The Huron Expositor, 1976-12-23, Page 16Lel us keep Christmas.
Let us hold this
' shining day close ...
remembering faithful friends.
Ron Driscoll •
NERAL (*TRACTOR `-
fig
•
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 23, 1976
not so long ago •
remembers the Christmas Concert fr
4
(Editar's note: Ken Papple, who is the son of
Gordan and Ruth Papple, R.R.S, Seaforth" is a
'teacher, in Waterloo. He shares a delightful
' methory of a Christmas Concert past with
Expesitor readers.)
By December 1 the normally well organized
routine of the day had taken a rather dramatic
new course. In those few short days ago the
'teacher was responsible fora classroom of
.:-students from grades 1 to 8. Today we talk
about political pressure - well the teacher
soon responded by organizing a Christmas
Concert.
The concert served among other things as-
fine of the community's inajor .rneasuring
sticks as to how effective the teacher really
was. R hearsals accordingly became the new
curriculum and this was implemented for
longer and longer portions of the day as the
great event drew near. It was tremendously
importantthat each student had sonle role to
play and this sometimes. made the result a
mightly long affair.
Surely the old party line from the Manse hill
to Stewarts was a hotbed of acclaim and
criticism. Each parent wanted her child to
make the best showing' possiblejn fact on
concert night one could see many parents who
were saying the monologue better than the
poor frazzled child.
Concert Day
Concert day meant that the classroom had
to be transoftnred into an auditorium with the
stage being assembled at, the front, What an
exciting task. The trustees usually came to the
school, hoisted the big ladder up to, the attic
and, then very cautiously 'lowered the. huge
planks down: These in turn-were made into a
stage. The wire was strung above and the
drapes hung.
The teacher's room, which on other
occasions we were not allowed into, was now
pilled high .with props, costumes and' ,
containers with water to refresh nervous
young perrformers. VVhen'l think of the space
and the number of students, it was a miracle
that the show went on. The piano, a most
necessary part of the equipment, was
strategically located to provide a concealed
entrance to the stage.
I recall one night when the weather had
been somewhat like this year. The snow was
deep and it was so cold that Dad decided to
take - the
Being a trustee and close to -the north road
he had volunteered to drive the team up to get
Mrs. Wendorff, our much loved if rather
chubby music teacher. How exciting it was to
nestle down in thb old buffalo robes which had
been brought out of safe keeping especially
for this night.
With the full moon floating across the white
snow casting mysterious shad ows from trees
and bushes the world was a wonderful
fairyland. As we were returning and' topped .
the manse hill, the schoolhouse scene which
was a good mile away, burst at us with a glare
of anticipation.
Someone had fired up the old furnace that
night and the classroom turned auditorium
was a hive of activity. This was one of the
social events of the season. The tree was
decorated and laden with gifts - for everyone
gave gifts to• his friends at this affair.
In anticipation of Santa, gifts had been
preplaced for the little ones, to enjoy later.
Everyone talked out front and the budding
performers• giggled behind the curtain. The
women sat 'to gether to admire the latest
-•'" additions to the community and the men
gathered by the windows to smoke and talk.
The teenagers sat near the back so they might
enjoy their own private gossiping,
It was a night of warmth and friendliness as
the crowd chided. each other about getting'
stuck in the schoordesks because of the good
cooking* why weren't you removing your
coat- were you hiding something ...?
Everybody listened for familiar laughs. It
was good to know that Ivy was in the
audience. Each parent's special pride meant
that there were many reassuring chfickles and
a great deal of applause. There were
recitations, solos, choruses and always the
Nativity Scene.
There were some' near catastrophies that
night. I had taken it on my broadening
shoulders to tell Amy and Shirley when to pull
the curtains and since I was ready to go on I
thought that Margie 'and Elsie were ready as
well. I Was left standing centre stage talking to .
two actresses who weren't there.
Poor Mrs. Powell had to push the girls on
stage and then slide the rest of the props on
from under the back drapes. Later part of the
curtain near the. piano (really a white bed
sh
which served as'part of the girls'
dressing room, fell down showing Marguerite,
Linda and Dorothy in various stages of
changing. Needless to say' they blushed
steadily for the rest of the night.
Everyone smiled when Jane had said her
special thanks to all and Bill came up to take
her hand 'and led the students in the finale,.
It might have been fantasy but eertaiply
there was some magic about the 'gentle
tinkling of the bells and then the boisterous
ringing of the outside school bell and the loud
ho ho hoing from the stairs. To be sure, it was
Santa, a particular favorite for years.
Archie's happiest laugh could be heard and
he and John welcomed the Jolly old soul. We
did notice that our , good friend Harry was '
absent from the audience.
Santa always loved to congratulate the
teacher with a big kiss for all of her hard work.
She blushed politely and thanked all for the
444
co-operation she'd received. Much to the
children's delight the presents • were
.distributed.
The men seemed particularly eager to get to
the sleighs and cutters that night and the
women seemed rather anxious as they waited.
I noticed on the way home that' Arthur was
particularly happy and the other men were
doing seine loud talking and T heard some
mumbled comments about drinking on the
parts of Mom, Gertie and Pearl.
Being a • youngster I didn't pay much
attention as we huddled, In the comfort of the
sleigh as the warmth and companionship
flooded pler me.
It was a time I felt very gdod about myself
and the people I lived am. ong. Even the
memory of 'the scolding I had. received at
suppertime for spilling the,ashes didn't seem 0
to matter.
of our Savior that Holy Night.
We pray that the wonder of the
Nativity will be with us always. Let Peace encircle the world
'and all men walk hand in hand.
HUDIE LUMBER
Clinton
Extending wishes for 'a real old-fashioned
Christmcis full of joy' and good cheer!
THE
Clinton
'4'
.
4 -
ay your Christmas be merry and bright as
_yon kindle the fire Itf hospitality in your heart
and-home. To_onr good friends,
warm holiday greetings and 'thanks.
WEST EN SARAGE
OF MITCHELL LTD,
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