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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-12-23, Page 7The Grade 2 and 3 class at St. Mary's do a Biblical version of The Night Before Christmas at their concert this year. Mary and Joseph are played by Danielle Theriault and Brandon Cor- riveau. (photo by Susan Hundertmark ) To our customers -'� and many friends wishing you a Merry Christmas and the Best for the New Year! from the staff at: BROWNS DECOR CENTRE Lee, Paul, Jeff and Bus race Pat.tersor: E, MBER 23,190 PAG,E7 we contains the spirit of Christmas for many children BY SUSAN HUNDERTMARK When she thinks about all the children .;who have climbed onto her knee for the past six Christmases in Goderich, her bright blue eyes sparkle behind her glasses and her rosy cheeks crinkle up into a smile. Grace Patterson's smile contains the spirit of Christmas. And, as Mrs. Claus, she's listened to the Christmas wishes of almost every child in Goderich and sur- rounding area. "The children will sit on your knee and get their faces so close to yours with a dead serious expression and it's surprising what they'll ask you for. Some will ask for so much but others will ask for whatever you can bring them," she says. From the timid ones to the enthusiastic, Mrs. Patterson says all the children are very polite and very cute. Most can name their desires in exact detail. "One boy told me he wanted a shirt with snaps here and here and at the cuffs and a nice -pair of socks to go with it. Most of the children know the name of everything to ask for," she says. Some kids want to develop closer ties with the Claus family in the North Pole. "One little girl said she didn't want anything but she wondered if Santa Claus could come to her house and have Christmas dinner with her family. Another little boy brought a Christmas card for me and Santa with his name and phone number inside," she chuckles. When the children are asked if they've been good during the year, some honestly reply that they haven't though they've tried. Mrs. Claus also asks if they'll leave out carrots for the reindeer and leave the door open or clean out the chimney for Santa. "I'm sure some of the fathers wouldn't be too impressed by questions about clean- ing out the chimney when the children got home," she says. Mrs. Patterson, a member of the Goderich Kinettes, was asked to become Mrs. Claus when the Kinsmen Club spon- sored the Santa Claus float in the Christmas parade. "It must have been my size. I was the biggest Kinette," she jokes adding that Mrs. Claus should be a roly po- ly person. Though she enjoys waving and yelling, • "Merry Christmas" from her seat in the cutter on the Santa Claus float, Mrs. Pat- terson says the most important part of her job is talking to the children. "Every child gets on your knee and gets his picture taken," she says. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT IT'S BEST! SKI BENMILLER AND THE BEAUTIFUL MAITLAND RIVER VALLEY Featuring: Four groomed, well marked trails, plus as many variations as you can find! Daily Trail Fee... 52.50 per person 7,44 s . .;„„, „,, OR JOIN THE ENMILLER SKI CLUB Fblhiny y l Annual Membership Fee..."25.00 per person ll I SKI TICKETS: may be purchased at The Benmiller Inn Front Desk or in The Forge at CherTydale Farm, one mile east of Benmiller Inn. APRES SKI: Open daily, The Forge offers light Snacks and Hot Beverages. Sunday through Thursday 1 1 am to 4 pm. Friday and Saturday 1 I am to 5 pm. Operated by Benmiller Inn For more information write or call: THE BENMILLER SKI CLUB c/o BENMILLER INN R.R. 4 GODERICH N7A 3Y1 (519) 524-2191 Grace Patterson as Mrs. Santa Claus Prerequisites for the job include a love of children, a vivid imagination and a careful reading of the Christmas catalogue to ensure she knows the names of all the toys. "A few years ago, with all these space toys on the market, you never knew what they were asking for," she says. One of the more difficult aspects of the job, though, is climbing onto the Christmas float by ladder. "One year, I went up and down the lad- der so many times I lost my glasses. I'm not young to be doing this but I get a kick out of it," she says. Playing a member of the Claus family is part of a Patterson family tradition. Mrs. Patterson's late husband, Pat used to play Santa in Goderich many years ago for the IODE and borrowed the costume along with some sleigh bells for Lhe Patterson celebration at their sons' homes. "He used to walk up and down the street in his Santa suit ringing the sleigh bells and peering into the windows. All the kids on the street used to wait for him to arrive for Christmas," she says. A great fan of the Christmas season, Mrs. Patterson says she may be in the au- dience at the newly -released Santa Claus movie this year. "Maybe I'll pick up some pointers," she says. From all of us to all of you...a very Merry Christmas SACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Kay Sharp Bill Bakelaar Lorraine Franken David Anstett John Anstett Ya'-•ck Higgins FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Lynda Horbanuik, Margaret Taylor SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM ANSTETT MANUFACTURING LTD. LEFT TO RIGHT: Jamie Anstett Dennis Vere, Jim Zimmerman Mike Becker, Paul Anstett (manager) SEATED Suanne Smith ANSTETT J=WE LL ERS 8 ALBERT STREET, CLINTON