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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-12-24, Page 8Page 8—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DL,CEMBER 24, 1986 Locals tell how they spend their • from page 3 before travelling to his parents' home for the big dinner. However, prior to these past years, their celebrations strayed from the traditional. "We started out with my wife's (Diane) mother and father in Florida, we spent most Christmases there," he said. While Reeve Wasson said his family doesn't really have any traditions they follow, he feels the highlight of their celebrations is gathering around the tree on Christmas morning with his wife and two daughters. "On Christmas morning, our own tree rates high, then of course there is the gathering at my mother and father's" he explained. Because of their past trips to Florida, Reeve Wasson had a hard time deciding on one Christmas that really stands out in his mind. "Like I say, our Christmases for so long were somewhat abnormal going down to see Diane's mom and dad." Mrs. Wasson agreed. "It's hard to decide which was special, but it's probably the first Christmas we took the kids to Florida, or the first time we stayed home, but it was pro- bably the first time we took them to Florida. "It was quite surprising to them and to us to see the decorations, lights and tree there." She added that the fact that they do the whole Christmas celebration with decora- tions and all was interesting. Reeve Wasson added, "Except they don't get their fingers frozen while decorating." He concluded, "I guess one thing that stands out is just the variety." However, Mrs. Wasson added, "I guess another thing I remember that's not too nice is travelling to REV. AND MRS. BECHTEL MAYOR JOHN BALFOUR Florida in the traffic jams." Although they no longer travel to Florida for Christmas day since Mrs. Wasson's father died, and since the girls have grown up and are unable to make the trip, they still make the trip down a bit later. "This year we'll be going down on Boxing Day, we'll have Christmas here and head south," Mrs. Wasson said. While neither Reeve Wasson or his wife can remember any extra special gifts, they both noted one thing that came in the way of from Carol, Peter, Irwin and Staff... Holiday Hours LOUNGE Closed Christmas Eve 5 p.m.; Closed Christmas Day; Closed Boxing Day; Clos- ed New Year's Eve 5 p.m.; Closed New Year's Day. DINING ROOM Closed Christmas Day; Open Boxing Day - Christmas Buffet 1 to 3 p.m. Open New Year's Day; Roast Beef Buf- fet 4 to 7 p.m. Phone for Buffet Reservations 523-9381 1' MERRY CHRISTMAS Although it's been said many times, many ways ... Thank You and Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year Best Wishes: Kathy, Bev, Chris and Scott Bromley a gift This was a boat cruise they used to we've always invited people from the take after Christmas to the Carribean village who we knew were alone. Every Islands. Katherine Kaszas year we have village friends for Christmas dinner who couldn't get to their families, or whose family couldn't get here," Gayle said "Basically what my husband and I are do- of one kind of tradition they follow. "Last ing is the traditional young married couple year we had two senior citizens and a few Christmas," Katherine Kaszas, the Artistic friends who couldn't get away. The Inn is a Director for the Blyth Festival said of her nice place for Christmas dinner, it's so big holiday celebrations. you can sure spread out." Katherine, and her husband Paul Dunlop, One Christmas that really stands out in split their Christmases between Ottawa, her mind was when a family with a young where her parents live, and Wallaceburg, daughter got stuck in Bayfield and couldn't where they visit Paul's parents. make it to their destination. The little girl was worried that Santa wouldn't be able to find her, and her parents couldn't give the girl her gifts because they were waiting for her at the place they were supposed to be. Gayle explained that they hunted around the village and were able to make up a stocking and wrap some presents for the girls so her Christmas wasn't ruined. On what she enjoys most about Christmas, Gayle said, "I think the highlight of Christmas is having the family around, for sure." She noted that although the Christmas where everyone was snowed in was a memorable one, this year's is the one she is most looking forward to. "We've never had so many of the children coming, my husband's four, my four, (aged eight to 25), plus grandparents, my sister, "This year we're going to Wallaceburg, but I said I wouldn't go if there's no snow. I'm used to Ottawa, where we have white Christmases," Katherine said. She noted, "The beginning of the season is always marked by the Blyth Festival Singers' concert. It's a lot easier to get in the spirit in a small town, everyone decorates." They celebrate a very straightforward Christmas with family and friends gather- ing to celebrate, she said. "There's a lot of talking, and it's basically a very quiet family time. This year his brothers and sisters are flying in from the four corners of the continent." On the subject of Yuletide traditions, Katherine said, "It's funny, when you have two families you bring traditions in. The first time at the Dunlop's there were certain things I missed, but what's happeningis lit- her husband and children and her mother- tle by little our traditions are shared.", in-law." However, there is one tradition she Rev. George Youmatoff remembers well, and which still carries on. "My father would tease us. We'd get up at "Obviously, Christmas is church oriented the crack of dawn, but he wouldn't get up. as far as I'm concerned, even as a boy I We'd go in and leap on dad, but I can't do sang in the choir. Always the season has that at the Dunlop'", hn't lead on furs f centred around the church services, we've dad," she laughed. .i ' , timed things to i' it that in, said Rev. George The highlight b'f each 'Christit'tag `for Youmatoff, a retired Anglican minister Katherine is the singing of carols. "I like the from Trinity Anglican Church in Bayfield. feeling of being with a whole group of people The seasonal celebrations begin for Rev. singing, I feel part of something bigger," Youmatoff, his wife Flo and their two she said and added, "I do like giving daughters and eight grandchildren with a presents and seeing people open them; that trip to the church on Christmas Eve for the element of surprise." midnight service. Although she explained that she feels a bit "We all go off to church, we're all very May Your Holidays be filled with happiness! From Our Family to yours A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! WEBSTER'S CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Main St., Blyth 523-9709 11111.1 1986 Warden of Huron County May the jot{ and peace of Christmas be with all our wonderful friends, im & Leona Armstrong & Family His daughters are in for a surprise when they open his gifts. "I'm. giving both my daughters funny presents this year, I'm giv- ing them both a foster child. I paid support for the first year, but that's where the crunch comes in, they'll have to take it up after that," he said, and added that he thinks they'll enjoy them as much as he en- joys his two. The midnight service was the thing Rev. Youmatoff gave as the highlight of his celebrations. "The music is always beautiful, and it's the time you see them packed in - there is standing room only in the aisles. It has to be the highlight, a lot of preparation goes in to the service. Oddly enough, the kids feel the same way, and by the time they are 10 or 12, they're ready for the later service," he said. The Christmas he remembers most occur- red during the war when he was stationed in Sandhurst. The men were all given leave, and because Rev. Youmatoff had a family, he was allowed to go out on the firing range and cut down a tree. "I dragged the tree on the train and took it back to my wife. We spent Christmas Eve decorating it, we took a break for church, and finished it afterwards," he stated. "That has to be the most memorable because during the war you're never sure you'll get home for Christmas. That was also the first year our daughter was aware of Christmas; that was really something." Rev. and Mrs. Jim Bechtel When the Christmas season .rolls around each year, Rev. Jim Bechtel and his wife, Elaine, find themselves busy creating Christmas cards, organizing events for Wesley -Willis and Holmesville United Chur- ches as well as taking care of activities at home. "We have three sides to. the Christmas season. They are church, friends and fami- ly," explained Rev: Bechtel. Of the three sides, Rev. Bechtel finds that church activities dominate the major por- tion of his time. However, it is also the time of year which his congregation seems to look forward to with great anticipation. "I think the Christmas Eve service has to be one which the people look forward to the most," he said. The service at Wesley -Willis has taken on a rather unique element over the last few years which includes the use of a string of Christmas lights and bulbs. "While we were in Cave City, Kentucky, (visiting relatives), we picked up the idea of stringing lights and if someone has a special need, or a prayer has been answered, they put in a Christmas tree bulb," said Rev. Bechtel. Mrs. Bechtel explained that the string of lights is strung above the chancel, and after a hymn, message or poem and communion service has been conducted, members of the congregation who fit into the category, are invited to place their bulb. As the Christmas Eve service is special, Rev. Bechtel takes extra care preparing the church. However, he is "very fortunate" in that he can prepare a sermon quickly. With this gift, Rev. Bechtel says it takes him ap- proximately three or four hours to prepare the service. The message Rev. Bechtel tries to get across is short yet meaningful - "God's embarrassed about getting presents, over fond of the midnight service," he said. love." the years there have been a few she has After the service they usually go back to At Rev. Bechtel's Hohnesvill charge, they received that stand out in her mind. their home or the home of a friend for a few also do something a little special. This year "When I was going to university I was goodies and a drink to cheer up before they it will be a candlelighting service with cen- very interested in photography and all my go to bed. tury readings. family chipped in