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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-24, Page 27Christmas is usually pretty toned down at 2002 Citizen of the Year for Blyth and area, Lavern Clark’s house, probably because you never know when he might have to dash out the door. Clark, being a veterinarian who often finds himself on call around the holidays has always been ready to leave at the drop of a hat, whether it be during Christmas dinner or right in the middle of opening presents, which has happened before. He says it often isn’t a problem, but if the phone rings on Christmas, you’re almost guaranteed a house call. Over the years, he has found that farmers often wouldn’t call over the holidays unless it was an absolute emergency. He also found that when on a house call on Christmas, that farmers are often very accommodating. He remembers being served plates of Christmas cookies on calls years ago, calling it one of the perks of the job. Clark’s wife Joan says that while Christmas dinner has sometimes had to go on without Lavern, he always had enough time to fill himself when he got home. If he ever got called away when there were presents waiting to be opened, however, that was a different story. The opening of presents, which has been interrupted before, won’t start until Clark is there. Joan says their children have waited until noon on some Christmases, but that it is very unusual. While Clark being on call has no doubt altered the family Christmas on occasion, there are traditions thathave been in the family for years andmany of them come from humblebeginnings, surrounding whenLavern and Joan first got married. “We were poor students at that time,” Clark said. “We spent Christmas travelling between both of our parents’ houses. We had no car, so we would ride the bus to Brantford to see Joan’s parents, then get driven to the train station to catch the train and see my parents.” Because Christmas was spent largely away from home, decorating around the house wasn’t a big priority for the Clarks. They bought a modest tree and decorated it with ornaments they made by hand out of leftover yarn, ornaments that are still the predominant form of decoration on their current Christmas tree. Now the tree only goes up just before Christmas, which is a tradition that has stayed with thefamily for years. To truly get into theChristmas spirit, the tree is oftendecorated by the family once it’stogether, just days before Christmas.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009. PAGE 27. Trimming the tree The Clarks have always been modest with their celebration of Christmas, starting with their days living around Guelph as “starving students” in the early years of their marriage. Lavern Clark, 2002 Citizen of the Year for Blyth and area and his wife Joan, however, still decorate their tree with the ornaments they made in their first year of marriage out of leftover yarn. The tree, however, has since collected various other ornaments from their children over the years. (Shawn Loughlin photo) When duty calls Christmas put on hold JAMES BROWN PHARMACY 198 Josephine St., Wingham, Ont. 519-357-1629 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4 Rear Parking Available Delivery available Wishing all our customers, a safe and happy Christmas holiday filled with a large measure of peace, joy and merriment. The best part of any journey is the people you meet along the way, and we’re pleased to say,we’ve never met a better bunch of folks than you.Thanks for making the trip worthwhile. Merry Christmas! From all of us at Brussels Agromart Ltd. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 420 Blyth wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Holiday Hours December 24 2 - 7 pm December 31 2 - 7 pm E-mail: sales@watsonshomehardware.com www.watsonshomehardware.com HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE Gorrie, ON N0G 1X0 Phone: 519-335-3551 Fax: 519-335-3427 Toll Free 1-877-335-3551 Watson’s At this special time of year we’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for your patronage. We look forward to serving you again soon. Just in the “nick” of time, we’re sending our regards to the many folks both far and near, whom we’ve had the privilege of doing business with this year. Hope your holiday delivers an abundance of joy. Thanks! Shelley, Barb, Joanne & Lori at CANADA POST CORPORATION Brussels By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen See videos from the Brussels Santa Claus Parade on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca