The Citizen, 2016-12-22, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016.
Christmas is about generations for Cochranes
Celebrations abound
North Woods Elementary School secretary Jennifer
Cochrane shared her Christmas experiences with The
Citizen this year and family is a central theme. Whether it's
Christmas now with her two family Christmases or her
grandparents' houses, there is always plenty of fun and
plenty of tradition. (Denny Scott Photo)
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Christmas is a matter of tradition
at the Cochrane home near Ethel,
with everything tied to practices that
go back generations.
Jennifer Cochrane (maiden name
Rains), who has been the secretary at
North Woods Elementary School
(formerly Grey Central Public
School) for 20 years, said there are
quite a few practices that have
followed her throughout the years.
"My family was from Northern
Ontario and we would always go to
my grandma and grandpa's house for
Christmas," Cochrane said. "We
couldn't go downstairs until
Grandpa was ready. He carried on
getting ready very slowly so that
everyone had to wait before they
could open their presents. He would
take his time putting his socks on
and brushing his teeth."
Cochrane said she made sure the
practice was the same with her
children, who have in turn passed it
down to her grandchildren.
Her grandfather also always made
mandarin oranges a special part of
the celebration, buying a box to
share with the family.
"You can get them all the time
now, but back then they were
special," she said. "I still think of
Christmas whenever I smell them."
The Rains family moved around a
lot when Cochrane was young,
which made Christmas at grandma
and grandpa's a special occasion for
Cochrane. She said that having that
place to call home was nice,
especially at the holidays.
The Christmas tree also tells the
traditions of the family, featuring
hand -made decorations by Jennifer's
children Hayley, Christa, Dan and
Jim, decorations from Jennifer's
own collection and decorations
going as far back as Jennifer's
grandmother.
"I always try to get at least one
decoration from my grandmother's
collection on the tree," she said. "It's
a nice reminder of how Christmas
has been celebrated over the years."
The tree is always a real one, and,
while that usually meant a trip to
Listowel in years past, several trees
were bought by the Cochranes this
year as part of a fundraiser at North
Woods Elementary School.
In recent years, Jennifer's home,
which she shares with her mother
Darlene, has been the location of
choice for her family, the Rains,
when it comes to Christmas. She did
say, however, that the clan doesn't
necessarily meet every Christmas
"We get together when we can,"
she said. "This year, we decided we
were going to do Christmas, then we
decided we are going to have it here,
so that should be fun."
The family, which includes
relatives in Tavistock and Clinton,
get together to celebrate but not on
Christmas, Cochrane explains.
"My mom doesn't like to have
turkey for that celebration, she likes
to make lasagna," she said. "Turkey
is for Christmas."
The Cochrane family Christmas is
a big event, Jennifer said, and it's
held annually at Ethel Hall.
"This year, we had 59 of the 65
people come," she said, explaining
the event is always held in early
December to make it easier to plan.
"[Cochrane's husband] Steve was
Santa and all the children got to tell
him what they wanted for
Christmas"
Cochrane's mother-in-law makes
hand -made gifts for her
grandchildren, and this year made
socks for the boys and headbands for
the girls.
Christmas plans for the immediate
family are pretty unique, Cochrane
said, in that a movie usually features
in the plans.
"On Christmas Eve we go to the
theatre in Listowel," she said. "my
daughter is the manager there, so we
watch a children's movie on the big
screen and have fun together."
Before they go to bed, Cochrane
and Steve make what she calls the
egg concoction which makes for a
quick and delicious breakfast in the
morning.
The stockings are still hung with
care and filled at the Cochrane
home, even if the owners of the
stockings don't visit until Boxing
Day or later.
Cochrane explained that, when it
comes to Christmas at home, there is
no specific guest list, as everyone is
welcome to stop by and visit.
She said this year they're
expecting their granddaughter's
step -father and family to come visit
and share the holiday with them
because otherwise, they would be
celebrating alone.
Christmas at the school is also a
special time, Cochrane said, saying
that Christmas concerts, North
Woods Elementary School's annual
Christmas lunch and all the
decorations and fun time hold a
special place in her heart. Cochrane
is the second secretary at the school
since it opened, having replaced the
first secretary when she started there
in 1996.
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Blessings of the Season
to all
and thank you
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this year.
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Carpentry
Brussels
519-887-9616
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The Municipality of Central Huron Council and
Municipal Staff join together to wish you ,
peace and serenity this holiday season..
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