and bought me a good 35 Once Christmas day arrives, however, "There will be a reading from each cen- mm camera. I remember that," she said. their celebrations are a bit different then tury, and for the 20th century, we will try to The other big present she remembers was many people are used to. figure out what hf tory will think of us," he a pair of skis and ski boots. She recalled that "We've always had our Christmas dinner said. she had opened all of her presents and all around 2 o'clock, but we're cruel in a way, Friends of the Bechtels have received that was left was a little box, so she thought we never let the kids open their presents un- special cards for the past 25 years. she didn't get the skis, but when she opened til after we've eaten, and all the dishes are "Since we've been married, we've made the box there was a pair of ski boots, and her cleaned up," Rev. Youmatoff explained, ad- our own Christmas cards," said Rev. new skis were under the bed. ding this tradition is carried out so everyone Bechtel. For the best present ever given, can enjoy the opening of the presents. "We try to pick something (for the cover) Katherine explained they gave her mother a Because the younger children don't go to that has had meaning that year," Mrs. dog. "We had to hide him over night, and we the midnight services, he said that although Bechtel further explained, and because the pretended we all had bad coughs to cover they have to wait for their presents, they Bechtels accompanyed the First Clinton the barking." always receive their stockings and get the Rovers on their trip "down under" earlier While she has had many memorable chance to pick one present to open before go- this year, they selected the New Zealand Christmases, she said the most memorable ing to church on Christmas morning. motif for the cover of this year's cards. one was, "the first one I spent with my hus- There was a time when Rev. Youmatoff The year, the Bechtels left another charge, band. That would be special. Again it's leav- couldn't get away from Bayfield during they were presented with a clock and decid- ing the old traditions behind and starting Christmas because of his services and his ed to use that for the front of their Christmas the church had just some yourselves." Gayle Gundy daughters came down whenever they could, cards. Another year, but these days he can travel to Ottawa to see erected a steeple and the front of theh cards withchose decorate arwok depic them. "I enjoyed going to Ottawa last year. The ting that. This will be the sixth Christmas in same procedure was followed, but dinner In all, Rev. and Mrs. Bechtel put their ar- Bayfield for the owners of The Little Inn, • was at one house and the presents were at tistic abilities to work and create over 200 Gayle Gundy and her husband Patrick the other; they brought up the grand- eards to be sent to friends and family. Waters. children the same way," he said. The third part of the Bechtels' Christmas, However, their special holidays definitely The Yuletide season has always been an but by no means the last part, involves their won't be a time of rest. important family time to Rev. Youmatoff. family. "We're usually fairly busy with people at "In every way possible we've, tried to Throughout the years, the couple and the Inn, we always have Christmas dinner make it a family thing, but it won't be possi- their children, Lori and Murray, have at the Inn, and sometimes sleigh rides on ble when my son-in-law is ordained in May busied their hands making homemade gifts Christmas Eve," Gayle said. because he will have to go to his parish. You for each other. Many family members will be dropping can't always be a family unit, gone are the "We have encouraged the children to into Bayfield this year to join in the celebra- days when you had a house that could hold make their Christmas gifts," said Mrs. tions, approximately 20 in all. Out of the 90 people," he explained. "I kind of hope the Bechtel. eight children they have, seven will be mak- day will come when we have not only grand- "They usually come up with something," ing the trip. children and children, but great- commented Rev. Bechtel. "People will be coming from places like grandchildren (for Christmas)." Each year a new Christmas ornament is Chicago and Saskatoon," Gayle noted. He expected to be leaving for Ottawa on purchased or made for the family tree She explained that they don't have any December 21, and even though Christmas which has a special meaning to the family. traditions they really follow, and that no won't be held at their home, he said his wife Mrs. Bechtel can walk around the tree, Christmas is really the same. has been busy baking and getting prepared Turn to page 9 "Other Ipan everyone has a stocking, for Christmas dinner. Se448#t. 4 We've cooked up a holiday message to our friends and customers, "Have a Merry Christmas!" HOLIDAY HOURS •December 24th Closing at 7 p.m. •Closed Christmas, Day. •Open Boxing Day Serving Christmas Dinner 12 noon to 8 p.m. Reservations Only. *Open New Year's Day Serving Roast Goose 12 to 8 p.m. Happy New Year: Kay & Brenda & Staff Triple K Restaurant Myth, CountyRd. 25 E of Hwy. 4 y523-9623 1) 11, Merry Birthday and Happy Christmas Mildred Love Chris and Scott