Elf? Would you have a sleigh runner, somewhere on a shelf?

My delivery’s been stalled, and if I don’t do something quick, It will ruin the scorecard for poor old St. Nick.”

Donny rubbed his chin and gave it some thought.

“An old sleigh runner’s something

I’ve never bought.

Back in the day, we’d go to Oldfield’s downtown And with Max’s help, one could surely be found.”

“But, tell you what Santa. I think I’ve something could work, I’ve had it for years.” he said with a smirk.

And there in the corner, he showed Santa his jalopy, A one-of-a-kind transport that no one could copy.

“She’s never let me down once in a Christmas parade, And with a little gas she can still be made, To get you back on the road Santa

and this very night, You’ll deliver those presents and make things alright.”

So they started her up, and away with a jolt, Santa spun through the high drifts and was off like a bolt.

He thanked Donny profusely for saving the day, But before he flew off, had just one thing to say: “What a fine town is Brussels. It warms me to the core, But does Hughie Nichol not plow the streets anymore?”

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Truthfully Yours TKF.

We’d Like to Shout It From the Roo ops

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks to all of our friends and clients for making this year an outstanding year for us.

We owe our success to your loyal support, and we wish you and yours a very happy holiday!

Leadership in energy and environmental design

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devonjhenry@hotmail.com 519-505-2473

from our family to yours

Have a wonderful Holiday season

Thank you for doing business with us

Word to the wise The three wise men are essential to any telling of the Christmas story. Luckily for Huron Christian School in Clinton, Sully Damsma, left, Charlie Bosch, centre, and Easton Dykstra, right, were up to the task as the school held its annual Christmas performance on Friday night at the school. (John Stephenson photo)

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 21.

Locals prepare to celebrate holidays in Walton PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Merry Christmas to all! We hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends over this Christmas season. Many families celebrated last weekend with one side of the family or the other.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to be able to celebrate with family when there can be several sides of families to see. The bigger the family, the bigger the challenge. I know of several large families that gather the weekend before Christmas to help alleviate conflicts. Whenever you are able to gather, we hope everyone enjoys and celebrates the family time.

A white Christmas ahead? It seemed to be in doubt two weeks ago, but last weekend the snow started and, at times, it was quite blustery.

Hopefully, come Christmas morning, we will have snow.

The population of the village of Walton has increased by one more

resident. Tyler and Angelena Van Dorp have welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family. The bundle of joy is named Marlowe and arrived near the first of December.

Congratulations to the Van Dorps.

Welcome back to Steve and Marni Knight. They spent five days in Las Vegas. They had great weather, of course, good food, and some luck, but did not come back as new millionaires! They enjoyed lots of walking and seeing the sites and went to a hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Boston Bruins, which the Bruins won 3-1. It was a very entertaining game, they report. A good time, but they are always glad to be home.

It is Christmas break for the school kids, so they will have two weeks of holidays. Going to see grandparents was a popular answer when I asked what they were going to do. Going snowmobiling was popular if there was more snow, and maybe having a friend over for the day. We all know the time will fly by and it will be back to school again on Jan. 9. If you are doing something special, let me know so we can share it with others.

As there will be no paper on Dec. 30, we will take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy new year. We hope 2023 will bring a more normal year and a return to regular ways of life.

Hopefully we can take the time to enjoy the simpler way of life and enjoy time with family and friends.

I may even try to take it easier.

Happy New Year to all.

Celebrating birthdays this past week includes Rob MacGillivary, Peter Strong, David Jacklin, Brooklyn Beuerman, Leanne Nolan, Pam Nolan, Adam Shortreed, Murray Lowe, Stephen Bernard, Stephanie Rijkhof Eedy, Abby Strome, Meg Fritz, Geoff Dalton, Jeff Lewington, Glenn Mader, David Pethick, Natalie Wakabayashi, Brody Goodfellow, Jean Bewley, Connor Jarosz, Monique Baan, John W. Brown, Pearl McCallum and Clayton Fraser. Happy birthday to all.

A shout-out to those who celebrate their birthdays over the Christmas season. They sometimes get lost in the joy of Christmas, but remember Christmas Eve babies Ryan Bremner and Blake Dale.

Boxing Day babies include Reagan Blair, Michelle Blake, Anne Curreri, Kerry Blake Dale, and Alex Deitner, followed by Mark

Gillis, Rob Dionne, Alaina Poland, Kandice McNichol, Greg Fritz, Elise Ringgenberg, and Hope Lowe. New Year’s Eve babies

include MaryAnn Thompson, Judy Emmrich, Paul Flaxbard, Audrey Hackwell and Aubrey McClure.

Happy birthday to all.

Season’s Greetings and thank you for your patronage this past year.

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Huron Christian School in Clinton held its annual Christmas concert on Friday night, which featured the dramatic stylings of Artemis Kalos Vendaratos, left, and Wesley Doble, right. (John Stephenson photo)

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Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2023!

Wishing all our customers and friends a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Wishing all our friends, customers and neighbours a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for the coming New Year.

Thank you for your business this past year, we look forward to serving you in the future.

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PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Concert thrills Londesborough, Hullett parents

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” Encouraging words from Marcus Aurelius.

The sympathy of the village is extended to Tim and Jenn Elliott as they grieve the loss of Tim’s mother, Florence Elliott. Florence lost her battle with cancer last week. Keep them in your prayers over this holiday season as they come to terms with one less person at their Christmas table this year.

Also mourning the loss of a loved one at this time is the Salverda family. Mike Salverda, the patriarch of a large family well known in the Londesborough area, passed away on Dec. 8. That family needs your concern and prayers in the coming days as well.

LONDESBOROUGH UNITED CHURCH Week Four of Advent is the

celebration of love.

At Londesborough United Church, representing the UCW, Catherine Allen and Kim Roetcisoender lit the Love candle in the Advent wreath and hung the banner.

There was a Christmas gift under the church tree labelled “love”. The two women spoke with the children present that morning about love and had them open the gift. The children shared with the congregation, the heart-shaped cookies inside the box. The choir offering that morning was “He Is Born”.

Rev. Aylward conducted the Sacrament of Communion with the help of servers, Cheryl Trewartha and Helen Lobb.

The scripture passages were Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matt. 1:18-25.

Rev. Aylward asked those present to consider if they would have been so willing to accept God’s command to Joseph in a dream to marry Mary.

He must have known the hardships he could face with such a decision but offered himself for Mary, Jesus, God and the world.

Rev. Aylward will conduct the Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

HULLETT CENTRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT The walls in the gym at Hullett Central Public School were decorated with Christmas art and

the curtains on the back of the stage were hung with Christmas trees and gift bags all done by the children of the Primary classes for their Christmas concert. I attended the dress rehearsal and the excitement made the air electric even for that performance. The concert was cute, not very long and fun. After nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic the children were excited to be back in front of an audience.

The Kindergarten children are always more in awe of the audience than concerned about what they are presenting. Bells for ringing were a part of the numbers they presented along with sparkly headwear.

Another class entertained with actions to the two songs they presented. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Lights” and “Christmas Tree Dance”. A lively number, styled as a chorus line, was performed by another class in Christmas attire, elf hats and sunglasses.

“ChickabooRockaboo” was a dance number.

This class, in appropriate costume, and in groups with actions, sang

their costumes. It was a very colourful group.

They enthusiastically sang “Jingle Bells”, “Rudolph” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. It was a fun event to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas everyone!

about all the things that remind one of the season, like reindeer, glitter, etc. The last class, Grade 3/4, sang an enthusiastic rendition of “Jolly Old St. Nicholas”. Then repeated the song keeping time with the use of boom whackers.

All the Primary children returned to the stage and bleachers wearing

Merry Christmas to all our loyal customers

Walton, Ontario

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

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Boogie down Mary Jane Scott, left, and Mila Weber were among those students who lent their musical, dancing and dramatic talents to Hullett Central Public School’s annual holiday concert, which was held at the school last week. (John Stephenson photo)

Merry Christmas

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE 23.

Obituaries

JAMES “JIM” FINLAYSON Aug. 10, 1949 – Dec. 17, 2022 James “Jim” Finlayson of Seaforth, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. He was 73 years old.

Jim was the beloved husband and best friend of Marian (Duffy) Finlayson for 35 years and the cherished father of Melissa Finlayson and her husband Jason Beuttenmiller, Guelph; the late Andrea Finlayson (2021), and Sarah Masse and her husband Mitch, Zurich.

He was the proud grandpa of Jada, Kyra and Lexi; and papa of Leah, Landon and Dylan. Jim was the dear brother and brother-in-law of Gail Uhler (Bill), Burlington; Diane March (Stephen),

Burlington; Teresa Finlayson, Seaforth; Brenda Empey (Ken), Auburn, and Brett Finlayson (Janice), Seaforth. He will be missed by several nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by parents Mary and Art Finlayson, and brother Brad Finlayson.

Jim was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman; in his younger years he played broomball, baseball, and soccer. Later, he coached the girls’ sports teams, enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping with the RV and travelling. He was a proud member of the Seaforth Fire Department for 29 years. He worked for and eventually retired from the Huron County Highway Department.

Visitation was held at Haskett Funeral Home, Seaforth on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Jim’s Funeral Mass was held at St. James Catholic Church, Seaforth on Thursday, Dec. 22. Father Philip presided. Spring interment will be at Harpurhey Cemetery. For those who were unable to attend the service, the family invites you to join at www.facebook.com/haskettfh Donations to the St. Elizabeth Home Care, or the LHSF – Cancer Program would be appreciated by the family.

Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through www.haskettfh.com.

River, British Columbia, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Perth, Ontario.

He served with the Canadian

HAROLD G. STEFFLER July 4, 1916 – Nov. 30, 2022 Harold G. Steffler (formerly of Brussels), passed away peacefully on November 30, 2022, in Ottawa.

He was 106 years old.

Harold was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (nee Hoelscher), his parents Katherine and Lincoln, siblings Ralph, Norman and Marie, and son-in-law Gerry Brownlee. He leaves to mourn daughter Gail Brownlee (Gerry), sons John (Susan Gillis) and Paul (Verlé Harrop), and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Harold was born in Elmira.

Harold and Dorothy raised their family in Milliken near Toronto before moving to Brussels. In later years, Harold lived in Campbell

Army in Europe during World War II. Harold was known for his skilled cabinet-making and harmonica playing.

Todd Wheeler Insurance Inc. Office: 519-357-0155 Fax: 226-889-8944

P.O. Box 394, 75 Sports Dr., Brussels

Delivering Our Best at Christmastime

T

o all of our valued readers and friends, go our sincere best wishes for a merry and bright holiday season filled with peace, joy and contentment.

We consider it an honour to be the local and trusted news source you turn to throughout the year.

Thank you for your readership and support.

Merry Christmas!

Shopping The Brussels United Church held its annual Christmas bake sale just ahead of the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 17. As always, there was an early rush from those looking to have the pick of the litter ahead of the big day. (John Stephenson photo)

Wilbee speaks at Knox PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

Eve service on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.

Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year’s celebration.

405 Queen St., Blyth www.huroncitizen.ca 519-523-4792

All the best

from all of us at the Holidays

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Gloria Wilbee, Licensed Lay Worship Leader was the guest speaker at Knox United Church on Sunday, Dec. 18, Advent IV (the candle of love).

The opening prayer was read responsively (1 Corinthians 13:3).

The scripture lessons were read from Isiah 7: 13-16 (the sign of Emmanuel) and Matthew 1: 18-25 (Joseph’s dream).

Wilbee’s message was entitled, “Accepting the Responsibility of Love”. There will be a Christmas

The Citizen

With heartfelt thanks for your generous support

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PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Festival Art Gallery plans full season for 2023 meet early in 2023 to determine if there is interest in a spring session and/or next steps for the choir.”

Maarten Bokhout of the Blyth Festival Orchestra submitted a report on behalf of the group, saying that in 2022 the orchestra welcomed a new violinist, Quentin Bouvron, bringing the chamber

orchestra’s membership to 11.

He said the orchestra continued to meet and practise in a safe manner, distanced and masked, performing at holiday church services in Goderich and Stratford and at the opening night of the Blyth Festival season and then at Kildonan House in Clinton on Nov. 13.

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The Blyth Centre for the Arts has reported a positive year in 2022, despite numerous challenges. Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt heralded the success of the season, which included a remount of Michael Healey’s The Drawer Boy, above, and Blyth Festival Art Gallery President Carl Stevenson says his team is looking forward to a full, professional exhibition season in 2023 featuring photographer Hannah Dickie, artist Kelly Stevenson and a collection of eight Ontario pottery artists. (Terry Manzo photo) Continued from page 1 centre’s board of directors, called the 2022 season “very special”, adding that the Blyth Festival team “met and exceeded expectations” despite a number of challenges and complications related to weather, the COVID-19 pandemic and the further unexpected hurdles of 2022.

He also heralded the Festival’s plan to move forward with two fullscale stages on a permanent basis, which is a first for the Festival.

Blyth Festival Art Gallery President Carl Stevenson, in his report to the board, said his team is looking forward to a return to a traditional gallery season in 2023.

The season will open with a show from local photographer Hannah Dickie, followed by a group exhibition by eight Ontario potters organized by local potter Rob Tetu

and will close with Blyth-based artist Kelly Stevenson and an exhibition of her ongoing series of drawings, which is tentatively named “How Far I’ve Fallen”.

He added that the group is hoping to host a series of poetry readings, three over the course of the season, in an effort to expand the gallery’s offerings and attract new fans.

Stevenson noted that, through the gallery’s online show and sale, 52 artists contributed 93 works of art.

Eleven pieces sold for a total of $3,118 in sales, all of which went back to the artists and an assumed 450 people visited the gallery in Memorial Hall in a year without live performances there.

Finally, Stevenson paid tribute to Tetu, Bruce Stainton and Colleen Schenk, long-time volunteers (Tetu

as communications co-ordinator, Stainton as exhibition committee chair and Schenk as secretary) who stepped down from executive positions in 2022.

Gary Coursey and Shelley McPhee Haist, co-presidents of the Blyth Festival Singers, in their report to the board, said a small number of members attempted to meet and rehearse at various times throughout the year. However, eventually, the fall session for the Singers and the planned Christmas performance had to be cancelled.

