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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1971-12-16, Page 11, . • R O• c' C!. • CS 1r • • 20: MISCELLANEOUS • E. CARDS OF THANKS We do all types of • 1WELLERY REPAIR * 'Ring Sizing -- * Claw RetipPing. * Watch Repair * Acutron Repair Af'$TETT JEWELLER S.LTD: ' , „ • ttinfon,'Seaferth anceMalkertoe —12tfn 22. TO GIVE 'AWAY • WOULD you like to give your child .a fluffy kitten for Christmas? We will keep them until Christmas Eve and you can pick them. 'up then, Phone 524-91546, -r 49,50x A. BIRTHS " BAECHLER; Hi! My name is Jay Kristoffer and I was, born December 7, 1971, at Sarnia ___ -General _Hiaapital i weighed lbs. 14 oz. My Mommy', and Daddy are .Janet and Bruce, 50x 'BREG M AN: At Victoria Hospital, London, on December 3, 101, to Mr. and Mrs. Hank Bregman, Goderich, a son, Christophe'r Hank. MAIN: Phil and Joan Main were pleased to present on December . I1, 1971, Timothy -Peter, the bouncing, 8 lb. 6 oz. baby brother to Phil Jr-,--W4e.e.dir. SherrY arid"Sirzy for Christmas 1971.-50 D. IN MEMDRIAM MILLS: In memory of James Edwin. Mills, who passed away DeCember 15, 1961. Wonderful memories 'woven in gold, . . This is a picture we tenderly i ,hold; HEATON: In appreciation an giatitude tothe nurses and sta of second east ward; also to the staff of therapy and to all those who contributed to my area d well-being whilst a ifttient in Aletandra Hoapitat ;. to, the Doctors Jackson, Watts, Limbeit and Froviers:',..-"tny .heartfelt. thanks and appilCciation;. to. the 'Goderich Taxis and "drivers many thanks for the courtesy to myself and Mrs. Heaton. - Frank Heaton; - 50 • Chriitmils. Story' DIXON: The, family of the late Ernest Dixon wish to thank friends '' and neighbors who ,,heloed in ,any way during our bereavernent Many thanks to all who called or sent messages. of sympathz; for the lovely floral tributes, arid donations made to the' Ontario Heart Foundation; also to the nurses and staff at the Chesley and District m oriel- - Hospital, _ Stiles, Funeral Hom'e and Rev: G. G. Russell. Your kindness has helped to relieve our sorrow: Mrs.' Barbara' Dixon and family. - 50 • BEAN: I would like to thank friends and relatives for visits, cards„- flowers; candy and' rides while 1 'was a .patient in Alexandra Hospital. S-pecial thanks to Dr. Cauchi and nurses on second west. - Robt. Bean. - 50x Chrishnns is bundles' of good food of, • ODIJr,Riefi SiGINA1.4.$,TAK, TlitT,SP4Y The happiest Christmas in many years BY HELEN Es Annos - Ned 'n me figured it would be pretty bleak OhriArnas even before the lr came from the West that ustery December 'day ba'bk theuthirties. When ced in from school Mama was reading it, a wisp, of I igh t hair (Olin% .over her, forehead and her grey eyes squinting a little because she needed glasses. Soup was simmering in a big kettle on the back of the.wood stove and our two .litt)e sisters were playing liouse with an, old quilt draped over kitchen chairs: "HOP, boys," • Mama said without lifting her head, We took off our jackets.and woolen caps and hung them up on their proper hooks, which was unusual to begin -with, arid then we sat down at the oilcloth-eovered wooden table and opened our books and began studying: This was„. enpugh to -rouse even IViema.. "-You -fellows -feeling all -right?” she asked sharply. We nodded. "Didn't want to bother you," Ned mumbled, "Seein' as how you werereading' i letter and I kept nodding like a -woundup tby, partly Th - ,agreement and partly from admiration. Ned was twelve to my ten,, arid. he sure. had. a way , With words. Marna blinked, her eyes very _bright. "Yourregood boys," she told us gentLyrntour father will be proud of you." "Letter from Papa?". i ventured., even though I thought,. likely it would be. He was the only one .we had at a' distance, and ever since he'd, patted our heads and kissed Mama goodbye and walked quietly_ out of the flat late last summer; the letters had come. Deep in our hearts the memory -4-- One morning last week I is kept, •To love, to. cherish-,- to-- never forget. -„ Ever remembered by Mom, Dad and Family. - 50 E. CARDS.,OF THANKS MeMILLAN: 'I would like to say thanks to all my relatiVesi friends and . neighbors who remembered me with cards, visits and gifts while' a patient in Alexandra Hospital. A special .thanks to Drs. Lomas, Deathe and the 'staff for their kindness to me. - Dhve McMillan. --.