HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-12-23, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1986.
Christmas Memories story winner
The entries were few but the stories were delightful in the “My
Favourite Christmas” story contest from The Citizen this year. First
place winner goes to Goderich resident Verne Dakin who remembers
growing up in Blyth. Evalena Webster is a winner for the second year
in a row with her memories of a post-war Christmas that started out a
disaster and ended up a special time. Iona Moore contributes a
Christmas poem.
Remembering Jim
Dodd's store
The following story by Blyth
native Verne (Scrimgeour) Dakin
first appeared in the Sault Ste.
Marie Star while Mrs. Dakin lived
there. She has now returned to
Huron and resides in Goderich.
“Jim Dodds Store” was only a
name to Sault Ste. Marie readers
she says but to Blyth residents of
the era “it was an exciting
experience. The store, to my young
eyes, seemed sobig, so grand, with
somuchtosee. “Kissin Santa”
was jovial, lovable George Mc
Gowan , friend of everyone. George
never let me forget that 1 was a
crybaby,even as a teenagerand
beyond.”
*****
BY VERNE DAKIN
it was Saturday, the last Satur
day before the first Christmas I can
remember. 1 was five.
Very early that cold winter
morning Father and my two older
brothers had set out to find and bring
home our Christmas tree.
Small brother and 1 danced with
glee when the tree was brought in.
Waiting its arrival we had been
busy stringing popcorn to add to
the decorations.
Now it filled the corner of our
diningroom. Weheldour heads
away back to see the top of it at the
ceiling.
Laughter and music seemed
everywhere. Mother softly humm
ed carols as she made gingerbread
girls and boys to hang on the tree.
All day my sister arranged and
rearranged the decorations; decor
ations mostly hand-made, part of
the scene then, now many years
later treasured keepsakes.
Great excitement came with the
arrival of a huge parcel from
Eatons. Mother seemed so reliev
ed she kept saying over and over,
“Well thank goodness”. After
many trips to the big cupboard in
the upstairs hall she said again,
“Well thank goodness, now we are
rt ady for Christmas ’ ’. We all knew
that cupboard was a secret hiding
place, out of bounds, especially at
Christmas.
Not all of the packages were
hidden away, there were new boots
for the boys, yards of flannelette
for new nighties, a large box of
hard candy, a shiny steamer.
“For the pudding”, Mother
said, “and just in time.”
The last parcel was for me.
Mother held it up for all to admire,
then she tried it on me - -my very
own “store bought” coat, bonnet
and muff, all to match.
1 felt the material - so soft, it felt
like my teddy bear. It was almost
the same color too. The coat had
silk embroidery on the collar, the
same trim was on the muff and
bonnet. Satin bows were also on
the bonnet, they ended in satin
ribbons that tied under my chin.
Mother hugged me and called
me her teddy bear. Father was all
smiles and said, “Tonight I am
takingyou out for a big surprise
and you will be all decked out for
Christmas” and he did just that.
Inourvillage, Saturday night
was “open night” for shoppers,
browsers, or anyone who wished to
drop into any of the shops for a
visit, or just to meet friends.
Closing time was when the last
villager had filled his basket with
neatly tied packages, arranged his
muffler and mittens and trudged
home.
his shoulders and we stepped out
into the night. The snow was
crunchy under his feet, the frost
sparkled like diamonds. 1 remem
ber looking to the sky and
wondering how Santa and his
reindeer would avoid hitting all
those stars.
Down the road we went, Father
whistling and capering like a pony.
What a jolly time we had. The
surprise had to be at Jim Dodds
store; we were headed in that
direction. Dodds store had every
thing in it, Father claimed, not like
Eatons, to be sure, but a fine store
for a small village.
This Saturday night was special.
When we arrived there, right in the
middle of the store was Santa Claus
in red suit, white beard, just like I
had seen him in picture books.
Children were everywhere.
They had come from miles around
by sleigh and cutter. I had heard
bells when when I asked Father if
he heard bells, he laughed and said
“Perhaps Santa is in town”. Now I
knew his surprise.
I had never seen so many people
before. I felt very shy and wanted to
stay on Father’s shoulders. I was
five, he reminded me. I must join
the other children, go to Santa, as
they were going for their candy and
orange.
Slowly I approached Santa, it
seemed everyone stopped talking
and laughing to watch.
Was it the pretty coat, muff and
bonnet I wore that made Santa
reach down, gather me up in his
arms, squeeze me hard and kiss
me.
Why did he have to do that? I
rushed to my Father’s arms, hid
my head trying so hard not to cry.
Why did people laugh, I wondered.
Then the room was hushed:
Uncle Milton had started to play on
his violin “Silent Night, Holy
Night”.
Someone started to sing, then
another, and the room was filled
with music. It became a night of
magic.
That first Christmas became a
tradition to be relived and related
year after year.
Time has added a deeper
meaning to the yuletide season,
the magic is the same. Diamonds
on the snow, bells ringing, carols
being sung.
When I hear * * Silent Night, Holy
Night” memory takes me back. I
am a little girl again, brushing
tears and Santa’s kiss away.
Gerry, Brenda & Brooklyn
and the Staff at
Warmest greetings
for happiness and
good cheer I
throughout this
holiday season.
JR’s Shake Shoppe
Brussels
On Christmas day, and every day,
our very best to all our friends.
Ken Campbell
Elevators
Dublin
1 felt very grown up and special
in my finery as Father lifted me to
sra
CiPtfTinqs
Ringing our good wishes
to you and your family.
We thank you for your
continued patronage.
WISHING ALL A
MERRY CHRISTMAS
from
GEORGE,PAT
ANDTHESTAFFAT
George
of Brussels
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523-4426
R R 1. Blyth--Out in thecountr y
Cone 12Hullett, 2mileseastof Hwv 4
Open: 9a m to9p.m 16days a week closed Sundays