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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-12-23, Page 3Christmas with o CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1987—Page 3 A COflCS �ondents MILDRED LAWLOR EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Christmas edition brings you some insight on how other people around the area spend their Christmas, both in the past and in the future. In order to touch on each municipality which the News -Record serves, we decided to interview those who help bring you the news each week - our correspondents. Some correspondents were a little shy, declining an interview. However, for the most part, they agreed. In the second section, stories and draw- ings from the elementary schools in the area are featured. Their co-operation is much appreciated. Hopefully you will find this 1987 Christmas edition interesting. By David Emslie and Paul Rudan Mildred Lawlor Mildred Lawlor, the News -Record's Auburn correspondent, feels that Christmas was a more enjoyable time when things were a bit simpler, and less commercialized. Although the season has become a more costly one for those buying gifts, Mrs. Lawlor and her family have managed to keep it a traditional one. She explained that she, her husband Tom, and their son Tim spend the day with family and friends. A tradition started when her son was a child and carried over to the time when her granddaughters lived in the area. "We don't open up gifts usually until after the noon meal, because when my grand- daughters were here, they wouldn't eat, they'd be at the tree," she explained. "So we'd eat first, then they'd have the whole afternoon to romp." A regular Christmas day for Mrs. Lawlor Would see her up_early in, the morning get- ting the turkey ready. After the noon dinner, and the opening of presents, those gathered sometimes play games in the afternoon, and play Christmas music. "It's just an ordinary Christmas Day," she said. Mrs. Lawlor has some very fond memories of Christmases past, the most memorable one being the first Christmas her brothers came home from overseas. "That was a special time. I was working in Goderich and I saw a soldier walking down the street. The doorbell rang, and there he was back from the war," she said of one brother's return. She added that prior to seeing her brother in person, she was at a theatre watching a war movie, and she caught a glimpse of him in a mess hall scene. "That was one of my happiest memories, to see the two of them home for Christmas," she recalled. Mrs. Lawlor also reflected on some very happy Christmases spent as a child. Trips to visit friends were a very joyous time. "I can remember going away for Christmas with my stepfather driving a team of horses with a sleigh. That was great. We'd bundle up in buffalo robes, and sing all the way there and all the way back." She also noted that while there may not have been a lot of presents for everyone, Christmas was still just as fun. One interesting part of their day then was receiving their stockings, which would always contain a potato. "My stepfather always put potatoes in our stockings; you always looked for the potato. Whose days you didn't have much to put in. We were lucky if we got an orange and some candies, but the potato was always in the toe." A small gift might also be included in the stocking, such as a whistle made of wood, or a top made from a wooden spool, she added. Though there may not have been a lot of gifts, she did point out, "We always had lots to eat. "That's looking back to the fun days. Nowadays it's so grabby. I think I enjoyed Christmas much more then, than the com- thercialized Christmas today." Snow on the ground also made for a good Christmas when Mrs. Lawlor was a child. "We'd go skating in the afternoon, or sleigh riding was another good thing," she said, adding that she remembers having many a ride on a homemade bob sled her brother received. However; none of these afternoon ac- tivities could take place if Christmas fell on a Sunday, because they weren't allowed to do anything on Sundays, she explained. While the season may have been merrier for Mrs. Lawlor when she was younger, there are still things she looks forward to at Christmas these days. "I love the carols at Christmas; singing those at church. I usually get those going here on tapes," she said, adding that Silent Night is her favorite. Mrs. Lawlor also looks forward to receiv- ing Christmas cards, as well as small gifts from her penpals. One special gift arrives each year from a penpal in England she has been corresponding with for 21 years. Susan Hartman ; Christmas for the News -Record's Ben.sall Ctittesixindent, Susan Hartman, begins as a quiet family affair. 4 SUSAN HARTMAN "I like Christmas Eve myself. We have a nice, sit down dinner with the good dishes. It's a very quiet, peaceful time," she said. "We open one gift Christmas Eve after church, it's a big decision as to what to open." The next morning is also tranquil, when Mrs. Hartman celebrates with her husband Ron, and son Brad, who is nine. It's an extreme change of pace once the afternoon rolls around, though, when they travel to see Mrs. Hartman's inlaws. "He's from a family of eight. There are 28 BLANCHE DEEVES people at the house. It's bedlam," she stated. As Mrs. Hartman is from a small family, she noted, "It's nice, but I find it heetic." She added, however, that the children just love it. One point that will make Christmas a hap- pier event for the Hartmans this year is the fact their son still believes in Santa Claus. "Once he doesn't, some of the magic will be gone," Mrs. Hartman said, adding there will still be lots of neices and nephews who still do afterwards, though. HELEN OWEN Some of her childhood memories of Christmas have been carried over as tradi- tion to her family celebrations now. "I always remember getting the tree when I was a child. Now we make it a big ex- pedition. We come back and have cider and cookies and decorate the tree," she explained. One special season that really stands out in her mind was the last Christmas before her grandmother passed away. Her grand- mother came to visit, and was very disap- pointed when Mrs. Hartman's brother DORA SHOBBROOK wasn't there. However, with no one expecting it, "My brother was there Christmas morning when we woke up. That meant a lot. My grand- mother was so thrilled." Mrs. Hartman also recalled a gift that was a special thrill when she was a child. "We had a great uncle, with nu children, who sent a big, brown wrapped box. We call- ed it the turkey box," she explained. In the box were all the fixings for a Turn to page 5 FROM ALL OF US AT KUENZIG FOOD MARKET THANK YOU FOR LETTING US SERVE YOU THIS PAST YEAR Bob, Ray, Gayle, Joe, Marjorie, Laurie, Darlene, Ruth Ann, Catherine, Diane, Kathy, Wes, Robert, Mark, Shawn, Lloyd, Josh, Steve, Chris, Eileen, Ozzie, Paul. MISS® WIG: Laurie G.1 Jeff.