HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-12-22, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1987.
Readers tell of favourite Christmases of past
The third annual Christmas story writing contest of The
Citizen has been won by Jim McCall with his story about trying
to get home for Christmas during World War II. Second prize
goes to Joan Beuermann with her memories of the 1983
Christmas blizzard. Perennial winner Evalena Webster of
Blyth takes third prize. Thanks to all for sharing these very
personal Christmas memories.
Getting home in wartime
BY JIM McCALL
Theyearwas 1943. The place
was New Brunswick. I was 29 years
old in the R.C.A.F. and soon it
would be Christmas! Everyone at
the station was talking about how
to get home for Christmas ... if
possible.
The trip to Ontario by train was
slowandcrowded withpeople. 1
was young and in a hurry so I
‘ ‘ managed” with some difficulty to
get a “flip” on one of our own
planes - going as a mechanic - and
getting paid for it. Beautiful, or sol
thought!
So it was a surprise tofind out our
old England Anson (Twin cheetah
7 cylinder Radial engines) was
being sent to Ontario to be
scrapped. My friend said as we left
Moncton for Houlton, Maine
“Don’t forget to jump, Jim, before
she hits the deck!” But I never
thought a thing aboutitfor I was
going home for Christmas.
It was thirty below as five of us
crowded up front to get the tail up
and leave Monctonfor Houlton,
Maine. At the American Base the
weather went bad, and so did
everything else. The ground crew
taxied (against regulations) the
plane that was to go with us and
broke a wing on a hydro pole. My
pilot said he was going to mail his
Christmas presents home -
where ever that was. Here I was
stuck at an American air base for
Christmas and Effie was in Toron
to. 1 thought, “I should have taken
the train!’’
But after two “tries” we got
away. Our two planes had to fly
through the mountains of Maine
(Air Force Regulations). I sat in as
co-pilot and read the map as we
wentalong. Westayedlow - maybe
2,000 ft. - because there was no
carburetor heat on one engine.
We landed atSt.Jeanin near
Montreal Itwas6p.m. and still
very cold. They gassed our Anson
and were going to leave it outside.
But after some loud talk I
persuaded the crew to c|juck it in
the hangar somewhere. Our plane
outside all night in that cold and
then we would be S.O.L. for sure.
We went into St. Jean for dinner -
four of us - and we each ordered up
a large beer. Never before or since
May your joys be many,
as are our thanks to you.
from Hank, Agnes and Staff.
H. Ten Pas
Construction Ltd.
Brussels
has beer tasted so good - and that
was 44 years ago. I really don’t
know why.
Crank the wheels up, crank the
wheels down, and the old rattle
trap banged along until we landed
at Toronto Island Airport. I was
supposed to keep a log of the trip. I
only checked to see there was lots
of oil and gas. This old crate was
going for scrap.
We ferried to the mainland and I
said good-bye to the pilot. It think
he expected me to salute but I just
walked away with my packsack and
parachute and said nothing.
Then up on the street car to
where Effie was working. The next
day I took the parachute to Union
Station to ship it back to the
R.C.A.F. at Moncton. I remember
being concerned about it getting
back o.k. because otherwise I
would have to pay for it. The man
looked at me and said, “Mister we
handle thousands of pieces of mail
and baggage and very seldom do
we lose anything.’’ Really!
Christmas in Toronto 1943 with
Effie and friends is one Christmas I
Now and throughout the year,
we wish you 366 days of Yuletide cheer!
Doug, Lorna, Ken & Jane
Whitmore
Merry Motoring!
on wheels!
From
Hope you have
the best Christinas ((
the Management & Staff at
BRIDGE MOTORS
Winqham 357-3460
Season’s Greetings
from
Ken, Murray, George & Wayne
HAMM’S CAR SALES
Bly <li
remember so well. And I remem
ber the trip we took by train to
Walton to meet my folks and
friends and family. Good old Huron
County with mountains of snow
Let it snow, let it snow
BY JOAN BEUERMANN
My favourite Christmas, sofarin
my adult life has been the stormy
one of 1983.
1 realize that to a lot of people it is
one they would just as soon forget
and with valid reason I’m sure.
Six disappointed people glanced
out the window that wintery
morning, seeing visions of uneaten
turkey, trimmings, etc. waiting at
my sister-in-laws.
After a little discussion, we
decided to brave the elements and
head out, knowing we had 15 miles
of the unknown ahead of us.
As we entered our destination,
our relief and happiness turned to
dismay as we realized that gramma
couldn’t make it and would be
spending what should be a joyful
holiday, all by herself.
Her sons pulled through though
and delivered her safe and sound
although I’m sure it was a trip she
wouldn’t soon forget.
It was a small but happy group
that spent Christmas day and night
together as the majority stayed
home, safe and warm. Morning
came and with it, a break in the
weather, so off we headed to
gramma and grampa’s for Boxing
Happy
Ho/icfays
Blyth
Printing
Inc.
everywhere! “I wonder what
Jimmie’s up to now?” I could
almost here then ask, but I didn’t
care what they said for in a few days
Day. Amazingly enough, shortly
after my brother, his wife, and cat,
sister and her friend and my own
family arrived, winter descended
on us again. The warm kitchen,
heavenly aromas and mom waiting
with open arms was the safest, best
feeling.
This may seem like a so-so
Christmas to some, but the part I’ll
cherish forever is that for the first
time since I was married, we were
O Come All Ye Faithful I
We’re getting the holidays off to a roar
ing start by wishing you and yours the
very best of the Yuletide season!
Bob's Painting
Brussels 887-6354
O Come Let Us Adore Him
May peace on earth and
good will to all mankind
prevail as we celebrate
the miracle of Christmas
I was away back to Moncton and the
Air Force, and Ontario seemed far
away. But this Christmas of 1943
was my favourite Christmas!
all together under one roof; tucked
into sleeping bags, pull out
couches and our childhood beds,
while Sylvester kept us awake all
night chasing ornaments and
knocking plants off of window sills.
Families are very important to
me and the fact that we could be
together on both occasions, in spite
of mother nature, to celebrate,
made it my mo^t memorable
Christmas.