HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-12-21, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1994. PAGE 25.
Traditional meal saves turkey of a Christmas
By Randy Banks, Walton
I have a Christmas memory from
about 10 years ago when we were
living in a remote mining
community in Northern Alberta.
Neither my wife nor I could spend
Christmases with our
geographically-distant families in
those days. So long as we could
each preserve some vestiges of our
family traditions, our Christmas
would be reasonably merry.
One tradition that I insisted must
be upheld was the Christmas turkey
dinner. Not goose. Not a partridge
from a pear tree. Not a pheasant
under glass. Turkeys only need
apply.
Up until Christmas Day,
everything had gone according to
plan. The church had provided the
turkey. All we had to do was to
turn it into the main dish of our
sumptuous holiday feast.
When Christmas morning came,
much to my consternation, we
discovered that our kitchen stove
was also observing the Christmas
holiday. Oven repair was and still
is not my metier. So, it seemed
that, for the first time since I had
graduated from baby food, it would
be a turkeyless Christmas for me.
Christmas was destined not to be
Christmas.
My wife, who would have been
the cook, was secretly relieved. At
that point I would have traded all
my chocolate Santa Clauses for a
cooked turkey.
Then it dawned on me. The
church kitchen had two ovens. The
odds were that at least one of these
would be in operating condition.
That was the solution: our turkey
would be cooked at the church. My
wife's response was, that if this was
going to happen, I would have to
substitute as cook.
By now she was thinking I was a
turkey for holding so obstinately to
my Christmas turkey tradition.
I accepted the job. I was about to
perform the 'Miracle on 104th Ave.'
That Christmas Day saw me
wearing a path between our house
and the church which was about a
kilometre away. I would check on
the bird's progress and report back
a detailed description of its
appearance to the regular chef. Its
readiness, however, depended
ultimately on my own judgement.
The turkey did make it to our
dinner table. I would like to
fantasize that it was the most
Couple brought Scrooge to life
By Verne Dakin, Blyth
Merry Christmas Scrooge - who
ever you are and to quote Tiny Tim
- "God bless us everyone."
I will forever revere Christmas,
the Babe in the Manger, the Mother
Mary, the Star, the Wise Men, Oh
Holy Night and all of the glorious
music of the festive season.
Still I am ever mindful of Charles
Dickens' A Christmas Carol, a
captivating classic story of mixed
emotions and sadness with a
joyous, happy ending that we can
feel and emphathize with, as we
greet a season of joy and good
cheer.
The first Saturday in December
we proclaimed our "Dickens Day."
It all started when we renamed our
book store "Pickwick Books"
S.S.M. It seemed fitting to honour
the author of famous words, as well
as some of his equally famous,
fictional characters, from A
Christmas Carol.
So the festivities of Dickens Day
was bom; to become a tradition.
First the invitation to one and all
was published. The press
reciprocated by attending the
function to cover the story and take
pictures. After the first Dickens
Day no advance notice was
necessary, it was an annual event.
The crowds became larger. The
wassail bowl emptied faster, to be
refilled. A thousand English-style,
homemade cookies were doubled
and doubled again.
Charlie was resplendent in
Charles Dickens attire, wire
spectacles, frock coat and all. Some
were sure that he reincarnated Mr.
Scrooge himself.
Our employees were decked out,
head to toe as English maidens of
fashion of the era - lace bonnets,
shawls, bow tied bustles over long
full skirts.
Mrs. Fezziwig - me, was dressed
much the same, more as the stylish
matron hostess. After all I made,
stirred and served the hot wassail
brew. Now, I could not be held
responsible for the dear little ladies
who arrived early for their first sip,
then with rosy cheeks and stepping
high, enjoyed a last sip at closing
time.
Guests, browsers, shoppers, we
had a great day. Carolers from
various schools sang to the delight
of everyone. Garlands, red bows,
poinsettias, silver bells, decked the
walls. Tiny Tim on Bob Cratchet's
shoulder, carrying his case, greeted
guests at the door, including the
constabulary, who also sipped the
Christmas wassail.
I remember and miss those
"Dickens Days"; they ushered in
the Christmas Season of good will
to all.
"God Bless us every one".
lender, juicy, golden-brown turkey
that ever graced a Christmas dinner
in the history of Yuletide. Suffice it
to say that it was edible. No one's
Christmas was ruined by botulism.
Most importantly, though, what
might have been a turkey of a
Christmas for me turned out as it
always should be - a turkey for
Christmas.
In the spirit of this holiday season, we thank \
you for your business, loyalty and friendship.
And we look forward to a continuing, happy
relationship in the years to come.
Warmest wishes to your family from ours.
Londesboro Seed Plant
Bob, Marsha, Kerrie & Jennifer Szusz
Mappy Mondays
Teen recalls Christmas magic
By April Bromley
Listen closely, can you hear
them? Sleighbells ringing, little
reindeer hooves dancing on the
roof top, and finally Santa's famous
"ho-ho-ho".
These are the sounds that I
listened for every Christmas Eve
when I was young enough to
believe in the magic of the season.
My whole family, including aunts,
uncles, cousins and family pets,
gathered together on this night each
year and waited for the arrival of
Santa Claus.
The hope and anticipation that is
alive in every kid's heart on this
one night of the year is nothing
short of amazing. I was certainly
not an exception to this rule.
I remember very clearly staring
out the window with my cousins,
searching the skies for Santa's red
sleigh, and nine tiny reindeer.
We were always impatient,
driving our parents crazy asking
them, "When is Santa coming?"
And they replied, "Maybe you
haven't been good this year, maybe
Santa's loo busy." They said this, of
course, to make us sit back and
behave.
Finally, the big guy arrived. I
remember distinctly that there was
always a dead silence. Suddenly, I
was shy, staring in awe at this
legend I had been awaiting all year.
My cousins ran into their parents
arms, until Santa called our names.
Then mom and dad shoved us off
their laps and into Santa’s, where
we took turns telling him what wc
wanted for Christmas.
After Santa had talked to each
and every one of us, he declared he
had to move on, said one last, "Ho,
Ho, Ho" and walked out the front
door. I listened then, as I had
before he arrived, for his reindeer
and sleighbells. One of my cousins
was always persistent enough to
believe he had heard the sleigh take
flight, and the adults chimed in
saying they heard it too.
Over the years, as my family and
I have grown, those snowy
Christmas Eves with Santa have
faded out. We no longer get
together in anticipation of his
arrival and most of us have realized
Santa's true identity. But I still have
the memories. Perhaps, those
memories are the reason why
Christmas Eve has remained my
favourite night of the year.
I never did hear any sleighbells,
or see even one of those illustrious
reindeer, but I did believe in them,
and that is what Christmas is all
about.
In thespiritof peace and joy we offer greetings to all our friends
and customers:
May your Blessing be more than you
ever hoped for, your Christmas a
warmth to remember and your New
Year filled with health and
happiness.
Sincere thanks for your patronage.
Looking forward to serving you in the
New Year.
Deanna, Harvey and Staff
CJkns£mas Never Goes
of e ‘
RISTMAsl
OUNTRT \
Flo.tri & Gifts <9'
52J-U20
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Its the perfect
opportunity for us to
send you all our holiday
best...
along with our thanks
for your patronage.
t^DAUPHIN
J8*?feed& supply
LTD.
WALTON DUNGANNON
887-6023 529-7951
FAX 529-3341 1-800-665-5675