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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-12-21, Page 4PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3191'883 DAVE SYKES Member: Second class mail registration number 0716 BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1983 There's a story behind the front-page picture of this week's edition of the Signal - Star and by now you must realize you will be privy to all the details. Lest me set the scene. The weeks before Christmas are more than hectic in this business, as more and larger ads compute into more pages for the editorial department to fill. Christmas concerts, special events and regular news turn the final few weeks before Christmas into a merry-go-round. But aside from all the regular material, I wanted to present readers with a visually attractive front page that would also cap- ture the spirit of the season and convey best wishes to all. That's not easy. It takes some measure of planning and thought. I fall short on both counts but I gave it some thought, which can be dangerous. The idea that appeared to be most feasible was to try and illustrate and capture the beauty of The Square, decked out in her Christmas finest. Throw in a gentle snowfall and capture it on film hi the serenity of Courthouse Park and you have an award- winning photograph. While it would make a stunning photograph in colour, it presented an ap- pealing vision even in black and white. If done in the proper manner. To get that shot I firsthad to watforweatherman substantial snowfall. obliged on the weekend along with some severe winds and cold temperatures. All weekend I was talking about and mentally preparing for the self-inflicted assignment. "I think I will have to take the shots about three or four in the morning when no-one is driving around The Square," I told the life partner. Mrs. Sykes just smiled and giggled a lot when I talked about getting up that early in the morning to take a picture. She had that `I bet you don't take the picture at all' look on her face all weekend. After reasoning that it was just too cold to get up Sunday morning for the picture I set the alarm for 5.30 a.an. Monday morning. Mrs. Sykes was still smiling knowingly to herself. But I did rise at 5.30 a.m. and grudgingly bundled up to battle the elements for the sake of a photograph that until then was only a product of a fertile imagination. When I stepped out the door 15 minutes later, the wind, driving snow and bitter cold almost drove this scribe back into the comfort of the heated house. I stood on the porch a few agonizing minutes wondering if this picture was worth the trouble and if other reasonably sane men ever went out in a blizzard at 6 a.m. to take pictures. In a moment of insanity I cranked up the family vehicle and travelled to town. Despite the bitter cold and blowing snow, there was a certain tranquil and ethereal quality in Courthouse Park. The freshly fallen snow lay evenly on the ground and crunched noisily under foot. Despite a m lest wind that whistled through the trees, there was relative quiet. All the ingredients for a dynamic photograph were at my disposal on that chilly morning but I failed to produce the effect I wanted. A technical error was committed on my part. I returned to the scene Monday evening, but even from the photo lacked the same vantage Po same 'ffeeling.' The sidewalks were clear of snow, storefront signs were ablaze and traffic circled The Square. I had something a little different in mind but the capable art department here did wonders to produce a rather pleasing front page. Hope you enjoy it andel all the best season.toyou and your family during the THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & ! 'STRICT SINCE 1848 Founded in 9545 end published every W.dn..day st Oederich. Ontario. Member of the CCN*. ®CNA end ABC M advance '20.55, (Senior Citizens •97.95 privilege card Audit Surma al)Circulations.Coned ,' Subscriptions SA At melds. toe other countries. M copies 30°. 0i.pbry. National and Classinumber required) in C.n.de,'ami a e an re ues to ell . .. for Rate Card No. 14 effective October 1, 1553. Advertising g is scowled c wl rent a condition °n om' ical error. the advertising space occupied by the a ro ieous item t the er vel 1. that embn a event of a fo typographical butbe for by balance sof the item, 9. '$ r ~ allowance for signature, t caw event of . typographical error athat dvertising of the eearse close a be gid ler e theservices applicable or.wlet may not b. mild. Advertising is merely m offer e sell, ng may bewrvidt.n.era./f.'b.•!tM NM them The Signal -Star is not responsible for the lose or damage of t n sell, end may cr wltMNwm sr ether meteride used for reproducing purposes. unsolicited mamnvipte. f*�� PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED, ROBERT G. SHRIER - President and Publisher DON HUBICK - Advertising Manager DAVE SYKES - Editor tv A e HUCKINB ST. \ P.Q. BOX BIRO GOV INDUSTRIAL PARK BODER ICH, Oi1IT. N7A 4N0 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone (519) 5E4-8331 Let's take care The Christmas holiday season is a special time of year to enjoy with colleagues, family and friends. But it is also an extremely busy time of year for most of us with last minute shopping to complete, dozens of errands to _run,. cooking and baking to complete, decorating to fh jsh, presents to wrap and a host of other taggi to comptefe.-IiiMihort, most people are busy in preparation for the Christmas and New Year holiday. 'But quite often our preparations overlook safety at a time of year when a little caution could easily prevent tragedy. Thousands of people will be travelling the highways during the holiday season, going to and from parties, gatherings and also heading home to spend Christmas with family and friends. This time of year, the weather can be fickle and most unpredictable. A measure of caution on the highway will add to the enjoyment of the holidays. Motorists will have to be alert not only because the volume of traffic will increase dramatically over the holiday period, but also because many of those drivers will have been drinking at office and home parties. A defensive approach to driving is required this time of year as it becomes mandatory to watch out for the other guy. Have a safe driving holiday this year. Safe driving begins at the impromptu office party or family gathering. Iff you are entertaining, at least make sure that the people who leave your house are capable of driving a motor vehicle. And if people are leaving or have made their intentions to leave known, don't force the proverbial "one for the road" on that friend. Be a congenial host and look after the best interests of your guests. A little common sense can save a life this time of year. µ Also'this time of year, your home could be a fire trap. Make sure that your decorated Christmas tree is not a fire hazard, ready to ignite at any time. If your tree is real, keep it in water and do not leave the lights on when you are not at home or for extended periods of time. Real and artificial trees can easily catch fire and will burn in seconds if there is a source of fire at the base. Always check to ensure that the lighting system is in working order and secure the tree to prevent it from falling over. If you have children, their untempered enthusiasm and curiosity will invariably draw them to.a lighted candle or illuminated Christmas tree. Don't leave burning candles unattended, especially if children are near. The family Christmas tree, if real, may become brittle after a time and if it feels brittle to the touch, it's wise to have it removed. A little prevention over the Christmas holiday season could prevent a needless tragedy on the road or in your home. Take the time to think about what you're doing and enjoy the fruits of the season. Have a safe and merry Christmas. A Christmas wish for you We wish for you a special Christmas tree this year. We hope for you that it will be a tall and straight tree with boughs outstretched to shelter you this coming year. Trim it witi4love, surround it with faith. The Christmas tree that we wish for you has a bright and shining star at the ver top. It will shine through the darkness around you and bring hope to the world as it did so many years ago in Bethlehem. May its radiance in the days ahead flood your heart. Under the tree, there will be presents. One package is filled with memories. Not ordinary memories, they are memories of special people, of special times and of other The day before our recent and enjoyable Christmas parade I had occasion to pay a short visit to the Recreation Office where I discovered preparations for Santa's Court in full swing. Miss Jane Netzke, our Recrea- tion Director, her staff and helpers were in a pleasantly purposeful rush. I have always felt that recreation offices have a special something in their orr- dinary working atmospherepa almost reckless and very attractive ofe preparedness for any unexpectedbecausern events. Perhaps this is partly so, recreational activities and attitudes are related to celebrating the enjoyment of things beyond the predictability of necessities. One of Jane's helpers that afternoon was a man who over the years has become Santa's official local representative. He was busily filling bags with Christmas goodies for some 500 children whom the Recreation Depart- ment expected to visit Santa's Court next Christmas seasons of the past. And while they may call you to weep, it is a time for holding the head a little higher and making yourself go on. May you acquire the ability to give thanks for faith in the future and for courage you didn't think you had. Another package is filled with peace. Share it with the world. For to settle with less is to make a mockery of the words, `Peace on earth, good will toward men.' And in- deed peace is the foundation upon which the tree shall stand. We wish that good times will be yours this holiday season. By Dave Sykes DEAR READERS I had a little chat this morning with Scrooge ... not Ebenezer Seepage created by Dickens but the real Scrooge, the Scrooge that skulks around simple, ordinary people at this time of year. He's a bitter sad little fellow - all alone and without any joy in his life. Any "pleasure" he gets comes from beating other folks out of their money, their enjoyment, their satisfaction, their goodwill. I asked him how he got to be the way he is. "It just kinda happened I guess," he said, scratching his head. I found out that Scrooge lived his early childhood in a town not unlike Goderich. He went to school, he did his chores around the house, he played with other kids, he even had a girlfriend at one point. "But every year when Christmas -time came round I was disappointed," he told me. I asked "Didn't you ever get any presents?" him. "Oh sure I got presents," he snapped. "My parents saw to that. I got as many presents as any of the other kids." "Didn't you have a nice Christmas dinner?" I asked. "Didn't you eat it with other members of your family and laugh together, sing carols together, sit around the tree together?" "Sure, sure," he grunted. "All that stuff. But it was never any fun. I didn't like it." "Why ever not?" I inquired. "How should I know?" he shouted in an angry tone. "What's so special about a Christmas turkey and a mince pie anyway? When the meal is over, it's all gone. Nothing to show for all that work and money. And the next day you have to eat all over again. It never ends. What's so wonderful about Christmas dinner?" "Well, it's so much more than an everyday meal Scrooge," I said. "It's a special meal because it's served on Christmas Day. Christ- mas Day is special." "Hrrumpp, he muttered. "It's just like any other day in the year as far as I can see. No use getting all sloppy and sentimental about Christmas." "Well of course Christmas is special," I told him in my best indignant style. "Christmas is a SHIRLEY FELLER time when people are especially nice to each other. At Christmas time more than any other time of the year, people get together' in frien- dliness and fellowship. They forget old hurts and they share things with each other." "What's so great about that?" Scrooge wanted to know. "What's so tremendous about all this peace and goodwill if it's only for one day in the year? I say Christmas is nothing more than a time for silly illusions and pretense. It's a waste of time and money and it leaves people discp" pointed and broke when it's over. It's one custorr'Y"" we could do without if you ask me." "But that's just it Scrooge," I insisted. "The Christmas feeling shouldn't last for only one day of the year. It should be renewed every Christ- mas and last for 365 days until the next Christ- mas hristmas when it's renewed again." "Boy are you out of touch with the real world," Scrooge cackled, slapping his knee and pointing a scrawny finger in my direction. "What makes you think anyone could ever live that way for a whole year at a time?" "Because of the love of the Christ -child who is the reason for Christmas in the first place," I said. Scrooge was immediately angry. "Don't preach to me lady," he threatened. "I've heard all that God and Jesus stuff and I can tell you it's just a bunch of nonsense. If there really is a God, why doesn't He just show Himself to us. Why all this mystery? If you are so sure that really was God who was born at Bethlehem in a barn ... if you think this Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the came to save everybodylifetorment from a of now and in the next life, -pf o it tome. r your God. Your Jesus Christ. Then I'll believe you." "You know I can't conjure up the shape and form of God ... or Jesus Christ," I said. "But can't you see God everytirne you look into the face of a perfectly formed newborn baby sleeping peacefully just moments after he's made the perilous trip into this world through the body of an ordinary human woman? Or when you see an appleblossom burst open in the spring on the end of a branch that 1^^l^1 lifeless and dead day after the parade. By surprising me the scene caught my at- tention on a warmly personal level. It made me thoughtful and mindful of the pleasant little things wede with eyes ikely to clouded by when we arererushing preoccupations. That afternoon I decided to use my Christmas message to turn the tables n Jane and the things pa represents. Jane always hathanksstapar- ticipants ticipants and helperns is a most o take much for granted. Christina suitable time to tell Jane and her staff how much we appreciate the extra distance they so often go beyond duties performed ash th dedicated interest, lively imaging good humour. Although not of the Recreation epaa ; is Depart- ment, the man to whom I barn the closely connected with it during Christmas season_ He is sharing its spirit of going the extra distance throughout the year. He is Mr. Richard (Dick )Eisler. Mr. Eisler's lively performance as the town's resident Santa Claus is well known to all who are familiar with the annual parade and Santa's Court. It is the most visible gift of his time and energy to our junior popula- tion. It is by no means the only one. The other contributions remain unknown to most of us unless we learn about them accidental- ly or from other people. By the way, the bags which Mr. Eisler helped fill with goodies in the Recreation Office were made id out of his own p material ford which he lans for improved pocket. Already p and more colourful containers for neap Christmas, again as his own direct contribu- tion. Mr. Eisler has played Santa to many children at many organizational, church, company and private Christmas parties. He does not charge for what one would call his services but he calls his pleasure. He has taken a week of his annual holidays now just before Christmas, so that he could give all the time to his "duties" as Santa Claus in whatever places children hope to meet him. His contributions are not restricted to the festive season alone. He admits that he en- joys doing things for other people, par- ticularly children and animals. Underneath the public persona of his official duties there is a gentle and caring individual who spends a lot of his time finding loving homes for dogs and cats left behind on our streets by indifferent owners. In these examples I have singled out some of the qualities to which 1 should like to pay special and timely tribute, iii a very per- sonal relationship to what Christmas means to me. There are many othera trpple eiw o, in many different ways, go the e. Christmas means taking the time to look. My warmest wishes for a happy Christmas! just a few weeks earlier? Or when you watch a live butterfly emerge from a dead'shell?" "No," Scrooge grunted. ' - "Would you like to?" I asked. "I don't know," Scrooge replied. "Maybe." "It's up to you," I said. "It's your choice. You can accept that God is indeed present in everything all around you ... that He was there in that manger at Bethlehem ... that He hung there on the cross at Calvary ... that He rose again and still lives today ... that He shows Himself to you and all mankind in so many different ways ... or you can reject it. That's your choice. No one else can see Him for you. Or believe for you." Scrooge was quiet for a moment and then he looked me square in the eye. "Your kind of faith is for weaklings. It's for people who can't face reality. People who need a crutch. It's for those who are too cowardly to fight their own battles, take their own lumps. I'll bet you like fairy tales and books with happy endings too," he scoffed. "I prefer a little more honesty." "What pleasures are you reaping from facing up to what you believe is honesty? What is the real price you are paying for going it all alone? What's so attractive about the kind of misery you're feeling at this time of year? Show me the peace in your life at Christmas? Anytime?" I challenged. Scrooge screwed up his face and folded his arms in defiance. "There's no peace in my life. I dei't expect any. This is a dog eat dog world," he aid. I shook my head in sadness as Scrooge limped away from me. He is a cripple who chooses not to admit it. He's in need of a crutch but he's too proud to accept it. I watched as he blended in with the crowd of people milling around the stores, in the schools, at the workplace, everywhere. And I knew that there's a little Scrooge in all of us. Only the concept of,a CHRISTmas makes the difference. May the peace and joy which came to earth on that first Christmas be a vital part of your celebration this December 25, 1983 ... and forever. ELSA HAYDON.