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The Huron Expositor, 1980-12-18, Page 31#1,1010, 4,104 A5,,,t1,6;A •. „ „, •,,iv•taval) • The big day • had arriVed Christmas Eve, ' • In those days there were no radios; No T.Y.,nothing but the good old Miran Expositor. Many people did not take a daily paper. A few weeks before Christ- mas the Expositor arrived. That jolly old man - Santa Claus, was pictured all .over the front page. What excite- mvnt all over the house. We then realized the time was close at hand when would ' make that trip to Seaforth.on Christmas Eve. Seaforth seemed like a trip tSfifatandTYou hltie a school age kid to make the trip. Kids were in school a few years at that time before they realized it was all a fairy tale. • Not so, noi so today. They can pretty well tell you who Santa.is at three years of age. Today, every time they turn on the T.V. they see a different Santa, and they let you know it, too. Mom has to cover up as best she can. It took all Chrjstmas Eve from early „mOrn to noon to get the kids all ready for the event of the year, Dad always hoped for,a gel:Alan of fresh snOw so WA could enjoy a tov,ely warm,cittter ride, Lots of heavy Coats, cups, mitts and wrappedin the good Old buffalo tobes tucked in all ' sides. Remember +here were no snow suits or k suits in those days. But everyone was as snug as a bug in a rug as long as you did not hit a pitch hble and get thrown out. Who t _ho I e2 You have a hard time to explain:to kids today what a pitch hole realty was. Can you imagine a five mile drive.to Seaforth today taking about one hour? Well, it did. ° We usually tried to get there about one o'clock, (if not you may not get a stall for your horse). A big covered building stood where Row- cliffes are today. The hostler or stable attendant met you. * took your horse. Unhitched R from the ettiter, ticd it i a stall in the shed and covered wuisinthtthooeetoo the horse as wet. Ont. dad ,VvOuld Always take know ho..ters. Yaday), but where there WaS a lobby with a huge grate n he floor, a clock that reaehed from the ceiling half way to the floor (so we thought) and shelves where you could' leave your extra scarves and mitts before going dOWn town. Big captain's chairs were here and there, Where two or three of us kids could pile on to sit and warm our toes—Ike—ean' remetriber:—the--show— boys wore rubber boots - lasted a little over an hour. they were not hard to slip off. Best of all was that rest room at the head of the stairs where everyone paid a visit before going any farther. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens managed that hotel. Mr. Stevens was a real grandpa, - so we thought. He was usually sitting in one of the big chairs when you entered the hall but he would always give it over to some half frozen youngster. We thought he was the greatest. Men were going in arid out. We found out that they were having a drink of draft - beer. There was no liquor in hotels at that time. Dad thought we had better put on our mittens again and head for down town. The picture show The Excitement! Kids were there for miles and miles. The picture show - theatre as its known today was cross the street next, or near Crich's bake shop. As I XP(',:l0VTOR0 DEcEMI3g,Ft 24 10 (Editor's Note: The story by "M.L." has won first prize in the Christmas in the old days in Seaforth contest, sponsored by local merchants. If the winner will identify herself to Piet Loomans at Piet's Place, she'll receive her prize, a toaster oven.) They tried to have as many showings as possible on Christmas Eve so no child would be disappointed. Usually a Charlie Chaplir Buster Keaton, or cowboys and, Indians usually seemed to take the cake. Kids laughed, shouted and some : screamed, afraid the Indians were coming right down the aisle. After the show was over dad would take us downtown The stores they were something John Beatties "fire and ten cent" store at that time I believe,/ was where our eyes popped. Seemed that everything was there that Santa would ever need for the many stockings he was expected to fill that A Seaforth Christmas in 1928 meant the Lions Santa and a free picture show Entering the Senior Citiz- ens Contest (What Christmas was like in Seaforth in the early days). I have so many fond memories of many occasions but perhaps the rine that atlas otit most in these memories is the Christ- mas in 1928. 1 have no doubt many men and women who are now middle-aged will recall that every year Santa came to town and the Lions Club gave out Christmas Stockings which contained an orange and a mixturc of candy and nuts. All school children. including those within a certain radius of Seaforth. recieved one. as well as a free ticket to a picture' show at the theatre This was located next to Crich's Bakery at that time. Since they could not accomo- date everyone at one show the kids from the chuntry got first priority as they faced a ride home in a cutter or a sleigh. The reason I choose 1928 above all others in my me- mories, is because that was the year the late J.F. Daly introduced the Model A Ford Since he was the annual "Santa" he rode in one up Main St. -- from where? No one knew. What a crowd of curious people Main St. drew that year, those of all ages, young and old alike! Most everyone knew how well the Model T had served over the years. now they were anxious to sec this new model with self starter. re -chargeable battery, three forward speeds, re -mountable tire rims. speedometer, and many other features they had read about. Most of the kids couldn't get near it. but were more interested in Santa and the picture show anyway. Everytine agreed the car was something - and it proved afterwards it was. I think the price was about S1.000. I remember ( and many others do, too) the stock market crash the following year. and a great many cars were up on blocks. because there was no money to drive them. How- ever that particular dav Sea - forth merchants did a big business, as people used to save money over the year for occasions such as this. Everyone liked to see some snow for Christmas, and most of the younger generat- ion had a good roadster dressed up and a nice cutter or buggy as the conditions prevailde for drives up and down Main Si. to the track, to "show off- as it were. But it was a little before that when I was doing the same thing. Each merchant had his store decorated for the Christmas semen, and be- cause the country at that time did not have hydro (excepting, perhaps, a few who may have had delco plants) it was a great attract- ion. Because of local option, the hotels (and there were 5 at the time) were closed as far as beverages were con- cerned. Some (on the side) served homc brew, swamp whiskey, etc.. but they did serve meals, and had twei. night customers as well. night. The window and light really had us staring. All at once we heard bells ringing, kids runhing - even out in the middle of the street. Santa Claus was coming through in a double cutter. He was really a Jolly Old Elf, I known of none other than Mr. J.F. Daly, he was #1 for that part. The grocery stores were something too I can still see the size of the oranges." Not that today's stores do not have the like but children at that time did not see them the way they are displayed today. . OiitsideJhegrixery_ store geese and chickens were hanging where they would stay cold. They were all sold in a short timeJno doubt. Geese for Christmas Farmers brought them in to sell in exchange for what- ever they would need. Feathers were picked off clean as you could ever see but not oven-ready as they are today. My Mom always had a flock of geese and possibly some good chickens that were fattened and ready for the Christmas market. It would take my Mom and Dad about two days picking fowl out in the shed. When we kids came in from school Mom would stop her work to I n conclusion, my com- ments on what Christmas was like in Seaforth in the early days, I think I would have to say everyone, and especially the children, en- joyed it much more then than they do today It was one of the main attractions heard about and looked for- ward to during the year. Vincent Lane clean .up for supper, When we would See her come in she resembled Santa. .Claus, because Any one that has ever picked 'a goose knows that the down of the feathers stick to your face and eye-: lashes. But do you know the money our Mom got for her fowl w • all the Christmas mo y e would have? She t aded the fowl for the roceries and goodies she ould buy especially at ristroas. Of course Santa Claus had to be looked after. We did not have the fancy and expensive things they looked ----have—todaY7-Salita—arviTifys after our scribblers and pencils. We always compared to see who had the nicest book. Then there were handkerchiefs with all the different nursery rhymes on them and of course the usual dolls, games, guns that would shoot some sort of a paper cap. A drum was always included. My little brother beat that drum until I'm sure my Mum and Dad wished Santa had left it some where else. Getting around four o'clock Christmas Eve in Seaforth my dad would Other us up and pickup extra scarves etc. in the hotel lobby. Going home was beautiful. Just -getting dusk. Bells- were ringing on every cutter or sleigh and as we approached,_ home our Mom had a light in every window, • something " she always did Christmas Eve. All the cOal oil lamps were filled and the chimneys shining. The snow was hanging an all the evergreen trees and the frost covered all like diamonds. Candles on the tree We could see our Christmas tree all lit up as we drove in. My dad and little brothers had gone to the bush a few days before to geritTah-d-serit of water covered over in red branchs. Candles came in all colors plus tinsel, green and red crepe paper and the star on the top. Soon supper was over - and I'm sure Mom was happy to hear everyone settle down after• -'she heard all about Christmas Eve in Seaforth. That was never enough, when our dad hadcome in from the barn after the evening chores he still had to do something for us. "Daddy, just play us some Christmas carols on the Violin, please." Merry Christmas to all God Bless everyone in 1981 Senior Citizen Seaforth District M.L. Christmas is for children, of all ages Welcome to the Expositor's Christmas issue! Thanks to contributions from readers. and school children its a special holiday issue for you and your family. Our coverage of Christmas in Seaforth uses stories. poems. art work. and Christmas photos from all over the area As v-ou read. and remember with us. we hope you'll agree Christmas is for children. of all ages SEAFORTH JEWELLERS for DIAMONDS WATCHES JEWELLERY FINE CHINA GIFTS FOR EVERY OCCASION All Types of Repairs Phone 527-0270 • Hop(' Santa brings voti tsver thing yotcyr asked for! Horne's Major Appliance ' Sales and Service 527-0636 Seaforth Oftb0.(tNt. Book now for a Gala New Year's Eve at the Benrniller Inn Dine: Our chef has selected a seven course gourmet menu which includes Arrches, Chicken Consomme, Smoked Salmon. with Caviar or Lobster Cocktail, Raspberry Ice, a main course of Beef Wellington or Pheasant Alcantara with Paris Breast and Petitfours for dessert Coffee or Tea Settings start at 800 pm Dance: The Walter Lone Trio will provide dancing and ente : .n ent Price includes a full asso o • t of party favors Danciug from 8:30 p.m to 100 a.m. Advance reservation reciuired. *60.00 per person excluding tax and gratuity For Reservations call the Benmiller Inn... 524-2191 Santa's here with a pack crammed full of the joys of Christmas: GARRY BANNON Painting, Decorating, Paper Hanging 527-1582 SEAFORTH • 4 Pt' 0 StfiSOIRttIi We at McLaughlin Chevrolet -Olds Ltd. extend to all our friends, family and customers best wishes for this joyous season and a prosperous 1981. McLAUGHLIN CHEVROLET -OLDS LTD. 527-1140 Seaforth Service•Selection•Savings Satisfaction *Leasing 4