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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-12-23, Page 2Page Times -Advocate, December 23, 1996 v, '( v (� U Up in the Attic or Continued from front pa "Grandma,' Christine eta ed, After dinner could. you maybe show me around the attic? I didn't 'even notice that yop had one until I opened the door to it a few minutes ago." , "Of course I will. I always wondered why you've never asked about the attic. I'm sure t re must be some thin you would love up ther , " grandma said with a twi kie In her eyes. ristine was happy with thi answer, so she went Into the living room to watch some television before sup- per time. But her mind was not on the sitcom as her eyes drifted around the room. Be- side the television was a huge fire lace, one of those old-fashioned ones with the red brick surrounding it. On top of the mantle was a pic- ture of a man who she knew to be her grandfather, al- , though the face was all she knew of him. Next to the fire- place was a big, decorated Christmas tree. Grandma's Christmas trees get better and better each year, Chris- tine thought. Soon it was supper time and Christine could hardly mask her excitement of go- ing up to the attic. Brent who was sitting beside her, no- ticed. "What's got you so wound up?" he asked of her. "Nothing," she answered, "Just Christmas I guess." Supper seemed to take for- ever, Christine had her plate cleared off fast but she had to wait for the adults to get their's done. They were jab- bering so much that they could hardly put a forkful of food in their mouths. Finally everyone was done eating, the table was cleared and grandmother and granddaughter started up the stairs. "I haven't been up here for a few years, but I know it like the; back of mk.;,� hand, "grandmcrSC p' '0s1— opened the doi`it' 17ttie attic At the top of the flight of stairs, Christine's grandmoth- er reached up and felt through the air for the light string that she knew to be there, Once the lights came on the room did not look as dusty and old like it had be- fore. .The attic was surprising- ly neat and not full of boxes like Christine had expected it to be. It almost looked like a bedroom except that there wasn't a bed, One of the first things that Christine noticed was a hope chest in the cor- ner. "Oh grandma!" Christine exclaimed, "This is such a beautiful chest!" Christine walked over to it and knelt down in front of it. "is there anything in it'?" "Oh yes. There are many special, special things in there," grandma told her, "Why don't I open it up so you can see?" "Yes, grandma, yes, that would be wonderful!" Chris- tine responded eagerly. Grandma carefully lifted the lid up. Inside were many different objects that she had cherished over the years, from her first doll to her wed- ding gown. Then deeper into the hope chest grandma found something that brought tears to her eyes, She took out some medals that had been sewn onto a ge sheet of black velvet. rt- "Grandma," Christine gasped, "What are these from?" "These are war medals giv- en to those who showed great courage and bravery during World War Two. These belonged to your grandfa- ther," Grandma explained. "My grandfather?" Christine whispered. She knew hardly a thing about her grandfa- ther and had never asked. "What happened to him?" Christine questioned. "Perhaps I should start at the very beginning," Grand- mother started, her mind go- ing back about 55 years. "Phil and I were married when we were young. I was only 19 years old, Phil was 21. We were married for only a few months when Phil was called to go serve his country in the war. He was a pilot and, as I heard, one of the best. He would go flying in and out of different countries, dodging bullets and delivering sup- plies. He did that for five years and made quite a name for himself. I would al- ways be so proud when he'd send me a telegraph saying he had won an award for this or that. But one thing I loved about him was that he was never conceited when he told me about it. We also wrote to each other, faithful- ly, once a week for five years. I only got to see him once in five years and only for a weekend. "I remember how I hated the war. How I worried. How when his letter would come each week it would comfort me. And of course I remem- ber the Christmas of 1944. Your mother was only four years old,'That year I got only one Christmas gift. I believe that I have it right here." Grandma dug through the chest until she came up with a piece of paper, yellowed with years. She handed It to Christ e. She read qt loud: Y�. on Mare,'" hland !'!l . be comm home to you. Love you, Phi!! ' Christine looked up from the paper, "Grandpa sent you a telegram?" Her grandmother's eyes were now pooled with tears, "Yes, that was the last tele- gram I ever got from him. I worried so much about that last flight. I kept reminding myself that he had survived hundreds of flights and this one should be no different. You should have seen me forr the next month, I would sit att the window and watch for him. But he never came." A single tear rolled down the woman's wrinkled cheek. "He died in that last flight. i was left to raise your mother all by myself." Christine's tears were now rolling down her own cheek. "Oh grandma, you must have been so strong to live through that. I don't know how I would have taken it." "I had help you know. I wasn't completely deserted. Somehow I've been able to make it through every Christ- mas since," grandma said, now smiling. Christine reached over and hugged the old woman. Now Christine had a grandfather to be proud of, because of his valiancy and courage, Each Christmas she would re- member this day in the attic and what she learned there Noyes retires Shirley Noyes, McGillivray Public School secretary retired on Friday after 23 years of dedicated service. Noyes said she doesn't have definite plans for her retirement and she will miss the students and staff at the school. She will be replaced by Klm Cotte!. Good samaritan skills part of life long learning for volunteer driver By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter LUCAN - Tony Giesen feels sen- iors should experience a little bit of Christmas all year 'round. That's why he's chosen to take half a dozen residents of the Lucan Retirement Home on weekly after- noon trips in his van The one -and -a -half hour excur- sions have included stops at a local apple orchard, general store 'and donut shop before heading to a nearby bowling alley. Christmas travelling may involve a trip to see lights of London's Victoria Park. "From the minute (residents) get back in the door they're asking when thc,y can go again," said the retirement home's administrator, Council rezones church manse USBORNE TOWNSHIP - Coun- cil passed a bylaw rezoning the An- glican Church manse from institu- tional to village residential, following a public meeting held on Dec. 10. The application was made to council to bring the zoning in line with the current use of the property as a single family residence. Nei- ther the County of Huron nor the Health Unit had any objection to the rezoning. The barn on the property will continue to be listed under the category of legal non- conforming use. In other business, council noted Ken Oke was appointed chair of the Exeter and Area Fire Board for Helen Butler. "Tony's our only form of transportation...He's been a God -send." Because it is privately -run, added Butler, the Lucan Retirement Home can't rely on government grants for transportation vehicles. With its number of seniors and disabled res- idents quadrupling during the past two years, more volunteer help is needed for social outings and med- ical appointments. Christmas is a sad time for the residents, especial- ly for those who lack family inter- action, she explained. "Tony himself has great hopes of expanding (his) volunteer service." His volunteer driving is part of a three -and -a -half month Landmark Education project that concludes in early January, when he'll search for someone to carry on the project and possibly expand the service to sur- rounding areas. Also a transportation provider with HOMME (Helping Others Maintain Middlesex Eld- ers), the Granton area man considers volunteer work a vital part of his community life. "Before I did the pro- gram I thought there was only one community," said Giesen, who cites recreation, church, neigh- borhood, family and re- tirement as his com- munities. Three years ago, he and his wife, Mary -Ann, were introduced to the Landmark Education Corporation, "it's a being tion... in Cher seeing body e ing h an international program ttlat fo- cuses on enriching life skills through experience. The Self Expression and Lead- ership section of the self directed program requires par- ticipants to devote them- selves to a community project. While Mary -Ann chose to focus on the church community and help rebuild the church organ, her husband con- centrated on the re- tirement community. "It's all about being in action," he explained. "There's good feelings in there about seeing • somebody else being happy." 11 about in ac - There's feelings e about some- lse be- aPPy. ,, Tony Gletien, at right, volunteers to provide weekly excursions for residents of the Lucan Retirement Home. His services are motivated by 1997. a self-directed education program that claims to enrich life Skills through experience. Back row, from left are Lucan Retirement Home residents`? Ronnie Litt, Scott Eccles, Don McFarlane and Eddie Voutier.t In front, from left are Elaine Lichty, Alice O'Sullivan and Shirley Dorey. Council agrees to increase OPP secretary hours EXETER - After some discus- sion, council passed a motion in- creasing the hours of the OPP sec- retary from 28 to 35 hours per week until the end of her contract. The new hours will begin Jan. 1. "In all honesty, she's only there because it's in her contract," said Councillor Roy Triebner. A request for the increase was made by Staff Sergeant Don McInnes in order to have adminis- . trative help in the Exeter detach- ment five days a week. The pre- vents officers from spending time looking after the office. McInnes also informed council the town has save more than $30,000 due to restructuring which lowered the percentage share of sergeant and staff sergeant salaries. The increased hours will be paid to the municipality until the end of the contract. "I think it's still in our best inter- est to have Marlene in that post," added Mayor Ben Hoogenboom. Break-in results in $200 damage GRAND BEND - Overnight on Dec. 14, a break and enter occurred at the Big V drug store on Ontario Street. Police report those responsible gained access to the building and then attempted to break open the Johnny Cash machine from the in- side of the drug store. The damage is estimated at $200, however nothing was taken from either the store or the cash ma- chine. Police are asking for the public's assistance. Contact the OPP or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. May your Christmas and the new year be filled with health, happiness and prosperity. Doo Merry Christmas from Jerry & Phyllis Mathers. Serving Exeter and Area for over 25 years D -E -S -1 -G -N -S 15 John St. E. Exeter 235-3633 Limited Office Equipment, Furniture & Sationery 99 Main St. S. Exeter 235-1840 ' a AI I Mike, Shelly, Tara, Elaine, Charmaine, Shirley, Denise, Janet, Debora, Lynne May the holiday season bring you and your family happiness and joy. Thank you for your patronage and we look forward to serving you in 1997 Clinton community Credit Union 118 Main St. North EXETER 2360640 48 Ontario Street CUNTON 482-3467