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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-12-19, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013.Nixon remembers WI Hall Christmas concerts A fun family event Whether it was a big family Christmas at the Belgrave Women’s Institute Hall during his youth or playing board games with his own children, Steve Nixon, right, says Christmas traditions in his family lean to spending time together. Shown is Nixon’s family. From left are, Kyle, Michelle Glassier, Patti and himself. (Denny Scott photo) When the Nixon family celebrates Christmas, there’s a wealth of traditions to be followed to make sure it feels like the real thing including some of patriarch Steve’s celebrations with the Belgrave Kinsmen. “We have to have a real Christmas tree,” said Nixon. “We have to get it two weeks before Christmas and it has to be a real one... Also, the first gift is always opened by the youngest. I’m sure other people do that too, I don’t know if it’s a tradition, but it’s what we’ve always done.” The family, which consists of Steve, his wife Patti, his daughter Michelle and son Kyle, always hang stockings and has a tradition of playing board games and, while Nixon isn’t sure how it got started, he said that, for 31 years, his family has spent the holidays playing them with one another. Two extended family Christmases also work their way into the holiday season, one on Boxing Day and one at the end of November. The Boxing Day Christmas, the Nixon celebration, is steeped in tradition as well according to Nixon, who said the family starts the event by all holding hands. Christmas has always been a great experience for Nixon, starting from when he was young. “When I was young, Christmas was definitely good,” he said. “We would always gather at the Hall in Belgrave, all my uncles, my grandfather and my father would be there.” He said that, being at the Women’s Institute Hall was nice, but it was a tradition that would eventually have to end, because the family just kept getting bigger. “It’s too big now, with all the families, to plan something like that,” he said. “We just get together at my father’s place.” When he was young, there was also a Christmas concert at the Womens’ Institute Hall and From all of us at Lake Huron Chrysler have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 71 ALBERT STREET, CLINTON 519-482-9505 FINE FURNITURE & FLOOR COVERINGS In this season of possibilities, we hope your every wish comes true. Merry Christmas and many thanks for your goodwill and support all year long. HOPE. DREAM. LAUGH.REJOICE. By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 25