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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-12-21, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017. PAGE 15. Nesbitt Christmas includes outdoor tree, family time A tale of change Christmas has changed a lot at the Nesbitt household just south of Blyth. What started as large family Christmas celebrations has gradually become more focused on immediate family. Traditions stay alive, according to Lena and Carl, however, no matter how many people are celebrating. From left: daughter Brenda and grandson Dalton Carey, Lena and Carl. (Denny Scott photo) Christmas has evolved several immediate family," Lena said. times over the past 53 years at the Immediate family Christmases Nesbitt house just south of Blyth, were always a bit difficult to however the focus has always been arrange, she said, explaining that son the same: family. Russ' shift work as a police officer Lena and Carl, alongside their would often result in him not being children Russ, Ron and Brenda, have able to attend. One thing the family welcomed members of their does always try to take in, however different families to the family is a Christmas Eve church service, home, be that on the 13th of Hullett followed up by some traditional or their current home on Cemetery family time. Line, just south of Blyth, since Carl "We wake up on Christmas Day, and Lena were married. put the turkey in the oven then head It started with Carl's family over to Brenda's for a Christmas coming on Christmas Day and, at its breakfast," Carl said. "The children height, saw approximately 40 people open their presents and then we attending the celebration. come back home for dinner "At one point, we probably had 22 afterwards" people staying over once," she said. One big change that has occurred "The Nesbitt family came every year very recently is the migration of the until the families started getting family Christmas tree outside of the older and holding their own house. Chrismtas celebrations. Carl explained that he traditionally That change was only the first over picks up a tree from the the past half -century of Christmas Londesborough Lions Club, with celebrations Lena and Carl have which the family has a long history. celebrated together. "When the Nesbitt family stopped coming on Christmas Day, my family, the Dougherty family took over," Lena said. Carl pointed out that her family is from the Blyth area and everyone always seemed to end up at their home. Lena said it may have been because she was the best chef of the bunch. Like the Nesbitts, however, the Doughertys stopped coming as well, after Lena's mother Ruth passed away. "After that, we were down to The tree used to be in the house, but, with expanding families requiring more table space and Lena finding that room didn't make a great home for a live tree, Carl started putting up the tree outside. The tree is set up on the family's lawn and is traditionally visible to traffic on County Road 4. Thanks to a large picture window, it's also visible by the family when they sit down to Christmas dinner. The family has also gotten away from a large number of gifts being given and received and turned their attention to local charities. Christmas means giving to others for councillor Continued from page 13 sure everyone has a good Christmas." This year, Christmas is especially busy for the family with both children performing in school concerts and Kenzie performing with the Listowel School of Dance in a four -show engagement of The Nutcracker. Yolanda also has plans, saying that as a councillor she is usually involved in a community Christmas meal for the less fortunate where council greets those attending. North Huron Council has also donated to the North Huron Food Share in the past, something she again. hopes to do "I don't need gifts," Carl said. "I'd rather people give to charity." The Londesborough Lions Christmas dinner is also a long-time tradition going back 41 years for the community service group and the family. Like the Nesbitts' Christmas, it's evolved over the years, including a "gift -stealing" game at one point and now taking a collection for a charity in the area. This year, the group is donating to the Ronald McDonald House children's charity. Christmas at the Nesbitt family has shrunk from a large family, to a medium-sized one, to Lena, Carl, their children and grandchildren but now it is starting to grow as the grandchildren bring their own guests to the celebration. As far as funny family stories, the Nesbitts have plenty to share including the year that the family ended up feasting on 120 pounds of turkey for several months after NORTH Township of HURON North Huron CURBSIDE COLLECTION Please note that there will not be curbside collection on Tuesday, December 26 — Boxing Day. This collection will take place on Friday, December 29, 2017 for all residents within the Township of North Huron — Wingham, Blyth and East Wawanosh. WINGHAM LANDFILL Please note the Wingham Landfill site will be closed on Boxing Day - December 26, 2017 Regular Business Hours Friday, December 29, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2018 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs. MEETING NOTICE Municipality of Morris-Turnberry The upcoming meetings for the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be held: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Thursday, January 18, 2018 Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at 7:00 p.m. at 7:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting Budget Meeting Regular Council Meeting Christmas celebrations had ended. "One of our neighbours was raising turkeys and I said, 'Give me half a dozen,' thinking they would be 15 to 20 pounds or so," Carl said, with Lena adding that they planned on giving them to Carl's staff at Nesbitt Construction Inc. Unfortunately, the turkeys were delivered too late to get to their intended destination. "When they showed up, however, they were 30 pounds each," Carl said. Ron explained that was in 1981 Continued on page 16 /5rall°11"11141141t•-• -• • •-• • Ars-ri Ars from Beuermann Construction Brussels 519-887-8246 2018 Regular Council Meeting Calendar HDUFor the Township of North Huron All Regular Council Meetings shall take place in the Council Chambers at 274 Josephine Street, Wingham and shall commence at 7:00 pm unless altered by resolution of Council. Monday, January 15 Monday, February 5 Monday, March 5 Tuesday, April 3 Monday, May 7 Monday, June 4 Monday, July 9 Monday, August 13 Tuesday, September 4 Monday, October 1 Monday, November 5 Monday, December 3 only one meeting in January Tuesday, February 20 Monday, March 19 Monday, April 16 Tuesday, May 22 Monday, June 18 Monday, July 23 only one meeting in August Monday, September 17 Monday, October 15 Monday, November 19 Monday, December 17 www.northhuron.ca HOLIDAY NOTICE Most areas Rescheduled for The Bluewater Recycling Association and all its staff would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. During the holiday season, we postpone the regular collection of waste and recyclables in order to allow our staff to savour this joyous holiday with their family. This year, Christmas and New Year's Day take place on a Monday, so if your regular collection is on a Monday, it will be rescheduled for Saturday December 3oth except for those listed below. Those normally collected Tuesday through Friday are not affected this year. Municipality Bluewater Bluewater Bluewater Perth South Perth South Area/Zone East West Lakeshore Blanshard Downie New Collection December 26 January 2 January 2 December 27 January 3 Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1 800.265.9799, info@bra.org or visit www.bra.org Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs.