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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-23, Page 1Goederich 139 YEAR — 51 GODERICH ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1987 60 CENTS PER COPY Err rist 1 1 Wishing .you the best of the holiday season he management and staff of the 1 Goderich Signal -Star would like to extend the best of holiday wishes and season's greetings to all our readers and advertisers and their families. We trust that the holiday season will, be a joyous, warm and happy time for you and your families. This week, the Signal -Star is pleased to offer its annual Christmas Greeting supplement. This year's supphnent differs from previous years since we did not ask the schoolchildren in our readership area to help with this year's edition. Instead, we chose to bring to you a supplement full of traditional Christmas stories, poems and songs. We trust that you will find the sup- plement enjoyable and entertaining. We think it is one which you might want to hold onto for a few years. Before school let out for the Christmas holidays, schoolchildren were busy rehearsing and presen- ting their annual Christmas con- certs. This week's paper features photographs from the many Christmas concerts staged at local and area elementary schools. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one song associated with Christmas and the spirit of giving. On this week's front page, we feature the story of Owen Delve who decided to make his fiancee, Joan Armstrong, Christmas a special one by following the Christmas song and giving her the described gifts for the 12 days. Traditionally, the Christmas season is a time of love and peace. It is a time when we share the spirit of the season with family and friends. Our Christmas wish is that you and your family enjoy love and hap- piness this Christmas. Merry Christmas! Star publishes one day early This week, the Signal -Star was published one day earlier and delivered Tuesday, December 22 to give our staff a chance to enjoy the holiday. Next week, the paper will be published at its regular time and will be available at newstands Wednes- day, December 30. Home delivery will be made the same day. Deaelline . for next week's paper will revert back to regular deadlines. For word classifieds, sports and entertainment advertis- ing, the deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, December 28. All other display advertising must be in by 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 29. Regular deadlines will also be followed in the editorial department. The . sports deadline is 5 p.m. Mon- day, December 28 with the news deadline, being 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 29. Editorial copy may also be placed in the mail slot during the holiday period. Thank you for your co- operation. 1 Goderich resident Owen Delve decided to make his Christmas gift to his fiance Joan Armstrong a little something special this year, by giving her minature replicas of the assortment of gifts in the famous seasonal song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Of course jou can't just go out and purchase this sort of 111111111111 thing as a set, so Delve had to "pound the pavement," in order to find all the things he needed for the present, some of which he was able to find locally, while for other items, he had to go further afield. (photo by Patrick Raftis) Finding partridge for pear tree can be a complex Christmas feat When one conjurs up a picture of the assortment of imaginative gifts listed in the famous Yuletide carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," the im- mediate mental image is of a frantic scene – leap- ing lords colliding with maids -a -milking and throw- ing the drumming drummers off their beat. And who's going to clean up all those bird feathers? So, when Owen Delve, of Goderich, set out to assemble the fabled collection of Christmas gifts for his fiance Joan Armstrong, he decided to go with minature replicas of the live presents listed in the song. "I've been out pounding the pavement and look- ing everywhere," said Delve, who took more than a month to compile the complicated Christmas present. Surprisingly, some of the items were found fairly easily. "The florists carry the birds," he said, adding that department stores often have little wooden figures such as those he used to represent the "12 drummers drumming," or "11 pipers piping," for sale around Christnnas time. The nine ladies dancing were found locally. They were from a set of International Dolls on display in a Goderich department store. The "Five Golden Rings," present a little more of a challenge, unless you're ready to lay out big bucks. Delve substituted with brass, but they look just as nice. One item on the list had proved too challenging for Delve, when interviewed by the Signal -Star at his Hincks Street home on Dec. 17. He had yet to come up with a reasonable facsimile of "10 Lords -a - Leaping," which is not exactly a stock item in most stores. "I'm still working on that one," Delve said, noting that he had some ideas in mind. In case anyone wants to try and duplicate the "12 Days of Christmas Gifts," for a loved one next year – you should probably start working on it pretty early in the new year. To help you out, here's the complete list: 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords -a - leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids -a -milking, seven swans -a -swimming, six geese -a -laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. Of course, a big box of chocolates is always nice too — and a lot, easier. A candle in the window Through the frosted window pane A candle sends its welcome glow While etching shadows on the sill; A golden path' falls on the snow. Let this patch of warmth and beauty Speak a message of good cheer To each and every passerby, "This is a special time of year." o place a candle in each window .3Andlet its radiant glow impart A cheery welcome to one and all, A Christmas greeting from the heart. Christmas in the country The snowflakes ice the barnyard fences; Inside, the embered hearth is warm; The holly gathered from the woodlands Is berry -red throughout the home. The kitchen smells of ham, and sausage, And bread that's baked with lov- ing care; The cedar bowed with satin ribbons Holds popcorn balls and angel hair. The stars look down with quiet splendor On candles gleaming through the pines; The moon seems near in heaven's luster, And how sublime its fullness shines! Tonight the rural people mingle, Unite their Joys in glad refrain, As carols ring beyond the chapel With wondrous hope and peace again!