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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-22, Page 36Brussels Public School recently held its final Christmas Concert as the school is slated to close at the end of the 2011/2012 school year and have its student body amalgamated with other schools. Organizers and teachers Jose Gillespie and Warren Wray, however, wanted the students to have that be the farthest thing from their mind when putting together this year’s concert. “We were trying to not focus onthis being the last year for theconcert,” Gillespie said. “We wanted to keep it as normal as possible.” “We may have been more serious than previous years, like last year’s was funnier, and this year had its cute and light moments but it was a bit serious.” This year’s performance was more focused on music rather than a theatrical story according to the duo. “There was more music and a lot less lines,” Wray said. “We had towork a bit on the transitions to fiteverything in, and there was a lotmore coming and going than normal.” Gillespie said that, with the message of the play being focused on kindness and giving, the students really liked it. “The kids connected with the story and the music,” she said. “It was all about love and caring and sharing and they really seemed to pick up on that.” Part of why the students were able to connect with the music could have been the lateral movement the classes were offered by the play. “The kids chose what worked for them to sing,” Gillespie said. “We even had the Grade 2 class fit in their favourite song from music class, ‘Grandma’s Pyjamas’, into the play.” As is tradition the play featured the Junior Kindergarten through Grade 4/5 classes. “It’s a school decision to focus on Continued from page 16 economy. “At one time Blyth was a service centre for farmers because people did things locally,” he said. “They came here for feed and grain and that was the reason for Blyth’s existence. “With people being able to travel further, there isn’t a need to have each village be a one-stop centre, so the stores don’t stay.” Vodden also stated that, in 1940, every store on main street supported between one and five families, which is a very different model than the downtown of today. Now stores will support the owners and maybe help support one other family according to Brock. “I remember once, for example, in 1947, when we were isolated for an entire week in the early part of the year,” he said. “The snow drifts were so high you could walk on them and look down at the hydro poles.” Vodden said that, while the village was completely cut off from the surrounding area, people continued to go about their lives because they lived and worked in the same area. That kind of attitude and that kind of commerce is what led to local businesses being such an important part of Christmas. Another big difference between Christmas in Blyth in the past and now is the arrival of Santa Claus, according to Vodden. “Santa came to Blyth by the train,” he said. “He would arrive at the Dinsley Street station and there would be a parade from the train station to Memorial Hall.” His arrival was a big event according to Vodden. “We would go to the hall and see Santa,” he said. “Local firemen would give out oranges and candy to the children and that was really special.” Oranges weren’t as common during that time and, for some children, it could be the only time they would see them during the year. Other snacks that would only show up in the village during Christmas were nuts and Christmas baking. “It was a very special time of the year,” Vodden said. “Most of it was focused on the festival aspects of the season.” He stated that Christmas was really a time for family to get together, but that there was usually a tough choice to make there. “For us we went to one pair of grandparents one year and the other the next,” Vodden said. “It was just too much travel otherwise.” Family ties are another change that has occurred which has led to Christmas being less centred in the home, and thus taken farther away from the hometown. “When I was young, people wouldn’t travel much, but they would try and come home for Christmas,” he said. “They would travel home whenever they could and that would sometimes lead to people returning home that I had never met before. They would all come home though to visit the shops they shopped at before they moved away.” Br-br-break it down Greg Manley of Brussels Public School proves he has mad rhyming skills during a rap about wrapping paper during the school’s Dec. 14 Christmas concert. (Denny Scott photo) PAGE 36. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011.Teachers keep last Brussels concert ‘normal’ Vodden remembers main street holiday With a Round of Best Wishes from all of us Country Store 519-887-8429 Feed Mill Dungannon 519-529-7951 Walton 519-887-6023 1-800-665-5675 May you enjoy the blessings of the season with the ones you love and may the New Year bring you much happiness, success and good fortune. Thank you for your patronage. ~ Winter Store Hours ~ Mon. - Fri. 6:30 am - 7 pm, Sat. 8 am - 7 pm, Sun. Closed Christopher M. Smith, Michael S. Falconer, Mark R. Rushton, Amanda Rich & Staff Funeral Homes Ltd. Blyth Visitation Centre Clinton Chapel 519-482-9521 As we celebrate the gladness and the glory of this holy season, we’d like to express our deepest feelings of friendship and goodwill to all of you. GREETINGS OF THE SEASON Bachert Meats Inc. Walton 519-887-9328 This holiday season, as you think on the birth of JESUS CHRIST, may the gift of HIS unending love be made real to you. Our warmest thoughts are with you on this holiday occasion, along with our thanks for your valued business. to our valued customers 235 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9661 Hwy. #8, Mitchell 519-348-8485 We really appreciate your filling our year with so much joy. Merry Christmas everyone! RADAR AUTO PARTS "You'll find it at CARQUEST" 20 King St., Clinton 519-482-3445 By Denny ScottThe Citizen Continued on page 37