“The challenges of [the COVID19 pandemic] and an aging choir membership has led to many changes in the choir membership over the past two years,” the pair wrote in their report. “The choir is now in hiatus and the executive will

and a

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A1. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Home for the Holidays Stories and Traditions, Past and Present A special supplement to

The Citizen December 23, 2022

PAGE A2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

McQuail, Hustis focus on family, community Place Organic Farm, a well-known local farm and a cog in the Eat Local Huron machine. Katrina is the daughter of Tony and Fran McQuail, who have been pioneers of the organic farming movement in Huron County for decades.

In an interview with The Citizen, Katrina said that the holidays for their family can vary greatly from year to year. With so much family in the United States, they will often alternate years, celebrating south of the border one year before returning home for the holidays the next. Not only does Katrina’s father Tony have family in Pennsylvania and her mother Fran have family in Indiana and beyond, but Ben’s

family is located in Texas, so there are more than a few stops to make in the U.S. for the holidays.

This year, however, is not one of those years and the family will be staying home on the farm for some relaxation time. That process began a few weeks before Christmas, when Katrina and Ben brought their children out to the bush on the Meeting Place property for the time-honoured family tradition of cutting down their own Christmas tree.

Being at the whims of the property and the season, depending on what the family has been doing with the trees over the course of the Continued on page A20

Merry Christmas from Cindy and Hans at

Wild Goose Studio Canada

A time to celebrate Ben Hustis, Katrina McQuail and their children Imogen, left, and Stella, right, host a number of celebrations over the course of the holiday season, from the Winter Solstice to finding their own Christmas tree to Christmas itself, whether spent here in Huron County or visiting family in the U.S. (Courtesy photo)

A gift from our “art” kids

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen For Katrina McQuail, her husband Ben Hustis and their children, Christmas in the St. Helens area is all about family, experiences and relaxation where they can find it.

McQuail, Hustis, two-and-a-halfyear-old Stella and one-and-a-halfyear-old Imogen operate Meeting

Council & Staff of the Municipality of Central Huron would like to wish you a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for 2023!

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A3.

Family, friends, house calls at Christmas for Park He said that it was important to his father to make sure that people’s ovens were running on a day meant to be spent with family, so the two of them would go out and fix what needed fixing.

Aside from that, Park said he would go to his grandparents’ house for dinner when he was younger.

When he got older, however, his family would host a meal and invite neighbours who may not have had anywhere else to go.

With his family, Park said that Christmas lights have become a big part of their celebration. Aside from traveling around the county to try and see the best displays, he and his family also enjoy decorating the family home with some intense illumination. The only rule, he said, is that lights don’t go up until after Remembrance Day. “We’re not the Griswolds,” he said, referencing the famously jolly family of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. “But we do have some pretty bright corners of the house.”

Christmas is about spending time with his children and making sure they have a chance

said. “They look forward to seeing them.”

Park said that Spirit and Lollipop have been bringing treats for his sons, and showing up in unique spots. Finding them each day is a fun activity.

He went on to say that having those traditions, and just having children around at Christmas, is half the fun of the holidays for adults.

That sentiment extends to his job, where he’s happy that students and families will get to have a Christmas concert this year.

“It’s nice to return to normal,” he said, adding that the school has had a few other activities over the years that were suspended or altered during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns.

to visit their grandparents.

“It’s not so much about the gifts, but about time with the family,” he said. “We put an effort into visiting grandparents because it’s important to have that, especially later on in life.”

Food also plays a part in the traditions, he said, with his family enjoying a French toast casserole for Christmas breakfast, and dinner usually has the traditional staples of turkey and potatoes.

The family has a few “newer” traditions as well, Park said, including getting matching pajamas on Christmas Eve and the Elf on the Shelf practice, which has somewhat evolved this year.

“Our kids named their elf Lollipop, but this year Lollipop has a friend they’ve named Spirit,” he

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Keeping people happy Dree Park, the principal of North Woods Elementary School and Hullett Central Public School before that, grew up knowing that he may have to accompany his electrician father on the occasional Christmas Day service call. His father always wanted people’s ovens working for them on Christmas Day, which is why he went out and helped them over the holidays, sometimes with the help of his son. (Denny Scott photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen

For North Woods Elementary School Principal Dree Park, Christmas has always been a time for family, friends and neighbours and the occasional service call with his father.

Park, who was at Hullett Central Public School for several years before moving to North Woods Elementary School this year, said

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that Christmas is a time for family now, but when he was young, there was a bit more to it.

“We celebrated in a relatively simple way,” he said. “On Christmas Day we would open gifts in the morning.”

Park’s father is an electrician, he said, and while he knows it didn’t happen every Christmas year, he did have to go on a number of Christmas Day service calls with him over the years.

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PAGE A4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Brinks now finding new traditions as parents and worldly look that Aleida has certainly taken to.

Ryan says the tree really tells the story of their family. In addition to the travel-related ornaments, there are others that celebrate their engagement, wedding and the birth of their two children, complete with ultrasound images of the children and even keys from some of their old apartments, lace from a grandmother’s dress and handpainted ornaments from their nieces and nephews.

They’ve also recently added custom-made stockings for each member of the family.

Blyth’s Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston of Pick-a-Posie completed

Elijah’s just in time for Christmas.

During that year on the road, Jalyssa and Ryan spent Christmas in Malaysia.

“We went to Malacca because we were told it had a ‘Western’ Christmas with fake snow, etc. We were a tad homesick, so we went to check it out, but it was a total bust,” Ryan said in an e-mail to The Citizen. “We ended up in Kuala Lumpur. We spent Christmas Day taking it easy. We called our families, ate terrible pizza. We bought a pineapple for a Christmas tree and managed to find a Christmas ornament to hang on it.

Not traditional, but memorable, Continued on page A5

Telling a story Ryan and Jalyssa Brink and their children Aleida and Elijah have begun their lives together in Blyth and their Christmas tree is a reminder of all they’ve been through. From Ryan and Jalyssa’s epic worldwide travels to their engagement and marriage to becoming parents, their Christmas tree, covered in ornaments, really does tell the story of their lives together. (Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Christmas has been a moving target for the Brink family of Blyth in recent years, as so much has changed and they’ve added to their ranks with two young children.

Ryan, the technical director at the Blyth Festival, and his wife Jalyssa moved to Blyth in October of 2020, shortly after having Aleida, their first child. They have since added Elijah to their family earlier this year.

In an interview with The Citizen,

Jalyssa said that Aleida has been having a fantastic holiday season, finally reaching the age when she can truly appreciate all that Christmas has to offer. Whether it’s the lights or all the snow, Jalyssa says that Aleida has been having the time of her life this winter and it’s all been building to Christmas. She even has a whole host of favourite ornaments that adorn the family’s tree.

She has a lot to choose from as well. Jalyssa and Ryan travelled extensively during their courtship and in the early days of their

Mer r y Christmas

marriage. On a one-year trip after getting married, they visited over 30 countries and, while they were on the road, they aimed to bring home a Christmas ornament from each one. As a result, their Christmas tree has a very unique

Best Wishes for a Safe and Happy New Year

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PO Box 640, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 519-357-7007 mattrmccall@hurontel.on.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A5.

Snow, lights thrill Brink children at Christmas all about family for the Brinks.

As for decorating, they have been chipping away at lighting for the exterior of their home. Jalyssa said she wants to begin stringing lights in the backyard of their home, which can be seen from both the village’s main street and the Blyth

Greenway Trail, which is part of the Goderich-to-Guelph Rail Trail.

If they can add a component to that aspect of their Christmas decorating every year, Jalyssa said, she would be very happy, as would the children. And she has the Continued on page A8

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Building up, not out At the Brink home, the snow has been a welcome addition according to Aleida, in pink, who loves playing around in the white stuff with her parents Ryan and Jalyssa and little brother Elijah. Above, she had help making a rather large snowman recently with Ryan and her uncle Deric. (Courtesy photo) Continued from page A4 also it was the first time we’ve ever eaten our Christmas tree. We then went on to ring in the new year in Singapore. It poured rain while we watched amazing fireworks.”

Ryan grew up in Whitechurch, while Jalyssa grew up on a farm near New Hamburg. They moved to Huron County in late 2020, returning to his home community, something Ryan never saw in his future, but the time and opportunity were right and they’ve since fallen in love with Blyth.

Jalyssa admits that she wasn’t sold on the idea either, but pledged to have an open mind. When they saw what is now their house for the first time, the roles reversed.

Jalyssa fell in love with the house,

while it was Ryan who needed a little convincing.

They were successful in buying the house, right when prices were beginning to surge and demand along with it, and they have all settled into what is now their home.

The Brinks have found quite a community in their part of the village, living near celebrated playwright Duncan McGregor and his wife Lynda, one of the busiest volunteers in the village, as well as Cat O’Donnell of The Wonky Frog and her husband Scott Ramsay, an artist.

Upon moving into their house, the Brinks said they immediately felt at home and part of the community. Soon after moving in, the village experienced a power

outage and the McGregors, O’Donnell and Ramsay were quick to offer any help or provisions that the Brinks may have needed, which Jalyssa said felt very warm and caring.

Ryan said he and his family, when he was young, would always attend church over the holidays as part of their tradition and Jalyssa says it was the same for her in New Hamburg.

Now, with their own children, Jalyssa and Ryan are really working to slow things down around Christmas and pass on the tradition of family and spending time together to their children. They both say their holidays look much different now with their own children, but that it’s really

The best part of any journey is the people you meet along the way, and we’re pleased to say, we’ve never met a better bunch of folks than you. Thanks for making the trip worthwhile.

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PAGE A6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Sebastian’s back home and ready to celebrate Christmas is busier for him now, as he and his wife, Deanna, have to fit in a few more family events.

It’s an exercise in creative scheduling, he said, trying to fit celebrations in on the same night or night, but they made it work.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ty and Deanna would head to a special celebration with Deanna’s family that included skating, however Ty didn’t know if that would come back any time soon, as it hasn’t happened in the past few years.

Regardless, he looks forward to the celebrations, he said, and spending time with his family.

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Lots to talk about Brussels Tiger Ty Sebastian is just back from New Zealand where he represented his country in the World Softball Championships, earning a silver medal for all of his hard work and talent. He says he expects to be grilled once or twice about the memorable experience. Sebastian is pictured above with his family. From left: Kylie Shrier, Lane Sebastian, Paul Sebastian, Faith Sebastian, Kathy Sebastian, Ty Sebastian and Deanna Sebastian. (Courtesy photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Brussels’ Ty Sebastian is ready to answer a lot of questions about his trip to New Zealand at his family Christmas celebrations this year, fitting that in with other usual activities.

Sebastian recently returned from the World Softball Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, where he and Team Canada earned a silver medal and he knows there will likely be a number of questions about that at Christmas parties hosted by both his

family and his wife’s family.

“I'll be on the hot seat this year,” he said. “People are already asking, and the number one question this far has been how the weather was.”

Aside from the weather, he expects he will get a lot of questions about how it felt to be a part of the team, get the medal and just be on the field with talent from across the world.

Christmas for the 29-year-old Sebastian has always been a time for family. When he was younger, he would visit his grandparents and have traditional celebrations. On Christmas Eve, for example, he

would usually visit his mother’s family, then on Christmas Day he would spend time with his father’s family.

The meals were always homecooked, he said, and while there wasn’t any kind of planned annual staples, he said they were always good.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A7.

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A visit to Brussels Saturday, Dec. 3 was a magical night on the streets of Brussels, marking the village’s annual Santa Claus parade, which is always sure to bring out the majority of residents either hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus, above, or their friends and neighbours and maybe some local hockey players, below. (John Stephenson photo)

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Reduce your waste this holiday MS - The holiday season is a special time of year. Individuals often spend a little more on gifts, indulge a little more on rich foods and treats and make a concerted effort to enjoy more time with their loved ones during the holidays.

The tendency to overdo things during the holiday season can create a lot of waste. In fact, Americans produce 25 per cent more garbage from Thanksgiving through the end of the year, according to Waste Advantage magazine, a publication for the waste and recycling industry. That uptick equates to one million tons of extra trash per week throughout the holidays.

Extra food, plastic and paper waste is generated this time of year, but people can be mindful of the potential to go overboard and take some steps to be more wasteconscious as they entertain.

• Reuse a small portion of wrapping paper or look for other wrapping items: Sunday comics,

newsprint, colourful magazine pages, and even pieces of fabric can be used to wrap gifts in lieu of purchasing new wrapping paper.

Otherwise, collect used wrapping paper and reuse it next year, doing the same with boxes and bows.

According to researchers at Stanford University, if every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

• Skip disposable party items: It’s certainly easy to use disposable plates, napkins and cups when hosting holiday parties, but that is very wasteful. Opt for durable, reusable products that can be packed away and used each year during holiday events.

• Buy durable and reusable items as gifts: Avoid fad gifts and focus on items that will have staying power. Homemade gifts, such as foods, knitted scarves, artwork, and more, are generally eco-friendly.

• Set up marked trash and recycling receptacles: Remind party guests to recycle the appropriate materials by clearly marking a pail designed for collecting recyclables, such as cans, plastic beverage bottles and glass wine bottles. Most hard plastics can be recycled.

• Remove your name from catalog lists: Call companies and ask to be taken off promotional mailing lists to reduce paper waste.

• Send a photo: Mail holiday card recipients photos of the kids or the entire family in lieu of cards.

They’re apt to save the photos and display them, helping to keep even more paper trash out of landfills.

• Research new recipes for leftovers: With an abundance of food remaining after entertaining, turn leftovers into new meals by exploring recipes from friends or by doing a little research online.

Waste can get out of control during the holidays, but there are ways to tame the excess.

'O Come All Ye Faithful Guided only by a single star Three wise men journeyed afar To the manger where the infant lay On that very first Christmas Day. May your spirits be lifted and your faith renewed as we recall the miracle of Christmas.

PAGE A8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

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Pigging out The Huron-Perth Junior Farmers were among the organizations, businesses and services clubs that entered into the Blyth Santa Claus parade, which was held on a sunny, yet cold day on Saturday, Dec. 10. Members can be seen with the stars of the group’s popular and successful “Who Let the Hogs Out?” fundraiser that has infused local food banks with thousands of dollars since its inception several years ago. (John Stephenson photo)

Brinks added cats at Christmas Continued from page A5 perfect husband to make it happen.

With Ryan’s technical skills, she says, he can make all kinds of light and sound magic happen, so stay tuned - hopefully - for something magical to one day materialize at the Brink home.