- 50x Ir'BOWERS: 1 would like to thank Dr. Cauchi, nurses .and girls in green. on- first floor, Alexandra Hospital; also those who sent me flowers and cards. - Betty e : • WRAITH; I would like to thank everyone for, flo\vers, gifts, eards, and all the other way S I was, remembered while a patient in the hospital.• Special thanks to Dr. Wallace and Dr. McFarlane and the nurses and staff of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital and, Children's ,War - Memorial Hospital, London; I surely did appreciate all these kind acts. - Jean Wraith. - 50x LAWLOR:-I would like to thank everyone for theiir kindness, visits, cards, 'letters isndefloWers I received while a patient in Clinton Public Hospital, Special thanks to 1Dr. Street and Dr. Lambert and thp nurses for, their care. Also to the ones that sent food to the house. To all a • Sincere Thank You. - Mildred Lawlor. - 50-- POWELL: We take much I pleasure in thanking the St. George's Church .Group for the. beautiful gift sent to us: It was much appreciated by us and ,wishing all a-Merry'Christmas. - Mr. and Mrs.. rry Powell. - 50x SUMMERS: I would like to thank my friends, neighbors, Legion Ladies Auxiliary,:, and family who, were so kind to • remember -me white I was in* Victoria Hospital, London and since I came home. Special thanks to Dr. Wallace, Goderich Taxi and dr•ivers. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New ;Near. , Mrs. Lillian Summers. - 50 THOMPSON: I wish to thank Drs. Deathe and Lomas and first floor' nurses, girls in green while 1 was in hospital. Thanks to those who sent cards. - J. C. Thompson. - 50x TAYLOR: I would like to express my very sincere appreciation of the many • kindnesses, and sympathy - extended to "Me on the loss of • my husband, Albert, and, for the lovely flowers, and .• the -• donations to the Cancer Society. Very special thanks to Dr. John Wallace, the , nurses, orderlies, and girls in green, on first floor and second floor west at the hospital, to the Reverend Lockhart Royal, the pallbearers, Mr. Bob McCallum and his staff at the Funeral Home, and last but by rio means least; . the friends who so' willingly drove Ittar=170,140010ezhollisKiatmpftmtpm so many months. Leah Tay.3or. -(;n peered- out mybedroom window; and there, failing -to the ground were millions and millions of little snowflakes, which reminded me of Christmas. Just sitting there on the end of my bed staring at the tiny snowflakes, I thought to myself what Christmas really meant to me. My thoughts suddenly flew back to last -year where I was flying down th,e hill ,and catching snowflakes on the tip of my toungue. The next thing that came to mind was my grandmother and • grandfather driving up the driveway in their car, filled with gifts.and presents. As soon as my brother and sister heard the brakes they' ran out in excitement to the car, but this lean di • 1.1%. ave the same meaning 'to me, because, to me, Christmas means more than just presents and stockings filled to the brim. For_on that very day long ago Jesus Christ the son of Mary 'wasborn. Susan MacDonald - Robertson School * * * Christmas is a time of bundles of ahundant food: It is when the,Christmas trees are standing .tall .and straight with many objects about them. It is a time' when you shop\ for present for Mother and,, Father, sister and brother. t; It is a time when you visit your , grandmother 'and grandfather and your other relatives around the Country Side. - - • " It is a time when your mother bakes cookies -and Christmas -Cake. It is when you get out of school and enjoy yourself on yourholidays. It is- when Jesus, Christ our saviour was born in Bethlem. I think Christmas day around the world is the happiest time of the year for everybody. 'Robbie Youngblut Robertson Public School * * * You get to buy presents for your family, and send cards to, people.' You get to buy a tree, then decorate it and put up all your Christmas decorations. You get up really early and look at your toys, and open' your presents. Then you get to have a big dinner. You get to have turkey, -potatoes,' dressing, -cranberries, gravy, and pumpkin pie. Steven Seltzer Roberton School* ,* What dos Christmas mean to you? To' me it means celebrating a great day. Do you know why it's a great day, It's a great -because Jesus was born on Christmas 'day. The name Christmas has the word„Christin- it as you can. see. You. give presents on .Christmas' day, the same as all the people who came to see the* Lord tiesus Christ, they gave him presents to welcome their new king into the gorgeous world. So when Christmas day comes along, try ., fo remember.that the Lord Jesus Christ was:born into this world 41450142,,,°47.,4,,n;.Adi." vitme--.7.,r„,401ti. • Laurie Fielder RobeOson School At mention of his name. the little 'ones came from their play tug at Mania's faded apron 'and beg for eews. They were cute tykes; Mary,):five, and Celia, three, and they_missed Papa- as much as any of us, maybe more. After all Ned 'n me were too big to be rode piggy -back, and tickled,and told tall tales to. Mama put on her brave face. This was the careful mask she wore for the world and for us, most orthe time, determinedly cheerful and somehOW heartbreaking, even for a ten -year-old to watch. A workworn hand tousled Celia's curls. "Let's see now", she said brightly. "Papa is fine. Feeling better every day. There's a lot of snow in the West." She • . • • es et light. It gets dark earlier every 4 -afternoon!" • The bulb that dangled from the stained ceiling shed what light it „ could. Sometimes I dreamed 'of when'I grew up and earned a lot of money and_ of - how I'd buy a house that would be grand, just grand, and' how there'd be no more of this dingy flat. • Mary took a deep breath. "I writed. a letter to Santa Claus," she announe-ed, "and I only asked for two things!" She grinned widely, waiting fo,r,esto ask what they weye. Ned obliged, and she' continued happily. "I want ,a sleeping'dol'l and Papa home for Christmas!" I thought she'd really teed her head, myself, although inthe world she'd ever get a sleeping doll I couldn't imagine,' considering all the money we had was the few dollars Papa sent from time to time, and what Mama would earn' with her relentless sewing and ironing for other more fortunate. As for Papa coming honle for Christmas: - that was another, matter. Maybe she would get that wish. I dreamed about it for a minute, how he'd come striding through the door and seem to fill the shabby room with his broad shpulders and booming laugh, and how he wouldn't be sick anymore, and how he'd tell us he had a job starting Monday, and we'd have a bang-up Christmas for sure, with a chicken maybe and plum pudding and at least one present for everybogy. Mama bit her lip. "We mustn't expect too much," she explained gently. "Santa has millions of children to attend to, seriously, her mask slipping a little, "I might as.. well come right ou and tell you that your father 't come home • fOr Christm It isn't that- ho doesn't want to! He loves us all very much and he's very, very lonesome to see us buLhe "•-•_feJ isn't• well enough. yet, even if he had the mofley,. which he hasn't." There it was again! „Money! „I knew Papa had gone West with' some other men .in a Model T who were Out for the harvest, but I'd never considered that probably they'd-eTme back long ago. Papa had stayed on with an old couple for the chores\ he could dal and we knew he had a small room in the attic and -ate his meals there, too, and boiled all his dishes. The bit he sent occasionally was from what little jobs he could pick up, and was able to do. . "Want we should set the table, Mama?'? I yolunteered, to • break up thehlea,k_ quietness that had settled in the room. Mama smiled with relief. "Thank you, son," she said. She folded the letter carefully and put it in her apr,on pocket, got up briskly and moved to the stove. Ned passed , me the chipped dishes from the narrow pantry and 'I, put--t-hem on the table. Mar"), and Celia made a great business of getting the cutlery,' anc1:1--put it.around, WO. Out qf the corner of my eye f stole a glance at Mama.. I hadn't, noticed before how then she was When :khe bent to stir the soup the little bones at the back of her neck stood oti ,in ridges. • Then the' knock came. It wasn't a loud kock but hesitant . and timid, as if -the caller .wasn't sure of his welcome. He needn't 'have\ worried at our house, though Marna always fed the knights- of the"' road, as she 'called them. Some otheepeople called them tramps and , bums and- .hoboes .and set 'dogs on them 'and sometimes called the police if they were' tooVersis\tent .in -,demands for hand-outs, but Mama poor a person was, another place could always be set, "Tnese„, men aree't criminals!" she'd tell us, color high in her cheeks,."It isn't their fault there's a Depression! Most ,of them would _work if there,was work to do! Heaven forbid it, but who knows! Maybe some da' one of mine might_be inthe same boat, and I'd sure like somebody to feed him." Ned ' o ened th • • • man who stood there 'was „youngish, thinner even than Mama, with reddish hair and tired brown eyes, sorry to bother you, ma'am," .he said looking over Ned'shead"But.ir You could Spare a bile..." He pu6 • out a long -fingered hand and - grasped the doorknob.,_ as if he was dizzy. "Of cotase! Come del% n!" Mama invited -with her. usual hospitality, "Boys,. get more dishes. Mary, could you bring the chair from my bedroom? You could sit on that and let our visitor have yours,2 o The soup hadn't much in it 'but it was hot and filling. It puzzled me some trying to figure out why the corner grocer was always asking me 'n Ned if We'd like some.bones for our dog and never did haveone and :further, we Iver said we had a dog. Anyway, Mama always received them like manna, -and fr6m.the marrow -steeped a long time in Water, with potatoes and onions and a few carrots or peas if we had any, and a "handful of oatmeal LL came our nourishment. Sometimes like tonight, bits of real meat fell off the bones, and then the soup was superlative. The stranger ate' heartilY. He had first washed thoroughly at the kitchen sipk and combed his ruddy hair -with. a narrow black comb he took from, his japket pocket. He smiled timidly at Mama, "Not many incites a hobo in," he said matter-Of-factly, taking a big slice of homemade bread and breaking it into his soup as he saw us doing. haven't been on the road long enough to' get used to the you knoW, and sometimes things rebuffs, I gness." just won't spread out enough.'? Mama smiled warmly. Mary smiled as if she had a "You're safe from that here", special secret. "Don't you worry she said kindly. "w'e are all in about old Santa" she said this together; I say, and the least /serendly, "me 'm him., Celia we can do is share what ,we wrote and told him, and he'll do have."' it!" "This is excellent soup!" (he Something was hurting in my praised her, ""Your man has a throat and if. I, looked at Mama job, I take it' any longer Id bawl so I said This mention of Papa was too roughly, "Yodkids can't write!" much for •us, and all together "Can,' too!" Mary shot back higgledy=piggedly we brought fiercely, "not school-writin' , him up to date on the news. The . Santa•writin'!" ( concluding tact was presented "There's' a difference, Al!" with vehemence by Mary. "and Ned Murmured and kicked my ' my Papa is coming for Christmas ' • ,' .. catt=toriaivraamettrwanwporatoznzam. , up. . , announced, "I asked Santa for "Children," Mama said , those two things!" "children, children!" Mama (hided, "we mustn't burden our guest with these, things! -Albert, retell a few sugar cookies from thetin for dessert." can back to the table heard he say, "My husband has tuberculosis' and the doctor " help. L..1 don't exact)), know - when he can....can Menage to get horne." "I'm from the West myself," the stranger said and then, smiling As. if he .meant it this time, he Introduced himself. "My name is Shade Lowry," he said, "I taught school for a while out home; but times got so bad they couldn't keep, going at the . cree,sroads, so I drifted:..." "You sound like an educated man,". Mama hazarded, "I' shouldn't think it would be too, hard to find a job here, at least until Christmas, ' Perhaps,. clerking?" He noceied, "I just hit town this afternoon-- rode-the-eailsv of course. Maybe I'll find a flop for the night and try in the morning." He got tohis feet. and shrugged into his dark jacise4., 'k -:thousand thanks for the wonderful meal!" 1 neer saw. Mama shake hands With -4 hobo before, but she did with this..one. "Let us -„kriOw how you make „out, r, she. It was snei.wing hard as his thin form • merged, into the darkries-s;. We closed the •'-cloOr',. and did the -dishes uid our, „ homework and Mama Olt; the little ones to bed . and...seated herself at the old treadle rnathIne ,, for the inevitable sewing and it was jtist like any others winter evening. The smell of the soup still hug in the dreary kitchen, but it was a good: smell. We all felt a little 'betTer; orilettOw; fOil having shlaretl it. • Shade Lowry , came once more before ChriStmas. It was a Sunday afternoon.'Only day I have off," he told us, beaming, "took me five tries, ma'am, but finally.got on as a clerk. Men's store - socks, ties, shirts, pajamas, belfs, right this way, please." • e „ We giggled, filled With admiration. Any man whocould go, out and get a job was really somebody! "Thing is" he went on awkwardly, "1 well --- „wondering if 1 could come on the 25th? Just for dinner, 1 mean? I.1 could bring a chicken and .some-fixints:;--..' - We , held our breaths. What kind of wondernient was this? A chieleen! Mama's voice was'low. "I...I don't want to be beholdin' to anyone,” she said, "Me 'n the aildren won't have much of a Christmas, not likely, but such as it is, I'll have earned it." His bright head went up and there was something akin to; anger in the brown eyes. "Who be doing the behOlding, I'd lile to know'? Who took me in out of the dark and I didn't have two nickels in rtiy pocket an.d fed me and talked to Me, and treated me like a human beOg instead of sbmething in need of being exterminated? What am r supposed to do? Eat at the Greasy -SPOon on ChTleetna.7 Day'? Only. -know two or three people in _the whole -town - anyway, at the -store, and they:re married men with families and - don't want me hanging around! Do you know what lonesome — „ • , 4,04,4111 - warm .ntittens and wonder of .wonders, there was a wee dolt' for Mary with eyes that closed when you laid_her down!".. Found it in a toy'hop," Shade Lowry said, .„ flutthing with pleasule, "Ma'am .9ou4I1- never 'know what,, it does . to .me - being able to. give for a change!"' Mama smiled; She had op the pale blue serge she'd made for herself three years before, with the little necklace of shells Papa had given her long ago, and she -really -looked pretty., For (ielia there was a rag doll named Annie, • which she„\ clutched in fat little arms and rk.fused to let. go. of, for any reason. Ned 'n me got cap guns and 4. roll of capseach-and were happy as kings. The meal was -really something. Shade had brought a chicken the night before, and Mama had stuffed it and slow roasted it to perfection. There were vegetables, and a cabbage Salad,. and a pudding for dessert. "I „delivered „some Laming •yesterdas," Mama „ explained, "and the lady gave me the nuddieg ancj. some hard candy for the ehildren. Wasn't that kind of her?" "Huh! She'd never miss it!' ed snorted, • Nlama rebuked " him' Mama looked him right in the eyes. "I know what lonesinne traightaway. "We must be what we, ha ve!he -is.,22-she said. "Come alteaeW2------00.4441.14.-0t: fQr said -firmly.- ."T fluiught ''your Well, sir, we haver had a father and 1. Fad -taught you Christmas! Me 'n Ned had run - our Jegs for .Y-7 „ • •1„ • '• • neighbourhOod penny here and a penny „there , and we'd 'bought little gifts for Marna iind the .. girls .7 L pink brooch, a cUpie doll - arid for Shade. Lowry we painstakingly whittled a rabbit's foot like we had sent in 'hoe's box. "This is. sure to bring you „luck!' we told 'him solemnly when he had. unwrapped -it. Ti blinked rapidly. "Thank .you-, he said simply. "Ph keep it with me wherever I go." We had a rather bedraggled little fir tree in the corner,. trimmed with strung 'pbpcorn and paper chains.,and tiny silver bells made from tinfoil we'd picked up. Mama had knit us all ,...„`,Sorr;." Ned niun-ibied,.:1,194 1 knevv' he was thinking the.sarrie as I was, about how one day. we'd. geow up .anditibuy Mama everything - just, everything! • • After the dishes- were done \Re just sat around, full and contented. "I'll be hittin' the road:tomorrow, j guess," Shade said casually, "Laid off'all the extra help, you know."' He stretched his. long legs out in front of him. "I thing I'll make it this time, though,' he told us, "I'm headingrhome,,,And I think, I'll make Mary had. been 'very quiet, sitting rocking her doll. her_ straight dark hair shiRliv, the skirt of her blue plaid dress Ruiled demurely :!over her b -blit little knees in theft ribbed bin,/ ssitiopepekidngds.owliiidoideenAogrii, yNotairg''' cheeks. "My Papa didn't mile," she whimpered,' • - One joked at the -other. Our , thoughts had been with him all. - day, but we were 'old -enough. ' know. Mary's." inipoSSible wish just could not come true., And then there wa„Sa tap at - the door and the' landlord's raspy voice called, -.`,C'mon upstairs. and talk 'to your min! He's on the telephone, long distance!" Throwing -c-a-Uti-on, to the-- ' winds, Mama.betkoned for' us all to follow her. She was laughing ' ' and- crying, and Celia's eyesmere like saucers, Mary's face was so radiant it hurt to look at her. Me . 'n Ned were all feet, and Shade Lowry mbved like a man in 'a , trance. Afterwards, snug i▪ n. She shabby kitchen -With • hot chocolateand cinnamon toast, --we-pieeed.-together-what-he-ha: said to each of 'Is, like a crazy -quilt. that when finished makes sense. It seemed Papa hiid - been able to pick up a little - extra work befose Christmas, and so the Old coVple he lived with had agreed to let him place the call. He wag/t*eling quite fit, he said, and ''surely hopedto be Our One red candle diiPtied a • bit of wax on'Marna's wedding ,tat;Jecioth., .butshe,:didn't say a word. :,Mary #nd: were • -nodding. in their cairs, and The ' fire -needed stirring uti; but we all sat as if enchanted, for just awhile „longer. There was the fragrance of the tree, ,.and the chicken, and Mary's awe-struck Sentence lingering with us. "Papa couldn't come himself just now, but he sent us his voice for -Christanas!!' - - • - We never saw Shade Lowry again. Papa arrived in May, and gradually our world righted' itself. Whilethe knights of the road carne knOcking, though, we tooktbem in and fed them, and I think ' each one of us remembered that ChriStmas every time a man, said, "Thank , yoo.; , BETCHA DIDN'T KNOV" YOU CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AT3 BLACKSTONE'S. BETCHA DIDN'T KNOW WE'VE OVER A THOUSAND DREAMY, NEW GI FT IDEAS, SOMETHING FOR EVERY ROOM IN THE • ' • HOUSE. • , ••• A • 4, • 1 •i:1 7,:.4.,-.7:11):: 10 .i11111:11111111*I i pi_ IT 4111111111 ,tosimembio K i ,. I iii" IIT0=- 41 ir"--.41 1 .,-,....r...t4.1:4-11*-104 1,14 Iii i Ati1. SHOP 41151' , 1-7,1,_1147t,11%41,: -10111111.,::,,:1-00101$11 EVERY NIGHT 'Tit . OW, 4,0 9 F You'll be amazed at the scope and ‘ariety of gifts for the home we've assembled for your Christ- mas selection. Sensibly priced, tool in the tradi:. tine we have proudly upheld for many years. Drop in 'and browse. We'll welcome the op- „ portunity to, ex- teeed personal. greetings -mid to • wish you a Merry Christmas. 141. 11/4 Our Selection Includes: A Chairs In Many Styles And Coverings; Lamps, Pole L.9,mps; Chesterfields; Rockers; Recliners; Cedar Chests; Bedroom Suites; Swag Lamps; Tables; Hassocks; Bridge Sets; Card Tables; Pictures; Mirrors; Buggies; Strollers; High Chairs; Cribs; Walkers; Playpens. .4* LACKSTONE FURNI'T'URE 444101fietriSt..43441 ""4'.., „ . 44.4 9 ' • 'I toter,- • • ' , ,