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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-24, Page 29THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015. PAGE 29. S eas on’s G r eet i ngs ROBERT RADFORD FARM MACHINERY REPAIRS P.O. Box 144 Londesborough, Ontario N0M 2H0 519-523-4851 Wishing You A Blessed Holiday Origin of the Candy Cane The pure white symbolizes the Virgin Birth and Sinless nature of Jesus. The hard candy represents the Solid Rock; the foundation of the church and firmness of the promises of God. The peppermint flavour represents the hyssop plant that was used for purifying in the Bible. The red stripes are for the blood He shed when He died on the cross. The green stripe is placed on the candy cane to remind us of our new life in Christ. The hooked shape is thought to have two meanings; a shepherd’s staff and when turned upside down we see J, this reminds us the reason for the season is Jesus. Continued from page 22 require snow – something that has been in short supply this year. All four family members agree that getting out on Christmas Day is made exponentially more fun with a thick blanket of the white stuff on the ground. Even gifts that Ella and Oliver have asked for from Santa have reflected that tradition over the years, as Ella recently received a metal detector, which got her and Theo out and exploring the family’s property. It was first seeing someone explore the beaches of North Carolina that piqued Ella’s interest in a metal detector and it yielded immediate results, as that Christmas Day, she dug up an old axe head after combing through the Tiny Farm property. Paving the way to Christmas Day, of course, is Christmas Eve, which has always been designated for family time at the Sawchuk house. There are often movie viewings, Christmas story recitations (The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot is a favourite of Ella and Oliver) and the annual Blyth United Church Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24. The kids then leave cookies for Santa to keep the big guy happy and carrots for his reindeer to keep them moving on their busiest night and they all then retire to bed. Continuing to work backwards into December, Christmas really begins at the Sawchuk house when the family’s artificial tree is put up... by Ella and Oliver. The tradition began a few years ago when the kids were eager to get their home into the Christmas spirit and Julie and Theo weren’t quite ready yet. The parents challenged their children, saying if they could lug the tree up from the basement, put it up and decorate it themselves, they would allow it. Ella and Oliver did a great job that year and have taken up the job in subsequent years. 82589 London Rd., south of Blyth 519-523-9726 email: countryside@tcc.on.ca Glory to the Newborn King! All the best to you and your family, as together we celebrate the Miracle of His birth. TENPAS DECOR CARPET ONE 122 Main St. E., Listowel 519-291-4440 Brian Rhonda Murray Brenda Kevin Nancy Brian, Brenda, Murray, Rhonda, Kevin and Nancy would like to thank you and let you know how much they appreciate your business this past year. Theirfamilieswishyouavery MerryChristmasand Bestwishesforthe newyearfrom You can’t pass on TenPas where the welcome mat is always out for you! Sawchuk Christmas usually involves outdoor activities Cottrill Christmas scheduled around curling time For Shawn and Katie (Pringle) Cottrill of Belgrave, the holiday season sometimes comes second to their respective bids for competitive curling. The duo have several accolades to their name in competitive curling including Katie winning the Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts competition in 2014 as part of Team Flaxey and Katie and Shawn earning runner-up at the Ontario Mixed doubles together. “Being highly competitive curlers means December is quite busy for us as we each prepare for our respective Ontario playdowns,” Katie said. The tournament this year was held on Dec. 19 and 20 and the newly formed Team Cottrill, which includes Katie and teammates Shannon Kee, Brenda Holloway, Heather Nichol, and Kate Wasylkiw with Shawn as team coach wasn’t able to secure a berth for the provincials, though they are going to continue to try. “This keeps us very busy right up to a few days before Christmas,” Katie said. “Shawn and I usually take one day and do all of our Christmas shopping as it’s hard enough to find one day is free.” The couple alternates its holiday settings, spending Christmas one year with Katie’s family in Orillia and the next with Shawn’s family in Belgrave. “This year we are spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Cottrill side in Belgrave,” Katie said. “We will go over to Shawn’s parents’ place on Christmas Eve and his two brothers will come home for those two days as well.” Katie said the family usually has dinner together, which can consist of mini pizzas they make together and then they go to church. “After church, we gather again at the Cottrill house and get into some board games such as Settlers of D. C. Craig Excavating • Excavating • Bulldozing • Snow Plowing • Septic Systems • Drainage • Snow Removal 519-523-4966 Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2016 SCOTT TOWNSENDSCOTT TOWNSEND • FURNACES • CENTRAL AIR • FIREPLACES • GAS WATER HEATERS • IN-FLOOR HEAT • BOILERS PLUMBING & HEATING Serving Your Area 519-482-3744 PLUMBING & HEATING INC. Season’s Greetings and thank you for your patronage this past year.Christmas on ice A big part of celebrating Christmas for Shawn and Katie Cottrill of Belgrave is curling. Whether it’s their current practice of preparing for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts or Katie’s father taking her to curling events when she was younger, the duo has traditionally spent their winter months and Christmas holidays around curling rinks and bonspiels. (Photo submitted) By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 31