HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-12-20, Page 41The life of a politician doesn’t
leave much time for anything other
than politics, so when a politician
puts on the brakes, it’s got to be
important.
This is exactly what North Huron
councillor, Huron-Bruce’s and
federal Liberal candidate Greg
McClinchey and his family do on
Christmas Eve. There’s even a
deadline: 3 p.m.
“As it is in most families,
Christmas tends to be a hectic time
for us. So, in an effort to combat
that, on Christmas Eve at about 3
o’clock, we put the brakes on,” he
said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going
on, what’s happening or what’s
scheduled, we put the brakes on and
gather with our close family and we
have a night together.”
While on the job all over the
province, working out of Huron
County, Toronto and Ottawa,
McClinchey says it can be tough to
find time to fit everything in, even
during the holidays.
This is, however, nothing new for
McClinchey, who even as a child,
found seconds for a breather to be
few and far between.
While McClinchey was growing
up, his parents separated, so his
Christmas duties were essentially
doubled, with large extended
families on each side. This is still
true today, which is why the
Christmas Eve deadline is applied.
In addition to several Christmas
celebrations, McClinchey’s father,
was eventually remarried on
Christmas Eve, making it an extra-
special day for him.
“We’re always very family-
oriented, but this is especially true
around the holidays,” he said. “ A
close friend of mine lost his mother
around Christmas a few years ago,
so he is often a guest in our home
on Christmas Eve for our family
time.”
McClinchey says that food and
drink are a part of the festivities,
while having fun and playing with
his daughter are all part of it as well.
Other than that, things are pretty
normal at the McClinchey house. He
looks forward to Christmas morning
with his two-year-old daughter
Mieka and his wife Julie and
eventually a traditional Christmasdinner.Stockings, however, are anythingbut normal at the McClinchey house.With varying degrees of creativity,he says, the family makes as many gifts for each other as they
can, helping Santa to fill the
stockings.
This tradition carries over to their
Christmas cards, which are usually
homemade and often require thegenuine, one-of-a-kind signatures ofGreg and Julie, as well as Mieka,who takes her box of crayons to eachcard.So, when Christmas Eve rollsaround, make sure to send well-
wishings to the McClinchey house
before the mark of 3 p.m., when
everything shuts down for the
night.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007. PAGE B9. On Christmas Eve McClincheys slow life down
Creatively yours
While Greg McClinchey confesses his shortcomings in the creative department, it hasn’t
stopped him from doing what he can to make homemade gifts for Christmas in an effort to
help Santa fill some stockings around the house. The creativity continues with his daughter,
two-year-old Mieka, who unpacks the crayons to put her mark on every McClinchey
Christmas card that hits the mailbox this season. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Greetings from the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry
Back row, from left: Bill Thompson, Paul Gowing, Mark Beaven, Lynn Hoy, Edna McLellan.
Front row: Clerk Nancy Michie, Mayor Dorothy Kelly, Deputy-Mayor Jim Nelemans.
Happy
Holidays
from
Greyhaven Gardens
Available by calling 519-523-9781
Londesboro
We have
Blyth & District Firefighters
and their families
Best Holiday
Wishes
In An Emergency
Call 911
would like to
wish you a safe
and happy
holiday season.
Wishing
everyone a
joyous holiday
season.
220 Industrial Park Drive,
Brussels
519-887-8763
Fax: 519-887-8764
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen