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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-12-18, Page 21,,wn,W.W.,W,<4*V.:;'IWSWe.wrreoVany.twXtPeeAreNerrree.Vrnnrnnrvvyow..Sv.ve.vrivrrz.-eee,mnwft,,.,w,,,w,y.,..,,,,,, Be Sure You Visit the Christmas Store Where Gift. Shopping is easy • REMEMBERING CHRISTMASES PAST — Miss Ruby Treble and her sister Mrs. Olive Andrew recall many happy Christmases spent in Exeter before the turn of the century when they were little girls growing up in a home on Huron Street. Horse drawn sleigh rides and skating to the music of Exeter's band are just some of their recollections. T-A photo Memories, memories Exeter Christmas 80 years ago • Christmas is for reminiscing and two Exeter sisters, Mrs. Olive Andrew and Miss Ruby Treble have a lot of years to remember. This week, Olive, 92, and Ruby, a few years younger, looked back to their childhood Christmases before the turn of the century which were spent in their parents home on Huron Street, now the residence of Mr. and Mrs, Albert Steeper. The house, over one hundred years old, was built by their father, William Treble. (The roof is still as straight as the day he finished it," his daughters say with justified pride.) It was the setting for many a happy Christmas for the family of seven girls and two boys. Stockings were hung up with greatexcitementand anticipation Christmas eve. Next morning, bright eyed children crept out early into the cold livingroom to scoop up their stockings before scurrying back to the warmth of their beds to see just what good old St. Nick had left. "Mostly it was things we needed," recalls Mrs. Andrew, "because we were a large family with not a great deal of money. But we always got nuts, candy, a beautiful orange and a big red shiny apple." Ruby and Olive remember their mother bustling about preparing for the three large meals to be served Christmas day. For noon dinner there was always steaming fowl and fragrant pudding, The evening table was laden again with special dishes such as rich, syrupy citron fruit served with Devonshire cream. Mother Treble, straight from Devonshire, England, knew all about the process of making this clotted cream delicacy. The girls remember the milk being poured into pans and left to set for a day or two in the cold cellar. It was then brought up and boiled over hot water until it became 'crinkly'. Then, it was returned to the cellar for another day before being skimmed off and set aside to be served as a special treat. Between meals on Christmas day, the Treble sisters when they . were a bit older might go off to the rink to don their skates and fly around the ice with blowing skirts and rosy cheeks. They were both known for their graceful agility on the blades and have many happy memories of skating parties and carnivals. Olive won first prize for best dressed lady at one such event. She went as a 'Fashion Plate' having cut the colored pictures of fashion ladies out of a book and sewed then on her black skirt. A wide ribbon crossed her chest bearing the words, "What She Wears" and at her side she hung "Weldons Book of Fashions". At the same carnival, Ruby and her girlfriend went as the Gold Dust Twins. Gold Dust Twins was a popular washing compound of that day, and the girls carried a scrub board and a tub, They, remember by name the many beautiful skaters ('none of them are left now') who flocked to the early rinks in Exeter. The first one they recall was on the corner of John Street and Andrew Street and was owned by a Mr. Davis but when its roof collapsed one summer, another was built 'out in the commons' (east on Gidley Street), while a later one was erected by Mr. Levitt behind his movie house on Main Street. "That was a beautiful rink" says Mrs. Andrew, "100 by 80 feet." "About twice a week the Exeter band was in attendance to play and it was just lovely skating to the music," They recall many people came to sit in the balconies just to watch the graceful skaters gliding around the ice. "I loved to skate with Ren Kinsmen," interjects diminutive Ruby, her eyes lighting up with the pleasure of the memory. "He was tall and took such giant strokes he almost swept me off my feet especially going around the corners!" Ren Kinsmen, they say, was a dentisit of that era who practiced in Exeter. Skating was our winter pleasure," the sisters recall happily. Another pleasure was sleigh riding. "Some families would rent a horse drawn bob sleigh from the livery bar and go for a jolly ride on Christmas day." However, pot holes in the road made driving hazardous and riding in a cutter was "really wicked". The bob sleighs weren't so lead because the runners would 'go down and up' the holes, In fact, young folk found these bumpy rides something of a lark. "I remember one winter there were 90 pot holes between Huron Street and the first mile and a quarter south" says Mrs. Andrew, and when she tells you that you get the feeling she might have been through everyone of them on a sleigh filled with happy, laughing youngsters. Christmas evening, the Treble family would assemble for games of table croquette, dominoes and cards, or sing around the pump organ played by an older sister, Olive and Ruby laugh as they relate how their father couldn't sing a note. "I may not be able to Huron-Perth Presbytery of the United Church of Canada met at St. John's, Stratford, recently. The chairman, Rev. Bert Daynard, presided. Special guests were the President of London Conference, Rev. Burton Crowe and Ms Marilyn Day, of Stratford, who was Huron- Perth's representative in the 50th Anniversary Youth Exchange. Rev. Crowe spoke of the need for lay people to witness in conversation, in decisions at Work, and in attitudes. He stated that "no professional clergy can hope to do what the church is called to do — it requires the whole body of believers". The role of the clergy is to be "enablers, script-writers, en- couragers". All Christians "are called to be a Christ to others" — to uncover and nurture the best in all people. Ms Day, an intern at Kitchener- Waterloo Hospital, spent four weeks in South Korea last summer. She showed slides and discussed her experience with Korean families and churches. She stated that S. Korea is a country in transition from a rural to a mixed economy, Only ten percent of the population is Christian. The devotion of many carry a tune," he'd tell them with a twinkle in his eye, "hut I can always sing my babies to sleep." Special services at James Street Methodist church played a large part in their early Christmases as did the school concerts when "we got half a day holiday from school to give our performance." The ladies believe life was easier and simpler then. "We had to make our own fun, ties with friends and family seemed to be closer than they are now. People were freer and friendlier, There wasn't the tension that there is in today's society." Although age may have dim- med Mrs. Andrew's eyes (she can no longer do the beautiful stiching and crocheting she once did) it has not reduced their sparkle, and her bright laughter rings out many times as you talk with her. When questioned if she has a philosophy about life she says, "Well, I've always worked hard (she spent 36 years in Saskat- chewan where she raised two sons), I've never carried a chip on my shoulder, never quarrelled with a neighbor in my life, have tried to make the best of every situation, and 'never' did I turn anyone away from my door." Ruby, who went to Toronto in 1914 to attend Business College and who worked and lived there until a few years ago says her philosophy is much the same as her sister's except she has always had to take care of herself. "I've had to be very independent," she states. This year, the ladies look forward to spending Christmas day with close relatives and doing some entertaining them- selves through the holidays. After all, memories are nice but you can't live in the past . there's today to be lived to the fullest. of these people is impressive. One Theological Seminary has made a slit in its flag until the Dean and all students imprisoned for human rights activities are released. The military is everywhere and passengers are regularly frisked on boarding the Korean Airways. Despite the tense political situation, however, she remembers the experience with enthusiasm, Next year the young people of the six countries visited by United Church youth this year will visit in Canada. She summed up: "When I think of Korea I think of friends, not distance, The world is smaller than I thought". The Resource Centre, now in Ontario Street Church, Clinton, will be the site of a Preview Day on January 6, 1976 from 2-5 and 7- 10 n.m. Available films, filmstrips, cassettes and publications will be on view with the Leadership Development Team to assist with any particular needs. Dr. Ross Crosby pointed out to the court that the World Council of Churches is meeting in Nairobi with official Roman Catholic representatives for the first time. The major social issue to be discussed is funds to minorities, laymen need to witness, speaker tells Presbytery • Beautiful watches for men and women • Hundreds of exquisite charms • Colourful candles • Decorator designed wall clocks • Diamond rings for your loved one • Family and special occasion rings • Silver and gold bracelets • Classic designs in crystal Earl Campbell is extremely proud of his Christmas selection for this year and invites you to come in and see hundreds of beautiful gift ideas. His long experience in the jewellery business has taught him to buy high quality products from the world's leading manufacturers. This means you can depend on him for complete satisfaction on anything you Serving trays • Quality .decanter sets • Wooden salad bowls and accessories • Jewellery boxes • • Vanity sets Silverware chests • Brooches and earrings • Silver tea services • These are just a few of our many gifts ideas. WE'RE OPEN LONGER FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Open Thurs, & Fri, till 9 p.m. Sat. till 6 p.m. Mon. & Tues. fill 9 p.m.