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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-24, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015. PAGE 23. At the Royall household in Blyth, Christmas is all about family time and being thankful for the blessings the family has received throughout the year. Pastor Mark Royall, of the Huron Chapel Missionary Church in Auburn and Blyth Legion Padre, and his wife Glenda sat down to tell The Citizen what Christmas means to them. It means a lot of fun, a lot of reflection and a lot of time spent with family. Some of their traditions have started with the couple and their three daughters, Ashlea, Bethany and Carly, however some have came down from other family members like a well-stocked treat table on Christmas Day. “My family [the Taylors] always woke up Christmas morning, opened up presents, played with our stuff and then we headed down to my grandparents house in Toronto,” Glenda said. “That was a two hour drive [from Flesherton] and the thing I remember about my Nana’s house is that she was diabetic but she made a table full of sweets that we kept eating and eating until we were sick.” Glenda explained that tradition has continued, and that every year she enjoys preparing snacks and treats to honour a pasttime that her grandmother employed, as did Mark’s mother. “Every year is a new experience, but we make sweets.” she said. “We make the basics, the sugar cookies, the fudge, different kinds of cookies. This year I’m going to try pistachio cookies.” Mark’s early Christmas memories aren’t the kind that translate from generation to generation, but they certainly provide great insight into the era in which he grew up. “My parents are from Owen Sound but for the first nine years of their marriage they were in Boston where my dad was going to school and where I was born,” Mark said. “My first memory of Christmas is an interesting one. My father was born in mainland China to missionary parents, so, during the 1960s we would wrap up our gifts in Boston and drive up here to Canada to spend time with family. At the border crossing sometimes they would ask where we were born. When my Dad told them he was born in China we always had to pull over and be investigated further. Since it was in the 1960s when there was much tension with the Cold War, they would make us unwrap all our Christmas gifts to see what we were Trips, pink onesies mark Royall Christmas A special family celebration This year will mark the first time the entire Royall clan has been in their Blyth home for Christmas since Glenda and Mark moved there several years ago. The family plans on some special Christmas celebrations and traditions taking place over the holidays. Shown are Glenda, left, and Mark holding a picture of the rest of their family. In the photo, from left are the Royalls’ unofficial daughter (and family friend) Andrea Sali and daughters Ashlea, Bethany and Carly. (Denny Scott photo) PROFESSIONAL SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION YOURAUTHORIZEDANDERSEN WINDOW & PATIO DOOR DEALER 1st Avenue, VANASTRA LOCAL CALLS 519-482-7869 IF BUSY CALL 519-482-5816 Come Home To Andersen ® All of us at D&D Glass & Mirror want to thank you for your business and support this past year. We looking forward to serving you in 2016. "Andersen" and theAW logo are registered trademarks ofAndersen Corporation B Blair, David Miller, Jon Miller, Jason Shipp Front Row: Ken Warwick, Marg Miller, Cathy Kovacs, Clarence Ferguson (Fergie), Jacques Martel Free Delivery Wishing all our customers, a safe and happy Christmas holiday filled with a large measure of peace, joy and merriment. BROWN’S PHARMASAVE Holiday Hours: Dec. 24 9-1 Dec. 25 & 26 Closed Dec. 31 9-1 Jan. 1 Closed 198 Josephine St., Wingham, Ont. 519-357-1629 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4 Rear Parking Available New weight loss program “Ideal Protein” Seniors’ Discount every Tuesday The best part of any journey is the people you meet along the way, and we’re pleased to say, we’ve never met a better bunch of folks than you. Thanks for making the trip worthwhile. Merry Christmas! From all of us at Brussels Agromart Ltd. By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 40