The Citizen - December 22, 2023

2 • Rescue 4 • Editorials 8 • Sports 19 • Music

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Friday, December 22, 2023

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Volume 39 No. 51

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Crusaders head for Silver Stick

That holiday feeling On Dec. 13, Hullett Central Public School students gave their parents, grandparents and friends two kicks at the can to see the school’s annual holiday concert - one in the morning and another that night. Above, filling the airwaves of Londesborough, Blyth and beyond with

Christmas cheer are, back row, from left: Liam Machan, Saoirse Power, Alaina McClinchey and Blake Lyons. Middle row, from left: Mila Lee, Lucy McDowell, Harper de Souza and Riley Poynton. Front row, from left: Kinsley James, Barrett Nurse and Grayson MacPherson. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Tonight, Dec. 22, the U11 LL Blyth Brussels Crusaders will be taking on the Goderich Sailors White team in Brussels, just ahead of a short break for the holidays.

The next day, the U7 Black Crusaders will play the Howick Hornets on the road, while the U7 White team will welcome the Mitchell Meteors to Blyth, the U11 Rep team will play the Walkerton Capitals D team on the road and the U9 LL team will be in Harriston to play the Minto Mad Dogs.

Then, just after Christmas, the U13 Rep and U15 Rep Crusader teams will both be in Kincardine for their regional Silver Stick tournament from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30.

The U15 team will begin play on Dec. 27 with a game against the Shallow Lake Lakers, followed by a contest with the Wingham Ironmen later that day.

The U13 Crusaders begin their tournament play on Dec. 28 with a game against the Saugeen Valley Steelheads D team, followed by a game with the Arran Elderslie Ice Dogs.

Then, on Dec. 29, the U15 Crusaders will play Georgian Shores, while the U13 team will play the South Grey Spartans ahead of the playoff rounds, which will commence later that day and conclude on Dec. 30.

Also on Dec. 30, the U8 Black Continued on page 17

NH budget process begins with proposed 3.33% increase

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Placed in the stockings, all hung with care, of North Huron residents, is a proposed 2024 budget with a 3.33 per cent municipal levy increase - a far cry from the controversial and extreme budget proposed for 2023.

North Huron Council held its first 2024 budget session on Tuesday and Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans and Director of Finance Chris Townes have recommended a budget with a levy increase of $240,902 over last year’s approved budget. The total tax levy is proposed to be just under $7.5 million and the budget includes $17,621,195 in operating expenses ($3,434,300 of which is for capital projects and $1,600,196 in transfers to capital reserves), which are offset by over $10 million in general municipal revenue from several federal and provincial funding sources.

The proposed budget would mean municipal taxes of $2,788.24 for the average residential house in Blyth

(valued at $199,700), $2,803.61 in Wingham and $2,753.23 in East Wawanosh. That represents an increase of $68.27 in Blyth, $73.58 in Wingham and $68.57 in East Wawanosh above 2023 levels.

Townes said that the budget incorporates the required resources to provide the service levels established by council, ensures efficient use of available resources, incorporates council-approved user pay opportunities and aligns with the goals, objectives and action items put forward in the newlyapproved 2024-2027 strategic plan.

The budget includes 18 priority capital projects, all of which have been approved by council to remain in the budget, while staff also presented a further 15 projects that could be considered, but that staff didn’t consider them to be as high a priority as the aforementioned 18 projects.

The 18 priority projects are: Blyth and Wescast dehumidifier, $75,000; Blyth Campground upgrades, $45,000; Blyth arena, $11,000; Wescast air compressor for sprinkler, $6,000; Wescast hot

water tank for flood water, $12,000; Wescast condenser pump, $10,000; Wescast HVAC unit replacement, $50,000; Wescast rink board maintenance, $20,000; Wescast emergency generator, $340,000; Child care emergency back-up generator, $60,000; tandem plow truck (2025, pre-approved), $102,300; Wingham Cemetery mower, $28,000; Reid Road project, $63,000; Mill Street project (year one), $2,450,000; Charles Street resurfacing, $40,000; Edward Street resurfacing, $75,000; Patrick Street West resurfacing, $40,000, and six new LED street lights for Park Drive, $7,000. Those projects total $3,434,300 with a total of $3,245,000 to be transferred from reserves and just $189,300 to be used from taxation.

During the first meeting, council only put forward one-and-a-third of the secondary priority projects for approval in next year’s budget. The first was $5,000 for the Riverside Park master plan, which is a third of the total $15,000 needed for the plan and refurbishment of the park.

Reeve Paul Heffer recommended

it, saying that a volunteer group is keen to begin working on improving the park, but has been waiting to do so until the master plan is in place.

The second project is $170,000 for the refurbishment of the tennis and pickleball court. The total cost of the project is $230,000, however, the project will benefit from a $60,000 grant from the Vance Fund which has to be used by the end of next year.

Other projects not considered for the second draft of the budget are: a one-ton truck, $90,000; F.E. Madill pedestrian crossing, $45,000; Catherine Street sanitary project, $700,000; skate park replacement and refurbishment, $100,000; Wescast tools and organization, $6,000; Wingham welcome sign refurbishment, $20,000; Blyth welcome sign removal and replacement, $85,000; paving of the town hall parking lot in Wingham, $600,000; asphalt hot crack sealer, $30,000; digital sign at the Blyth arena, $75,000; soccer field at the Blyth Campground, $75,000; Wescast tilt trucks, $3,000, and

Wescast front sign repair and refurbishment, $170,000.

Townes and Evans also detailed suggested changes to the staffing levels for 2024, though council had some of its own ideas in this department.

In the office of the chief administrative officer, staff recommended the addition of a summer student to assist the community engagement coordinator with marketing and as a means by which to introduce one young person to a career in local government. Staff also proposed the extension of two temporary, fulltime contracts for museum assistants to complete the deaccession project for the North Huron Museum. These changes - all of which are currently included in the first draft of the budget - would cost the township $114,420.

In the clerk’s department, staff has proposed reducing the records management contract assistants from two to one, which would save the township $58,435.

For the public works and facilities Continued on page 10

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

The one-year anniversary of a Christmas miracle Seaforth was packed in and loaded with snow and they couldn’t even open the side door to their house.

With ambulance transportation not an option, due to the extensive snow and closed roads, Emma put out a call for help on a local Facebook group, asking for anyone with a pick-up truck to come to her

aid and take her and Beckham to the local hospital.

Her call for help was answered and they made it to the hospital thanks to a Good Samaritan within the town. However, once they arrived at the hospital, Emma said the nurses were very quick to Continued on page 3

Jacquie Gowing Accounting Services • Accounting and Income Tax Preparation • Business Management Services Merry Christmas

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& Best Wishes for 2024

A look back Emma Macneil, above left, and her son Beckham, below, spent some time with John Groves, above centre, and Jamie Mitchell last Christmas as part of a heroic rescue effort to get Beckham to London for life-saving surgery. The trio sat down with The Citizen to reflect back on what was a very unusual Christmas for them all. (Shawn Loughlin photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen One year ago, a proper Christmas miracle played out on the snowpacked, abandoned-vehicle-lined streets of Huron County when a sixmonth-old Seaforth boy, in need of life-saving surgery, was delivered to Exeter and then London during the worst winter storm the area had seen in years.

Last Saturday, The Citizen sat down with Emma Macneil, whose son Beckham was facing sepsis last Christmas, and John Groves and Jamie Mitchell, both of Brussels, who came to their rescue thanks to Huron and Area Search and Rescue (HASAR) and an Argo Sherp vehicle. Sitting around Emma’s kitchen dining room table, she said that Beckham is now a boy in perfect health who is mischievous, curious and funny ahead of what will be his first proper Christmas at home with his family.

It all began during the daytime hours last Christmas Eve, when Beckham had an infection that required a trip to the hospital.

Emma said that when she needed to take Beckham to the Seaforth hospital, the family’s driveway in

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'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.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 3.

Macneils grateful for HASAR assist on Christmas served as a navigator and spotter.

Due to the conditions and continuing snowfall, it was difficult to stay on the road and know where they were at all times. Meanwhile, the spotter always had to keep his eyes open for abandoned vehicles or other obstacles as they made their way south. Groves said they would be driving and, not until they were passing it, did they know they were driving alongside the roof of an abandoned car because visibility was so bad.

When they arrived in Seaforth, it was a reunion of sorts. Emma knew Mitchell from days of serving as St. John Ambulance volunteers together. From there, Groves and Mitchell served as transportation, while Emma and Beckham loaded into the Sherp with all of the necessary equipment and a nurse to monitor Beckham along the way.

Groves and Mitchell agree that travelling was a bit different with everyone in the vehicle with them, but they were able to get to Exeter safely and in good time for the hand-off. There, an ambulance picked up Emma, Beckham and the nurse and drove the rest of the way to London. That stretch was not nearly as bad in regards to snow

Help is on the way Beckham Macneil was just six months old when he needed emergency surgery last Christmas. Luckily, Huron and Area Search and Rescue came to the family’s rescue with the Argo Centaur Sherp, inset. (Courtesy photos) Continued from page 2 identify that Beckham was going to be septic soon if he didn’t have emergency surgery.

From there, Huron County emergency management sprang into action through Chad Kregar, the county’s emergency management co-ordinator. Emma said there were four or five attempts to get an ambulance to the hospital, but every time they had to turn back.

What she heard was that it was actually not due to the weather or road conditions, but the many abandoned vehicles littering the roads.

Efforts to bring a snowplow to the hospital for transportation south towards London met the same fate and that was when Kregar turned to HASAR for options.

Thanks to an excellent relationship with Exeter’s Country Corners, the organization had

access to an Argo Sherp - a large, all-terrain vehicle that looks almost military in its application - and it just so happened to be parked at the Brussels Fire Hall.

Two Brussels residents and Huron East firefighters, who just happened to be trained to use the Sherp, then received phone calls around 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Mitchell and Groves said they were both at their respective homes, relaxing with their families, when they received the call from Huron County Emergency Management and they sprang into action, driving their trucks to the fire hall and preparing to set out with the Sherp.

Meanwhile, back in Seaforth, Emma said the medical team was preparing to treat Beckham for

sepsis when news came in that help was on the way. She had heard of HASAR through news articles and social media posts, but was unaware that the organization could assist in this way. And, while it was far too early to declare the mission accomplished, she said relief washed over her to know that people were on their way who might be able to help.

Groves and Mitchell began the trip from Brussels to Seaforth, saying it took them about 40 minutes or so. They were able to travel between 30 and 40 kilometres an hour for most of the way - 40 kilometres per hour is about the vehicle’s top speed, said Mitchell - but the key was having one person driving while the other

He shall save His people from their sins (Arthur Pink, “A Fourfold Salvation” 1938) “You shall call His name Jesus — for He shall save His people from their sins” Matthew 1:21 Our salvation from the pleasure of sin is effected by Christ’s taking up His abode in our hearts, “Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Our salvation from the penalty of sin was secured by Christ’s sufferings on the Cross where He endured the punishment due our iniquities. Our salvation from the power of sin is obtained by the gracious operations of the Spirit, whom Christ sends to His people. Our salvation from the presence of sin will be accomplished at Christ’s second advent, “We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.

And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. He will take these weak mortal bodies our ours and change them into glorious bodies like His own!” (Phil. 3:20, 21). And again we are told, “We know that when He shall appear—we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). It is all of Christ, from beginning to end!

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Salvation from the pleasure or love of sin takes place at our regeneration; salvation from the penalty or punishment of sin occurs at our justification; salvation from the power or dominion of sin is accomplished during our practical sanctification; salvation from the presence or indwelling of sin is consummated at our glorification.

“You shall call His name Jesus — for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). First, He shall save them from the pleasure or love of sin by bestowing a nature which hates it — this is the great miracle of grace.

Second, He shall save them from the penalty of punishment of sin, by remitting all its guilt — this is the grand marvel of grace. Third, He shall save them from the power of dominion of sin, by the workings of His Spirit — this reveals the wondrous might of grace. Fourth, He shall save them from the presence or indwelling of sin — this will demonstrate the glorious magnitude of grace!

A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

and road conditions, Emma said, though it was far from perfect. The travel speeds were low and the visibility wasn’t great. However, they arrived in London and Beckham underwent surgery and received the help he needed.

Over the course of the journey, Emma said Beckham was in good spirits, to the point that some of the nurses joked that it was hard to know something was ailing him.

Emma met her son again in recovery. The two were together again just as the clock struck 12:01 a.m. on Christmas Day - Emma said that memory will always remain with her because one of the nurses made a point to mention it and Christmas greetings were passed around. She said that, while it wasn’t the Christmas she had imagined, she was so happy when she knew her son was alright.

Back in Exeter, the night was far from over for Groves and Mitchell.

The plan had been for the pair to stay in Exeter to wait for the Seaforth-based nurse to be brought back to them, at which time they would take her back to Seaforth and everyone could return home.

They grabbed some food and Continued on page 11

JIM JOHNSTON CABINETRY * Kitchen Cabinets s * Vanities * Wall Units Blyth Work 519-525-3639 Home 519-523-9608

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Editorials & Opinions

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

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Middling moves forward The Catholic church is beginning a slow shift in tone to a more moderate, gentler stance on same-sex couples. Although same-sex marriages are still not recognized, the Pope has issued a new document that will now allow priests to “bless” same-sex and “irregular” couples, under certain circumstances.

While blessings should not be part of regular church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings, the Vatican feels now that this should be a sign that “God welcomes all” and people receiving a blessing “should not be required to have prior moral perfection”, an indication that it is really still a case of “love the sinner, hate the sin”, with little progress towards acceptance.

It seems to be a position that, while intended to soften the traditional treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, will possibly alienate everyone.

The LGBTQ+ and their generally liberal-minded allies are likely to feel that, without the recognition of marriage, the new policy doesn’t go far enough, while the more conservative members of the church, who have been taught for generations that same-sex relationships are sinful, will feel betrayed by this sudden change. – DS

A cracked veneer Last week, Toronto City Council went on a naming binge. If it was a thing that could be named, council was naming it last week. You might even have a new name thanks to council. Check your e-mail.

Council pulled the trigger on the long-debated renaming of YongeDundas Square to remove any reference to Henry Dundas, a British Minister who wasn’t necessarily part of the solution in regards to slavery. In the same (political) breath, council voted to rename the football stadium at Centennial Park after late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

While The Citizen couldn’t definitively clear Ford of wrongdoing in the slave trade in the late 1700s and early 1800s, he has done plenty in the recent past to call into question his validity as one deserving of a stadium naming. He was filmed using disgusting language on multiple occasions, whether it be of a racist, homophobic or sexist nature, and then, of course, there was the crack and all of that illegality.

While the street- and square-namers of the day could be forgiven for not being completely dialed in on some of the more unsavoury aspects of Henry Dundas, one simply needs access to YouTube to know all about Ford’s legacy. It seems foolhardy at best by Toronto City Council to name a stadium after such a complicated and polarizing figure.

Ignorance could be used as a defence in the Dundas naming, but with Ford, council will have nowhere else to turn. They know all there is to know about Ford, who passed away in 2016, and they named a stadium after him anyway. It’s hard not to draw a direct, headscratching line between the two naming decisions and see one as enlightened and progressive and the other as offensive and misguided.

Then again, it could just be a lesson for the kids out there. Smoke crack, kiddos, you may end up with your name on a stadium. – SL

Accessible for all In 2005, Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government passed legislation to make Ontario accessible for all of its people. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) set standards that public and private organizations will be required to meet to ensure that no person is prevented from participating in any aspect of life in this province due to personal circumstances.

Transforming buildings, adapting spaces and removing barriers is a complex process that requires sufficient time, appropriate consultation and meticulous planning to execute properly, so AODA compliance won’t come into effect until the very distant future - 2025. With the luxury of two full decades to complete the monumental task, McGuinty focused on other priorities, like cancelling gas plants and squandering an enormous amount of taxpayer cash that would have been better spent strategically planning for the implementation of the AODA’s ambitious goals and gathering data and research on people living with disabilities.

In June of this year, a scathing report came out detailing the woeful progress being made toward achieving the AODA’s expectations. With the clock ticking quickly toward 2025, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government took six months to make the report publicly available. Recently, Ford has been busy reversing several of his government’s hastily planned policies. He’s also made arrangements for alcohol to be sold in convenience stores by 2026, so anyone with a disability looking to pick up “brewskis” at the corner store will be in luck, as long as the store is, hopefully, accessible.

The report says the state of accessibility in Ontario is in “crisis” and that both the current and previous governments lacked urgency on this file. It is unlikely that the goals of the act will be completed on time.

Having a disability is not a choice, but governments failing to prioritize the AODA is. – SBS

Looking Back Through the Years December 22, 1966 The final scheduled gathering of the Brussels Village Council in 1966 took place at the Municipal Office on Dec. 14, with all members in attendance.

Melville Presbyterian Church presented its traditional candlelight carol service directed by Margaret Thompson and accompanied on the organ by Anne Oldfield. Rev. R. U. MacClean presided over the service.

Prior to the service, an organ recital was performed by Oldfield, Mary Gibson and Kathleen Krauter.

The program featured Christmas music ranging from selections by J. S. Bach to an arrangement of Handel’s “Joy to the World.”

Gibson utilized the church’s carillon in combination with the organ for “Bells Across the Meadows.”

The choral service, rendered by the Melville Church choirs, served as a meditation on the events of the Christmas story. It commenced with “The Angel Gabriel”, progressed through the “Journey to Bethlehem”, and included the serene “Silent Night.”

On Dec. 15, the Morris Council convened for its regular meeting, with the attendance of all council members.

December 22, 1976 A turkey barn near Auburn was consumed by a fire late on Saturday night, resulting in an estimated loss of about $100,000. The Blyth Fire Department responded to the emergency call at 10:50 p.m., and the Clinton department joined forces at the scene. The two fire brigades battled the blaze until 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, utilizing water from the nearby Maitland River to safeguard nearby structures.

Trinity Anglican Church hosted a potluck supper and social gathering at the Belgrave Orange Hall. The hall was adorned with a Christmas tree complete with presents underneath. As scheduled, Santa Claus made a joyful entrance, bringing delight to the younger attendees as he distributed gifts.

After spreading holiday cheer, he bid farewell, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and promising to return next year.

The Huron County Board of Education endorsed the recommendations put forth by the Executive Committee delineating capital forecasts for the upcoming year.

At the forefront of the priority list was the renovation and updating of the chemistry lab at South Huron District High School, with an estimated cost of $70,000.

