HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1971-12-23, Page 9THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1971
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS
Across the Years, Music Reflects Holiday Joy,
As Carolers Sing Traditional Songs of Christmas
"Carol, brothers, carol. Carol joyfully.
• With the coming of Christmas, almost everyone accepts
the injunction of the old song to "carol joyfully," From
special church services to family gatherings, a "carol
sing" is a traditional pleasure.
The custom of singing carols at holiday time is an an-
cient one — begun, perhaps, even before the first Christ-
mas, at celebrations such as the Roman Saturnalia.
Modern interest in music, and in learning to play
musical instruments, has given carol singing a healthy
boost, In most homes, at least one member of the family
can be depended on to provide instrumental accompani-
ment for carols — and the instrument may vary from the
old favorite piano to the currently popular guitar.
Music in any form has long been especially beloved
as a means of expressing Christmas joy. Early Christian
believers were forced to worship in secret — and there-
fore, quietly. Then, in the fifth and sixth centuries,
Christianity came out of the catacombs — and exultation
for freedom of worship was expressed in the glad ringing
of church bells.
Early hymns and carols, however, were in Latin. Carol
singing in its modern form — in the common language of
the country =— probably originated in 1223, when St. Francis introduced the first real-
istic replica of the manger scene, in the little town of Greccio, Italy.
From this beginning, the practice of erecting a creche or crib soon became a Christmas
tradition in many towns. Around the representation of the first Christmas, villagers
gathered to marvel, pray and sing. Often, the creche was constructed in a churchyard
or on a public street. Thus it was natural for the worshippers to stroll away from the
devotional service —formal or informal — and continue singing the beloved carols as
they made their way home.
This spontaneous action may well have led to the custom of going from place to
place to sing carols. And the more music, the better, was the rule. Any musical instru-
ment, however humble, was a welcome addition and accompaniment.
In later centuries, the "wassailing" or "gooding" expeditions helped the growth of
caroling. Singers went from house to house, receiving treats as rewards for carols.
Even oppression could not put an end to carol singing. When the Puritans abolished
Christmas observances in England, printed sheets of carols were bootlegged for a penny.
And poets and musicians went right on composing carols, as they do today.
Vital information about
Huron County released
There are 26 municipalities
all within the county council
systein.
Huron has five towns; Clinton
Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth
and Winglem.
The county has five incorp-
orated villages; Bayfield, Blyth,
Brussels, Hensall and Zurich.
Total population is 51,483.
There are 29, 909 persons living
within the sixteen townships,
17, 712 live in the towns and
3, 842 live in the villages.
Warden of Huron County is
Jack P. Alexander, Reeve of
the town of Winghatu, County
Clerk -Treasurer is John G.
Berry, Goderich is the county
seat.
The county is 1, 295 square
rniles in area. It is the largest
county in land size of any with-
in the four -county Midwestern
Ontario Region. Other count-
ies in the region are Perth
with 840 square utiles, Waterloo
covering 516 square miles and
Wellington with an area of
1, 019 square miles.
Huron County has 45 miles
of Lake Huron Shoreline. There
are approximately 2, 800 cot-
tages along the shoreline.
Sporadic cottage development
stretches along 53 per cent of
the shoreline.
Population projections ro the
year 1983 range from 80, 000
to 66, 700.
Proposed land use acreage
for towns and villages total
7, 194 acres. Over 3, 000 acres
of recreational lands exist in
the county.
A t present, 238 acres of
Best wishes for a holiday season
filled with happiness and good cheer. And
sincere thanks for your patronage.
ZURICH WHOLESALE
SHIRRII^ T' S POTATO CHIPS
Hubert and Marge Schilbe
industrial development is loc-
ated within -the ten towns and
villages. The land .use plan
proposes that 925 acres he set
aside for future industrial dev-
el opt n ent.
There are 2, :i-10 miles of
roads in Huron County including
county roads, provincial high-
ways and local municipal roads.
The County road system totals
340 miles with 188 miles of
hard top and 158 miles of grav-
el road.
PAGE 9
Huron County has three main
rivers: Maitland , Bayfield and
A usable.
The County has 40 doctors,
15 dentists and six chiropractors.
There are five hospitals in the
county.
....4.1,11•440,
May the good cheer of Christmas brighten
every home, lighten every heart. Especially,
may you and yours have a wonderful holiday.
E. (Bob) McKinley
M.P. for Duron
.rF
,e
a,. `'... i
);,gip.
Old-fashioned ways of warm cordiality
have a special meaning at Christmas. In this old-time
spirit, we wish you holiday joy, ever -new, rich in the
blessings of home, family, friends. Merry Christmas!
WESTLAKE FURNITURE
FUNERAL and AMBULANCE SERVICE
ZURICH