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The Citizen, 2008-12-24, Page 22KAREN WEBSTER Proofreader My favourite part of Christmas is the music, whether it is sacred or secular. Silver Bells rates high on my list and I especially enjoy it when it’s done in harmony. The first time I heard O Holy Night was in the small public school I attended. My cousin Annette sang it that time. Ever since, each time those majestic notes ring out, a lump forms in my throat. My career as a teacher made me the veteran of many hectic Christmas concert seasons. After all the bustle and worrying, the concert would be a magical time with everyone dressed up in their finest, proud parents and grandparents in attendance and stealing the show would be the kindergarteners bravely singing Christmas words to traditional nursery rhymes (when they weren’t yelling out “Hi Mom, look at me!”). The best place for me to spend Christmas Eve is in church singing the carols and hearing once more the familiar Christmas story. One service that stands out in memory was the time that candles provided the only light at the end of the service. In that darkness, voices soared together and produced a Christmas magic. I grew up in an era of family sing- songs around the piano. Often we sang until our throats could take no more. Now I have grandchildren who are drawn to the piano and they love to sing and dance to all those Christmas songs that I have treasured down through the years. KAREN’S CHRISTMAS FRUIT BARS 1/2 cup butter (or margarine) 1/2 cup white sugar 1 tsp. grated orange rind 2 tbsp. fresh frozen orange juice concentrate (not diluted) 1/4 tsp almond extract 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 egg 2/3 cup chopped peel and fruit 1/2 cup chopped nuts Sift and measure flour. Put chopped fruit and nuts in a small bowl and add 1/4 cup of the flour. Beat butter, sugar and orange rind. Add orange juice concentrate and almond extract. Add 1 cup of flour which has been mixed with the baking soda and salt. Add egg and beat. Fold in fruit and nuts. Pour into greased 9" square pan. Bake 16-18 minutes at 350°F oruntil firm and lightly browned.Frosting:2 tbsp butter1 1/4 cup icing sugar1 1/2 tbsp orange juice concentrate Spread over cooled squares. Using a dinner fork score parallel lines all the way across the pan in the icing before it hardens. Turn pan a quarter turn and using asharp paring knife, about an inchfrom the edge of the pan, make a lineperpendicular the fork marks. Oneinch over, make another cut throughthe icing in the opposite direction as the first line. This produces a herringbone pattern. Continue making alternate knife scores across the pan. PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008.Former teacher finds joy in season’s music Carolling, carolling Proofreader Karen Webster grew up in an era of family sing-songs around the piano and the wonderful music of the season is the perfect opportunity to carry on the tradition. (Bonnie Gropp photo) May your home be blessed by good fortune this Christmas, & may you & your loved ones enjoy all the comforts of a very merry & joyous season.We really appreciate your business & look forward to serving you again, soon. David, Charlotte, Dave, Beth, & Christine WE’LL BE OPEN LATE DEC 20 - 22 ‘TIL 8 PM DEC 23 ‘TIL 4 PM Closed Dec 24, 25 & 26 Box Furniture & Floor Coverings Main St. Seaforth 527-0680 David, Charlotte & Dave & Lindsey Holiday Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5:30 pm; Sat. 9 am - 3 pm; Sun. 12 noon - 3 pm; Dec. 24th 9 am - 1 pm; Closed Dec. 25-28 Join us Mon. - Sat. 7:00 am - 2:00 pm ~ An Eat Smart Facility ~ Holiday Hours: Closed Dec. 25 - Jan. 1 Call 519-887-9517 Merry Christmas Happy New Year 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 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Phyllis & Emerson Mitchell MM ii tt cc hh ee ll ll ss CC oo uu nn tt rr yy BB ee dd && BB rr ee aa kk ff aa ss tt 71 Thomas St. E., Brussels 519-887-6697