A few years ago, in 2019, they also added to their family. They were on their way to Jalyssa’s

sister’s house for Christmas dinner on Christmas Day and two orange kittens ran under their car while they were stopped at a stop sign.

Seven months pregnant at the time and in love with cats, Jalyssa got out of the car and convinced Ryan to bring them home with them. She said they were friendly, but didn’t have collars, so it was clear they had been dumped there

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and were lost and scared.

While Ryan is allergic to cats, he has welcomed them with open arms. They’re named Angelica and Eliza after the Schuyler sisters from the well-known musical Hamilton.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A9.

Stanleys preach the value of giving at Christmas

A new face Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church recently welcomed Pastor Mike Stanley to the community for his first full-time pastoral position. Growing up as the son of missionaries, he spent a few holidays in some farflung corners of the world before returning to Canada and settling here. (Denny Scott photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen Christmas for Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church Pastor Mike Stanley has changed a lot from when he was a child to now, but it’s always been, at its core, about Christ and family.

Born into a family of missionaries, some of Stanley’s earliest memories of the Christmas holiday are not in Canada and,

instead, half a world away.

For six years, he spent Christmases in West Africa with his family, who were working with the Bassari tribe, based in Senegal and Guinea. He remembers Christmas being about the message of Christ, but that didn’t mean his parents didn’t try to keep some of the more commercial traditions alive to give their children an idea of what Christmas was like in the western world.

One particular year, Stanley says, his father did his best to recreate a more western Christmas by making a Christmas tree. He put together a stick with wire coat hangers and pieces of green garbage bag, while Stanley’s mother uncovered some LEGO sets she had brought with the family months back to serve as Christmas presents.

“We had a Christmas tree,” he said. “In the bush there are no evergreens, but we had a Christmas tree.”

The tree was short-lived, however, as the people of the Bassari tribe saw it and thought it was an idol, which wouldn’t do, Stanley said.

“That was not what we wanted as missionaries, so it came down pretty quick,” he said.

That experience, however, reinforced the idea that the core of Christmas isn’t the gifts or the tree, but the time spent with family and the time reflecting on Jesus.

“The birth of Jesus is what’s important,” he said. “That’s the central idea and that’s what we have celebrated.”

Eventually, however, the family’s missionary work was completed, including building and starting schools, a church and agricultural projects. So, after years, Stanley and his family returned to Canada permanently.

That didn’t, however, mean a more traditional Christmas for the family because Stanley’s father and uncle would return to the tribe every year in December to help and deliver supplies.

“We wouldn’t do our family Christmas until the end of December or January,” he said.

Celebrations, however, continued in his father’s absence with candlelit church services, plays and concerts and, in general, a wonderful time with family, he said.

Now that he’s married with his own children, Stanley has put a focus on finding a balance between the Christian and the commercial aspects of Christmas. When it’s time to celebrate Christmas, he and his wife Amanda and their three sons, Micah (seven years old), Luke (five years old) and Isaac (two years old) still put the focus on Jesus and family, but that doesn’t Continued on page A10

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May you and your loved ones rejoice in the miracle of this holy season and may this year hold the birth of new blessings and the promise of lasting peace.

Merry Christmas

Spreading goodwill On Saturday, Nov. 26, the Wingham community came together for the town’s annual Santa Claus parade and, perhaps just as important as an appearance from Santa Claus, is the presence of the famed Wingham Ironmen Provincial Junior Hockey League team.

They were on hand to spread Christmas cheer and distribute some candy to some of their younger fans. (John Stephenson photo)

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PAGE A10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Stanleys mark ‘Christmas in July’ with family

Continued from page A9 mean he’s opposed to Santa and gifts.

“We had to figure out, as parents, how to instill in our children the knowledge of what Christmas is all about,” he said. “Trying to find that balance, to focus on the real meaning, is so important, but we didn’t want to make Santa ‘bad’ or be in a bubble.”

Stanley says that Micah hit the nail on the head a couple years ago when he told his dad that Santa isn’t the reason for Christmas, but he is the mascot.

“That’s a good idea, and I like it,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with mascots, with cartoon characters representing something else.”

The reason for the season can exist with the mascot as long as the foundation is there,” Stanley said.

One tradition Mike and Amanda do try to uphold is making sure that their children know the value of giving. The first step to that,

Stanley said, was to make sure there was no confusion about who gifts came from by asking relatives to make sure the gifts came from them, rather than materializing out of thin air.

“This is the season of giving and we want to make sure our kids know there is joy in that,” he said.

As far as traditional activities, Stanley’s family visits his parents and his wife’s parents at Christmas, but his extended family typically hosts something in the warmer months of the year because many are still involved in mission work.

He said they actually do have Christmas in July, which further goes to show that the celebration is about Jesus and family, not about a specific day in the winter.

“The core of Christmas, of recognizing Jesus, should be recognized every day, and this helps remind us of that,” he said.

Having that strong Christian foundation to Christmas makes it so

that, even in the middle of July, the reason for the season can still be celebrated, Stanley said.

At home, however, they still do have a Christmas tree, lights and gifts and watch Christmas movies.

The children also have an Advent calendar, but it’s a home-made piece put together by Amanda and, instead of treats, it focuses more on activities. One day it will include something like putting up lights or decorations, the next doing Christmas baking, and Stanley says his children love it.

Finally, Stanley said that he enjoys watching the world celebrate Christmas, even if they aren’t Christian. While the commercial aspects of the holiday lack the foundation and connection to Jesus that Christians have, it does give a chance for people to connect with each other. He said the joy at this time of the year is just increased for Christians because they get to celebrate both sides of the holiday.

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Done for the year The Londesborough and District Lions Club was among the service clubs and businesses that helped people get their homes ready for the holidays by selling Christmas trees. A few weeks before Christmas, however, the Lions had sold all of their over-150 trees for another successful fundraiser. The club’s float is seen above at the Clinton Santa Claus parade, which was held on Friday, Dec. 2. (John Stephenson photo)

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A11.

Holidays all about family for the Morrisons within the United States, such as Nashville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Florida and more.

As for the holidays themselves, Justin says the family is always together on Christmas Eve to take in a church service. His mother, Glenda, is a musician who performs at many of the village’s churches year-round, so where the Morrison family goes for the holidays that

year depends entirely on Glenda’s schedule for the night.

When they return home, they have some snacks and spend time together and, in the early years, used to open presents on Christmas Eve as well. When the family was gone to church, Santa Claus would always pay them a visit, meaning that there were gifts under the tree Continued on page A17

A

nd the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

May you be blessed with peace and understanding throughout this holy season.

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Time together Justin Morrison, centre, became one of the youngest municipal councillors (if not, the youngest) in Ontario earlier this year when he was selected by council to fill a vacated Brussels Ward Councillor position on Huron East Council just weeks after turning 18.

Now, the 19-year-old councillor has been acclaimed to a new four-year term in the seat.

He and his parents Glenda and Darryl, left, and sister Amanda, always spend a lot of time together over the holidays - cherished family time for the Morrisons. (Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Justin Morrison, the 19-year-old Brussels resident who was just acclaimed to Huron East Council for the 2022-2026 term, says that, for him, the holidays are really all about family.

