The Citizen, 2009-12-24, Page 21If there’s one thing that 2008Citizen of the Year for Blyth and
area Joe Hallahan remembers about
Christmas when he was a boy, it was
that in Santa’s eyes, he was always
better behaved than his parents.
When he was young, his favourite
part of Christmas was always
looking through his stocking, where
he’d find oranges and others treats in
abundance. However, when
Hallahan’s parents reached into their
stockings, all they ever pulled out
was a lump of coal from Jolly Old
St. Nick.
Hallahan remembers his stocking
hanging along with his brothers’
above the old woodstove in the
house.
Often this was the centre of his
Christmas universe as a child,
because that was where his mother
would do all of the Christmas
cooking as well.
Hallahan said there were always a
lot of mouths to feed at his home
around Christmas, so there was
always a lot of food being made.
Hallahan’s mother was an avid baker
and that only intensified around the
holidays, when she would spend
hours baking all sorts of Christmas
treats. One that Hallahan remembers
vividly is tea biscuits.
In his stocking he always
remembered a selection of oranges,
which he says, back then, were only
really available to Canadians around
the holidays, candy and perhaps
some one-of-a-kind winter
outerwear, like knitted mittens or
hats from his mother’s needles.
Hallahan says the smell of a fresh
Christmas tree will always remind
him of the holidays as he always had
a real tree every year.
He also remembers church being
an important part of Christmas
around his house when he was
young, a tradition he has
continued with his own house and
children.
When he was young, however, he
said, they used to go to midnight
mass at Blyth’s Catholic Church.
And when he was younger, midnight
mass actually started at the stroke of
midnight, something the church has
since gotten out of.
When it came to presents on
Christmas morning, Hallahan and
his family were truly Huron County
residents. Hallahan and his brothers wouldrace down the stairs to open theirpresents left to them by Santa Claus and they were allowed to open justone before they had to head out tothe barn and do the morning’schores. After the chores were completed,the children came back into thehouse and opened the rest of their gifts and dug into theirstockings.“You would rush down to see your
presents, but then you would have
chores, so you would rush to finishthem and get back in the house,” hesaid. “Out at the farm you always had tohelp with the chores before youcould come in and open your
gifts.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009. PAGE 21.
Decorating
Joe Hallahan, 2008’s Citizen of the Year for Blyth and
area, takes the time to decorate his house for Christmas
and makes sure to make it a special season for all of those
around him over the holidays. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Stocking, favourite part of Christmas
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I
bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
May you be blessed with peace and
understanding throughout this holy season.
Snell Feed & Supplies Ltd.
Westfield 519-523-9501
MM ee rr rr yy CC hh rr ii ss tt mm aa ss
Jack & Heather
VanDorp
For unto us a Child is
born, Unto us a Son
is given; And the
government will be
upon His shoulder. And
His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of
Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
SS ee aa ss oo nn ’’ss GG rr ee ee tt ii nn gg ss
ROBERT RADFORD
FARM MACHINERY REPAIRS
P.O. Box 144
Londesborough, Ontario
N0M 2H0
519-523-4851
HHHH UUUU RRRR OOOO NNNN
TTTT iiii rrrr eeee &&&&AAAA uuuu tttt oooo
Mike, Lorne & Doug
519-482-3752
Hwy. 4 South, Clinton, Ont.
...And many thanks to you, our
neighbours, for the goodwill
you've shown towards us this
past year. Please accept our
warm wishes for a very, merry
holiday season.
Season’s Greetings
Clinton 519-482-3783
Toll Free 1-877-532-4394
to all our
valued
customers
and
friends
VANDRIEL
EXCAVATING
INC.
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen