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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2010-01-14, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010. PAGE 19. The first two weeks of the year have flown by.. I hope it is not a sign of how fast the rest of the year will go. We have just returned from a wonderful family event held in Mexico. We attended the wedding of our niece Kendra Warwick of Calgary to Luis Gonzalez of Mexico City. The wedding party did a marvelous job getting all the details arranged after their arrival and the beautiful sunset ceremony, dinner and reception was held in a secluded cove overlooking the sea in the area of Huatulco, near the small town of La Crucecita. The bride was stunning in an off- white Spanish style gown and the attendants in sea green dresses. The groom and his groomsmen wore traditional white shirts and pants. Following the ceremony and pictures, the small intimate group of guests enjoyed a delicious Mexican dinner of ensalada Mexicana con nopales, pechuga rellena de flor de calabza, rollo de pescado and terrina de tres chocolates. We gathered around a small portable dance floor and traditional salsa music played for the reception. Luis and his brothers tried to teach the Canadians how to meringue dance and we had a great time trying to learn. The Canadian tradition of throwing the garter and bouquet was done as well as a couple of Mexican traditions. The bride had to pass a lime up the groom’s pant leg and down the other and the second had the couple standing on chairs holding hands like an arch, while the guests danced between them, ticking, patting or doing whatever to part the couple. The couple survived the dance and that was a sign of a strong, true bond of love between them. Those attending included the mother of the bride, Karin McDonald Calhoun and husband Charlie from North Carolina. The bride’s brother, Michael Warwick, and his wife Chrissy and children Sydney and Brycen and the brides’ father, Bob Warwick attended from Calgary. Ontario was represented by our family and Bruce McDonald of Hanover and friend Linda. Neil McDonald attended from Vancouver. The Gonzalez family included Luis’s brothers and sister and their spouses. Rick and Jo-Ann enjoyed this special time with their family and having a great visit with the extended McDonald family while enjoying the sun, sand and scenery of the area. Our sympathies are extended to the Heibein family on the passing of Violet Heibein. Lloyd and Vi moved to Listowel several years ago, but for many years she was a smiling face on the streets of Brussels. Our condolences to Lloyd, Janet, Wendy, Jeff and Gary and their families. Neil and Marie McGavin spent New Year’s with their family in Collingwood on Jan. 1, 2 3 and 4. They had three condos to house the family of 23 who gathered to ski, swim, play games, cards, play Wii, watch movies and eat. The skiing was bitterly cold and some persevered longer than others. They had a great time and a great visit with each other. Congratulations to four families on the birth of little ones. The Gillis family welcomed a new grandson into the family just before Christmas.John and Pat Gillis, along withparents Craig and Tanya and sisterPayton of Beachville, are excited toadd Riley William, to the Gillis clan.A little girl named Bree is the newarrival to Ethan and Joanna Wallace.Bree joins twin brothers, Liam andCole, to complete the family. Joannais a member of the Walton Wonders slo-pitch team. Congratulations to Greg and Trudy Ryan on the arrival of their first child, a little girl they are calling Amber. Amber is the first granddaughter for Jim and Betty Ryan. Welcoming a second son to their family are Scott and Colleen Bromley, Jackson is a wee brother for Jake. Grandparents, Paul and Dianne McCallum now have two granddaughters and two grandsons. Congratulations to the Bromleys. The Cranbrook dart club started offthe New Year on Jan. 6 withenthusiastic members. High shots forthe night were by Gayle Speiran with125 and Hein Kuypers with 94. TeuniSmith and Evelyn Blake werehonoured with birthday wishes ontheir special day Jan. 6.Maxine Marks is having a shortstay at the Manor in Seaforth as her house is being renovated. Sounds great to me. Go away, then come back to a new look, neat and tidy and spic and span clean. Home for a quick visit was Marci McCall MacBain. She dropped into check up on the grandparents and mom and dad. Murrray and Sherry are always happy to have her home, even for a few days. Marci’s timing was good, as Grandma Lila Storey was discharged from the hospital and is now home and coming along nicely. Grandma Mary McCall alsohad a great visit with Marci.Brian and Shelley McGavin werethe hosts for the Johnston familyparty welcoming Mark Johnston’sfiancée Anna to the clan. Mark is theson of Terry and Teresa Johnston.The couple are going to be married inMexico in February. Nearly 40people enjoyed the get together on the weekend. Celebrating birthdays this past week were David Huether, Sal Curreri, Ryan Marks, Jarrett Humphries, Brian Marks, Rick Pethick, B.J. DeJong, Sherri Hackwell, Hugh Nichol, Danica Zwep, Aiden Hackwell, Kelly McDonald, Sarah McDonald, Lucas Mader, Brad Pryce, Hailey Steinman, Ron Stevenson, George Zwep, Don Baan, Jeff McGavin and Gordon Mitchell. Bend and stretch Area people looking for a great way to improve strength, flexibility and posture have opportunities on Thursday as certified instructor Sue Hannon leads classes in Yogilates, an exercise that combines yoga and Pilates. The classes are held in the morning at Duff’s United Church. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Those attending Duff’s United Church gathered in the basement for the Sunday service and were welcomed by Ian and Brian Wilbee. Guest speaker for the day was Neil McGavin as Rev. Peter is on holiday as yet. The joint board meeting of Walton/Bluevale charge is in Walton on Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Duff’s annual meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Potluck dessert will be held prior to the meeting. Karen Hoegy was the scripture reader for the service. Neil opened his reflection with some of the sayings he has seen on church signs. A particularly good one is “if you can’t sleep at night, don’t count sheep. Count your blessings”. Neil encouraged all to look ahead and back. Things happen and sometimes bitterness and resentment can consume life. They say a grudge is the heaviest load a person will ever carry. He told a story of a woman who filled three pots with water and set them to boil on the stove. In the boiling water of the first pot, she put some carrots, in the second pot, some eggs and in the third some ground coffee beans. After 20 minutes she placed the carrots in a bowl, then the eggs and ladled coffee into cup. The woman asked her troubled daughter, What did she see? Carrots, eggs, coffee was the reply. The mother explained that each object had faced the same adversity (boiling water) and each had reacted differently.The carrot went in strong, hard, unrelenting. However after the boiling water, it was softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, a thin shell protecting its liquid interior, and after boiling its insides became hardened. The coffee beans were unique – after they were in the boiling water, they changed the water itself. What can people learn from this story in terms of forgiveness? If they are like the hard, unbending carrot in terms of forgiveness, they will turn into weak, vulnerable human beings. Forgiving one’s self can turn a person to joyful and loving, the way God intended. The egg demonstrates what happens if without forgiveness. Being full of resentment for others, can turn a compassionate, tender hearted human into a hard-boiled and bitter human. People can choose a road of resentment and retaliation or the road of forgiveness, gratitude and grace. They were unique in that they changed the water itself. The coffee represents staying in the spirit and changing adversity into a companion of a new and wonderful world. When people can change their perspective on forgiveness, they can grow in grace. Remember the good, forget the bad and learn to forgive. The offering was collected by Graeme Craig and Brian Wilbee. Following the service, a breakfast was enjoyed by all. During the cold weather services will be held downstairs for awhile. www.littlebowl.ca 524-BOWL (2695) WE INVITE YOU, YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS to help us celebrate the 1st... WEEK #3, JAN. 15-21... Strikes are on us! 204 Huron Road, Goderich Happy 25th Anniversary Mom & Dad January 18, 1985 Congratulations & Best Wishes Always Have a wonderful time in Hawaii Love, Crystal, Candice, Chelsey, Dave & Andy xo NEWS FROM WALTON By Jo-AnnMcDonaldCall 887-6570PEOPLE AROUNDWALTON Service held in church basement ON $6.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $6.00 + GST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen