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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-12-23, Page 6Among family For the staff at Huronlea, working Christmas Day means being among family. From left Dorothy McCauley, Charge Nurse Kathy Turner-Adkin, Elizabeth Conner and Activation Co-ordinator Steve Cook share the holiday spirit. Family members of staff who are working often come to the home on Christmas Day to visit and spend time with the residents as well. Youngsters enjoy spending time with seniors, while the residents are always happy to see children. Joyous Noel As the world is blessed with Christmas and the miracle of His birth, may your lives be blessed with lasting joy. Sincere holiday greetings from all of us. Ken, Murray, George 8L Wayne HAMM'S CAR SALES LTD. B I yt h 523-4342 THIS SEASON el S Mend a quarrel, Seek out a forgotten friend, Write a Love Letter Share some treasure. Give a soft answer, Encourage youth, Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Think first of someone else. Be kind and gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again. Children's Aid Society of Huron County ft% It's Christmas in the country, And oh what a grand affair! Mrs. Robert J. Brindley Lakeview Farms RR 6, Goderich, ON 3DA9 .8881 .CS R3BM313C1 .YA023W33W ,1,13SITIO 3HT PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1998. Working Christmas Day at Huronlea a time with family By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff In a perfect world we could all he home enjoying Christmas with our families. But even on this special holiday, life goes on and certain people throughout the area must go to work. At Huronlea, the county home for the aged at the south edge of Brussels, that isn't really such a hardship. Charge Nurse Kathy Turner-Adkin says that while there are always family obligations to be met, many staffers often enjoy working Christmas Day. "The people here are so special. It's almost like family. We become quite attached." Tumer-Adkin says that some staff actually ask to work on Christmas. "In nursing you know its expected that you'll work Christmas or New Year's. But there are those who consistently year after year, choose Christmas." Bonnie Pletch, a health care aid whose mother lives at Huronlea, says she enjoys being with the residents on Christmas Day. "I like to share part of the time with them, especially those who have no one else, and try to make it special for them in some small way. I've even been Santa Claus." Making it special is definitely the priority. The activation department set up a Santa's helper list. Co- ordinator Steve Cook says the staff buys presents for the residents to make sure that everyone will receive something on Christmas morning. To make the atmosphere more leisurely, Turner-Adkin says that bath schedules are juggled to allow for extra time to sit and open gifts. "The staff really enjoys helping these people. They get them all fixed up and looking great. For those who have families coming to see them it helps them to see Mom or Dad looking so nice. And for those alone, it gives them a lift." A traditional Christmas dinner is prepared by the kitchen staff for residents and family members who visit. "There are actually only about five members who will leave for the day. It's not that the families don't want them, but in many cases they can't handle them or it's too great a distance. That can be very difficult for the family, so it's nice that they can be together here," says Turner-Adkin. Some families, she says, will arrange to have a room for themselves and will bring in potluck. That's nice because they have the whole family together and have prepared the meal. It's good that they feel comfortable to come in here and do this." Having received so, much from the residents and families by way' of gifts and home baking, the staff decided this year they would like to return the favour, so will be serving hot cider, egg nog, and treats throughout the day. "It's just one way to show our appreciation," says Turner-Adkin. "It's our gift to them," said Pletch. Turner-Adkin says it is hoped that the day will he relaxed enough to allow staff an opportunity to visit with the residents and their families. "Usually they don't have enough time to sit and talk. This will give them a chance to get to know the families a little bit." Though there are no special activities planned for the day, the residents have been kept well entertained during the entire holiday season. Cook says the Dickens Dinner was a huge success. This event, held Nov. 22 was for the families who would not be together over Christmas. "We filled three rooms." Turner-Adkin adds, "The kitchen staff knocked themselves out." Entertainment was provided by the Seaforth Harmony Kings. Cook, Turner-Adkin and Pletch are all quick to note the involvement -of community. Cook discussed the Christmas placemats made by the Huronlea Auxiliary for the residents and the Christmas light tour of the village set up by Wheeler Bus Lines. "The programming around the holidays is amazing," says Turner-Adkin. "The community has been terrific in coming in and offering programs:" "We really need to thank thb Brussels community for the 1 events they do before Christmas," added Pletch. So while the idea of time away from family at Christmas may seem to the rest of the world a little depressing, for the staff at Huronlea nothing could be further from the truth. "To a lot of people this is home, this is family," says Turner-Adkin. "We have an honest and loving association with the residents." Says Pletch, "As an employee, as much as you probably would like every other Christmas Day off, our day here isn't sad." A family celebration in poem COUNTRY CHRISTMAS about, It's Christmas in the country, Merrily twinkling. The mantel's trimmed with many cards; Friends and neighbours far and Mistletoe hangs from the door, near Our son just can't wait; Stop in with their kind regards. Time seems to pass so very slowly, A cherry wreath adorns the door, He wants to celebrate. An angel tops our tree, Then when at last the 25th arrives, And coloured lights are strung There's magic in the air, Remembering and planning By Edna Pearson My parents were of British descent. My sister and I had a different Christmas than Canadian children, as they celebrated in their own way. My parents had a real tree and ornaments — no lights back there. Among the ornaments, of which I still have several was a celluloid parrot which my sister got in a gift exchange in Grade 9. By Muriel Coultes On Christmas Day I got my gifts One of our family traditions beside my bed, the way Santa's gift started when we took our first should be — unwrapped. He is much daughter to the Wingham Santa too busy to wrap all this with Claus parade. Thirty-nine years Christmas paper. Don't you agree? later, four more daughters and Once during the Depression — many grandchildren attend in all there were very few gifts for me. I kinds of weather. thought I must have been a bad girl. Twenty-five years ago my sister, Little did I understand the reason. her three girls and now her This year we are going to spend grandchildren join us — this year in Christmas with Joyce and Neil and beautiful, sunny weather. of course their dog Taffy. I take the carrot pudding and my sister Lucy has supplied the turkey. I have a red Christmas diary given to me by a friend. That red book will go to our granddaughter Janine Beverly Smith. They love a parade