The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutZurich Citizens News, 1973-12-13, Page 6PAGE 6 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1973 How anadians spend Christmas Christmas in Canada is a pot- pourri of customs reflecting the unique personalities of the prov- inces which make up the Canad- ian mosaic. The Pacific coast is particul- arly Christmas oriented. Imagine a Carol Ship silhouet- ted in lights, bearing a Christ- mas tree at the masthead and carrying bell-ringers and child- ren's choirs. Followed by a flotilla of brilliantly lit fire boats, tugs, fishing boats and private yachts, it leads the Yuletide fleet that welcomes inbound ships and sends a mess- age of goodwill echoing across the dark waters to crowds waiting around huge bonfires on the shore. This delightful event is held every year on the evenings dur- ing the week before Christmas in the harbor of the cosmopolit- an Pacific city of Vancouver. The unique Carol Ship, like a gigantic Christmas parcel glowing with lights, annually draws huge crowds of visitors from all over British Columbia and the western U.S. Windows along Vancouver's Robson Street (often called Robsonstrasse), crammed with ethnic delights, exotic gifts and pungent culinary master- pieces, heighten the festive flavor of this glamorous Can- adian city. At the world-famous Empress Hotel in Victoria on Vancouver Island, the "Spirit of Christmas Past" stalks the halls as costumn- ed troubadours serenade guests with madrigals. And, once again the ancient and honorable proc- ession of the Boar's Head wends its traditional way accompanied by liveried lackies, cheeky page boys, and the inevitable jester in age-old motley. The Elizabethan custom of tossing holly sprigs on a blazing Yule log to symbolize the eras- ing of last year's mistakes and indiscretions still takes place at many hotels. Other hotels in the Victoria and Vancouver areas also intr- oduce the Elizabethan note with carollers, boars' heads, surprise gifts, special entertainment for children, and menus printed on scrolls tied with gay ribbons. Indeed, the hotels have created such a jolly, oldtime Christmas atmosphere that families which traditionally stay home on Christmas now eat out. For this reason, it is an absolute must to make your Vancouver and Victoria Christmas dinner reser- vations well in advance to get in on all the fun. Yuletime ski buffs are well catered for in the Vancouver area at Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and Whistler Mountain in Garibaldi Park (only 70 miles from the city). Special interdenominational skiers' services are held on the valley floor at Whistler in a beautiful A -frame church, built with funds contributed by the skiers. In Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Banff Springs Hotel and Jasper Parl< Lodge have special Christ- mas programs. An Olde English Christmas dinner and Boar's Head ceremonial procession are scheduled for the Banff Springs. Both resorts feature a visit by Santa and special children's activities as well as an exciting variety of winter fun: toboggan- ing, skating, skiing and snow - shoeing. Jasper Park Lodge guest: can participate in sleigh rides to massive open-air fireplaces for winter barbecues. Carol singing, Christmas and New Year's parties are also featured. The Christmas season in Tor- onto gets off to a spectacular start in mid-November with the mile -long Santa Claus Parade, one of the largest anywhere. The simple pleasures of the pioneer Canadian Christmas are revived November 30 to Dec- ember 23 at Toronto's Macken- zie House, former mid -nineteen- th century home of the city's first mayor. Decorations are traditional --paper chains, ros- ettes, candles and other trimm- ings adorn mantles, archways and staircases. The "Kissing Bough, " for - runner of the Christmas tree in England, glows with candles and gay home-made objects to delight young and old. The nostalgic aroma of fresh ever- greens and crackling wood fires completes the festive picture. lathe basement, hospitable Toronto ladies in period costume prepare cookies and fruit loaves on a wood -burning range. Cran- berry punch and piping hot mul- led cider are served to visitors. In French-speaking Quebec, Christmas is a deeply religious event, the most colorful and memorable in the entire year. Festivities are held in the evening, and are centered on the "reveillon," or Christmas banquet. Its preparation starts weeks and sometimes months in advance, for it is a genuine family reunion and many family members are invited. It is not unusual to invite as many as 30 or 40 relatives to such a party, The basic principle of the reveillon is that the quality and