Morrison, a Brussels Lions Club member and former Leo Club member, put his name forward, just weeks after turning 18, to fill John Lowe’s vacated council seat in late 2021. Council chose Morrison over two other candidates in early 2022 and he served the remainder of Lowe’s term. Then, earlier this year, he put his name forward to represent the Brussels Ward for the next four years and was acclaimed to return to the position.

In addition to his municipal council position and his volunteerism, Morrison has also

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

served as a long-time weather reporter for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, beginning when he was just a child.

The holidays, he said in an interview with The Citizen, begin at the Morrison house around midNovember, when the family gathers to decorate the house, inside and out. That’s when the bins are dusted off, the ladders go up and the Christmas lights go on the house.

With his sister Amanda now in university, there’s no guarantee that everyone will be home for the weekend, but Justin says they always do their best to co-ordinate.

That weekend, for the Morrisons, always marks the official beginning of the holiday season.

When decorating, Justin says the

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PAGE A12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Traditional holidays for Festival’s Kelly McIntosh

Traditional traditions Kelly McIntosh of the Blyth Festival says that after a long time on the road with various theatre companies, some of which would operate over the winter, taking very few days off over the holidays, things are now pretty traditional at her home as she celebrates with her daughter MadeNell. (Courtesy photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen For the Blyth Festival’s Kelly McIntosh, Christmas has been in three phases over her life: a more traditional experience when she celebrated with her family, some unique experiences as an actor and now a return to a more traditional experience with her daughter.

McIntosh, who lives in Stratford, says she had a “very traditional White Anglo-Saxon Protestant Christmas” as a child.

“We always opened one present on Christmas Eve, watched A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim and, when I was old enough, there was champagne at midnight,” she told The Citizen in an interview.

Her family, including her two brothers and mom and dad, lived near Toronto and had some great traditions, she said, like waking up to their stockings in their bedrooms.

“We had a fireplace, and we would hang them there,” she said.

“We would eventually fall asleep and, when we woke up, our stockings would be laying at the bottom of our beds.”

McIntosh now recognizes the genius of the move, as Santa leaving the gifts directly beside their bed made sure that, no matter how early McIntosh and her siblings woke up, they would be occupied in their room until their parents could get out of bed.

One year, she said, Santa even managed to bring a large dollhouse in her room without her noticing.

Christmas morning would include a big Scottish breakfast with blood pudding and mushrooms, McIntosh said, explaining that her mother’s parents were born in the United Kingdom, so there was a strong connection to the traditional Scottish entree.

Aside from that, McIntosh says

Christmas in her youth was similar to what she imagined other people did: visiting or welcoming them for a visit, having a Christmas dinner with family and spending time together.

When McIntosh went to theatre school, however, at the age of 18, things changed when it came to the holiday season.

“I started working professionally right away,” she said. “Working as an actor often entails contracts that have you working through the holiday season.”

She said Blyth is somewhat unique in that it only runs a summer season. Other well-known theatres, like the Grand Theatre in London, the Neptune Theatre in Halifax or

the Vancouver Playhouse, run through the year.

“September and January are the times for big openings,” she said.

“There were many times, over the years, that I didn’t get home as I was in tech rehearsal in some other city. It became the norm that [I] might not be at Christmas.”

Things changed a bit when Mcintosh started working at Caravan Farm Theatre in British Columbia.

“Their biggest show is starting right about now,” she said.

McIntosh worked on the farm for six or seven winters. The theatre ferries people from scene to scene with horse-drawn sleds, making for Continued on page A13

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A13.

Holidays a time for new traditions: McIntosh daughter just like her parents did.

Santa is also keeping up his traditions in the house, and has no problem getting into MadeNell’s room to leave her stocking by the bed. Unlike her mother, MadeNell falls right asleep on Christmas Eve, so Santa has an easier time sneaking the gifts in.

“I couldn’t,” McIntosh said. “I just wouldn’t be able to fall asleep when I wanted to. She falls right asleep.”

Boxing Day has become a special event for McIntosh as MadeNell and her father, Cedric Smith, spend the day together.

“He didn’t come from a family that celebrated Christmas,” McIntosh said. “He does go to his sister’s for Boxing Day and, ever

since she was able to, MadeNell goes with him.”

McIntosh said the day offers her a chance to unwind.

“It’s the one day of the year that’s just for me to do nothing,” she said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into Christmas, especially when you’re a single parent. It always works out, but there’s pressure there, and I take it as a chance to relax.”

That hasn’t always been the case, however. Before MadeNell was born, McIntosh said Boxing Day was the opposite of a relaxing break, as she would go through her receipts for the year that day. She said, as an actor, she had to save every receipt for clothing, salons, makeup and meals to try to write them off at the end of the year.

Making memories MadeNell, Kelly McIntosh’s daughter, is seen above with her father Cedric Smith. It’s become tradition that the two always spend Boxing Day together, making music and spending time together. McIntosh can be seen below, in red, at a family Christmas celebration several years ago. (Courtesy photos) Continued from page A12 a unique holiday experience.

“The show was outdoors, so you would spend the entire month outdoors,” she said, adding there was even a popular Christmas Eve show.

The cast and crew, however, would take Christmas Day and Boxing Day off.

“We were all exhausted, but we had the best time,” she said.

They would have a potluck meal as a family, since most of them were far away from their relatives.

This was back before most people had a cell phone in their pocket, McIntosh said, so people would line up to use the one landline to call their family.

There was also a Christmas morning sleigh ride courtesy of the handlers in charge of the horse themes, as well as a “big, long walk” that everyone took together.

“There are some traditions that I’m hoping to bring into the third leg of my Christmas life,” she said.

She had some other experiences before she decided to pursue a family life, McIntosh said, that have made some great memories.

One year she came home to her apartment on Christmas Eve, feeling down because she was alone, to find that her neighbour had come in and set up a Christmas tree for her.

“I must have been 37 years old at that point, but it became a very big moment for me,” she said. “I had never had a Christmas tree as an adult, and, since then, I’ve always got a tree. Seeing a tree reminds me of that night when I was very happy.”

Moving on to what she called her “third leg of Christmas”, McIntosh says she tries to recreate her family Christmas experience for her daughter, MadeNell.

“I get a tree and do the stuff my parents did,” she said. “We try and get out for a walk and, this year, I’m looking to take part in a sleigh ride in Huron County.”

She says she works on a Christmas meal and has family over, and MadeNell has fully embraced the Elf on the Shelf tradition. McIntosh also opens one present on Christmas Eve with her

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PAGE A14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Embrace tradition with children on Christmas Eve bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas (’Twas the Night Before Christmas)” is a great way to set the Christmas Eve mood.

• Make a batch of “reindeer dust”: Why should Santa’s reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving

treats? Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal, dried fruits, and glitter (if desired), is purported to attract Santa’s reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it’s generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat.

• Go caroling: Caroling may not be the norm, but some families may

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want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize familycentric caroling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedestrian-friendly areas singing popular songs.

Christmas Eve is a great time to embrace various traditions that help to make the season even more special.

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish our members and friends a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

The night before...

Christmas Eve can be a magical night for the family, but especially for children who are just learning about the holiday and all it entails. Involve them in some special Christmas Eve activities to create memories that will last a lifetime. (MS photo) MS - Christmas Eve is viewed differently by different people, even those who live under the same Santa-ready roof. Adults may see Christmas Eve as crunch time when they must prepare food for the next day or set up presents for their children to open in the morning.