Following closely was the provision of more adequate facilities at the J.A.D. McCurdy School or another suitable location in the southern part of the County, at a projected cost of $55,000.

The third priority involved the acquisition of six replacement buses, with all three of these priorities recommended to be pursued in 1977.

December 23, 1998 The regular Wednesday meeting of Mabel’s Moms took place on Dec. 16, with attendees including Cindy McKee, along with Drew and Cole; Mary Jane Hobden, accompanied by Stephen; Karen Rundle with Holly; Kim Higgins with Laura and Ashley; Lila Procter and Jessica; Melanie Pletch with Amelia; Donna Raynard, along with Heidi and Curtis; and Crystal Agombar, with Zachari and Nicholas. The discussion for the

day centred around the theme of “Teeth and Dentistry.” During the meeting, Procter, representing the group, presented Mabel with two potted flower arrangements.

Despite the chilly wind, a multitude of individuals assembled at the Ark in Brussels on Sunday night to partake in wagon rides around town, admiring festively decorated homes and reveling in Christmas carols. The Brussels Optimist Club generously arranged the rides and provided refreshments for the occasion.

On the evening of Dec. 15, Joseph Kerkhof took on the role of a snowman in the Brussels Public School’s annual Christmas pageant.

December 19, 2013 Hullett Central Public School students showcased their yearly Christmas concert, preceded by a spirited dress rehearsal on Monday morning. Despite the chilly atmosphere and a blanket of snow covering the ground, the students embraced the festive spirit of Christmas with enthusiasm, joyously dancing to the seasonal tunes.

Alice Munro, a native of the Wingham area and a resident of Central Huron, was formally honoured with the Nobel Prize for Literature on Dec. 10 in Stockholm, Sweden. Munro’s daughter, Jenny, represented her in Stockholm and received the award on her behalf.

On Sunday night, the congregations of Blyth’s churches gathered for their yearly united community Christmas service. The event included musical performances and a charitable collection for the North Huron Food Share, ultimately raising a sum exceeding $400.

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 5.

Other Views

We have so very much at Christmas

A

s Christmas approaches, pollsters have been sounding the news that most Canadians are tightening their purse strings this year when it comes to holiday shopping, with 47 per cent saying they don’t plan on spending more than $500 on food, gifts and decorations. To me, I say this is a good thing.

As we’ve gotten richer and richer as a society, we’ve spent more and more at Christmas. We seem to forget that the whole purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, whose parents, while on a trip to Bethlehem, gave birth to him in the stable of an inn. They were in Bethlehem, in response to a census that the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus required for all the Jewish people.

Jesus’ father Joseph’s roots were in Bethlehem.

For many of the 2,000 years after Jesus’ birth, the vast majority of Christians were poor, so, having a little less to spend on Christmas in 2023 is a small hardship. In fact, even in our current society’s general wealth, more Canadians than we’ve ever experienced since the Great Depression are homeless, living in tents in parks or in homeless shelters. We are inviting more people to immigrate to Canada each year, to meet the need for more people to fill available jobs, yet many of them join the homeless.

To give Canadians credit, I see stories every night on the TV news about this or that toy drive or a campaign for donated warm clothing. Yet, at the same time, I see that the Salvation Army’s Red Shield campaign, which helps fund a vast network of social and community services, was not reaching its goal in London.

Let’s remember, if Jesus’ story was being told today in our own communities, he would be born in a tent or homeless shelter, not in a

Keith Roulston

From the cluttered desk two-storey suburban home or 35-storey condominium building.

Monday, on the TV show Your Morning, Deputy-Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland told of a church on the block where she lives with a food bank with a line-up for the food bank that gets longer each week.

Many Canadians have sympathy for those who can’t provide food or shelter for themselves or their family. Some have little sympathy. In the U.S., former President Donald Trump, who likes to boast about his billions of income (even exaggerating how much he has), wins support by promising to build a wall to prevent impoverished immigrants from crossing the border from Mexico to seek the better life in the U.S. that is advertised in all the television shows the U.S. exports to the rest of the world. Where would Mary and Joseph fit under such circumstances?

Many of the Trump supporters belong to Christian churches that supposedly study the story of Jesus and his birth in Bethlehem to his earthly parents Mary and Joseph. Do these Christians see the contradiction in their wanting to block the poor people who want a piece of the American dream?

Unless we are Indigenous Canadians, all of us came to Canada from elsewhere in the world seeking a better life. My great-greatgrandparents travelled weeks on a sailing ship

in the mid-1800s to arrive in Canada and take up land near Lucknow. They battled for years to clear the trees, one at a time, so they could build a prosperous life. Generation by generation, their descendents have benefited from their bravery and lived better and better.

And yet, among the survivors, in general, are those who can’t afford a roof over their heads and food on their tables. On Your Morning, Freeland was presented with the story of a single mother who earns $28 an hour but, with high rent and car expenses, could barely afford groceries for her family.

And we live a good life by comparison.

Worldwide, there are millions who don’t have enough food or shelter. Others, in places like Ukraine and Palestine, are watching their homes being destroyed and worrying if they will find food to keep themselves alive.

So, as Christmas approaches in 2023, Canadians with a home and food on the table need to realize how fortunate we are and not grumble that we can’t spend as much as we might want to on Christmas gifts. We can see people living in tents or lined up for food banks or free meals cooked by volunteers. We need to be thankful for people who are offering a helping hand for people who are less fortunate than we are.

For most of us, Christmas needs to be about giving, not receiving. The average Canadian, whether comparing ourselves to the poor among us or beyond our borders, is so fortunate, even if times are temporarily a little tougher than we might choose them to be.

We need to remember the original Christmas story - the simplicity of the birth of Jesus - and use that as our marker of what the holiday should mean.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Should ‘Chaff’ acquaintance be forgot...

W

ell, hello! Welcome to The Chaff’s look back at the year 2023. What a year it was! It began with the month of January, which arrived on the heels of December 2022. January was, of course, followed by February, March and April, and then May took over. Fun fact - the month of May uses the fewest letters of any of the months. Feel free to share this delightful piece of trivia with all of your friends and family at holiday mixers with Yuletide elixirs. May then passed the torch to June, which yielded to July, followed by August. September, October and November lined up to take their turns, bringing us to December, a.k.a. right now! This concludes The Chaff’s 2023 year in review, a year The Chaff won’t soon forget.

It’s time to forget about 2023 forever and move onto 2024. You mean nothing to us 2023! The year 2024 is guaranteed to be a wild ride and we here at The Chaff are unbuckling our seat belts and removing our safety harnesses to get the full 2024 experience. It’s going to be dangerous, difficult and downright ugly but there’s nothing we can do but enjoy.

Show us what you got, 2024! Do your worst!

We received a mysterious Christmas gift from a lovely, thoughtful and haggard old witch - a crystal ball! When she gave it to us she said something like, “I curse you, The Chaff. I curse you and every tragic soul who reads The Chaff. This is not a Christmas gift, this is eternal damnation.” Then she cackled and disappeared into a cloud of fog. It’s hard not to get swept up into the spirit of the season when you receive this kind of kindly Christmas kindness. Merry Christmas to you too, witch!

We couldn’t wait to open the gift to start gazing into the crystal ball, so we didn’t! We ripped apart the wrapping paper like rabid raccoons and laid our frenzied eyes upon what

Scott Stephenson The Chaff we’d found. Its details are simply exquisite and it was obviously created by an expert craftsman of the dark arts. Hands down, it is one of the finest gifts we’ve ever received.

With the help of our new crystal ball (it actually seems like it’s extremely old, but it’s new to us) we are going to look ahead into the year 2024 and see what is definitely, for sure, absolutely, guaranteed to happen next year, seriously! Has The Chaff ever misled you before? No! And that’s the truth.

There’s a lot of anxiety out there about climate change, but according to the crystal ball, we should worry no longer. Turns out the climate has just been going through a tough time lately but it’s started seeing a therapist and has worked out all of the issues it’s been dealing with since its childhood, many millions of years ago. The climate has felt threatened by humans ever since we were introduced onto the planet. All of the forest fires, flooding, extreme heat and extended droughts were simply the manifestation of the climate’s anxiety about what it calls “Human Change”. In 2024, humans and the climate will join together in harmony and everything is going to be totally fine. In fact, in the summer of 2024, humans and the climate will join a recreational mixed-doubles tennis league together. Spoiler alert - the dynamic duo will end their season in third place. Ace! Politics is an ugly business and, according to the crystal ball, 2024 is going to be absolutely

hideous! Here in Canada, tension between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Leader of the Official Opposition Pierre Poilievre will reach intense, and surprisingly erotic, new heights. In a heated exchange during Question Period, Trudeau and Poilievre, both seething with what can only be described as a lustful hatred for one and other, engage in a physical confrontation in the middle of the House of Commons. At first, it seems like they are fighting, but things quickly become more amorous, shocking everyone present. Things take an even stranger turn when somehow Trudeau and Poilievre merge into a single monstrous entity. “Carbon Tax the Axe” the creature screams. “I am Prime Opposition Minister Leader, Justierre Trulievre! Give me your children! I will destroy you all!”

Speaker of the House Greg Fergus attempts to call for order but is devoured by the Right Honourable Monster Mash reigning terror and destruction over the heart of Canadian democracy. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, equipped with a sword, heroically confronts the beast but is unable to stop the creature from wreaking havoc in the House. Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb goes unnoticed in the back benches.

South of the border, Donald Trump is reelected President of the United States, effectively ending American democracy. On his first day in office, Trump orders the military to invade Canada. Trulievre is captured and caged and the process of piping the Great Lakes down to the southwestern states begins. It’s actually quite similar to the film Mad Max: Fury Road.

These were the only predictions offered up before the witch’s gift exploded, causing extensive damage to The Chaff’s office.

From everyone here at The Chaff, Chaffy holidays one and all!

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

A wonderful life

M

any, many years ago, the folks at The Citizen looked inwards at Christmas and we wrote our annual holiday feature stories on ourselves. Those of us in the editorial department, production and even Jill and Keith Roulston, founders of The Citizen, reflected on their very own holiday traditions.

When I wrote my story, I reflected on the role my grandparents played. They lived around the corner from us and, mainly my grandmother (Oma in her native German, which is what we called her), served as our caretakers a lot of the time as both of our parents worked diligently. My father, a 33-year member of the Toronto Police Service, worked on shift, as you can imagine, and that meant that some Christmases were late, early, or even on non-Christmas days to accommodate him.

There were a few other historic Christmas traditions - like mostly celebrating on Christmas Eve in the German tradition or always visiting with a dear friend, Chris Stunguris, and his family on Christmas Eve when I returned to Pickering for the holidays but it mostly discussed the role my grandparents played at Christmas as a constant when my parents’ schedules would fluctuate.

What a difference a few years can make. I think now to what Christmas has become as the father of two young children. We host our Christmas celebration at our house and those holiday trips to Durham Region are mostly a thing of the past. This year, with Tallulah now almost three-and-a-half years old, she will have a true appreciation for all the holidays have to offer this year. She’s been to a few Santa Claus parades this season and she’s even been in one (last Saturday’s Blyth parade for those Blyth-based, eagle-eyed parade-goers and hyphen-enthusiasts) and she’s really embraced the tradition of it all (pipe bands: yes, the loud truck horns: not so much).

As I sat down with Scott (no corners cut here - he interviewed us just as he did with the others for his “Baby’s First Christmas” story), it gave me pause to reflect on how much the holidays - and, really, our lives - have changed since buying our house in Blyth, getting married and having children - building the life here together that we have always wanted.

Christmas has only been one of the stops along the way on that journey. We’ve marked so many milestones now as a family of four.

Welcoming Cooper in early February meant that we have had many birthdays, holidays and other days to remember with him.

And now, as a kid who was always lucky to have a mountain of presents under the tree (now, as the one who buys said presents, I see just how obscene it was and how lucky we were to have all that we were given, despite not exactly being a one per cent family) my eyes have shifted from what was under the tree for me to how my children will enjoy what we’ve chosen for them (or what Santa may have left under the tree in those fateful hours between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

This year has been the perfect chance, with so much change and growth and new people to get to know and love, to reflect on all that’s changed over the past few years and how lucky we are to have all that we do.

The day-to-day struggle with young children and a full-time, rather consuming job can be a challenge to juggle to say the least, but, at the end of the day, Jess and I are so lucky to have what we do and to have created the two people we love the most in this world. Watching them enjoy Christmas and do things for the first, second or third time has been a true joy and this Christmas is only the latest chapter.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Concert benefits local Foodgrains growing projects A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

“The days are hastening on....”

The words that come from an old carol are still pretty clear about the movement of time in December. Be sure to remember the reason for this season and make your days tell of the peace, hope, joy and love that is Advent, the lead up to Christmas.

If joy was a reason for a gathering at Clinton United Church on Sunday, it worked. A full house was filled with joy as the Amabile

Choirs from London offered their dedication and talents to a happy crowd. This volunteering of the three choirs was wonderful.

With this kind of support, the local committee was much encouraged in their work.

Supporting the Canadian Foodgrains Bank through our local Fields of Faith Growing Project and the Clinton Growing Project, the three choirs volunteered their beautiful music to this event. To see the joy in the young faces as they performed a wide variety of music and a little action made for a lovely afternoon.

Knowing that the ticket sales will do a whole lot of good with the many projects the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is involved in and many of those, with four-to-one government support. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is considered one of the top 10 charities in Canada,

with many from our area supporting it, and on Sunday they attended this joyful event. To see Gary Earl sitting in church twice on one day was worth the ticket price.

Saturday was goodbye day for Lynda Shaw at Maitland River Community Church. It was a joyfilled time as folks recalled the way Lynda impacted their life. Her joy, her struggles, her energy, her directness and her love of life set the tone. My bet is that Harvey and Betty had no idea what joy Lynda gave her friends. They know now.

Son Brady and brother Doug and Debbie were surrounded with loving memories and goodbyes from many friends and family.

With Christmas comes memories and, as we move along, take time to think about the people who influenced your life. Knowing each day means new memories are being made.

At the Branch

do a better job in 2024 and schedule a visit and a cheque in the new year.

We live in a privileged place - see the needs of others and do what you can.

May you have a blessed Christmas time.

Bye now. Betty G. and Ralph Watson

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Velma Rabey, $214.

Envelope #33 found the Jack of Spades Next estimated jackpot is $7,000

BRUSSELS

Branch to break until Dec. 30

By Jo-Ann McDonald Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all the members of Brussels Branch 218 and to all who support the Brussels Branch. The community of Brussels is wonderful to support the many service clubs in town and the many events sponsored by all. May everyone enjoy the holiday season with family and friends and welcome in 2024.

The Branch had another busy week to almost finish the year. The Lions Club held its Christmas dinner and meeting on Monday. On Tuesday, the Cadet Corps met and then they met again on Dec. 19 for their Christmas dinner. On Thursday evening, the Maitland Valley Camera Club met at the Branch and enjoyed a Christmas dinner. Comrades Jo-Ann, Linda Bird and Kathy Burkholder were on kitchen duties, with Nanci Ducharme at the bar. The 18 members enjoyed a turkey dinner and silent auction during the evening.

Downstairs, the Thursday night darters were enjoying their night aiming at the boards. The firstplace team was Randy White and

We do a good job of acting the Advent words at Christmas. Now, try really hard to visit the nursing homes in January and February and write a cheque to the food bank then as well.

The need for love and support is ongoing, we feel good in December when we are in a giving mood, but

Sandra Brown. After a tie-breaker, the second-place team was Chris Brown and Louise Poirier. The third-place team was Paul Willie, Lynda Davies and Rhonda Davies.

The high shots were made by Sandra (121) and Chris (104). Darts will continue through the Christmas holiday and will be held on Dec. 28 and Jan. 4. Come out and play any Thursday night for some fun.

Friday night was the Catch the Ace draw with Kathy Burkholder, Nanci Ducharme and Deb Ross on duty. The lucky weekly winner was Velma Rabey, who won $214. Her card choice was number 33 and the jack of spades was revealed. The estimated jackpot for Dec. 22 is $7,500.

It was the annual Christmas draws and wing night at the Branch also on Friday evening. The entertainment committee was in charge alongside helpers Lisa Glanville, Zoellyn Onn, Jamie Mitchell, Mike Dauphin, Nanci Ducharme and Andy Overholt. The wing chefs were Deb Ross, Jim Brown, Tim Nyholt and Eric Ross.

They were busy keeping up with demand.

It was close to a full house with

lots of folks and some happy folks winning prizes. Good job by the entertainment crew to feed everyone and keep them happy.

We will all be happy with the break in the action at the Branch until Dec. 30, when the last function of 2023 will happen.

Again, Merry Christmas to all!

U United Chur Church Come, Celebrate Christmas the Invitation is open to all Sunday y, December 24 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Sunday y, December 31 at Blyth United ~ 11:00 a.m. (no service at Brussels United)

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 7.

Candy, beer taken in overnight theft at market

Break and enter Blyth Food Market fell victim to an overnight break and enter on Dec. 14. The front door was damaged, though not much was taken in the incident. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

The Blyth Food Market grocery store and LCBO outlet was the scene of a brazen break-in on

Thursday, Dec. 14. The incident unfolded sometime after closing on Dec. 13 and before bakery manager, Shannon Montgomery, arrived for her usual 6:45 a.m. shift the following day, when she discovered

the front door shattered by a cinder block.

The Citizen had the opportunity to speak with Montgomery, a seasoned employee who has been with the market since 2005. She described the unsettling scene upon her arrival, “When I pulled up, I noticed that the papers in the front hall were moving, and I thought, that’s weird, and then I noticed that the front door was smashed in… there were cinder blocks thrown through the door, so there was glass everywhere and papers everywhere.”

Further investigation revealed not only the property damage, but also the theft of various items.

Montgomery expressed uncertainty regarding the stolen goods, stating, “I’m assuming that they took alcohol, but we don’t know that for sure. They didn’t get any money. I don’t know how they didn’t see it, but they didn’t. They pulled drawers out, there was some beer on the ground that looked like it had just been dropped.”

Describing the incident as unprecedented, Montgomery emphasized, “This has never happened before. It’s not a common thing.” Montgomery promptly notified the police, adding, “There are cameras, so we are just waiting for the owner to show up, so we can look at the cameras and see what happened.”

Huron OPP Constable Craig Soldan provided some insight into the ongoing investigation, stating,

“It was a break and enter, and alcohol was stolen. Officers are trying to get video surveillance to assist the investigation.”

Following a review of the footage, Montgomery provided The Citizen with an update, revealing, “Two guys broke in at 4 a.m., they

took lighters, a case of pop, chocolate bars and two cases of beer.”

The Blyth Food Market is now working closely with law enforcement to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for this event.

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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Christmas Eve service set for Blyth United

NEWS FROM BLYTH

BY DEB HAKKERS It’s just three days until Christmas and I am not ready! I am still working on my homemade chocolates. Mom remains in Clinton hospital, where she and Lillian Appleby are keeping track of one another.

This week, we wish Happy Birthday to Karen Mason on Dec. 23, Bill Howson on Dec. 28, Brock Vodden on Dec. 29 and to my birthday buddies on Jan. 4: Mike Haggitt and Jenna DeCorte. Hope everyone enjoys their special day!

We also wish happy anniversary to Karen and Rob Mason on Dec. 28.

Be sure to check out all the local

The Choice is Yours!

churches for their Christmas Eve services. Rev. Alex Jebson at Blyth United Church is looking forward to a live Christmas Eve service.

This will be the first one since he arrived, first because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then last year’s cancellations due to the snow, so he is looking forward to being able to see his audience.

On behalf of Mom and Dave, and myself and Fred and our family, we wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and Happy New Year.

MAITLAND VALLEY CAMERA CLUB

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PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

U13 Heat win Silver Stick silver in Saugeen Shores the Lucan Irish C team in Seaforth on Dec. 22, while the U13 BB Heat will be in action later that night, taking on the South Huron Sabres in Zurich.

On Dec. 23, the U9 C and HL Heat teams will be playing two North Middlesex Junior Stars teams in Seaforth, while the U15 BB Heat will play the Waterloo Ravens on the road, the U9 B Heat will welcome the Grand River Mustangs to Seaforth, the U11 BB Heat will host the Owen Sound Ice Hawks in Blyth and the U11 HL Heat will play the North Middlesex Junior Stars HL team in Seaforth.

Action begins for the Heat again after the holidays on Dec. 27 with the U18 C team playing the

A tie for Christmas

Mitchell Meteors C team on the road, followed by a game between the U9 B Heat and the Kitchener Lady Rangers on Dec. 29 in Clinton.

The U11 HL Heat will play the Ilderton Jets HL team in Seaforth on Dec. 30, while, also that day, the U13 C Heat will be on the road to play the Stratford Aces C team, the U15 BB Heat will play the South Huron Sabres on the road and the U11 C Heat will be on the road to also play a South Huron Sabres team.

Then, on New Year’s Eve, the U15 C Heat will play the St. Thomas Panthers HL team and the U15 BB Heat will play the Guelph Junior Gryphons, both in Clinton, to end the 2023 calendar year.

The U11 BB Huron Heat played to a 1-1 tie with the London Devilettes in Blyth on Saturday. (John Stephenson photo) The U13 C Huron Heat travelled to Saugeen Shores over the weekend to take part in the annual Silver Stick tournament and returned with silver medals after a hard-fought battle in the finals.

The Heat played the Central Perth Predators in the final and lost by a score of 3-2. Their path to the finals began on Dec. 15 with an 8-0 win over the Owen Sound Ice Hawks and a 1-1 tie with the Central Perth Predators.

The next day, the team beat the Kincardine Kinucks by a score of 21, followed by a 3-0 victory over the North Middlesex Junior Stars and a 3-0 victory over the Wilmot Wolverines in the semifinals on Saturday night, setting up the championship match-up on Sunday.

The U18 C Huron Heat was also in Saugeen Shores for the Silver Stick tournament. The team made it to the semifinal round on Sunday, but fell to the Grey Highlands Shooting Stars by a score of 2-1.

The more senior Heat team opened tournament play on Friday with a game against the Kincardine Kinucks, which the Heat won by a score of 3-2.

The next day, the team took to the ice once again to play the Sarnia Lady Sting, but fell by a score of 10, followed by a 3-1 win over the Westmoreland Eagles and then a 21 defeat at the hands of the Lambton Attack.

In regular season action on Dec. 17, the U13 HL Heat welcomed the Ilderton Jets HL team to Clinton and won by a score of 3-1. The U18 BB Heat shutout the Guelph Junior Gryphons in Seaforth by a score of 5-0 that night, while the U11 HL team travelled to St. Thomas to play the Panthers HL team, but that game ended in a scoreless tie. The U11 C Heat beat the St. Marys Rock on the road that day by a score of 3-0, while the U15 C Heat played Lucan/Parkhill and the U11 BB Heat played the Ayr Rockets, both on the road, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

On Dec. 16, the U13 HL Heat lost to the St. Marys Rock HL team in Goderich by a score of 2-1. Also that day, the U11 HL Heat lost to the South Huron Sabres HL team in Seaforth by a score of 4-2, but the U11 C Heat beat the Stratford Aces C team, also in Seaforth, by a score of 3-0 and the U11 BB Heat tied the London Devilettes at one in Blyth.

That night, the U18 BB Heat beat the Owen Sound Ice Hawks in Clinton by a score of 4-3 and the U15 BB Heat lost to the Lambeth Lancers on the road by a score of 31. The U9 B Heat played the Grand River Mustangs in Seaforth and the U9 C and U9 HL Heat teams played two Lambeth Lancers teams on the road in two half-ice games, but scores were not kept.

On Dec. 15, in regular season action, the U13 BB Heat welcomed the London Devilettes to Seaforth, but lost by a score of 1-0.

Dec. 13 proved to be a lucky day for the Heat, as the U11 BB Heat beat the Grand River Mustangs on the road that night by a score of 1-0 and the U18 BB Heat beat the Guelph Junior Gryphons, also on the road, by a score of 8-0, while, on Dec. 12, the U15 C Heat beat the Woodstock Wildcats C team in Seaforth by a score of 6-2, one night after the team lost to the St. Marys Rock C team on the road by a score of 3-0.

On Dec. 18, the U13 C Heat played the Twin Centre Hericanes C team on the road, followed by a game between the U15 C Heat and the Wilmot Wolverines C team in Seaforth on Dec. 19, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

Looking ahead, there will be a handful of games before the holidays. The U11 C Heat will host

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 9.

Ironmen split weekend games to end 2023 third place with 32 points and a record of 13-8-1-5, followed by the fourth-place Walkerton Capitals with 29 points and a record of 13-91-2, the fifth-place Ironmen with a record of 11-13-2-1 and 25 points, the Fergus Whalers in sixth place with a record of 8-12-3-2 and 21 points, the seventh-place Mitchell

Hawks with 20 points and a record of 8-14-2-2 and the last-place Goderich Flyers with a record of 221-1-2 and seven points.

The Ironmen have now played their last game of 2023. They will pick back up again on Saturday, Jan. 6 with a game against the Mitchell Hawks on the road.

Chipping away Last Friday, the Wingham Ironmen defeated the Fergus Whalers by a score of 4-1, above, but then lost to the Hanover Barons on the road on Sunday by a score of 4-2.

(John Stephenson photo)

The Wingham Ironmen split their games over the weekend, ending the calendar year in fifth place in the North Pollock Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, primed for an early 2024 push for the playoffs.

Last Friday night, the Ironmen beat the Fergus Whalers by a score of 4-1 in Wingham, followed by a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Hanover Barons on the road on Sunday, Dec. 17.

In Wingham’s win over the Whalers, Micah Kraayenbrink opened the scoring at 6:40 of the second period with a power-play goal, assisted by Jesse Coombs and Noah Wettlaufer. However, the teams would start the third period tied at one after Henry Turner scored for the Whalers at 18:26 of the second period, assisted by Ty Anselmini.

In the third period, it was all Wingham as the Ironmen cruised to victory. Jesse Coombs scored a shorthanded goal at 3:02, assisted

by Micah Kraayenbrink and Coleson Fischer, followed by an Adam MacRobbie goal at 13:42, assisted by Noah Wettlaufer and Austin Becker, and Kraayenbrink’s second goal of the game at 19:08 an unassisted, shorthanded, emptynet goal to put the game away.

Garrett Golley earned the win in the Ironmen net, stopping 39 of the 40 shots he faced, while Bradley Boville lost the game for the Whalers, stopping 32 of the 35 shots he faced.

Then, on Sunday, Hanover scored the only goal of the first two periods when Patrick Brown, assisted by Curtis Arnold and Cam Angst, scored at 1:59 of the second period to put the Barons up by a score of 1-0 going into the third period.

Wingham would even the score just 16 seconds into the third period thanks to a goal scored by Micah Kraayenbrink and assisted by Jesse Coombs, followed by two Hanover goals. Spencer Davidson scored at 6:57, assisted by Wyatt Caylet and Cam Angst, and then Alex McGillivray scored at 13:46 of the third, assisted by Austin Farlow and Ryan Goetz.

Wingham’s Noah Wettlaufer scored at 18:13, assisted by Noah Bloemberg and Tayt Bramhill, but it was too little, too late, as the Barons won the game. Erick Gulutzen put the icing on the cake for Hanover with an empty-net goal scored at 19:54, assisted by Drayton Howell and Robert Nicholson, to end the game.

Neither goaltender faced more

than 20 shots over the course of the game. Garrett Golley was tagged with the loss for the Ironmen, stopping 16 of the 19 shots he faced, while Derek Hartley stopped 15 of 17 shots for the Barons.

The Hanover Barons remain in first place in the division with a record of 20-3-0-2 and 42 points, followed closely by the Mount Forest Patriots in second place with a record of 20-4-1-0 and 41 points.

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

NH approves grants, Palmer preaches belt tightening

Continued from page 1 department, staff has proposed an elimination of the cemetery grasscutting contract in place of two summer students cutting grass at the township’s cemeteries and the elimination of a part-time bylaw officer, which staff said has been proven difficult to fill, in place of a third-party contract. The summer students would provide savings for the township but those changes, overall, would cost the municipality $24,560.

Staff is recommending the addition of two full-time early childhood educators at a cost to the municipality of $143,387. With a waiting list in excess of 150 families for the services of North Huron childcare and centres not being fully operational due to staffing shortages, staff said that the new employees would allow the municipality to take on more children, meaning more funding and revenue.

There were no proposed staffing changes for either the finance or fire chief departments.

Council was concerned about the summer student proposal to assist with marketing and opted to remove it from the budget before the second draft is presented.

Furthermore, Councillor Chris Palmer recommended an evaluation of the economic development officer position, which currently sits vacant.

He said the previous officer left North Huron in a good place and, with less and less available land in the township, he felt the portfolio of that position will only reduce in the future, so he felt it could be eliminated.

Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer wondered aloud about rolling some of the position’s tasks into the community engagement coordinator position with sufficient training and resources. However, Councillor Anita van Hittersum felt that position needed less responsibility, rather than more, as Denise Lockie is already swamped as it is.

Councillor Mitch Wright sat on the fence between the two opinions,

saying he felt the position should remain in the budget, but that council should have a thorough discussion about the position before the township works to fill it.

Council opted to keep the two summer students cutting grass for the township’s cemeteries in the budget, as well as the two new early childhood educators, though van Hittersum recommended funding those positions from reserves, to a maximum of $150,000, until the township knows how much funding it will receive from the upper tiers of government in January. At that point, council will have a clearer picture of what’s needed in that department, she said. She also asked staff to pen a letter to the federal government to that effect.

Palmer grumbled about the rise in policing costs, saying East Wawanosh residents have been frustrated with recent increases, despite not seeing any more value for their dollars in terms of policing. He asked that changes be considered, but Townes said that the township is required to provide

Obituaries

ELIZABETH “LIZ” ANN (née Stephenson) SHOLDICE Elizabeth “Liz’ Ann (née Stephenson) Sholdice passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Dec. 19th at Seaforth

Community Hospital in her 82nd year.

The loving wife of the late Kenneth (2018) for 58 years, Liz was the proud mom of Doug and Corry Sholdice, Cathy and Randy Fischer, and Don and Jill Sholdice.

She was the devoted grandma of Alix, Ryan and Cassidy, Jordyn and Greg, Meagan, Travis, Lacey and John, Jodi and Justin, Ashley and Tucker and Holly and the greatgrandma to seven greatgrandchildren.

Liz was the sister-in-law of Nora Stephenson.

She was predeceased by siblings Isabel (George) Heimpel, Bill (Velma) Stephenson, Jean (Lloyd) Schmidt, Dick (Sarah) Stephenson, Doc Stephenson, Kenneth Stephenson, Doreen (Lorne) Dale, Shirley (Ken) Wilken and Liz will be missed by several nieces and nephews.

Liz was a retired postmaster from

Merry Christmas

the Brussels Post Office, working there for over 25 years. She had a lovely smile and a humble laugh.

Liz was a kind woman, known for her baking and her quilts and enjoyed volunteering at the Brussels United Church baking pies.

Liz loved her grandkids and enjoyed spending time with them, either in person or over the phone.

She had a large group of friends and enjoyed being social around Brussels. She was proud of her children and their accomplishments and always made sure they were happy and treated fairly.

Cremation has taken place. A private family ceremony will take place.

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Brussels United Church or the Seaforth Community Hospital would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca

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increase to the tax levy, he felt there was still some work that needed to be done and that belts needed to be tightened ahead of final approval.

The next North Huron budget meeting is set for Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at 9 a.m. in council’s new chambers.

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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Wishing all our friends and customers a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!

the service and is mandated to bill it under a certain formula and, frankly, that East Wawanosh residents’ concerns were out of the township’s hands in this case.

Council also preauthorized two budget items related to the museum deaccessioning to keep those efforts moving and approved several community grants: $500 for the Blyth Community Betterment Group, $150 for the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, $300 for the Elementary School Fair, $1,000 for the Belgrave Playground Project, $1,000 for the North Huron Community Food Share and $1,000 for the North Huron Connection Centre for a total of just under $4,000 of a budgetted $6,000 for grants.

Council also made a note that the township would continue to support the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story to the tune of $3,000, but that it would remain a budget line item and not be included in the grant budget.

Palmer said that, while he was pleased to see such a modest

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Ho-ho-hope your holiday delivers all the happiness and good fortune you deserve!

We’re grateful for your thoughtfulness and support this year, and we look forward to seeing more of you in the new year.

See you at the Annual General Meeting on Friday, Jan 12th Doors open at 6 pm, Potluck at 6:30 pm www.brusselsfallfair.ca at the BMGCC

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!

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 11.

Groves, Mitchell made many rescues last Christmas

Back to normal Beckham Macneil, seen above with patriarch Adam recently, one year after he was facing an uncertain future around the holidays. (Courtesy photo) Continued from page 3 waited, but then the calls began coming in. Through Huron County Emergency Management, they were deployed to assist a few other people in the area, eventually returning to Exeter to pick up the nurse, take her back to Seaforth and then return home to Brussels, somewhere around 4 a.m., about 12 hours after they first departed in the Sherp.

Mitchell said that one of the more difficult aspects of their rescue efforts was staying on task. Many people had been stranded on the roads, attempting to drive on closed roads, but they were assigned to specific incidents through Huron County Emergency Management and had to take care of those, as instructed.

Both men said they went to bed soon after returning home in an attempt to catch up on some wellearned sleep. However, their phones rang again shortly after 9 a.m. They were called to another similar situation - this time in the Kincardine area. They travelled west and delivered another person in distress to hospital in Kincardine and then eventually made it back to Brussels in time to have Christmas dinner and celebrations with their

respective families after 24 hours as superheroes.

Groves was fast asleep until Mitchell calling him jarred him awake, while Mitchell was up a little earlier, despite his late night.

Mitchell’s son Benjamin was just six months old at the time as well the same age as Beckham - so the Christmas Eve heroics certainly impacted him in a deeply personal way. He said it was easy to picture himself, his wife and his son in that same position, which is why it was so satisfying to be able to help.

One thing he felt he did learn from the whole experience was the virtue of being prepared and not leaving things to the last minute.

Furthermore, both he and Emma extolled the virtue of listening when roads are closed. There were opportunities for ambulances or snow plows to get to the hospital, meaning HASAR and its Sherp wouldn’t have been necessary, but with the road littered with the cars and trucks of those who thought they could get where they were going, those efforts were unsuccessful. Mitchell added that it was the wasteland of vehicles that caused the lengthy delay in clearing the roads for the county, not the snow, as Christmas turned

to New Year’s last year.

Back at home, Mitchell said he was able to spend that first Christmas with Benjamin and his wife, even with all of that time on the road. However, this year, he hopes for a quiet Christmas at home with his family and, even with all of the excitement of last year’s holidays, Mitchell counts himself lucky to have spent the time that he did with his family when so many others were stranded and unable to see their loved ones at Christmas.

At the Macneil house, Emma said she also hopes for a quiet Christmas filled with time with her husband Adam, their older son Lochlan and, of course, Beckham, who is now back to full health and keeping busy as a one-and-a-half-year-old.

Emma said Beckham has learned a lot from his brother and has picked up walking, talking and getting into trouble from Lochlan.

For example, she said, if he wants a croissant from the kitchen counter, he’ll drag a chair over, step up, retrieve his beloved croissant, say “croissant” while doing so, and then scuttle off to eat it, Emma said with a smile.

On Mitchell’s note about always being prepared, Emma said that last Christmas has brought about a feeling in her that often returns.

Any time it snows now, Emma is fanatical about clearing the driveway and the doors, always wanting to know that she and her family have a way out of the house, if necessary.

For Groves and Mitchell, they are both volunteer firefighters with the Brussels division of the Huron East Fire Department and they say they and their families are used to them having to get up and leave at a moment’s notice, but that what happened last Christmas was different, both for them and for HASAR. Groves said he’s always surprised at how often that particular rescue comes up. He said he’ll be at a hockey tournament or out with his family and people he doesn’t know will come up to him, having read articles or seen him on the news, to talk to him about that fateful Christmas.

Mitchell concurs, saying the same has happened to him, but that the rescue has really helped to elevate the profile of and awareness for

Warm wishes for a wonderful Christmas and all the best for the New Year

HASAR. People know about the rescue, he said, and now people know all that the organization is capable of and how it can help the residents of Huron County and beyond.

Emma agrees, saying that that is the exact reason she was so keen to reunite with Groves and Mitchell and to tell this story once again and reflect back on it one year later. She considers herself so lucky to have HASAR and its volunteers ready, willing and able to help in such situations and it’s important that everyone knows about the good the

organization is doing within the community.

Groves, reflecting back on first being trained on the Sherp, said it was a great opportunity to learn how to drive the vehicle, but admitted that both he and Mitchell wondered about the circumstances under which it would ever be required. Now, one year later, it’s clear that the training and dedication to always being prepared has paid off, as Beckham Macneil will celebrate Christmas with his family, at home, as a healthy, happy toddler.

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PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Hullett concert brings fun message for holidays

Merry Christmas, everyone. May you enjoy a memorable Christmas time.

Just a reminder as you gather over the next 10 days, COVID-19 is still out there. A report last weekend stated that from September through November more people died in Ontario from the virus (574) than died in traffic accidents in 2022 (350). Most of these viral deaths were in the vulnerable groups, the elderly and the very young. So, remember, you are masking for the other people with whom you come in contact, as well as yourself.

Ontarians have built up some immunity, but it is still a nasty thing to suffer from, especially if one becomes a long-haul COVID sufferer. Think of how you would feel if a grandparent at a Christmas event ended up in hospital on oxygen. Get out those masks again.

Ever since the “Moving Sale” sign went up on the window at Pianovations in the village, I’ve been wondering where they might be re-locating. Now we noticed a sign on the window of the former Marietta’s location in Clinton

suggesting Pianovations is headed there. It will certainly be a great location for their store.

Licensed Worship Lay Leader Sue Barnett led the morning worship at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, Dec. 17, the third week in the Christian calendar of Advent. Sue lit the candle of Joy in the Advent wreath.

During her time with the children, Mrs. Barnett read a story titled “Christmas Begins with Christ” and talked to them about what gives them joy.

During her reflection, Sue read a story entitled, “Jerry’s Christmas”.

Congregants were reminded that we must receive the gift of Christmas to become the children of God. That gift brings joy.

Barb Bosman sang a beautiful Christmas number, “[Take a ] Walk Through Bethlehem”.

The community is invited to worship at Londesborough United Church twice on Dec. 24; once for Communion at 10:30 a.m. and for the Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

This last week of classes at Hullett Central Public School before the Christmas break was another spirit week, each day having something to do with Christmas attire. If you happened by the school this week, you would have known which day it was by the children’s clothing. Monday was Christmas or winter hat day, Tuesday was wear a Christmas sweater day, Wednesday was Christmas sock day, Thursday was wear red and green attire and,

finally, Friday was Christmas pajama day. Imagine going to school in one’s pajamas! What would our mothers or grandmothers have thought of that?

On Dec. 13, the Primary classes at Hullett Central presented a Christmas concert. Light was the theme of the concert, each class telling their story in song. Seven older pupils acted as emcees. They wore Santa or top hats and a string of coloured lights. To begin the show, these pupils explained that, although Christmas brings thoughts of many different things, they enjoy the lights most.

For the Kindergarten children, this is usually their first time in

front of an audience, and the teachers are prepared to allow a little time for waving between children and parents. Their excitement and nervousness are enchanting. The emcees mentioned that the excitement of the concert/season would be evident in dancing, actions and wiggling.

Each class had lights of some kind, battery-operated lighted toques or strings of lights, candles, flashlights, big light bulb hats, etc.

Attire included Christmas clothing, top hats, toques and Santa hats. All the pupils in Mrs. Plumsteel’s class

wore black clothing with fluorescent tape. It was spectacular as they danced and sang with the lights out.

The message of the concert was that each of us can be a light in a world of discontent and sadness.

The audience was encouraged to shine brightly in the world and demonstrate peace and love. The finale of the concert had every one of the Primary children on stage with a candle and singing for peace around the world.

It was a fun concert with an important message.

From everyone at G. McGrath Plumbing & Heating Inc. We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in 2024!

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

From Greg, Erin & Larry

From our Home to yours we wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a healthy & prosperous New Year!

Shine a light From left, Brandon Courtney, Luke Dalton, Jack Gahan, Bennett VanBakel, Olivia Watson and Atlas Stewart all perform in Hullett Central Public School’s annual holiday concert, which was performed twice - once in the morning and again at night - on Dec. 13. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Merry Christmas Barry Elliott Mutual Fund Representative

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Happy Holidays from the McDonald family and staff

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 13.

BLYTH Y 519-523-4244

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www.ruralvoice e.ca

Scott family recognizes Hall of Fame induction

Quite an honour Members of Robert James Scott’s family were honoured by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture at its annual general meeting earlier this fall with a special plaque and ceremony to honour Scott’s induction into the Huron County Agricultural Hall of Fame. (Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot photo)

By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot The Rural Voice

Robert James (RJ) Scott was posthumously inducted into the

Huron County Agricultural Hall of Fame at the annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture (HCFA) in late October.

Mary Eccles, Robert’s daughter,

accepted a plaque honouring her father that will be hung up in the Huron County Museum.

Many family members were in attendance to honour

their grandfather/great-grandfather.

RJ Scott was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame earlier this year. Joan Vincent read a history of RJ’s contributions to agriculture.

“Robert J. Scott was from the Belgrave area. Robert James Scott (1900 – 1946) was one of Ontario’s greatest and most influential farm activists and was one of the most prominent men in Canadian agriculture during the 1930s and the 1940s. He passionately worked to organize farmers into cooperatives where farmers would pool their resources. By organizing farmers, they were then able to be more competitive, were no longer taken advantage of and had a strong, united voice to influence change.

“He led the United Farmers’ Cooperative of Ontario, advocated for many farm-related matters such as for fixed prices of commodities during the Second World War to guarantee an adequate food supply.

He spoke up for fair railway freight rates for crops and was called upon for advice by Ontario Premiers and Prime Minister Mackenzie King.

“At the time of his premature death, he was a director for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Ontario Stockyards Board and the Ontario Beef Cattle Producers’ Association.”

She added that Scott will also be inducted into the Huron County Federation of Agriculture’s Wall of Fame at the Huron County Museum.

Vincent then presented RJ Scott’s daughter, Mary Eccles, with the

plaque that will be hung up. Eccles was supported by a large contingent of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren of RJ Scott. “To think that all his grandchildren were able to be in Fergus in June (at the induction ceremony even though they had never met the man… they are still very connected and I’m sure grandma and grandpa are looking down and very proud of you all.”

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BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK REPORT For the week ending December 15, 2023 Total Receipts: 2,229 cattle and 1,370 lambs and goats Tuesday - Fed steers and heifers sold $2 - $3 easier. Cows sold on a selective demand at easier prices.

Thursday - Veal, lamb, sheep and goats sold steady.

Cows: There were 450 cows on offer: Good Beef Cows: $120 – $145 up to $181 Plain Beef Cows: $100 – $119 Good Holstein Cows: $120 – $135 up to $177 Medium Holstein Cows: $108 – $117 Plain Holstein Cows: $95 – $105 Bulls: $141 – $185

Friday - Choice calves sold $5 - $10 higher. Second cut calves sold steady.

Yearlings sold on a strong active trade at higher prices.

Mike and Tina Metske of Lucknow, consigned four head. 1 red white-face cow weighed 1,200 lbs. and sold for $181.

Fed Cattle: There were 80 fed cattle on offer.

Veal: There were 105 veal on offer.

Choice Fed Cattle: $225 – $230 Second Cut Fed Cattle: $220 – $224 Aged & Medium Fed Cattle: $210 – $219 Holstein Fed Cattle: $165 – $190 Helmsview Farms Inc. of Cargill, consigned three head. Three charolais steers averaged 1,573 lbs. and sold for $228.

Lambs: Under 50 lbs.: $220 – $460 50-64 lbs.: $320 – $429 up to $465 65-79 lbs.: $300 – $362.50 up to $430 80-94 lbs.: $260 – $296 up to $313 95-109 lbs.: $247 – $272 up to $274 110 lbs. and over: $205 – $246 Sheep: $112.50 – $250

Beef Veal: $250 – $276 Good Holsteins: $225 – $251 SL Heavy Holsteins: $220 – $247 Heavy Holsteins: $200 – $230 Medium Holsteins: $210 – $220 Plain Holsteins: $195 – $205 Drop Calves: $400 – $700 / HEAD Albrecht and Annelies Ringgenberg of Walton, consigned three head. One holstein veal weighed 725 lbs. and sold for $274.

Goats: Meat Kids: $350 – $437.50 Dairy Kids: $300 – $410 Mature Bucks: $300 – $500 Mature Does: $150 – $300 Baird Brothers of Wingham, consigned 11 head. Five lambs averaged 72 lbs. and sold for an average price of $342.50.

Paul and Nancy Martin of Ayton, consigned four head. Two lambs averaged 56 lbs. and sold for an average price of $440.

Danielle Sargla of Belwood, consigned 14 head. One billy goat averaged 137 lbs. and sold for an average price of $500.

Terry Burns of Tamwarth, consigned 126 head. Ten charolais steers averaged 1,069 lbs. and sold for an average price of $323.

Stockers: There were 1576 stockers on offer.

Rob Droefke of Chepstow, consigned 71 head. Nine limousin heifers averaged 716 lbs. and sold for an average price of $318.

Top Quality Steers: Under 400 lbs.: $282 – $375 400 – 499 lbs.: $280 – $405 500 – 599 lbs.: $325 – $385 up to $421 600 – 699 lbs.: $300 – $386 700 – 799 lbs.: $265 – $360.50 800 – 899 lbs.: $260 – $339.50 900 – 999 lbs.: $281 – $325 up to $327 1000 lbs. and over: $277.25 – $323 Top Quality Heifers: Under 400 lbs.: $225 – $333 up to $350 400 – 499 lbs.: $237 – $310 up to $350 500 – 599 lbs.: $245 – $321 up to $339 600 – 699 lbs.: $250 – $328 700 – 799 lbs.: $150 – $283 up to $318 800 – 899 lbs.: $218 – $279 up to $281 900 lbs. and over: $216 – $266 up to $376 Paul Sutherland of Kemble, consigned 50 head. Eleven charolais steers averaged 553 lbs. and sold for an average price of $421.

Solomon M. Weber of Holyrood, consigned 15 head. Two charolais heifers averaged 1,033 lbs. and sold for an average price of $264.

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

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Classified Advertising – 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 -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 15 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-274-1236, 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 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Charlie’s Variety in Clinton, 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.

-------------------------------------------WEBWOOD TRUSS WINTER SALE - 10% discount on roof trusses and floor joists. We do residential, commercial and agricultural. For details and/or quote call 519-335-3551 and ask for Zach.

--------------------------------------------

card of thanks MACHAN - I want to thank my family, friends, neighbours and church family for all their support, rides to Wingham and London, visits, enquiries and phone calls I have received over the past year! All was very much appreciated. Also, thank you to the Oncology nurses and doctors for all their care! Merry Christmas and a Happy 2024!

Sandra Machan

coming events Karate Christmas Special!

SCHWEITZER'S MARTIAL ARTS 8 weeks plus uniform only $139.50!

Taxes extra. Beginners only. Join now or give as a gift. Special ends Jan. 6, 2024. Group classes for ages 4 to adult. Classes taught by Renshi Becky Schweitzer, 4th Degree Black Belt and 12X World Karate Champion Location at Fresh Wind Revival Centre, 21 Lloyd Street, Wingham.

Call 519-580-1418 or e-mail becky_schweitzer@hotmail.com www.schweitzersmartialarts.com -------------------------------------------Celebrate on Christmas Day with friends. Noon Christmas Day dinner at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship.

All are welcome! Call Yvonne 519887-6098 to reserve a plate or for more information.

--------------------------------------------

Selling Christmas in 1873

Coming events There is no Christmas Eve Service at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship.

-------------------------------------------Seaforth Agricultural Society's AGM will be held on January 10, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the Seaforth Agriplex, snow date will be January 17, 2024.

--------------------------------------------

Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster

I

Maitland Bank Cemetery, 42636 Hydro Line Road, Seaforth, Ontario -Maitland Bank Cemetery Board is looking for a Caretaker to start in the Spring of 2024. A job description is available upon request. Please send resumes to Secretary Lorri Ann Moore, Box 536, Seaforth, Ont. N0K 1W0 or by email nsucmaitbkcem@hotmail.com. Serious inquiries only please.

n this 21st-century world that we live in, Christmas has become an all-encompassing event that stretches from late September, when the dollar stores begin to display sparkling decorations, through to the Boxing “week” specials that haunt us for more than one week. Any song, classic or modern, can become the vehicle for television ads about diamonds, chocolates or power tools. Many admonish the erection of outdoor festive decorations that sprout up before Remembrance Day and dear ol’ Santa Claus floats down every burg’s main street weeks before his traditional global marathon trip bringing joy to girls and boys. It is difficult to avoid that constant barrage of advertising and amidst all this commercialization perhaps, many forget the real meaning of Christmas.

This week, Glimpses of the Past decided to take a look back at what the lead-up to the Christmas season was like decades ago by turning to the “Digitized Newspapers of Huron County”, as found on the websites of the Huron County Museum and the Huron County Library. The earliest newspapers found there are that of the Huron Signal that was published in Goderich in 1848. This paper was created letter by letter and then printed one sheet at a time. It seems a miracle that some copies have survived. The print is difficult to read but, by careful scanning, references to Christmas, in these early newspapers, were not to be found.

Let’s fast forward to 1873, a mere 150 years ago, to look at the Seaforth newspaper, the Huron Expositor. It was exciting to see an

Swap shop

Swap shop

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH is hosting a

Free Skate at the Blyth arena

Wednesday, December 27 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am Free hot chocolate

Everyone welcome

Help wanted

Citizen-To-Citizen “SWAP SHOP” ad • 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 - Curtis AM/FM stereo radio 3 CD changer/double cassette player with record player, includes some records and cassettes. $50. 519357-1204.

51-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Dungannon newspaper from 1915. Asking $50. 519-357-9467.

51-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Brand new blue rollator in original box with 300 pound capacity and 6 inch wheels. New price $289, sale price $150. 519-606-4557.

50-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Doll clothes all sizes, Barbie doll outfits, cotton dishcloths, scrubbies, towels for the stove, chairback covers or knee covers $5-$7, other crocheted items. 519-523-9274.

49-3

FOR SALE - 20’x10’x8’ frame for a shelter logic portable shed with all the hardware $85. no cover; 10HP gas Tecumseh motor with electric start off a snowblower $95 or best offer works good; Firestone Blizzak winter snow tires, 235x65x16, good tread 5x114.3 bolt pattern $475. Phone 519440-1770.

49-3 --------------------------------------------FREE - Small televisions; large, beautiful calendars back to 2013. Great for craft products. 519-357-1691.

49-3 --------------------------------------------FOR SALE - Brand new cover for medium sized vehicles. Paid $50 sell for $25. An HP laserjet printer black and white, in good condition. Paid $60, selling for $30. 519-482-7440. 49-3

Sold

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

advertisement for a “Christmas Sale”. It turned out to be a livestock sale held at Mr. Houghton’s yard in the Seaforth vicinity. The ad stated that, “Buyers from a distance will find it to their advantage to be present as this section of Huron cannot be surpassed in the province for fat stock”.

The next week’s paper reported that one fat cow was purchased for the sum of $100. It seems that, in addition to being a sale, the event also was a competition with prizes for “ox and steers, heifers and cows, pairs of dressed geese and turkeys”.

The only mention of a religious kind was that Advent services were to be held in St. Thomas’ Church with several guest speakers coming to tell about missions. To start the Christmas season off, the ladies of that same church were holding an “Apron Fair”. It is supposed that this was a kind of bazaar with baking and handcrafted goods available for purchase. Musical entertainment was on the bill, as well as coffee and oysters.

One merchant, M.R. Counter, let folks know “in anticipation of the Christmas holiday, he would receive, next week, the largest stock of jewelry and fancy goods ever offered for sale in this county.” He added that for the festive season, a five per cent discount would apply. (and no HST!) Down the street, Allen’s Grocery was bringing in “canned peaches, cherries, pears, pine apples, blackberries, string beans, green peas, salmon, lobster and sardines.”

Such an ad these days would not be of note as these goods are available canned, fresh and frozen year round.

Hickson’s Drug Store was the place to go to buy perfumery, soaps, combs and brushes - the type of gifts that are still valued today. Another drug store, that of John S. Roberts, would be selling “pure grape wine”.

Some Christmas gifts are timeless.

One statement found in several Christmas ads that readers of today are not likely to see is that for Christmas and New Year’s gifts, several stores were selling goods that are “really good and cheap”.

In an editorial, the desecration of the Sabbath was decried. It seems that some young men had dared to skate on the pond at the centre of the village on a Sunday afternoon. How times have changed!

Travelling a bit westward to the Goderich area, it was found that Santa Claus was represented in Maitlandville (present day Saltford) at the establishment of W. Stanbury with “fancy goods and toys”. For the last-minute shopper, the Dec. 24 edition of the Huron Signal carried an ad for the Moorhouse store offering children’s books, as well as Bibles and prayer books. Not to be forgotten were “silverware, work boxes, writing desks and dressing cases”. The Saunders’ Variety Store was rather cosmopolitan with goods such as Bohemian glass, as well as toys from England, France, Germany and the U.S.A. Also added was the note that, “schools and churches supplied with presents for Christmas trees at low rates”.

In the spirit of the season, Colborne Township Council was providing relief for several indigent women. One was to receive a barrel of flour, another, a half barrel of the same and a third woman was to receive a refund of her property taxes.

It is always nice to receive mail at Christmastime and, in December of 1873, the Goderich post office published the names of over 50 individuals who had mail waiting for them there.

So, 150 years have passed and it seems with each year, the commercialization of Christmas has multiplied over and over during that time.

Coffee break set PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

There is a coffee break on January 9, but there is no coffee break on Dec. 26 (Boxing Day).

Belated birthday greetings are extended to Donald G. Procter, Morris Road, Brussels, who was 80 years young on Nov. 25.

Special birthday greetings are also extended to Ross Higgins, who was 90 years young on Dec. 19.

Murray Scanlon, United Church Licensed Lay Worship Leader, was the guest speaker on Sunday, Dec. 17 at Knox United Church in Belgrave.

Mackenzie Wightman and Lila Procter played inspiring prelude music and accompanied all the hymns. Beautiful poinsettias, which were placed by individuals in loving memory of a loved one, decorated the church.

On Sunday, Dec. 24, there will be no 10 a.m.service. There is a Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend the special service.

Have a joyous Christmas and stay healthy. Remember that there are cases of COVID-19 active in the community. Wash your hands, sanitize, get vaccinated and wear a mask whenever you are in a crowd.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday. Remember that the students will be out enjoying themselves and may not always be watchful of traffic.

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 15.

Ryans return from Mexico PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Sweater Day On Dec. 11, at the dress rehearsal for the school’s annual holiday concert, North Woods Elementary School student Landry McDonald, right, put to use all of the skills taught to her by teacher Kelly Byles, left.

(Scott Stephenson photo)

Obituaries

LORNA FAY (née BUCHANAN) WHITMORE Lorna Fay (née Buchanan) Whitmore passed away peacefully at Huronlea Home For The Aged on Dec. 18. She was in her 90th year.

The loving wife of the late Doug Whitmore (2007), Lorna was the mom of Ken and Jeanette and Jane and Doug, the grandma of Sara and Katie Ferguson and the sister of Jim Buchanan and sister-in-law of Anne Buchanan.

Lorna will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by brothers Bill, Roy and John and sister-in-law Dolores.

Lorna always had a smile, especially when she was joking around and spending time with her family. Lorna loved to play with her grandkids, whether it was out in the snow or running alongside them when they learned to ride a bike.

She always wanted to be outside, she loved to walk, either with friends, by herself or with the dogs.

Lorna helped as a member of the Blyth United Church and United Church Women (UCW) making pies and attending church for many years.

She worked for London Life Insurance and then in the Blyth Print Shop with her family for over 40 years.

Lorna was very social and loved to chat with everyone. Her smile and conversation will be missed.

Friends and family are invited to a come-and-go celebration of Lorna’s life at Riverside Funeral Home’s Blyth Chapel on Saturday, Dec. 23 from 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca.

Merry Christmas With best wishes and gratitude this holiday season. It’s been great getting to know you, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

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Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. The year of 2023 has passed, it seems, very quickly.

Christmas is upon us and, with 52 weeks to get ready, it still seems to sneak up and there is a flurry of decorating, gift shopping, baking, grocery shopping, cleaning, writing Christmas cards and Christmas parties, all in addition to regular life.

We hope that 2023 has been a good year for all and that 2024 will bring happiness, family, love, prosperity, good health and good friends to all.

We enjoyed an absolutely wonderful week of weather last week with high temperatures, but still a cool breeze, though no snow.

Forecasters say it may be a green Christmas. It will be what it will be and families will gather and enjoy the day - green or white!

We send our get-well, or, at least fast-healing wishes to Annette Lewington. She has had an unfortunate incident and has torn some ligaments in her knee. She is on crutches and is moving a little slower. We all hope she is better soon.

Returning from a vacation in Mexico are Joe and Rhonda Ryan and family. The boys report having a great time and the highlight was parasailing. Welcome home.

Coming back to the area is Kim Bauer Lorimer. She has moved to Seaforth from Ottawa to the delight of parents Donna and Merv Bauer. I am sure we will see her out and about around Brussels.

Our sympathies are extended to the Shaw family on the passing of Lynda Shaw. She will be lovingly missed by her parents Harvey and Betty Shaw, her son Brady and her brother Doug and wife Debbie.

Lynda had made her home in Wingham and was well known by many friends in the area. She worked and volunteered at the Wescast centre. Friendly to all, she will be missed by all.

Our condolences to the Shaw family.

We are glad to hear that Joe McLelland of Walton is home from a stay in hospital. He had some surgery and will not be able to be out and about much for awhile. We send our get-well wishes to Joe. Those celebrating birthdays this past week include Anne Clark, Jody White, Connor Shortreed, Kevin Gillis, Rob MacGillvary, 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.

Happy birthday to all.

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

From the Minister’s Study

Make room for God this Christmas season

By Rev. JoAnn Todd, Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth So, how’s your past couple of weeks been? If they’re anything like mine, they’ve been busy; lots of extra things this time of year that we fit around all the regular stuff ’tis the season, right?

As I was driving home from a meeting last week, I was mentally going through my day planner for the upcoming couple of weeks, thinking about what I still needed to do before Christmas, and when I’d have room in my schedule to write a sermon for this paper and a sermon for Christmas Eve service a sermon about Mary and Joseph not being able to find a room in the inn. And the irony of this struck me: I was having trouble finding room to write about not having room.

Advent has become the season of “pre-Christmas”, the season of crazy schedules, super busyness, fitting so much in that, if we’re not careful, and don’t make a point of it, we really have trouble finding room for Christ. Yet, for observant Christians, the season of Advent is to be a time to prepare ourselves spiritually to welcome Christ back into our lives. And we hardly have the time!

So, I invite you, dear reader, to take a breath, settle into a comfy chair and take some time and simply ponder on the Nativity Story. Here was Jesus, the son of God, ready to come into the world and Bethlehem was so busy, there was no proper place for him to even be born!

Nobody had a place for a poor carpenter looking for a refuge for a young pregnant woman to give birth. And I wondered if the innkeepers who didn’t open their doors for Mary and Joseph ever knew just who they had said ‘no’ to!

And then I thought, how many times had I maybe turned Jesus away because I didn’t recognize Jesus in the face of another? Or how often had I maybe turned Jesus away because I couldn’t find the room for him in my busyness? How many times had Jesus tried to come to me, how many times had I missed God’s grace or wasn’t open to the Holy Spirit, because my agenda had no room, my mind was too full of other so called ‘important’ stuff, or I was too full of myself and what I wanted to do?

We don’t always recognize God, because God comes to us in many ways we don’t expect - like an infant and his mother in need of a place, or like Joseph the carpenter who knocked on doors, looking for

on Sundays come on Christmas Eve. I like to think it’s more than just tradition, or to keep grandma happy, it’s an opportunity to come together in celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, the prince of peace. And at a time in the world when peace is at a premium, and well, joining with others to pray for peace, can only be a good thing. It’s about being open to, and wanting to experience God’s Grace and presence on this special night. It’s about making room, for Christ within ourselves, within our souls.

And it is special, coming to church on Christmas Eve, it really is being a part of the centuries-old traditions of the gathering of the faithful together to celebrate the

lodging, like the hollow-eyed stranger walking the street, or the confused elderly person alone in the nursing home, or the child who goes to school hungry.

How open are we when God comes knocking on our doors, and do we recognize who’s really there when it does happen? I suspect there’s... “room for improvement”!

What I do know, however, is that God never quits knocking, Jesus is always waiting for an opportunity to meet us, the Holy Spirit is just waiting for the chance for us to open the door and welcome her in.

I think that’s what coming to church on Christmas Eve is all about. I think that’s why people who don’t usually come to church

The Regional Ministry of Hope Trinity

St. Paul’s Trinity

BLYTH

WINGHAM

Christmas Candlelight Communion 5 pm December 31 ~ Lessons & Carols Don’t be alone on Christmas Day: Carol-Sing Service 11 am 9 am Blyth ~ 11 am Wingham Lunch at 1 pm The Regional Ministry of Hope Christmas Communion 2 pm

www.regionalministryofhope.com 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca

Come Worship with Us!

Sunday, December 24, 2023 4th of Advent - “Love” ~ 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Mike Stanley, "Jesus: Messiah, King, Shepherd, Lamb” (Matthew 2:1-12; Micah 5:1-5a) Nursery available during worship CHRISTMAS EVE Sun. Dec. 24, 6:00 p.m.

Pastor Mike Stanley, "Hear, See, Tell: Lessons from a Shepherd" (Luke 2; nursery not provided) NEW YEAR'S EVE REFLECTION SERVICE Sunday Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m.

Nursery available during worship

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connect, be open to, to experience the grace, the presence of God. We feel the hope, the joy, the peace, the love of Jesus, the energy of the Holy Spirit. We each experience it in our own unique way. God’s presence is able to meet us where we most need to be met. That is the amazing thing about God’s Grace.

And there is an incredible synergy in being part of a community joined together in worship, God’s presence is with us all, at the same time.

And that really is the story of Jesus’ birth - God coming to us, in bodily form, to walk among God’s people! And completely vulnerable - as an infant no less!

It really is a remarkable story. We Continued on page 19

Blyth United Churrch Sundayy, December 24 at 11:00 am Christmas Eve service at 7 pm Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God d.

Outreach project for December is “Gifts with Vi Vision”” Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churchess

Celebrate Jesus the Light of the World

blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

at

russels Mennonite Fellowship Sundays at 10:00 am All Are Welcome 250 Princess St., Brussels • 519 887 6388

BRUSSEL LS

U United Church ur Christmas Worsship Celebration Sundayy, Decembe er 24 ~ 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School during Church C (ages 3 and up)

Christmas Eve Service S ~ 8 p.m.

S d y, December Sunday D b 3 31, at Blyth United ~ 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, December 24 at 10 a.m.

Christmas Day Service Monday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

We extend a warm welcome for you to join usI BMG Community Centre (upstairs room) 800 Sports Drive, Brussels Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.ca

(no service at Brussels) Come, thhe invitation is open to all.

Contact Alex at minis ster.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com y @g Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca P.O. Box 359 P. 9, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259

Christmas Services at Blyth Christian Reformed Church

MEL LV VILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

Evangelical Missionary Church

birthday of the baby Jesus. It would be a most interesting exercise at some point to hear just why people do come to church on Christmas Eve. Maybe it’s the connecting up again with people you maybe haven’t seen for a while, or appreciating the beauty of the festively-decorated church.

Then there’s the joy in singing Christmas carols, and in the music.

Or perhaps the Holy Spirit speaks to you best through partaking of holy communion or in listening to the scriptures being read and maybe, just maybe even in the hearing of the preacher’s sermon!

Any or all these things we experience reach us through our bodily senses, and help us to

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Monday, Dec 25 – Christmas

11:00 am - 12 noon Rev. Elwin Garland will lead us in the morning worship.

There is no coffee after the service this week.

Christmas Eve Service 8 p.m. - We are pleased to join in worship with our brothers & sisters in Christ at the Brussels United Church.

“God’s best to you! Christ‘s blessings on you!” this CHRISTmas and in 2024!

Monday, Jan 1

Sunday, December 31, 2023 11:00 am - 12 noon We extend a loving welcome to all to join us as Rev. Elwin Garland leads us in worship, prayer, and praise to God. There is no coffee after the service this week.

Soup & More 2 Friday Dec. 22: 11:30 - 1 p.m. Join us for a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings!

Friday Dec. 29 - Please note Soup & More will be closed.

Friday Jan. 5, 2024 - Soup & More 2 resumes, we look forward to serving you in this New Year!

For pastoral care concerns please call 519-524-7512

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

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 17.

U18 Crusaders win silver in Shallow Lake Tournament Continued from page 1 team will play Central Perth in Brussels in regular season action, while the U7 White team will play the Mitchell Meteors in Blyth and the U8 Burgundy team will play Huron-Bruce in Lucknow in the last regular season games of the calendar year.

The U15 Rep team welcomed the Central Perth Predators to Blyth and the U18 LL team played the Listowel Cyclones 1 on the road on Dec. 18, followed by games between the U13 Rep Crusaders and the Drayton Defenders D1 team in Brussels, the U15 Rep team and the Ironmen in Wingham and the U18 Rep team and the Minto Mad Dogs in Palmerston, all on Dec. 19, but scores for those games were not available at press time.

On Dec. 20, the U13 LL team played the Wingham Ironmen Blue team in Blyth, the U13 Rep team played the Saugeen Valley Steelheads on the road and the U18 Rep team played the Wingham Ironmen in Blyth, but scores for those games were unavailable at press time.

Looking back, the U13 LL Crusaders beat the Kincardine Kinucks Superheat team on the road on Dec. 17 by a score of 5-2, while the U21 team ended its game with the South Bruce Blades in Teeswater that day in a 2-2 tie.

Also that day, the U11 Rep team lost to the AEMHA Ice Dogs on the road by a score of 6-0, the U15 Rep team beat the TCDMHA Rebels on the road by a score of 3-2 and the game between the U9 LL team and the Zurich Thunder in Blyth ended in a scoreless tie.

On Dec. 16, the U18 Rep Crusaders lost in the finals of the annual Shallow Lake Lakers Tournament to the Walkerton Capitals by a score of 3-2. This

came after the team beat the Saugeen Valley Steelheads by a score of 4-0 in the semifinal round and lost to the Saugeen Valley Steelheads by a score of 2-1 earlier in the day.

The team opened tournament play on Dec. 15 with a pair of wins, first over the Arran Elderslie Ice Dogs by a score of 4-1 and then over the West Lorne Comets by a score of 2-1.

In regular season play on Dec. 16, the U13 Rep team lost to the Goderich Sailors on the road by a score of 6-4. Also that day, the U7 Burgundy and White teams played two Wingham Ironmen teams on the road, the U8 Black team played the Meteors in Mitchell, the U8 Burgundy team welcomed the Wallace Sabres to Brussels and the U7 Black team played the MidHuron Huskies in Clinton, but scores were not kept for those games.

On Dec. 15, the game between the U9 MD Crusaders and the Central Perth Predators MD team, played on the road and ended in a scoreless tie, while the U11 LL team lost to the Arthur Vipers in Brussels by a score of 8-1, the U11 Rep team lost to the TCDMHA Rebels in Brussels by a score of 80 and the U21 team beat the HuronBruce Blizzard in Ripley by a score of 4-2.

On Dec. 13, the U15 Rep team played the TCDMHA Rebels in Blyth, but a score was unavailable at press time. The U13 Rep Crusaders lost to the Mitchell Meteors by a score of 7-3 on Dec. 12, while the U18 LL team lost to the Mid-Huron Huskies 2 team by a score of 7-4, both in Brussels.

On Dec. 11, the U15 Rep team was in Shallow Lake to play the Lakers and lost by a score of 3-0.

Emergency On the way to a large barn fire on Glennanon Road, just outside of Wingham on the morning of Dec. 18, a Fire Department of North Huron truck rolled over into the ditch, sending two firefighters to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to a press release from North Huron, the firefighters have since been released from hospital.

Several other area fire departments were called in to assist with the fire, which continued throughout the day. (Scott Stephenson photos)

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

The land that surrounds the village of Blyth is prime farmland. Water power for early settlers was provided by a stream running east to west through the village.

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The Blyth Standard, Dec. 8, 1976

The Citizen, Dec. 19, 2013

The Citizen, Dec. 9, 1998

The Citizen, Dec. 12, 2013

The Citizen, Dec. 5, 2013

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE 19.

Kids Club choir to perform in Blyth on Dec. 22 rehearsal, which both de Souza and Gahan thought was a great start for the project.

Many of the children who are now part of the choir, de Souza said, have been described by Gahan as being rather shy over the course of the life of the Kids Club, so, to see them come out of their shells and perform on stage through the choir has been amazing to see.

The group had three sessions ahead of Friday’s show. Everyone is welcome, he said, and the show runs from 6-8 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth.

De Souza said he hopes to continue the project into the new year, beyond the holidays, as he

from

The start of something great Blyth-based musician Darryn de Souza, right, and Joe Gahan, co-founder of the Blyth Kids Club have come together to create a children’s choir for the holidays that will perform on Dec. 22 in Blyth. However, for de Souza, he’s hoping this is just the beginning of something much more exciting. (Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After a successful few weeks of get-togethers and rehearsals, the Blyth Kids Club’s Christmas choir project will present its final concert on Friday, Dec. 22, but that is far from the end of this project.

World-renowned musician and relatively new Blyth resident Darryn de Souza has spearheaded the project, partnering with Joe Gahan, co-founder of the Blyth Kids Club, to bring in a musical component to the club’s offerings.

De Souza, who has worked with

The Tenors and anchored some of the community’s recent fundraising concerts, wanted to start a pilot project teaching music to children in the village. After a chance meeting with Gahan at the village’s gas station, the two began to discuss music, as Gahan is, of course, the frontman of The Lucky Charms. When discussion shifted to the Blyth Kids Club, de Souza noted that there was no musical component to the group’s offerings.

Music being a passion point for the two men, they began working together to create what is now the choir.

De Souza felt he had something to offer the children of the community, so he worked with Gahan to make the choir a reality.

He also said, as someone who has studied music for much of his life, there are so many life lessons woven into music, so he felt it would be a good opportunity for the village as well.

The pair thought they would float the idea to the Kids Club membership first to gauge interest.

Without reaching out to the local media or expanding beyond the club’s current membership, 30 children signed up before the first

‘There’s room at this inn!’

Continued from page 16 have a God who wanted to do more than just speak through God’s chosen prophets. We have a God who willingly did what seems to be a very un-god like thing, to be born as a human being, and live among the people of God’s creation! Not just look down on us from some lofty place on high. No. God loves us so much that God chose to live among humanity, as imperfect as we are, so as to show us the way to live as children of God, to come to know and live in the light of Christ’s love.

And so, in our belief in Jesus, son of God, we are saved. Did you know that the name Jesus, “Yeshua” in Hebrew means, “the Lord helps, the Lord saves”? No matter how we mess up, how far we feel from God’s grace, we are God’s children, we are worthy of God’s grace and Jesus’ human presence tells us just that. So when we mess up, we ‘fess up, do better next time and carry on, knowing we are still loved, God loves us so much God sent God’s son to us!

Many know the Christmas story inside and out. Even non-Christians know the gist of it. And still, each year, when I read it again, something new comes to me, a new nugget poked out of the words, something that had not occurred to me before. The Bible never ceases to amaze me, in this respect. God’s grace revealed in scripture. I do suppose that’s why we say “The Word of the Lord” after we read

scripture in church - the Word really can reveal God to us, in new ways, no matter how many times we hear it. That’s why we can say that it is God’s ‘living word’!

So, if you haven’t heard or read the Christmas story in a while, take a moment and look it up. Dust off the old bible, and turn to Luke’s

builds towards the creation of a full-fledged music school in Blyth perhaps later next year.

For his half of the equation, Gahan said he was happy to meet de Souza and do whatever he could to help with the project. Gahan and de Souza performed alongside Blyth’s Kathryn Peach and Annie Sparling for a fundraising concert held at Trinity Anglican Church, but before that, their meeting at the gas station led to a partnership with the Kids Club.

Gahan was also impressed with the uptake on the project and he’s looking forward to the concert and to see what the new year holds.

gospel. It has the best story! Or search it up online. Or if you want to hear it, find a church service on Christmas Eve, and just sit there and take in the full Christmas experience. Because God never stops knocking on our doors, just waiting for us to say, “Welcome Lord, there’s room in this inn!”

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W Wishing g You Good Health for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New ew Year

PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

The Reading Web with Cindy Norgate

C

hristmas holidays are upon us. It is a time for parties and gathering with friends and family. Also, children are home for two weeks. How will your children or grandchildren spend those two weeks?

It would be easy for children to sit in front of video games all day. I get it. The first few days of the holiday are spent with excitement, then the reality that the children are home for an extended period sets in. Soon, you have Nerf gun wars going on in your living room, arguments over who ate the last Christmas cookie, and the always exciting phrase, “I’m bored”. Note: This statement would always find my children suddenly doing extra chores, so they would no longer be “bored”.

In my research this week, I found some fun and exciting ways you can survive the holiday time and spend quality time with your little ones.

An article written by Kristi Spence, LMFT-C, entitled, “4 Tips for Success: How to Survive the

Holidays with Kids!” shared some terrific ideas. “Create a routine and allow flexibility.” Children are accustomed to schedules and routines at school. I witness, every day, how children react when they are “off-schedule” or something different happens in the classroom, for example, when a supply teacher comes in.

Remember, children don’t realize it, but they desire routine and structure. This, in no way, means you need to pack their schedule full every day with no fun. Not at all!

Instead, at least, schedule meal times, etc. They need something they can count on. “It’s okay to deviate from the routine, as long as the routine is consistent most of the time.” (Spence, K.) “Start or continue fun holiday traditions! It’s very important to avoid using these rituals as rewards and punishments for behavior. Don’t threaten your children with missing out on these activities if they don’t behave well (even, or especially, if

you don’t intend on following through). A sense of belonging in the family is important for every child’s well-being, which is why everyone should be allowed to participate.”

(Spence, K.) “Service is a great opportunity to think of others beyond themselves”, says Babywisemom.com, so, how about visiting a nursing home, cooking up your favourite casserole (with your children’s help) and leaving it as a “freezer meal” with a family, or call your local soup kitchen and inquire about volunteering with your kiddos.

Lastly, and something my children loved to do, was to shop and donate items to the local animal shelter.

Our reading for this week is Christmas Around the World: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids by Mary Lankford. According to the author, “From Ethiopian fringed umbrellas and star-shaped Filipino parol lanterns to candlelit Swedish St. Lucia crowns, Christmas Around the World brings together Christmas

traditions from 12 different lands, like decorations on a splendid tree.”

As I leave it here for this week, my husband, Jeff, and I would like to wish you a wonderful

Christmas and a terrific new year.

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” - Bob Hope

Kelly, Janice, Laura, Stephanie, Damian, Leanne, Margaret, Myra, Brinna & Amber wish you a relaxing holiday!

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Season’s Greetings Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely, the team at Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company 507 Main St. S, Exeter

Something sweet The Brussels United Church held its annual Christmas bake sale on Saturday, welcoming those in the market for some last-minute, holiday-themed baked goods into the church for all of their sweet and tasty needs. (John Stephenson photo)

All the best from all of us at the Holidays With heartfelt thanks for your generous support

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PAGE A1. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

[ÉÅx yÉÜ à{x [ÉÄ|wtçá Stories and Traditions, Past and Present

A special supplement to

The Citizen December 22, 2023

PAGE A2. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Gahan family merges Irish and Canadian traditions

Luck of the Gahans Blyth’s 2023 Citizen of the Year Award winners (back row, from left) Megan Lee-Gahan and Joe Gahan will be celebrating Christmas in their stunning new home with their children (front row, from left) Emma and Jack.

(Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen For the Gahan family, this Christmas will be a special one as they spend it in their beautiful, new home in Blyth - adhering to a strict schedule of alternating holiday celebrations in Canada and Ireland.

Joe Gahan and Megan Lee-Gahan are the founders of the Blyth Kids Club and were recently named this year’s winners of the Citizen of the Year Award for the Blyth community. The Citizen sat down with the whole family to talk about their Christmas traditions, favourite

parts of the holidays and big plans for the days ahead.

Just being in their home for the holidays, Joe and Megan say, will be a treat in itself. This comes after a series of unfortunate circumstances befell a house they owned in Ireland and they spent the holidays in an Irish hotel last year, so, being home will be a welcome change to the holidays of last year.

The family has only just recently built their house, which they both admit will be somewhat of a work in progress for years, but it’s big and made for hosting, so they will be the centre of attention for their

family’s holiday gatherings.

Megan grew up in Blyth and Joe grew up in the Midlands of Ireland, a region in the centre of the country, equidistant between Galway and Dublin. Joe said he’s been called the “Snow Baby” in his family.

Born in January of 1982, he arrived during one of Ireland’s worst snow storms, which are quite rare in Ireland. (Indeed, The Irish Times, in 2018, reflected back on what was called “The Big Snow of 1982” when Ireland came to a standstill “Some 100,000 homes and businesses lost power. Buses stopped. There were bread riots.”)

He said the military was stationed near the hospital, at the bottom of a hill, and were brought on to bring people in need of care to the hospital during the weather emergency.

Growing up in County Westmeath as the baby of 10, Joe said the holidays were modest in his home. He lost his mother and a young sister to a vehicular collision when he was very young, so his father was charged with raising nine children on his own, working two jobs to support his family.

He said the family grew up in the Catholic faith and mass was always part of their holiday celebrations, as was a meal with all of the family.

However, after presents were opened and food was stored away to be eaten as leftovers the following day, Joe said he would often meet up with friends to play poker. Friends and family members were often back in Ireland from North America over the holidays, so the groups made the best of their time to get together and win some of each other’s money at the card table.

For Megan, she remembers a lot of snow in Blyth over Christmas, but consistently, as opposed to the one-off snow storm that welcomed Joe into the world. She said she couldn’t remember her first green Christmas until she was in her teens and, living where she did at the time, their home was always a popular destination when the snow came. They lived on a massive hill and welcomed the area youth, so their home was a tobogganing oasis for the village youth.

The big meal for the Lee family

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growing up was always Christmas breakfast, Megan said, a tradition that is alive and well in the family to this day.

How Joe and Megan came to meet and build this life they have now in Blyth begins at a very small Irish pub in the east end of Toronto.

Joe had come to Canada from Ireland in the Irish recession of

2008. Building ground to a halt and many male trades-workers sought opportunity in Canada and the U.S. This was followed by some of the country’s women, who soon found themselves out of work as well, but Megan said that first wave consisted of a lot of men.

Megan lived in a small apartment Continued on page A3

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A3.

Home in Blyth houses multiple Christmas trees Continued from page A2 that was above and adjacent to the aforementioned pub and she got to know some of the people who frequented the establishment.

Then, one night, she was in the pub for a drink with a friend as one of only three women - a redhead, a brunette and a blonde (Megan) - in the place (which held fewer than 20 people) and a dashing, young Joe Gahan took to the stage to sing a few songs.

He began to sing “Galway Girl” the Steve Earle version, not to be confused with Game of Thrones star Ed Sheeran’s 2017 song of the same name - which sings the praises of a woman with that uniquely Irish look of black hair and blue eyes.

Joe changed the lyrics to herald a blonde-haired woman and Megan shouted for him to leave her alone.

Neither heeded the sentiment of leaving the other alone and a year later they were married.

Joe was on a short-term visa from Ireland and had always intended to return, so when he and Megan began their courtship, it took them both by surprise.

They then lived in Toronto for a

few years and had children - Emma is now nine and Jack is seven - but a few years ago, their priorities changed and Joe and Megan began discussing a move to Huron County, which was something Megan never thought she would consider.

She was back visiting and saw a nice home for sale in Goderich and texted Joe with the information. He was enthusiastic about a move to a smaller community, as Blyth is quite reflective of where he grew up in Ireland in terms of size, population and community spirit.

In the end, they returned to the same plot of land on which Megan had grown up and built anew, although their plans shifted slightly when the COVID-19 pandemic jacked up the price of timber. The result, however, is a stunning concrete slab home that would impress in any architectural digest.

Since returning to the village, the family has always been part of the Santa Claus parade and Joe said that seeing the joy and wonder on not just the faces of their children, but the young people of the village, gets him emotional to even think

about. The thrill of the holidays in the young people has changed his perspective and helped him to appreciate the holidays in a completely new way.

Nowadays, the family is very Christmas tree-focused at their house. Emma said one of her favourite Christmas traditions is sitting atop Joe’s shoulders and putting the star on the family Christmas tree. Coincidentally, that’s a favourite for Jack as well, so Joe and Megan simply cut to the chase and now they have two fully decorated (and efficiently starred) trees, while each child has a small tree all their own in their rooms, decorated with some of their favourite and most unique, and, in some cases, homemade, ornaments.

This year, Emma has asked for a doll that very closely resembles a real baby, a popular ask among her friends, while on the Christmas list this year for Jack is a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey with the name of either the oft-mustachioed Auston Matthews or the criminallyunderappreciated Mitch Marner on the back.

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PAGE A4. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

A seasoned Christmas season chronicler recollects time to appreciate life and be present with his family.

“This is the first year I actually saw the [Blyth Santa Claus] parade.

I filmed my daughter’s Christmas concert. I wasn’t worried about the shutter speed, or the low light, or the kids being blurry. I actually saw it. People keep asking where my

camera is, but I’m just there.”

As Denny Scott departed his old office one more time he imparted some advice he heard somewhere from someone. “A journalist’s world is a puddle. It’s an inch deep, but it’s the whole world.”

On second thought, perhaps it was a warning.

A Beautiful Season Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year from Our Family and Staff to Yours!

- Vern Steffler

Merry Christmas!

Reporter of Christmas Past Denny Scott spent more than a decade covering community events as a reporter for The Citizen before moving on to a new opportunity late last year. Scott took some time away from his new job to discuss the joy of learning about many of the unique Christmas traditions that are celebrated all over Huron County (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen

As 2023 draws to a close, so too does my first year working as a reporter for The Citizen. I have felt honoured a thousand times over this year - the members of this vibrant community have welcomed me into their homes, churches, sugar shacks and arenas. Telling your stories is a privilege, and I am very much looking forward to 2024.

But it can also be quite a strange thing, sometimes, to be a reporter.

There are so many people to talk to, so many questions asked, or unasked. So many details seen, but what was missed? I also find myself catching other people’s enthusiasm and bringing it home with me.

Working on these Christmas articles has filled me with what feels like an incurable case of holiday spirit - there are just so many inspiring traditions in Huron County! It is a difficult sensation to describe, unless you’d been in the exact same situation that I find myself in now.

Luckily, I had just the man in mind - veteran Citizen reporter alumni Denny Scott! It was his shoes I stepped into and his desk I inhabited at the beginning of the year, and they are big shoes to fill.

The desk is the perfect size.

Denny’s experience as a reporter far outweighs my own, and he was kind enough to come back to his old Citizen stomping grounds to share just a fraction of his wisdom and to let me know how his first year of not “newsing it” has been going.

I was relieved to learn that catching the Christmas spirit is a normal part of the job - it happens to everybody. In fact, Denny had gotten quite used to the sensation.

“It’s weird to put up my own Christmas tree, and not interview four, five, six other people about how they put their tree up,” he explained. “I feel a little disconnected. I love my new job, but usually around this time of year I’m going to parades to take pictures, and going to Christmas concerts. I miss being connected to the community.”

He also had some sage advice for next year’s Christmas issue. “The big thing about these Christmas stories is that what everybody thinks is traditional and boring

always ends up being something unique. The number of times I sat down with people, and they say oh, we don’t have anything to share, and then suddenly there’s this ‘oh yeah, my family is Swiss, and we do this tradition’ I’ve never heard of. It can range from off the beaten path to incredibly interesting.”

Denny also impressed upon me the importance of the year’s final issue. “We’d all be working so hard to find news stories that would make that last paper of the year last for two, or even three weeks. I always thought of that as our Christmas present to the community. I loved doing the Christmas school interviews - you

learn about the kids, but you also learn about how the school celebrates Christmas. I loved doing Christmas stories. It’s the most stressful time of the year, because you’re generating a tremendous amount of content for a huge issue but the Christmas stories are the ones people remember, not how council voted on a certain issue.”

Denny’s view on the most important skills for a good reporter?

“This job taught me how to deal with people - just sitting and talking to them. I think that’s an incredibly important skill for everybody to learn. Be kind. Be genuine. Be respectful.”

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A5.

Busy time of year for Fall Fair Ambassador Higgins

Who let the hogs out?

This year’s Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador Loretta Higgins is embracing the busyness of the holiday season. Her position comes with ‘pig’ responsibilities that she is taking very seriously. Higgins is pictured above participating in the 2023 Brussels Santa Claus Parade. (John Stephenson photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Earlier this year, Loretta Higgins was crowned the Brussels Agricultural Society’s Fall Fair Ambassador and, right then and there, her holiday plans changed drastically.

When that tiara was placed upon her head, Higgins knew she would soon be part of fall fair and Santa Claus parades all over the county and that was something that was just fine with her. And, in recent weeks, she has been at every parade she could attend, whether it be bundled up in a coat, blanket and

mittens or a rented, inflatable pig suit (a special for the Brussels Santa Claus parade), she says she’s been having a blast celebrating the holidays with the community and seeing everyone out lining the streets.

Her more established holiday traditions, however, have been in place for just about as long as she can remember.

Higgins said she and her mother’s family always gather, usually in Blyth, on Christmas Eve to have a skating party at the arena.

Whether it be casual skating or a pick-up hockey game, there’s always plenty of fun to be had on the ice she said, and, as a former hockey player, if it goes from skating to helmets, sticks and pucks, she has no problem whatsoever holding her own on the ice.

The family then freshens up and goes to midnight mass in Wingham before returning home for a bit of time together and some treats before heading to bed.

Then, on Christmas Day, Higgins traditionally heads to the St. Augustine area for another family get-together, which includes a traditional Christmas lunch with turkey and all of the usual accompaniments for a tasty holiday feast.

Living out in the country, Higgins remembers one specific Christmas celebration that really extended throughout much of the month of December. She said when she was in about Grade 8, it had snowed heavily and consistently throughout December and there were many, many snow days that kept her, her family and her friends at home leading into the holidays and then over the holidays.

That was a holiday that really sticks out for her, she said, as it felt like a Christmas that lasted for Continued on page A6

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PAGE A6. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

It’s ‘cookie time’ at Armstrong’s Bakery in Lucknow

I did it all for the cookie Armstrong’s Bakery in Lucknow is currently in the midst of six very sweet weeks of intense but incredible Christmas cookie kookiness. The beloved bakery has something for everyone, from casual nibblers to fullfledged monsters. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Christmas cookies are one of the most ubiquitously delicious staple snacks of the way-too-short holiday eating season. We’re talking your chocolate chip shortbread, your cappuccino flats, your date balls -

all the limited edition, top-shelf tasties.

These are the cookies that are so good that they are practically illegal for 46 weeks of the year.

Then, one glorious mid-November morn, the festive levies break yet again, cookies flow through the streets like sweet, seasonal wine for

six straight weeks, reaching every obscure nook and cranny of the town.

But, where do all these festive sweets come from? Well, if you’re lucky enough to live in or around Lucknow, they probably come from Armstrong’s Bakery on Campbell Street. When the leaves begin to fall from the trees, the bakery begins its annual ramp-up for the Christmas rush - and that means, among many other extra activities, that they’ll be baking a bunch of batches of cookies every day.

Armstrong’s owner Janette Gerber isn’t exactly sure how many cookies she goes through in a day but it’s a lot! “Overall, I’d say our business basically doubles throughout the whole holiday season. The store gets busier, but there’s also a lot of Christmas party catering!” The Christmas cookies may require a bit of extra effort, but Gerber and her bakers are happy to take on the challenge every year. She added, “I do like the Christmas cookies - it’s Continued on page A7

Higgins delights local crowd by going ‘whole hog’ at parade Continued from page A5 nearly an entire month.

She remembers they were able to play in the snow on the home farm for days on end and there was a lot of freedom for them all around that time.

And, while the traditions she knows and loves will surely go ahead this year again, it’s been Santa Claus parades that have been her main focus over the last few weeks.

Higgins was joined by Junior Ambassador Paislee Ribey and Little Ambassador Isla Fischer at different parades throughout the

county and Higgins said it’s been great to have young partners to accompany her in the parades.

Usually they are bundled up together in the back of a pick-up truck, announcing who they are and advertising the Brussels Agricultural Society and its annual Brussels Fall Fair. However, for the Brussels Santa Claus parade, they were part of a much bigger float and the group went the extra mile to ensure they were adhering to the 2024 fair’s theme, which is “Pork ’n Beans”.

To fit the theme, Higgins suited up as a cuddly pig for the Brussels

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parade, which earned her much acclaim. She said that, in the days since the parade, she has received nothing but compliments and wellwishes for her bold outfit choice, as it thrilled parade-goers.

While she’s had a lot of fun at the parades, Higgins said the best part of it all has been seeing everyone out and celebrating together again.

At every parade, she said it’s been a wake-up call regarding just how many people she knows in the community, as she sees more and more of them at every event.

This Christmas season, we’d like to join you and yours in a prayer for harmony, understanding and peace.

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A7.

Gerber serves up a variety of tasty treats

Cookie curator Janette Gerber owns Armstrong’s Bakery on Campbell Street in Lucknow. For the final six weeks of every year, Gerber leads her talented team of bakers through a cookie-centric gauntlet to provide the community with a fun variety of delicious seasonal treats. (Scott Stephenson photo)

Continued from page A6 something special that only comes once a year!”

Gerber also curates the Christmas cookie collection, making sure each season’s selection is a balanced mix of the classic and the innovative.

New cookie recipes often require a lot of adjustments before she’s satisfied with their quality, and most cookie recipes aren’t written with Armstrong’s industrial ovens in mind. “We eat a lot of burned cookies sometimes,” she laughed.

You’ll find all the big wigs of the Christmas cookie community sugar, shortbread, and spritz, but you’ll also encounter young, rebellious cookies like white chocolate ginger snap and coffee truffles.

Gerber’s current favourite Christmas cookie is the lemon gem shortbread, but that could change.

The most popular Christmas cookie with customers is, of course, the classic sugar cookie. It’s an obvious choice, but it just makes sense -

sugar cookies just might be the ultimate Christmas cookie. There are infinite colour and shape combinations to play with - the only limit is your imagination. They have a mild, comfortable flavour that can only be described as “cookie flavour” which earns them far more allies than it does detractors.The deceptively simple recipe for sugar cookies has its roots in seventh-century Persia - the birthplace of the cookie.

Refinements were made in Germany, but the sugar cookie was not considered to be perfected until German Protestants came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and settled in the colony of Nazareth, named for the Biblical town where Jesus spent his youth. The first Nazareth sugar cookies were shaped like a keystone to honour the great state of Pennsylvania. The Nazareth cookie went on to become wildly popular across North America, eventually becoming known simply as the sugar cookie.

