HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-24, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009.
Tradition around the holidays is
always important, but for a man as
strongly committed as 2007 Citizen
of the Year for Brussels and area,
Doug McArter, family and
community are what matters most
during the Christmas season.
When McArter thinks about
Christmas, he thinks about his
family and the time the holidays will
afford him with them. Whether it’s
the traditional reading of The Night
Before Christmas, or the fancy
dinner on once-a-year plates, the
McArters are together over the
holidays.
The McArters have a candlelight
supper every Christmas with what
McArter’s eldest child Olivia, calls
“the special dishes.” This affords
family time and is one of the most
special times around Christmas.
The family untraditionally stays
away from turkey on the holidays,
having barbecued steak and salmon
for Christmas dinner, complete with
a festive centrepiece.
While McArter’s children haven’t
come around to salmon just yet, he
says the fish is a treat for Rhonda
and him.
It is the tradition of reading The
Night Before Christmas, however,
that has a long-standing place in the
McArter family now and before that,
was a tradition with his wife,
Rhonda’s family.After McArter married Rhondayears ago, they travelled to herfamily’s home on Christmas to listento her father read The Night BeforeChristmas. McArter joked about the
tradition, but it was something
enjoyed by both of them well into
their 30s.
When Olivia was born, however,
McArter began hosting his own
readings of The Night Before
Christmas for his wife and daughter
and eventually for sons Nicholas and
Sam.
The story became a family staple
on Christmas Eve before everyone
went to sleep and waited for presents
to appear under the tree on
Christmas morning.
Growing up, however, McArter
says there wasn’t always a lot of
activity around his house on
Christmas Eve.
“With three boys in the house,growing up,” he said. “There wasn’tmuch going on Christmas Eve.”On Christmas Day, however, heand his brothers would wake up,open their presents and make the trip
to their grandmother’s house, which
was only a block away.
“We’d have our toy that we got for
Christmas and bring it over to
grandma’s house,” he said.
Now, however, with technology
taking the steps it has, Christmas
Eve involves the tracking of Santa
Claus’s journey on the internet, a
favourite of Nicholas and Sam’s.
In fact, Nicholas has taken it upon
himself to start a new tradition in the
McArter family, waking everyone up
as early as possible. McArter said
last year it was around 6:30 a.m. and
he hopes to aim for 8:30 a.m. this
year. Nicholas, however, says he has
other ideas.
Family time the priority at McArter house
Even if you and your family won’t
be going carolling this holiday
season, that’s no reason you can’t
enjoy some the following popular
songs synonymous with the jovial
holiday spirit.
Music has always been an
important part of the holiday season,
even going back to the very
beginning.
* Santa Claus is Coming to Town
* The Christmas Song (Chestnuts
Roasting on an Open Fire)
* Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas
* Winter Wonderland
* White Christmas
* Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It
Snow
* I'll Be Home for Christmas
* Jingle Bell Rock
* Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer
* Little Drummer Boy
* Sleigh Ride
* Silver Bells
* It's the Most Wonderful Time of
the Year
* Feliz Navidad
* Rockin' Around the Christmas
Tree
* Blue Christmas
* Frosty the Snow Man
* A Holly Jolly Christmas
* I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa
Claus
* Here Comes Santa Claus (Right
Down Santa Claus Lane)
* (There's No Place Like) Home
For the Holidays
* Santa Baby
* It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like
Christmas
* Carol of the Bells
* Wonderful Christmastime
Favourite music of Christmas
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A festive reading
Doug McArter, 2007’s Citizen of the Year for Brussels and area, holds his family above all else
around the holidays, whether it’s having a nice dinner with his favourite people or reading The
Night Before Christmas to the family on Christmas Eve. From left: Rhonda, Sam, Doug,
Nicholas and Olivia. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
John, Rick, Randy
& Staff
ELLIOTT NIXON
INSURANCE BROKERS INC.
a member of HIMG
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