Children, on the other hand, are focused on Santa’s visit and little else.

Parents naturally want to make Christmastime as special as possible for their children, and that may involve ensuring that Christmas Eve is just as memorable as Christmas Day. The following are some ways to impart more magic into Christmas Eve celebrations.

• Attend Mass at midnight: Practising Christians celebrate the

birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, churches often hold celebrations that may include late-evening or midnight masses that celebrate the birth of Christ when the calendar switches over to Dec. 25. While it does make for a late night, it can be thoughtprovoking for kids and a unique experience unlike any other.

• Bake fresh cookies: Children like to leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies.

Explore different recipes to come up with a unique offering each year.

• Read a Christmas story: Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it's time for children to wind down for

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A15.

Friends, family, films for the van Vliets at Christmas between him and his neighbours.

It was especially exciting this year, he said, as it’s the first time that people were able to get “back to normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Dee, Christmas movies, alongside some non-seasonal classics, play an important part in her Christmas traditions. She and John will watch a number of films from the classic A Christmas Carol (also known as Scrooge) starring Alastair Sim to The Sound of Music to whatever is on the Hallmark Channel this year.

Dee’s family is mostly in Burlington, however her twin sister visited her and John and ended up loving the area, resulting in Dee’s

sister and her husband buying a house in Huron County. John said that, as a result, the two couples will likely end up spending a significant amount of time together this year.

John and Dee do plan on heading to Burlington to see Dee’s mother and other family members before the Christmas break.

As for their personal experiences and traditions, Dee likes a quiet Christmas. Having spent 33 years working in a retail setting, she now appreciates the time off around the break and just relaxing.

John enjoys being able to sleep in a little bit more at Christmas now that Andrew is grown up. While Continued on page A16

Time to be together John and Dee van Vliet will be celebrating their fifth Christmas together this year and they’ve brought their own traditions to their marriage to create a harmonious combination of the two. (Denny Scott photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen John and Dee van Vliet have been making Christmas memories together for about five years now, with a focus on friends, family, neighbours and films.

The two are marking their fifth Christmas together this year, Dee said, and she’s shared many of her own traditions with John and his son Andrew.

“On Christmas morning, we have breakfast and gifts with Andrew,” she said, adding that Andrew has a girlfriend now, so schedules sometimes get shifted around a bit.

Breakfast will consist of whatever “fun” recipe she finds on Google,

and has included everything from breakfast quesadillas to more traditional spreads. The meal is always big enough, she said, to keep everyone content until it’s time for a traditional turkey dinner.

For the couple, the Christmas break is a time for resting and connecting with family, though this year, John said they pushed that a little early.

His own family Christmas was held alongside the family Thanksgiving celebration at his home last month. He said that getting together with his siblings is important, but that it’s different now that his parents are gone.

Part of that celebration also included his neighbours and his May the spirit of Christmas touch all earth’s creatures with its magic and warmth. Let us share with others our most treasured gifts of peace, love and goodwill.

Open Wed., Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 11 to 4 Closed Sun., Mon. & Tues.

former-brother-in-law. John lost his first wife, Joanne, to cancer nearly 20 years ago, but has remained connected with her family.

He said that having neighbours over, especially some of the younger neighbours that John has been looking out for for a number of years, really makes Christmas special. It really feels like a community event, he said, and there’s never a want for excitement

This Christmas season, we’d like to join you and yours in a prayer for harmony, understanding and peace.

As we give thanks to the Lord, we’d also like to acknowledge all the people who have given to us their friendship and generous support. Merry Christmas!

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PAGE A16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Christmas a favourite holiday for van Vliets “He would buy me rubber boots every year filled with treats,” she said. “It was great because I definitely needed work boots for the barn.”

Christmas is the pair’s favourite holiday, John said, This was a very important year for celebrations, John said, as they

had a staff party at the farm one weekend, and a family party two weekends later. In between, he said, he and Doug McArter hosted a party for the committees responsible for the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre renovations.

The two committees, one in

charge of the renovation and the other fundraising, hadn’t had a chance to meet face to face for almost the entirety of the campaign, so bringing everyone together to mark the success of the renovations actually started was important. John said he was glad to be able to do that this year.

Merry Christmas from all of us at...

A great year

John and Dee van Vliet, seen here with their dog Jodi, both say that Christmas is their favourite time of year.

This will be a banner year for the family, John says, for a number of reasons, many of them related to their home community of Brussels. (Denny Scott photo) Continued from page A15 getting out to the barn for chores is still important, he’s not rushed to be up at 4 a.m. to be able to come in early for the gifts from Santa Claus.

It is a busy time of year, however, as Dee points out they are trying to clear the barns for February when the couple heads to Florida for a vacation.

On Christmas Eve, the couple

heads to church with John’s former in-laws, keeping up a tradition that has gone on for years around the holidays.

As far as gift-giving between the two of them, Dee does have an antique stocking she’s used since she was a child and it was gifted to her, however John found a different way to give her presents, which she said was great.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A17.

Ornaments tell stories of Morrisons’ travels to this day, so there was usually a new game or two under the tree that

would see some use over the holidays for a family game night.

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Around the world and back The Morrison family has decorated its tree, largely, with ornaments that they’ve purchased on trips they’ve taken, whether it be to interesting destinations in the United States or abroad in Europe. Every one of the ornaments, many of which are seen above, recalls a memory of a family trip for a smile at the holidays. (Courtesy photo) Continued from page A11 waiting for them when they got home, which Justin says was always a thrill in his younger years.

That proposal usually gave Justin’s parents a bit of a break on Christmas morning, allowing them to sleep in. The rest of the day was always spent at home. The family was together and there was nothing

on the agenda, other than playing with their new toys, which, for Justin, often meant LEGO. On Christmas Day, the Morrisons would have their big holiday meal, which Justin says has always been pretty traditional, with turkey, stuffing and all the fixings.

He says there isn’t a lot of Christmas baking at their house,

although they do make a lot of shortbread cookies over the holidays. The Christmas baking, he says, is best left to his grandparents, who do a great job year-in and yearout.

While Justin says he was always happy to see some LEGO under the tree, his family is a big board game family, a tradition that is still alive

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PAGE A18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

McInroys give back to community at Christmas and Rick never had children, their holiday traditions developed more around community and extended family.

She grew up on a farm just outside of Walton and eventually married Rick, who came to Huron Continued on page A19

ZÄÉÜçç àÉ ZÉw Z | à{x [|z{xáà |Ç [ Than nks for being an important part of our year.

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Giving back Margaret McInroy of Blyth, seen here with her husband Rick, was named the 2022 Citizen of the Year for the Brussels area, thanks to her roots in that community and extensive volunteerism with both the Walton Women’s Institute and the Melville Presbyterian Church. So, it’s no surprise that, around the holidays, the pair make a point of giving back to their community and reaching out to those who may be going without over Christmas. (Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen For Rick and Margaret McInroy, at this point in their lives, the holidays are all about giving back to their community.

The Blyth residents spent much of their lives in the Walton area, and

are really connected to both Walton and Brussels, the latter through Melville Presbyterian Church and other community volunteerism.

