The Citizen, 1997-12-24, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24,1997.
A View From My Backyard
Don’t count on travelling on Boxing Day
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
For those who believe lightning
can't strike more than once, you're
wrong.
My husband, Ray, our son
Christopher and I moved to Morris
Twp., from Kitchener, in the sum
mer of 1992. I had grown up on a
farm and longed to return to one,
having spent more than 10 years in
the city for university and then
employment. Ray had been raised
in the city, although he had always
wished for the country life.
We were happy in a farmhouse
and wanted to celebrate the first
Christmas there with my family.
The plans were made for the
members to arrive at 11 a.m.
Dec. 25. They all lived at least
hour south of Walton, with my par
ents having to travel for two hours.
I woke early that morning to
begin the preparations for the day.
The turkey was in the oven and the
table of pre-meal goodies wasar-
ranged when I decided to pull the
kitchen curtains to view the day by
the recently-risen sun.
To my dismay, we were getting
one of the first blizzards of the sea
son.
Soon the phone began to ring.
My southern relatives were calling
to check the status of the roads a*?d
13
on
an
the visibility conditions.
Ever hopeful, I convinced them
the visibility was touch and go, but
they should have no difficulty mak
ing the trip.
Everyone arrived safely and the
day was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
However, the weather did not co
operate. By early evening, when
my parents decided it was time to
head for home, visibility was
almost zero. The drivers agreed to
give it a try and the convoy of four
vehicles formed, for the trip
towards London.
Some time later, Ray and I were
startled by a knock at the door. My
family had returned. They had trav
elled approximately eight miles and
the round trip had taken more than
45 minutes.
With the help of my brothers,
beds were dismantled so that both
the mattress and box springs could
be slept on, extra blankets were
pulled from the closet and sleep
wear was found for everyone. The
trip home was delayed until late on
Dec. 26 when the weather finally
cleared.
(I was told it was the worst win
ter in 10 years).
Ever hopeful, I agreed to host the
family celebration in 1993, this
time on Boxing Day. To my utter
shock, I rose that morning to
almost identical conditions as the
year before. The phone began to
ring. Christmas was postponed. I
swore never to host that holiday
gathering again.
(It was the worst winter in mem
ory.)
Thankfully my sister in Appin
agreed to assume the duties in '94.
For her, it was a green Christmas.
We were just beginning to think
our luck had change, after two suc
cessful celebrations at other rela
tives' homes', when the Christmas
of 1996 arrived.
Planned for Dec. 25, at my broth
er's home in Wallacetown, I again
arose early to put the final touches
on my contribution to the holiday
meal.
The sun was shining and the
skies were clear at 9 a.m. However,
by 11 a.m., departure time, the
winds had begun to pick up.
With a dread sweeping over me, I
feared what again might be the out
Home For
The Holidays
come of our Christmas festivities.
Ever hopeful, we set off towards
Seaforth. Only minutes after round
ing the comer at Walton, we knew
we would have to turn back. White-
outs completely blocked our vision
as gusts roared across open fields.
As I tried to explain to a four-
year-old why we would not be see
ing Grandma and Grandpa, getting
ALL THE BEST!
\ Wishing you a magical
IB
J holiday season.
| Little ‘Dartings
Slalr Studio
Brussels (519)887-6942
presents or playing with the
cousins, we retreated to the safe,
though rather sullen, surroundings
of our home.
Forecasters are so far predicting a
holiday season without snow
squalls and blizzards for 1997, but I
wouldn't count on going anywhere
Boxing Day. That's the day of our
festive gathering.
Letter to the editor
Continued from pace 4
the "living Saint" Mother Teresa,
and Diana, Princess of Wales.
At the risk of understating the
impact of the past year's events, I
feel that 1997 was truly a vigorous
time in our history. Regardless of
the cold winter that we now endure,
in spite of potential hardship, and
in the face of adversity, we have in
1997, as we have since
confederation, not only survived,
but thrived. Canadians have
worked together to achieve great
things.
Our country now prepares to
enter into 1998. Interest rates are
the lowest that they have been in
years, trading levels are
skyrocketing, new housing starts
are up, our economy is expanding
at a frenzied rate and the federal
deficit is a thing of the past. 1998
promises to be the year of
substantial recovery and continuing
prosperity. Unemployment rates are
finally on the way down and
consumer confidence is on the way
up. We can finally see the light at
the end of the proverbial economic
tunnel.
With your help, and continued
support, the Government of Canada
and the public will walk hand-in-
hand into what promises to be our
best year ever. 1 would like to take
this opportunity to wish each and
every one of you, my very best
wishes for a safe, healthy and
prosperous New Year. I look
forward to serving you in 1998.
Paul Steckle, MP.
May all the blessings of the season visit
you and yours this Christmas
On behalf of the Village of Brussels
Council and P.U.C. we wish to extend
our heartfelt thanks to the Homecoming
Committee, all the volunteers, and the
Holiday Wassail
Fill the bowl and lift the cup to
toast the holiday season with
steaming hot Wassail.
1 gal. apple cider
1 cup light brown sugar
1 6 oz. can frozen lemonade
1 6 oz. can frozen orange juice
12 whole cloves
6 whole allspice
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 4" cinnamon stick
1 large bottle gingerale
1 bottle port wine or sherry
In large kettle combine cider.
sugar, lemonade and orange juice.
Tie cloves and allspice into a small
piece of cloth and add to cider. Add
nutmeg and cinnamon stick;
simmer gently for 20 minutes. Add
wine and gingerale. Heat to
steaming. Do not boil. Remove
spices and discard. Serve hot.
Thinly sliced oranges may be
floated on top.
Makes 30 - 35 servings.
Happy Holidays!
Charlie and Verne Dakin.
Home
hardware
^arhtoareburner's
Come in and meet
Dan Morgan
Employee of
Turner's Home Hardware
Our friendly service
will keep you coming back
YOUR SIMPLY MOBILE REP
24 Albert St., Box 99 Clinton (519) 482-7023
residents of Brussels who made Homecoming '97
such a huge success.
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