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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1967-12-21, Page 22Cl it o 10 The 09 ierich Signal*Stas, TFiv.rsday,Pe . 21, 1967 is i y O • A Vagabond a M1 GestureBringsRappjness by Dorothy Barker The holiday season is a parts. nularly happy time to welcome PeWcomers. f had invited my new neighbor to share a coffee break with me so that we might _become better acquainted. We found that we had both pulled out at me fxorn under the fur cap. I told *her We would love to have her as our guest for Christmas. She didn't enthuse, but just said, 'I'll see', and shut the, door, "When I told the children. what I . had done, they were up our roots on many occasions, . chagrined at first and thenbegar and as she reminisced a storyplanning, for Christmas as nor. ' mally as in other years. of her mast memorable Christ. "These preparations were in. mas unfolded. deed. a blessing andwhenGhrist. It Was the -first*°elhrfstmts mas Day arrived, the children after the loss of her husband • and, left with a small. family, she realized she must plan something rather unusual to fill the loneliness they would all feel from the absence of the head of the family. , Across the street from this family at that time, there was a small, rather shabby little house. In it lived a small,' shabby little woman; Summer or Winter, they had never seen her wear anything but a motheaten soldier's fur hat and a khaki piiivate's coat that trailed to the ground. Under this they could see old fashioned black felt boots laced almost to her mid. calves. My new neighbor's family • had often wondered about her. The only thing they knew for sure was what they had. heard from others on the street, Some of the older neighbors said' she had lost both husband and son in the first war and when their belong Jugs were returned to her, she had put on the fur cap and great. ' coat and gossip had it, she even slept tin them. With the cruelty of children who nick.named her, she had become known as "Crazy Kate". But let my neighbor tell her story: "On the spur of the mament went across thestreet and when my knock was answered, the door opened a small crack and a pinched little face peered were as excited about having 'Crazy Kate' for dinner as they had been on Christmasses past, when they believed in Santa Claus, They even trimmed the tree and put up the small white angel at the top that had al. ways graced every Christmas tree, even in my own child. hood, "We had almost given up hope she would be with us when a timid knock announced her arrival. The children, with their, best manners, offered to take her coat and hat,• but she said no, she preferred to keep them on. Little was said during dinner which she ate very well. She • looked like a little gnome that might have escaped from some fairy tale in her fur hat and snowy white napkin tucked under her chin.- "When hina"When she was leaving she gave each of the three children an envelope, smiled a shy 'thank you', and wished us all happy holidays and many of them. Then she was gone into the night, but before she left one of the boys took the angel from the top of the tree and handed it' to her. . SURPRISE! " W e opened the envelopes and found each contained a thousand dollar Canada Savings Bearer Bond. I was breathless and told the children we must return them the next day, for surely she could never afford such a gift. " "Before I could cross the street the next morning to re.. turn the bonds, I noticed quite a commotion outside her home. Soon our chief; of police, came over and announced he had found our little neighbour dead .when] he called to check if everything was in order. She just went to sleep -v' ith a small white angel clutched in 'her hands, 'She left this message addressed to you,' he said. "I knew he expected me to open' it in his presence. I was surprised at the hand writing. It was that of a cultured, well educated woman. "The message, as I remem- ber it, went somethinglike this: 'I am a very old woman whose greatest joy in years *as your invitation to spend Christmas with you and your children. Their gift from me was for their education. When my house and few belongings are sold to defray expenses, would you please see that the Lions' Christmas Basket Fund re. ceives what is left. Perhaps in this way I can bring some joy into the lives of my fellow men, whom I have neglected over the years by selfishly in. dulging in my grief.' "The police had always thought she might be a wealthy, slightly nutty recluse and had kept a watchful eye on her for many years in case others had the same idea, but not with such charitable intentions. There wasn't a cent in the house, only her old age pension cheque." "The children are grown now, and have families of their own. But the have never forgotten 'Crazy Kate' and her Christmas gift which made their college years so.happy and successful-." A free booklet outlining your new Government Pension Plan Survivor Benefits Did you know that by February of 1968, if you are like most Canadian breadwinners*, your family will be automatically provided with a regular monthly income 'in the event of your death? Alot of people don't realize this. And that is why Manufacturers Life has prepared an informative booklet, outlining" what these benefits will mean to you and your family. It explains how the new survivor benefits will provide a- solid base for a complete security program. It will alert you to the advantage of having these new benefits properly integrated with your personal life insurance, group coverage, and other assets, to achieve both your long, and short-range objectives forfamily security. • Return the coupon for the free booklet "Your Canada and Quebec Pension Plan Benefits". Or, if_, you would like professional advice, on this subject, call a Manufacturers Life representative You're looking at one of them right now. *Canadian taxpayers who startedjpak ing contributions to the Canada or Quebec Pension Plan in January 1966. If you didn't start until later, contact your Manufacturers Life representative. He will gladly let you know when your family will qualify for survivor benefits. , •Not Please send me your booklet "Your Canada and Quebec Pension Plan Benefits". NAME ADDRESS CITY PROV W..E. Williams GODERICH Representative 524-7665 MANUFACTURERS LIFE W. E. Williams Representative GODER ICH Tel: 524-7665 1BC-67 ebebekah Lodge 'ast Noble rands Meet. Members of the Armed h'orces. at C'Fti Clinton. are pictured following presentation at the Cen- tennial Medal by. the.,Base Commander, '"roup. Captain E.W. Ryan. Front Row: (Left to Right) FS U.R. Milton, FS H.F. Finlay, FS D.D.Stemo, F/O D.J. Davis, G/C E.W. Ryan, S/L F.P. Delong, WOl J.'.P, Eadie, WOl J.S. Ogston, WOl C.B. Laidlaw. Back Row: (Left to Right) SantaVisits. The Legion EDNA and STAN JONES Sgt D.M. Aiken, Sgt G.A.-Ebel, Sgt' J.S. Green. wood, Sgt E. McFarland, Sgt G.4. Sinker, Cpl G.O.J. Dumont, Cpl D>W Bowser, Cpl Marshall, Cpl J.R.• Gtngras, Cpl W.R. Leather. The Centennial Medal has been awarded to' 20,000 Canadians "on the occasion of Con. federation ... for valuable service to the nation." (Canadian Forces Photo) .40444:44 0;44r a 44Z-i'6'i‘44'g..4.W. til • Santa Claus called at the God. d erich Legion Hall Monday night Wish 'Their Friends end distributed nearly 200 bags 1 f candy to an equal number of children who were eagerly awaiting his arrival. The. youngsters gathered at 6:30 p.m. in the Legion Hall's gaily decorated "green room" where they joined in Christ. mas carolling while awaiting Santa's arrival. They were accompanied by Ed Stiles at the piano. A -Merry. Christmas And a Healthy and Happy New Year Instead of sending Christmas cards, a donation was made to the local associates for the Mentally Retarded. A meeting of the Past Noble Grands Club of the Rebekah Lodge was held December 12 at the home of Mrs: G. Morley. The president, Mrs. A. Os. baldeston, was -in charge with fifteen members present. Following the opening Ode, there was a short business session. ' wo new members, Mrs. W. Carruthers and Mrs. P. Blundell, were welcomed to fellowship in the group. It was voted that flowers and cards be sent to sick or shut• in members at Christmas time. Members Were reminded of their talent money. At the conclusion of business "500" was played,Winners were Mrs. R. Bell: and Mrs. W. La ence. A C ; istmas lunch was ser. ved by ..1 committee in charge, followed by an exchange of Christmas gifts. A vote of thanks was extend* ed to the convenor, and to the hostess for the use of herir home, mow ' In am um- wg as is. wwrll Ns or re 7 1 WITH. THIS COUPON .ONLY Phulishave' Electric ihavers 1 1 1 1 1 UP TO 5.00 0 F FLIST PRICE Plus FREE BACHELOR PRE -SHAVE LOT ION VALUE 1,.50 :RIECK � PHARMACY 1 1 1 1 11 �► vnue ��une a!o--.� � L _ i�I www �l and suddenly the shepherds saw, on their peaceful hillside; the angels come to proclaim the birth of a'Saviour...their hosannas echoing through the holy night. As we share the wondrous tidings of Christmas, may we also share love and kindness with our fellowmen: ...M. as '%l " J$, 11 year long, we're grateful f oke our fine friends and customers. At Christmas, we're especially happy to express our greetings, 'thanks and good wishes. MANAGEMONT AND STAFF OF cA RT. U R it REILLY_ ,m4forromplvrogrip- a G.O;DER1CH PUBLIC • • 1k ct