The Armstrong family started their home baking business in 1981, and it has changed hands and locations a few times over the years. Each new owner has made changes and choices and expansions based on a melange of personal opinion and the shifting desire of the townspeople over the years. When she took possession of the bakery from the previous owners in 2017, Gerber made some cuts to their long-standing cookie line-up so she could shake things up and experiment a bit. “I kept all the best sellers, and got rid of the rest.”

Gerber has made her mark on Armstrong’s in other ways, like bringing incredible fresh croissants and iced coffee to the people of Lucknow. The Armstrong’s of today is a much-loved local hub that carries groceries, local meat, sandwiches, and, for only six weeks a year, Christmas cookies.

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PAGE A8. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

It’s a wonderful life for the Nicholsons at Christmas

Family holiday fun Roxane Nicholson (third from left) and her family begin decorating for the holiday season in November. In addition to providing her loved ones with seasonal feasts, Nicholson is an instrumental part of the CKNX Relief Project that collects food for community members who are in need. (Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen For Roxane Nicholson of the Bluevale and Brussels area, Christmas begins when she can wrangle her family together for a big decorating day in November, though, that’s sometimes not as easy as it sounds.

She gathers her husband, their children and their significant others for one day that works for everyone - which can be complicated at that time of year between the harvest and the early weeks of the football season - and gets everything done, inside and out, in one day, complete with a full feast for either breakfast or dinner.

As for the meal, Nicholson usually leaves it up to her children to decide, but then she begins taking requests for some of her specialties that have been served up for years of holiday meals. For breakfast, there’s her hash brown casserole, an apple or blueberry crisp and waffles with all the fixings. For dinner - which is usually a group of small dishes and appetizers - popular items are her stuffed mushrooms, baconwrapped peppers and then other favourites like chicken wings.

Whatever it takes to motivate the clan to decorate the family’s house is on the menu. Nicholson loves

Christmas, she said, so there is a lot of work to be done, both inside of the house and out, but it’s all worth it when everyone is cozy in the house and full of Christmas cheer (and mighty tasty food).

Nicholson says that while prying everyone from their busy lives can be challenging at times, especially given the time of year, she says everyone appreciates being together for something so important around the holidays.

Some have standard deocrating tasks at the house that they return to every Christmas - sticking to the fine art of exterior illumination or some of the finer points inside the house - while others will just do as they’re told that day.

After that decorating day, Nicholson tends to take a little break from the holidays, at least on a personal level, as her attention turns to the CKNX Relief Truck project in her role as the President of North Huron Community Food Share.

While CKNX morning show host Buzz Reynolds has much of the limelight for the project, which has collected so much food for those in need over the years, she organizes about 100 volunteers, the trucks, drop-off locations and more, as well as sorting, collection and storage once the collection drive draws to a close.

Nicholson takes that “break” from the holidays to help those in the community who are in need.

However, when things wrap up, in mid-December or so, she’s back in holiday mode and ready to spend time with her family.

There is lots of time spent with grandparents and other extended family members and then another scrumptious meal for Christmas Day, prepared by Nicholson. It all depends on everyone’s schedule, but they make sure they have a big meal together and exchange presents. She says that, for years, she has adhered to the rule of having three gifts under the tree for everyone. Nicholson said she heard once that the number coincided with the three gifts offered up to Jesus by the Wise Men and she stuck with it. When her children were younger, she said, it certainly made life a little easier.

Nicholson grew up in Teeswater where her father was a milk truck driver. That meant that the family would spend Christmas Day together at one of two times. It was either a bit later (7 a.m. - a bit later in milk delivery terms) if he decided to start his run very early and come back or they would wait until he was done for the day. It all depended on the year.

Then, later in the day, Nicholson and her family would visit with their grandparents, followed by a visit to “The Alps” as they are known in Teeswater - large hills that, around Christmas, were always perfect for tobogganing or an outdoor hockey game.

Then, as Nicholson grew older and formed a family of her own, the traditions changed slightly and she and the gang made the holidays their own. Thinking back to those memories of Christmases when her children were small elicits a smile as she reflects back on those “fun” holidays together.

Continued on page A9

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A9.

Songstress Natalie Irwin is a ‘Christmas person’

Wishing you comfort and joy this Holiday Season

The gift of music Lucknow native and Wingham resident Natalie Irwin enjoys everything about Christmas.

The talented musician/speech pathologist loves celebrating with family and friends, baking and, of course, singing. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen The first Christmas ever took place in the middle of the fourth century. In the hundreds of years that have passed since then, countless Christmas rituals and traditions have been born or borrowed, risen to prominence, fallen out of fashion and forgotten.

Even the core concept of Christmas - taking joy in the birth of Christ is no longer a prerequisite for participating in the celebration. But there is one festive tradition that has lasted all that time - the singing of songs, carols and hymns. The first holiday hymn appeared a few decades after the first Christmas

and is still performed today.

In the pursuit of more modern scholarly holiday knowledge, The Citizen had a Cruickshank Park bench chat in Wingham with none other than Natalie Irwin - Huron County’s favourite singer/speech pathologist/self-proclaimed “Christmas Person”. When Irwin isn’t working as a speech pathologist, she can be found singing the songs she loves and playing guitar at local venues.

Irwin isn’t shy about her enthusiasm for all the sensations of the holiday season - at times, her festive spirit is an almost visible aura. It makes her fully Scroogeproof and Grinch-resistant. “I absolutely love Christmas music, I

love all Christmas traditions, I’m an avid Christmas decorator, baker, all the things. I will happily receive gifts, but I love giving gifts. We definitely bake, we’ve always been bakers in my family. My parents did the whole Santa thing, and now they’re doing it for their grandkids.

Maybe I’m a little too into Christmas, actually!”

Irwin also has a love for Christmas songs written after 336 BC. “Obviously anything Christmas with Michael Bublé, and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers have fantastic Christmas music. I grew up in a time when Carrie Underwood was coming out with her Christmas album My Gift, and Continued on page A10

Movies for the Nicholsons

Continued from page A8 On Christmas Eve, she said, they enjoyed one of Nicholson’s famous appetizer suppers that have persisted as a family favourite to the present day and they would watch a Christmas movie together.

However, in the days before streaming technology or even extensive physical media collections, the Nicholsons, like everyone else, were subject to

whatever was on television and it almost always ended up being It’s a Wonderful Life. Nicholson says her children have now likely had their fill of that movie.

She then gifted each child with a set of matching pajamas and a book before sending them off to bed in anticipation of the Christmas Day excitement that awaited them in just a few short hours.

For years, Nicholson had been

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involved in her local church Bluevale United Church and Knox Presbyterian Church in Teeswater before that - even working together with the Sunday school students to produce a Christmas play every year.

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

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PAGE A10. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Second Christmas in Blyth for the de Souza family

At home in Huron County From left, Charlotte, Alma, Darryn, Austin and Harper de Souza had an extremely snowy introduction to Christmas in Blyth last year.

(Courtesy photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen This will be just the second Christmas in Blyth for renowned musician Darryn de Souza and his family, but, in some ways it will be their first after a no-frills, snowblocked celebration last year just days after they moved to the village.

De Souza, who has become

known locally through several fundraising concerts and his work with a children’s choir associated with the Blyth Kids Club, moved to Blyth with his wife Alma and their children Harper, Austin and Charlotte last December. They spent Christmas with family in the Mississauga area, as is tradition for them, but, when they returned just a few days later, they found themselves at the foot of a

mountain of snow that fell over the holidays last winter, unable to even park in their driveway or open their front door.

Speaking with The Citizen, de Souza said he learned two things that night. The first was a lesson in just how much snow Huron County can expect in a winter and the second was a connection with his neighbours, who were willing to help his family in a jam.

Soon enough, de Souza was able to park in a neighbour’s driveway and shovel a path to the door, eventually carving out enough space to open it. Then, the family spent the rest of the December holiday with a skinny, small Christmas tree and just a few mattresses until they could properly unpack and get their new home established.

The party of five made its way to Blyth via Waterdown, a relatively small village just north of Hamilton, when Darryn and Alma decided that they wanted something different for their children than the hustle and bustle of city life.

Perhaps partially driven by the changes brought about by the Continued on page A11

Away In A Manger May your home be blessed by the miracle of Christmas To our valued customers and friends, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year

Christmas stockings mean you’re ‘in’ with the Irwins Continued from page A9 her voice with Christmas music is an all-time favourite. I listen to that album every Christmas.”

Many of her childhood Christmas memories are rooted in her hometown of Lucknow. Like many families today, they started out with the sort of standard-issue Canadian Christmas, then gradually added their own tiny twists and little rituals to the experience. “We did all of the typical kind of movieesque things, like opening presents, and my mom made all of our stockings. Stockings were a big thing, and they still are. If a boyfriend or a girlfriend gets a stocking, that’s like, the ‘Christening’ into the family you’re staying. And my mom always makes this breakfast that is

the go-to at Christmas every single year - it’s from her old cookbook, and I think it’s called “Christmas Morning Wife Saver,” and the point is that you make it the night before and throw it in the oven - it’s layers of bread, and egg and cheese, and vegetables… it’s hands down my favourite. I also like gingerbread men - for me they hold a lot of core memories. My brothers and I used to decorate hundreds of them as kids. And I still make them!“ Irwin believes that music has the power to bring people together.

“My mom and I were briefly carollers for a moment. We went to old-age homes and the homes of local elderly people who lived alone, but that was before COVID.” She also doesn’t hesitate to lend her voice to a good cause. She recently

performed at a fundraising event in Mildmay and, even though she doesn’t have any carolling plans this year, she does plan to bring a little Christmas to the in-patients at the Listowel Wingham Hospital Alliance with a free performance of some of her favourite holiday songs. She’s also sung a number of times at the Lucknow United Church and tries to attend its Christmas Eve service every year.

Continued on page A11

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A11.

Blyth’s arts and culture scene boosted by de Souza Continued from page A10 COVID-19 pandemic, the family came to Huron County in search of more space, more quiet, a slower pace and a sense of community.

Originally, they were drawn to the water of Lake Huron, so they searched for homes in just about every Huron and Bruce County community you could name, but they were unsuccessful for a number of reasons - the competitive housing market at the time; although chiefly, they never really found the right place. However, when they found their future home in Blyth, everything felt right and, soon enough, they were the village’s newest Blythites.

Strangely enough, for a man who has spent his life performing music on stage and for theatre, Darryn said he didn’t know much about the Blyth Festival before settling down in the village, though now, he’s happy to be part of such a creative, arts-centric community that values theatre, music and art.

And now, after some “handshake” work with the Blyth Festival last summer for The Real McCoy, Darryn is firmly entrenched as a major player in Blyth’s artistic legacy. He’s anchored several fundraising concerts and he’s working with “Irish” Joe Gahan of The Lucky Charms and Blyth Kids Club to establish a choral arm to the club for the children who prefer music to arts and crafts. That’s not all.

Darryn hopes to keep the project going in the new year as he paves the way for establishing a music school within the village - no doubt a welcome addition to a village with such an artistic foundation.

In addition to his worldwide music work with The Tenors and others, Darryn is a lifelong educator and he feels that those two passions will intersect nicely with his new project.

Music has been a part of Darryn’s life for as long as he can remember, so it’s only fitting that it plays a big

role still around the holidays.

A Mississauga native, Darryn and his six brothers (he is one of eight children - seven boys and one girl) all were students at Toronto’s prestigious St. Michael’s Choir School, just a stone’s throw from Massey Hall, Canada’s foremost cathedral of music. Darryn was accepted into the school beginning in Grade 3 and he was there until he was in his 20s, leading to the life he’s forged for himself in the world of music. He and his siblings took the GO Train from Mississauga into the city every day for school, he said, returning on the weekend for church services. It made for some long days, he acknowledged, but it went a long way towards crafting him as a musician.

Childhood Christmases for Darryn and his family were very spiritual. They all attended midnight mass, often as part of the choir, and then returned home for a special meal and treats prepared by Continued on page A12

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Irwin is expecting a low key Christmas celebration in 2023 Continued from page A10 Even though she’s hardcore about the holidays, that doesn’t mean Irwin needs her Christmas to be big and flashy, especially after what happened last year. “It’s looking pretty low key this year. We’re hoping there’s not as much snow as there was last year - we were snow stayed at my dad’s, and he wasn’t even there, so [my boyfriend and I] celebrated Christmas with just my mom for three days! [My dad] was stuck at my brother’s house, which is really only about ten minutes from my parent’s house. They were driving out there trying to deliver a generator, and the truck got stuck in the road, and they realized there was a plow stuck in the road right beside them. They put two and two together - this was a bad idea. They actually had to get a friend’s dad to come out with his farm tractor and guide them the rest of the way to my brother’s house. Since there

were only three of us at my parent’s house, we basically each got a whole ‘Wife Saver’ to ourselves, which was awesome!”

The big snow of 2022 ruined a lot of people’s Christmas celebrations, but Irwin didn’t let it get her down, and she ended up having one of her favourite Christmas experiences ever. “We put on snowshoes, and went to visit a friend that was by herself, because her partner was stuck somewhere else too. We could actually walk over top of the fence in the backyard - that’s how much snow there was! We snowshoed down the streets of Lucknow, just walking over fences and signs - it was kinda wild! And it was a great Christmas - it was kind of nice that we were forced to slow down a little bit, because I think it can get so rushed that people forget why we’re doing it.

It’s so fun and nice to get to see everyone that you love, but it’s so

busy! The hardest thing to do is slow down when you’re trying to get to everyone that you want to see and celebrate with them.”

So, if you want to celebrate the season like Natalie Irwin, all you need to do is sing a song for strangers, eat a slice of “Wife Saver,” snowshoe over a fence and let your family know you love them.

If you want to celebrate the season like it’s 336 BC, check out the original Christmas hymn: “Jesus Refulsit Omnium” by St. Hilary of Poitiers, available on YouTube.

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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.

In the town, or on the farm, we hope the holiday really mooves you! With our thanks and to one and all.

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PAGE A12. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Merry Christmas to all our loyal customers

Merry Christmas and Stay Safe in 2024 Getting in the spirit Maitland River Elementary School in Wingham held its annual holiday concert on Monday at the school and all the classes were able to show off their talents for those in attendance. Above, members of the Grade 1A class strut their stuff. (Scott Stephenson photo)

New traditions for de Souzas Continued from page A11 his mother - usually with an Indian flare that would carry over into the Christmas Day lunch - the main meal of the holidays for the family.

On Christmas morning in the de Souza family, Darryn said that, for years, everyone went their own way in the morning hours. The musical family members were always due at this church or that to sing or direct a choir, meaning that they were often flung to all corners of the GTA and not together.

However, they would all reconvene at home for lunch, joined by other family members and followed by family and relaxation time together. They would then exchange gifts later in the day though Darryn says there was often just one gift under the tree for every

sibling and often hand-me-down toys would be part of the holidays as one sibling aged out of a toy that would see a second life with a younger sibling. Then, as a solemn end to the day, the members would all gather together and pray the rosary together as a family.

Then, on Boxing Day, things always took a rather cinematic turn for Darryn, as he and his best friend would always head to the theatre and see what was playing on that day.

Alma says her childhood holidays were not dissimilar to those that Darryn described - attending midnight mass with family, a modest gift exchange and a big family meal - although she said her family’s food was traditional, but with a decidedly Filipino twist, thanks to her background.

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Alma said that she and Darryn hope to bring many of their own traditions to their new life in Blyth, bringing food and the importance of family and being together around the holidays to this Christmas.

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Three 2023 babies, three first Christmases Dynasty in China - Jake worked in the back of house for a restaurant, and Nicole worked in the front of

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Merry Christmas

You never remember your first Bishop Perrault, above with parents Jake and Nicole of Seaforth, will be celebrating his first Christmas this year. And, as Scott Stephenson says in his piece, it’s an experience that Bishop is certain to never remember, but that his parents will never forget. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen Christmas is the most marvelous time for families of all shapes, styles and sizes to come together and be whatever versions of themselves they want and celebrate in any way they see fit.

Christmas is just a magical time!

But there is one kind of Christmas that is just a little bit more special and a little more magical than all the other Christmases around, and that’s Baby’s First Christmas!

When a family celebrates the birth of baby Jesus with their new baby, well, it’s just the most wondrous, one-day-onlyest event of the year!

And this year, The Citizen has scored an exclusive sneak peek before the big day for not one, not

two, but three babies who are about to have their very first Christmas!

These babies definitely will not remember anything that happens, but their parents will never forget.

And now they’ll have a copy of this paper that they can just show to them whenever they choose.

Our first baby is Bishop Perrault, who will be celebrating his first Christmas in his new home in Seaforth. Bishop was feeling pretty mellow during this interview, having spent the earlier part of the day at his very first tractor extraction, so he spent the whole afternoon napping. His parents, Jake and Nicole, had also been to their first tractor extraction that day, but they were abuzz with the energy of two explorers in the midst of a grand adventure.

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Bishop is not the only first in their lives at the moment. There’s also Mochi, their new puppy, the new house, renovations on the horizon, and their first real Christmas. Jake has also acquired a case of oysters, and Nicole has discovered a new flavour of Pizza Pocket. But all that change is exactly what they want. They met in the way couples have been meeting since the first restaurant was constructed during the Song

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

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PAGE A14. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Christmas through a baby’s eyes

A time to celebrate Huron Christian School held its annual Christmas concert dress rehearsal on Friday, Dec. 8 and there was surely something for everyone. The Junior Kindergarten class was among the standouts. Above, Callie Bylsma makes her way through a crowd while, below, from left: Olivia Smith, Casey deBoer and Lochlan Damsma put on a show. (Shawn Loughlin photos)

Continued from page A13 house, got a tree, and now this is Christmas.

The tree is a starting point for them, but they plan to add new holiday traditions as they go along.

Nicole was excited to get an elf on the shelf, but Mochi ate half of his face, turning the cute little sprite into a thing of nightmares. Jake also aspires to teach Bishop about a slightly skewed version of the Santa creation myth, in which there is another, evil version of Santa, kind of like Nega-Link from Zelda who punishes bad children - once he’s a bit older, of course. They are both excited to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation someday.

Jake and Nicole are both deeply invested in the act of nesting, and playing in the snow of their new yard, a luxury they did not have back at their apartment in Blyth.

They don’t know anyone in Seaforth yet, but they hope to soon.

The last two years have been an absolute whirlwind for them, but now, they are finally able to sit down and take a breath in this space

they have found for Bishop to grow in, and where they will watch him grow.

Blyth-based baby Cooper Loughlin’s first Christmas experience is sure to be a great success - all the important decisions are in the capable hands of his older sister Tallulah. She’s had several years of Christmas experience.

Tallulah and her father Shawn had just marched in the Santa Claus parade, and they came in all wideeyed, rosy cheeked and excited.

She’s already asked Santa for socks and a hat for her younger brother, who sits in his high chair taking ambitious bites of banana administered to him by his mother, Jess. Shawn is the editor of The Citizen in Blyth and Jess works for Bruce Power. Tallulah eats chicken fingers and tells jokes like a little Groucho Marx. She has secret information about Santa. And school buses. She explains all the important things you need to know Continued on page A15

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A15.

Loughlin proposal a fond Christmas Eve memory the hill on the farm and are always game to come out of retirement for

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Merry Christmas First time around Jess, Tallulah and Shawn Loughlin are keen to celebrate Cooper’s first Christmas with him. He’s excited about it too, we swear. (Scott Stephenson photo) Continued from page A14 about the Christmas tree. She also has a purple cup, and knows a Christmas song, but she won’t say what it is. She’s excited to have Christmas with Cooper, but she’s also excited about her banana. One moment she wants to be the centre of attention, the next she disappears into the basement.

Every year since the pandemic, all their neighbours bedeck their backyard trees with lights, creating their own little collective winter wonderland.

Jess’s favourite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story, but Shawn has never seen it.

Cooper has the confident energy of a second child with a sister who loves him. Shawn and Jess were

together for 10 years before he finally popped the question one Christmas Eve, but he was still nervous. Luckily, she said yes. He didn’t get her a Christmas present that year, because he already gave her the ring. The Loughlins have built a family that is resilient, welcoming and always wear matching pajamas on Christmas Day. Hustis McQuail arrived at the family farm in June. He’s Katrina McQuail and Ben Hustis’ third child together, and even though he is the smallest and quietest instrument in their family orchestra, he’s found a quiet place to nestle between his mother’s shoulder blades while she prepares dinner.

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PAGE A16. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

McQuails preserve solemn traditions at Christmas active energy, even when she’s standing still.

When Ben gets home, he makes himself a smooth cup of robust Coastal Coffee and calms the girls down. His energy grounds the wild house. He tells a funny story about eating prime rib one Christmas Eve,

and tries to remember why his family always ate red and green pasta on Christmas. The McQuails are Quakers, and went for horsedrawn sleigh rides around the farm every Christmas.

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Three’s company Ben Hustis and Katrina McQuail now have three children in their beautiful family as young Hustis has joined the gang. Ben, Katrina and Hustis are seen above joined by Imogen and Stella and Fran and Tony McQuail, while Hustis had some face time with Santa Claus, below, this year. (Scott Stephenson, courtesy photos)

the corner, a third child waiting to find out how he fits in. He will have a Christmas just like all the other babies, but he will also experience the McQuail tradition of quietly reading the Nativity out in the barn.

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Continued from page A15 anything Katrina and Ben need, or to eat dinner with the family at their big farmhouse table. Katrina puts a chicken from their farm into the oven, and cleans the potatoes. Their daughters, Stella and Imogen, are a couple of whirling dervishes with many new ideas for games they

need to show their mother right now, and songs they want to hear.

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Happy Holidays

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THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A17.

Rev. Todd values core meaning of Christmas

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen The way in which we celebrate Christmas is always in flux. Old customs fade away, and are replaced by new rituals. Different countries and cultures put their own unique twist on the festive season, and every family develops its own traditions and passes them on to the next generation.

Christmas is infinitely customizable - that’s part of what makes it so appealing. But, there is also a massive commercial industry that has evolved along with those traditions, and, sometimes, it can feel like the holiday gets bigger, louder and more expensive every year. All of the festive consumer hysteria can sometimes obscure the spiritual side of Christmas, so The Citizen sought out Rev. JoAnn Todd for a refresher on the real reason for the season.

Since 2018, Todd has served The Regional Ministry of Hope by leading the flock at both Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth and St. Paul’s Trinity Anglican Church in Wingham. Both churches have been working hard to serve the community in new ways and address specific needs in their respective towns with the goal of improving life in North Huron. In 2023, years of effort and planning finally came to fruition - there was the opening of the North Huron Connection Centre in Wingham, an extremely well-attended concert in Blyth to support Huron Hospice, and the successful launch of a Blyth-based team at The Coldest Night of the Year Walk. It was a busy year for Todd.

Christmas season is also a busy time for the proactive minister, but she was happy to take a quick break from all the holiday preparations to talk about all things Christmas over

coffee at her home in St. Helens.

As with many Christmas lovers, Todd inherited the holiday spirit from her parents. Christmas was a very important time for the Dutch immigrants, and they put in a concerted effort towards making it a memorable experience for their children. “We would go to bed at night, and the whole house would be the way it always was. And waking up on Christmas morning, it was all there like magic. I realize now they had stayed up through the whole night decorating the whole house! My father always had a huge, massive nativity scene… he would build it up with easels, it had a whole background, and it had stars in the sky - just a huge, huge

scene, so he would spend the night putting that up, and my mother would spend the night decorating the tree and putting the presents on it. For years my parents did that.”

Being the daughter of Dutch immigrants gave Todd the chance to experience a popular holiday tradition from Holland. “Christmas was the holiday when you went to church on Christmas Eve, and Christmas itself was a very spiritual act. The gift-giving aspect happened on St. Nicholas Day. And on St. Nicholas Eve, [St. Nicholas] would come and put a little something into your slipper. I remember waking up on St.

Nicholas Day and trying to put my slippers on and I couldn’t get my foot in - it was a tiny little toy iron, and against the wall was the ironing board. That’s a very early memory.

My brothers who are younger than me don’t remember St. Nicholas at all.” In North America, St. Nicholas is known mostly as the real life historical figure that inspired Santa Claus, but instead of giving toys out on a naughty-or-nice basis, he gave out practical gifts to those in dire need. This selfless saint has earned himself a place in the hearts of people all over Europe.

Once Todd settled in Huron Continued on page A18

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

G. L. HUBBARD LIMITED Growers And Packers Of Quality Rutabagas

Blyth 519-523-4554

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas Jack & Heather VanDorp & Staff

The Christmas spirit The community of Ethel and the Brubacher family came together last Friday night to celebrate their annual Christmas parade for the 22nd time, including horsedrawn wagon rides and more. (John Stephenson photo)

E KS

and a

KSE

KSE

Happy New Year

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Kurtis Smith Excavating Inc. For all your excavation needs including septic system installations and repairs

LUCAN 519-227-0057 1-888-535-4455

Supplying Brussels/Blyth Area with all types of sand, gravel and stone

Like us on Facebook Hayden Water Wells - Follow us on Instagram @haydenwaterwells

BRUSSELS • 519-887-8855 • KURTIS CELL 519-496-1871

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PAGE A18. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Christmas Eve services ‘touching’ says Todd other in their expression to the Divine, to the Creator, to God, to Christ, to the Holy Spirit is an experience that’s difficult to replicate on your own. Come and hear The Christmas Story.”

If you want to experience the Christmas spirit with Rev. JoAnn Todd and the Anglican community of North Huron there is a Christmas Eve service in Blyth at 2 p.m. and one in Wingham at 5 p.m.

Walton, Ontario

The ‘Christ’ in Christmas Rev. JoAnn Todd says much of the world has lost the “Christ” in Christmas, though not forever. She just thinks it’s buried under tinsel and miseltoe as Christmas has become more commercialized over the years. (Scott Stephenson photo) Continued from A17 County and had a family of her own, they developed their own Christmas traditions. “When my own kids were little, we would always make Christmas cookies, and I’ve carried that on with my granddaughters. My favourite Christmas cookie is a nice shortbread. Her granddaughters are now teenagers with hectic extracurricular schedules, but they still find time during the Christmas season to stop by the farm to bake some cookies with their Oma.” For many Canadians, the word “Advent” only brings to mind fond memories of counting down the days until Christmas with a calendar full of hidden chocolate treats. But, like so many of our modern holiday amusements, that simple cardboard confection dispenser has deeply religious roots. For many Christians, Advent is a time to wait and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ and the Second Coming of Christ.

Each denomination of the church observes Advent in its own way.

Warm wishes for a safe & happy Holiday Season

For Anglicans, Advent begins four weeks before Christmas Day. “It’s a spiritual journey to consider what it means to bring Christ into our lives, and to await the coming of Christ, and to renew your relationship with God, and bring Christ back within yourself. I want people to have an awareness that Christmas is about more than just buying stuff and doing stuff… we’ve lost the Christ in Christmas. We’ve lost the spirituality, we’ve lost the Divine, we’ve lost the spark. But it’s not truly lost, it’s just buried under all the tinsel and mistletoe. If we can try and find a way to kindle that spark, and make it a fire again, it will take us a long way.”

Advent ends with two other Anglican traditions - the Lessons and Carol service, and, of course, there’s the Christmas Eve service.

“That’s very much part of the Anglican tradition… there’s usually special music - choirs prepare for a long time for that kind of thing.”

In Wingham this year, the

traditional Lessons and Carol service on Christmas Day will be followed by a community lunch for anybody who doesn’t have other plans. “It’s a new tradition we’re trying to start. For those who don’t have family, families are created within the church. Part of Christmas is bringing family together, whether that family is related by blood, or related by spiritual connection, or related by just loving each other. If you want to come worship, come worship, but if you don’t want to worship, come for lunch!”

Todd hopes to bring the traditions of the Anglican Christmas that she loves to a wider audience this year.

“If you’re interested in finding out what Christmas is really all about, the best way to do that is to go to a church and experience a Christmas Eve service - it can be a really touching event. The synergy of the spirit of people coming together who are feeling that love together, who are in communion with each

Season’s Greetings May your season be aglow with inspiration, enlightenment and joy.

For your kind patronage we are sincerely thankful.

519-887-6428 (Shop) 519-524-3543 (Ron) 519-955-1588 (Chad) Happy Holidays from our family to yours.

We’re proud to serve this community.

Ron & Betty

Chad & Crystal

Municipal Holiday Hours Municipal Office Closed Monday, December 25, 2023 – Monday, January 1, 2024.

Reopening Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Landfill Hours

Saturday, December 23, 2023, 9:00 am-2:00 pm Tuesday, December 26, 2023, CLOSED Friday, December 29, 2023, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday, December 30, 2023, 9:00 am-2:00 pm Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 9:00 am-5:00 pm

North Huron Recreation Office (regular office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm) Friday, December 22, 2023, - Regular Hours Saturday, December 23, 2023, - Closed.

Sunday, December 24, 2023, - Closed.

Monday, December 25, 2023, - Closed.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023, - Closed.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023, - Regular Hours Thursday, December 28, 2023, - Regular Hours Friday, December 29, 2023, - Regular Hours Saturday, December 30, 2023, - Closed.

Sunday, December 31, 2023, - Closed.

Monday, January 1, 2024, - Closed.

North Huron Fitness, Aquatic, and Arenas (Blyth & Wingham) Saturday, December 23, 2023 – Facilities Open – Regular Hours Sunday, December 24, 2023 – Facilities Closed Monday, December 25, 2023 – Facilities Closed Tuesday, December 26, 2023 – Facilities Closed Wednesday, December 27, 2023 – Facilities Open – Regular Hours Thursday, December 28, 2023 – Facilities Open – Regular Hours Friday, December 29, 2023 – Facilities Open – Regular Hours Saturday, December 30, 2023 – Facilities Open – Regular Hours Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Facilities Closed Monday, January 1, 2024 - Facilities Closed North Huron Children’s Programs (including) *North Huron Children’s Centre – All infant and children’s programs *Maitland River Elementary School – Before and After school programs *Sacred Heart Catholic School – Before and After school programs *Early Learning – All programs CLOSED from December 25th – January 5th.

We will be reopened on January 8th.

From our family to yours

Clearview Renovations Scott McDonald

Brussels 519-887-9740

General Carpenter For all your construction needs

42475 Moncrieff Rd., R.R. #2 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0

519.955.1215

Christmas Tree Recycling When recycling your Christmas tree please remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, string, garland, and tree stands.

Do not bag or wrap your tree (including recycling tree bags).

North Huron residents can drop off Christmas trees to be composted at the following locations free of charge.

39601 Reid Road – North Huron Landfill, during operating hours.

445 Josephine Street – Wingham Public Works Shed.

117 North Street - Blyth Depot.

Town Hall 519.357.3550 | Rec Dept. 519.357.1208 | northhuron.ca

THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023. PAGE A19.

Gamble and Stephenson select annual ‘marital slogan’

Happy New Year!

Each and every year of their marriage, Chelsea Gamble and Scott Stephenson decide on a slogan to guide them through the next twelve months of their lives together. (Scott Stephenson photo)

By Scott Stephenson The Citizen If any seasonal spectres (Dickensian or otherwise) are planning to materialize in the Stephenson-Gamble house over the holidays, they might take one look around our place and assume that our whole Christmas must have been pinched by The Grinch!

But that furry fiend is not to blame.

He’s done his time, should feel no shame.

Our house just always looks this way!

We dress no tree, there are no presents.

We’ve roast no goose, nor duck, nor pheasant.

No stockings stuffed, no boughs of holly, no Santa Claus, nor fa la la-ing.

Nothing hangs by the chimney with care, these halls aren’t decked, our halls are bare!

But those accurate verses don’t mean that Chelsea and I aren’t full of festive enthusiasm! We love checking out other people’s Christmas decorations, learning about different family traditions and spending the Christmas portion of the holidays with our families.

And we’re not against pageantry in any way - we love pageantry, as well as all the old traditions, customs and rituals that have been guiding and shaping our societies

for as long as humans have been congregating.

Rituals and traditions are an essential part of any successful society, even the two-person society that is marriage. And just as many of the best Christian traditions are born out of ancient Pagan rituals, Chelsea and I love making up our own rituals, most of which are very silly and full of pointless rules that are needlessly strict. We evolve by codifying unnecessary exemptions to those rules. We pile bylaw upon bylaw, until it’s bylaws all the way down.

On Family Day, we eat Jambalaya.

If our cat knocks a movie off the shelf, it means we need to watch it next. We decide to leave the house to get groceries when the last raspberry rises to the top of a glass of ginger-ale. Choosing a DVD has a completely different set of rules than choosing a VHS tape. Getting honked at by a weird looking goose can completely change our whole day. It all seems inconsequential at first, but once you start to believe in something spiritual, even if it’s the stupidest kind of spiritual, you start to feel the true power of unknowable sources. A sign from the universe in the form of a set list can put you on a bus to Las Vegas, and a head of garlic can lead you to start a whole new life in a town you’ve never heard of.

Inventing our own holidays is also a great way to feel more connected and in-sync with the calendar year. Everybody knows that October is Fright Fest - the month where we only watch scary movies, but The Ides of March Celebration is less well-known, and involves watching the Ryan Gosling/George Clooney political thriller of the same name every March 15, every year, until we die.

One of our oldest and most important rituals is the choosing of the annual marital slogan on New Year’s Eve. In the months leading up to New Year’s, we nominate potential candidates that we pick up Continued on page A20

Ross McCall

Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519-887-9571 Email. . . . mccall.lvstk@hurontel.on.ca

Mer r y Christmas

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and the very best for the coming year.

Brett & Laura Fischer Brussels 519-887-8253 Office brettandlaura@plantpioneer.com

NEW YEAR

Doctors Nisbett, Padfield, Weaver, Taylor, Kuiper, Brunk along with their families & staff of Huron Optometric Centres of Goderich, Clinton, Wingham wish you a very Happy Holiday Season.

Thank you for your continued support. We always welcome new patients!

Best wishes to all our friends and customers now and in the coming year.

Caldwell Constr ucttion Gary ryy,, Linda & family

85345 Brussels Line, Box 140, BRUSSELS, ON

& A HAPPY

Merry Christmas from our home to yours

Blyth/Brussels

Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2024.

Thank you kindly for your loyal support.

519--525-8615

Goderich (519)524-7251

Clinton (519)482-3677

Wingham (226)422-2020

PAGE A20. THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023.

Just over a week until 2024’s slogan is revealed see which ones we remember, and the right one always reveals itself to us by the end of the night to guide our decision-making and actions throughout the coming year.

Sometimes, the clear front runner is defeated at the last minute by a buzzer beater that changes everything. It’s always a good time to yell our slogan - whether we’re riding high, sitting pretty or stuck in the weeds. Yelling our slogan together is a little incantation that keeps us heading in the right direction, together. Modern slogans have been weakened by consumerism, weaponized by heretical politics and blasphemed by branding. Our slogans draw power from the original Gaelic version of the word - sluagh-ghairm - the battle-cry of the dead. For centuries, slogans were shouted on

the battlefield to differentiate friend from foe when it was too dark to see.

Our most successful slogan so far is actually the one from this year “Country On!” We can think of no better magic words to encapsulate this year that was. We’ve gone from urban outsiders to rural outsiders, gotten more in touch with the beautiful area we live in, and the wonderful people who populate it.

We’ve trekked through muddy fields, ridden on steam engines and learned about cover crops, threshing and furrows. We still know next to nothing, but that’s not nothing!

The jury is still out on what this year’s slogan will be, but we have faith that it will be the right one to unlock the wonders and mysteries of 2024. Country On!

Royal Canadian Legion Brussels Branch 218 Onwards and upwards On Dec. 31, Scott Stephenson and Chelsea Gamble will choose a motivating phrase to galvinize their collective actions through 2024. (Scott Stephenson photo) Continued from page A19 from disparate sources.

A successful marital slogan is typically short and easy to remember, while still being expansive enough to bind both our

spirits to the coming year. Some stand-outs from past years include “Seven Come Eleven!” (2018) and “Scuttle It!” (2020).

The short list of slogans is defined by yelling them at each

other, a bunch. Sometimes for months on end. We forget a lot of great slogans, but it’s forbidden to write them down. Annual slogans have become part of our oral history. Come New Year’s Eve, we

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 2024.

Merry Christm mas from all of us u at the...

HURON COUNTYY FEDERATION OF AGGRICULTURE 519-4 51 482-9642 1-800 0-5 5111-1135 H HuronFedofAg Huron C H County t F Federatio d tion off Agriculture A i lt ofahuron@tcc c.on.ca

www.hc cfa.on.ca