This year, Margaret was named the Brussels Citizen of the Year for her work in the community through the church and the Walton Women’s Institute, among other ventures.

Although she and Rick now live in Blyth, Margaret’s years of work in Brussels and Walton, much of which continues today, have made her a staple in those communities and someone who can be relied upon to lend a hand when it’s needed.

Margaret says that, because she

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Putting in a good word After the Blyth Santa Claus parade, held on Saturday, Dec. 10, Santa Claus set up shop in front of Memorial Hall, where he was available to take some custom gift requests and hand out gift bags to all the young children who had been good this year. (John Stephenson photo)

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022. PAGE A19.

McInroy heads up Soup and More 2 holiday meal This year, for Margaret, she marked the holidays with a yearend meal with the Walton Women’s Institute in Blyth and at Melville Presbyterian Church on Dec. 11.

The church hosted the annual Brussels ecumenical carol and scripture service, this year dubbed “On the Road to Bethlehem”.

She is also heading up this year’s Soup and More 2 annual Christmas dinner, which will be held over lunch on Dec. 23 with the help of Brussels Lion Gord Mitchell, who will be providing Christmas

pudding and sauce for those who partake in the meal.

This is also the third Christmas that Margaret has been working with Blyth’s Lynda McGregor to collect for the Huron Women’s Shelter around the holidays.

She says they have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the community when they come by in search of items for the shelter. Gift bags are then packed and delivered to those who need them on Christmas morning.

A time to give back Margaret McInroy, top, and her husband Rick, not pictured, are known for giving back to their community over the holidays. One of the ways Margaret does that is through the regular Soup and More 2 fundraiser. She will serve as the head of this year’s holiday meal. She is seen above with other volunteers and friends at the 2019 Soup and More 2 holiday meal. (Courtesy photo) Continued from page A18 County by way of Marmora, which is equidistant between Toronto and Ottawa on Highway 7, in the late 1980s when he was working with Ontario Hydro.

As a child, Margaret said there was always a lot of family getting together around the holidays. She remembers being gifted a doll at Christmas each year, or perhaps some clothes. One of her aunts was always great about buying Margaret books every Christmas, which is something that has stuck with her over the years.

She remembers always having duck for Christmas dinner in her younger years, as well as some Christmas pudding, which she says has fallen out of favour with some of the younger generations, but still has plenty of fans.

When Rick was a child, he said Christmas dinners would be rather adventurous affairs, with a father who liked to hunt, fish and trap, so the fare for Christmas dinner could change pretty drastically from year to year, depending on what had been harvested that year. He remembers liking all of those meals and his childhood holidays.

Rick says he was often spoiled around Christmas. He was the youngest of three boys and his brothers were five and seven years older than he, so he says he

definitely reaped the benefits of being the baby of the family.

Christmas Day in Rick’s house was always about staying home.

His dad was strict about that, Rick said, Christmas was for family at home. That has persisted, Rick said, so when he married Margaret and the pair lived in Huron County, they always had to make the trip to Marmora to visit with Rick’s parents at the holidays.

When they were first married, Margaret says they would be with their nieces and nephews on the family farm in Walton on Christmas morning before heading to Marmora with Rick, bringing her father Wilfred Shortreed along, to visit with Rick’s parents for a few days.

After Shortreed passed away, Margaret said, they would spend the holidays with Rick’s parents in Marmora. And when Rick’s parents passed away, Rick and Margaret began spending the holidays with one of Margaret’s cousins. The celebrations were full of good food, fellowship and card games. There have also been plenty of children at the gathering over the years, which has always been nice, Margaret said, with their infectious excitement and enthusiasm.

However, in recent years, Margaret says her cousins have begun gathering on the afternoon of

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Dec. 25. With their children a bit older now, they are often heading out to one place or another, so the afternoon of Christmas Day has served as a good time for the cousins to all get together and celebrate.

That gathering has always been marked by a non-traditional holiday meal that’s always topped off with a large portion of the aforementioned Christmas pudding, sometimes even with a little ice cream.

Margaret says that while she and Rick don’t really exchange gifts at Christmas, they like to be Secret Santas for the community at large.

Rick says that, because they are married without children and retired, they don’t have to wait for a holiday to take a trip or buy the other a gift, so that kind of generosity takes place over the course of the year.

Rick has served as one of “Santa’s helpers” in the community.

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PAGE A20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Solstice, tree search all on McQuail’s calendar

The search is on Katrina McQuail, Ben Hustis and their children Imogen and Stella recently continued a tradition that dates back to Katrina’s childhood at Meeting Place Organic Farm: the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree from somewhere in the property’s bush. (Courtesy photo) Continued from page A2 year, have all led to some “Charlie Brown” Christmas trees over the years, Katrina says, but the tradition of going out and cutting it down themselves is one that she has always cherished.

As a kid, she remembers heading out with her parents and sister Rachel on a horse-drawn sleigh, singing carols and finding the perfect (for them) tree. Now, Katrina and Ben bundle up Stella and Imogen, pack them into a

wagon and haul a chainsaw into the bush until they find their Christmas tree for the year.

This year, Katrina and Ben welcomed Rachel and her family to the farm earlier in the holiday season for an extensive holiday

baking session, another tradition for that family that is thriving this Christmas.

It should be a fun one for them, as Stella and Imogen are both reaching the age when they can truly appreciate Christmas for the first time. Katrina says the children have been captivated with the magic of Christmas, fully engaged with decorating the tree, Christmas lights and the whole experience of the holiday.

As part of the Quaker community, Katrina says another long-standing tradition at the farm has been to welcome friends and neighbours to the farm on the weekend before Christmas for a small get-together that involves a reading of the Nativity story in the barn, surrounded by the farm’s animals, another magical tradition at the farm.

This year, Meeting Place also incorporated something new into its holidays, hosting one of two Eat Local Huron holiday markets at the farm.

Having Christmas on the farm, there are always chores to do. When the family makes its bi-annual trip to the U.S. for the holidays, they arrange for neighbours to do the chores at the farm for a week or so.

However, when Katrina and Rachel were younger, they remember having hours with their stockings on Christmas morning, exploring some of their new gifts at their leisure as their parents tended to the farm before coming in and celebrating the holiday for the rest of the day.

Now, Katrina says that gifts aren’t the focal point of the holiday,

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not that they ever were, but that everyone is more focused on spending time together and gifting one another experiential gifts, rather than material presents.

Katrina says that she and Ben have been working hard to instill a sense of giving and charity in their children around the holidays.

Further to the aforementioned turn away from material gifts, they have worked to emphasize the importance of community and giving back at the holidays as well.

One of the examples of this is their goal to make annual donations of meat from the farm to the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre and other charitable donations.

In regards to the traditional aspect of gift-giving, however, Katrina and Ben have worked to focus on giving their children a gift from four different categories: one they want, one they need, one they wear and one they read.

To combat materialism, however, gifts will often be homemade or otherwise sourced in a responsible manner.

The family has also made an annual tradition of celebrating the Winter Solstice. Over the years, they have gathered with friends and hosted a bonfire or a celebration, but, more recently, just among family with a night marked by gratitude for the inevitable “return of the light” and longer days.

Furthermore, Katrina says she and Ben have been working to educate their children on other holiday celebrations marked around the world, such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Ōmisoka.