quantity of food, wine and del- icacies must surpass whatever is consumed on other less import• ant holidays. The feasting commences ar- ound'two or three a.m. after a special Midnight Mass and the gift giving around the Christmas tree. It can last until the first rays of dawn. There are count- less dishes, all served to the accompaniment of witty conver- sation, gay laughter, and boist- erous singing. A wide variety of home-made and imported wines are served in generous quantities to young and old. Among the small ethnic group: Canadians whose origins go back to the Ukraine, Poland and other parts of eastern Europe, the custom of spreading a thin layer of straw under the cloth on the Christmas table as a reminder of the stable where Christ was born is still retained. Straw is often strewn under the table and cand- ies and nuts are hidden in it for the children. Christmas decorat- ions in these homes usually inc- lude a sheaf of wheat to symbol- ize a bountiful year ahead. In many Canadian churches and homes, the most important and best loved decoration is the YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS FOR COME IN AND SEE OUR VARIETY OF BARBER-ELLIS Gift Stationery .ATTRACTIVELY BOXED FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING Priced From $1.25 To $11.50 MAT6Oh 236-4672 Zurich creche, or crib, a realistic miniature tableau of the Nativ- ity. Other groups which hold their main celebrations on Christmas Eve serve a distinctive type of food on this ocoasion. For ex- ample, baked carp is a tradition- al dish in families whose ancest- ors were Czechoslovakian or Austrian. Codfish, goose, and a special kind of rice pudding is an almond, and it is believed that whoever gets the almond is sure to have his wish fulfilled. Among Estonians the Christmas meal often centers around roast suckling pig rolled in cabbage, cooked in the oven and served with vegetables and sour cream. In Newfoundland, children and adults dress up in odd cost- umes, usually old clothes like grandma's night-gown or dad's old Stanfields (old fashioned "long john" winter underwear). Faces are covered with veils, some with Hallowe'en type mask: These "mummers, " as they are called, go from door to door in groups of two to ten, Disguis- ing their voices, they ask to be let in to perform for the householders. The musician of the group plays on a pocket comb covered with cigarette paper while his companions sing. The mummers are rewarded with candy, and Christmas cake. The children are offered a drink made from a mixture of water and thick, sweet syrup while adult mummers are served home- made blueberry and raspberry wines. This is the joy of Christmas in Canada --where Elizabethan and 17th century French rituals, colorful ethnic customs, and honored pioneer traditions mingle in celebration of the holiday season. PC's pick committee At the first meeting of the Progressive Conservative exec- utive, four new committees were established. Mrs. Donna Wood, Mrs. Gladys Guene, Mrs. Jean Ginn, Mrs. Mary Fran Gaiser were appointed to the ladies commit- tee with Mrs. Donna Wood named chairman. Llorne Kleinstiver leads up the finance committee to be assist- ed by Gerry Holmes and Jim Hayter. Les Habkirk was appointed to chair the social committee. Also appointed were Percy Brown, Bill Cummings and Ron Merner. Leroy Harrison was appointed chairman of public relations, assisted by Dick Atkey and Morley Sanders. With the co-ordination of these committees an active soc- ial program will be established in the riding. Anyone wishing to assist in these activities may get in touch with any of the above navies or President Clen Webb of Dashwood. g izt, cigrs t,4s U` a»rar a� 5?:g* O raiSAP4„a� iiia zaPtea! s•viin.s . Witt NiA iaiYea.P.0, 3 tr 4t a a: Christmas S LE at BettyArradl Arts g JUST ARRIVED . Large Inventory of Good Durable TOYS Chri.stmnas WRAP E3ROLLS 88 $ 1" ROLLS SCOTCH PINE and THREE-YEAR OLD SHEARED SPRUCE Chr istmt s TREES only $4.00 each nGIFTS a otC ce Sets Complete with Tracks F i^ # C t Tlrllocks Mini: tore Motorised Ski ®oos $4.50 9®9 3.59 GAMES, PUZZLES AND CRAFTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 6 Complete Line of Christmas t Decorations & Gift Wrap Large Strong W izzard a GARBAGE BAGS 10 /49( a A Huge Assortment of High Quality GLOVES & MITTS 10% Off g including Ski -Doo Gloves : HOCKEY STICKS • 50t Off' I SILVERWOOD' S FASCINATION 0 ICE CREAM HALF GALLON 59t (with the coupon from the IGA Advt in this paper) See Our IGA Ad In This Paper For Many Food Savings rt Turkeys All Sizes, Fresh, Butter Basted & Frozen tx BETTY and ARTS Foodliner and Annex GRAND BEND Phone 238-2123 HIGHWAY 21 SOUTH WE DELIVER IN GRAND BEND