The Citizen, 2013-12-19, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013. PAGE 11.
Family-focused
Auburn’s Andy Lubbers, president of the Blyth Legion, says
the focus for him and his family at Christmas has been just
that: family. He said that learning about Christmas through
Dutch traditions, which separate the birth of Jesus and
Christmas Day, helped keep celebrations for the two
separate occasions important and independent. (Denny Scott
photo)
Christmas around the Lubbers
family home is a quiet, family-
oriented event according to
Auburn’s Andy Lubbers, and he
hopes that Christmas with the Blyth
Legion, of which he is president, is
a similar experience.
“Between church and a family
celebration, Christmas for us is
pretty quiet,” he said. “That’s just
what our family does at Christmas.”
Lubbers said years ago the family
followed the classic Dutch traditions
of having Christmas on Dec. 5 and
then celebrating the birth of Christ
on Dec. 25, but, since then, the two
events have merged.
“Christmas morning, then wasn’t
presents,” he said. “It was about
family and celebrating the birth of
Jesus.”
Now, regardless of the date,
Lubbers says that for him the
holiday is more about family than it
is about anything else.
“We give some gifts, but it isn’t
big, it’s just my siblings,” he said.
“Each family takes care of their
own, we don’t really give to nieces
and nephews. We try to get together
before or after Christmas, but, with
the amount of people and the plans
to figure out, it’s difficult to figure
out.”
He said that, the longer families
are in Canada, the more traditions
are replaced with Canadian ones.
His family came to Canada in 1950
and, over 64 years, most of their
home country’s traditions have been
replaced.
“It all depends on your belief, “I
guess,” he said. “We still put the
birth of Christ as the important part
of the celebration. We don’t put
giving gifts ahead of that.“Regardless of your religion,Christmas should be about family,”
he said. “As long as you’re together
as a family, that’s what Christmas is
all about.”
Lubbers explained his family has
faced a lot of loss around the
holidays, but, despite the losses, it’s
still a good time for his family as
they get together and enjoy each
other’s company.
For those who do still give gifts at
Christmas, Lubbers said he wasn’t
sure how people keep doing it.
“Christmas has become more and
more commercial,” he said. “I just
don’t know how it keeps changing.”
Lubbers said it’s harder and
harder to buy gifts for people
because most people buy things they
want throughout the year.
“You really have to spend more
and more to make it special,” he
said, adding that it’s fairly
commonly accepted that Christmas
really starts the first day of
November.
Through the Legion, Lubbers
explained he celebrates many
Christmases, helping organizations
by hosting dinners for them.
“Members of the Legion supply
the Ladies Auxiliary with supper for
Christmas and we do some lunches
for the community as well,” he said.
“We hold luncheons for private
parties and public parties at the
beginning of the Christmas season.”
He said that, while he’s happy
helping people celebrate Christmas,
he always hopes the Christmas
season is a quiet one for the families
of Legion members.
“We hope it slows down for
Christmas so that the volunteers can
make some time to spend with their
friends and family,” he said.
Lubbers Christmas all about family
The Municipality of Central Huron Council and
Municipal Staff join together to wish you
peace and serenity this holiday season.
COUNCIL
MAYOR
Jim Ginn
DEPUTY MAYOR
Dave Jewitt
COUNCILLORS
Marg Anderson
Brian Barnim
Dan Colquhoun
Alison Lobb
Burk Metzger
Alex Westerhout
ADMINISTRATION
CAO: Peggy Van Mierlo-West; Clerk: Brenda MacIsaac,
Director of Finance: Terri Taylor, Brenda Armstrong, Belinda
Axford, Steve Doherty, Judy Dixon, Jane Harris, Sheryl Moran,
Sharon Romphf, Deb Stephenson, Angela Smith, Lacey Murray,
Genny Smith, Janisse Zimmerman.
FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
Facilities Manager: Steve Campbell
Doug Dolmage, Shawn Gautreau, Bev Marriage,
Sabrina Baldwin, Paul Handy, Jean Bernard, Nathaniel Peel.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT - PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Chief Building Official: Lesley Adams, Fire Chief: Steve Cooke,
Bylaw Officer: Bruce Brockelbank,
Animal Control Officer: Bob Trick.
ROADS DEPARTMENT
Roads Manager: Tom Sinclair. Jason Cox, Ritchie Cox,
Roger Cunningham, Mike Dixon, Denim Layton,
Randy Marriage, Stan McClure, Rick Pickett, Erik Ramaker,
Mark Wallace.
UTILITIES
Nick Verhoeven: Director of Municipal Services.
Greg Mayhew, Mark Krahn, Adam Wilson, Ian Koetsier,
Craig Snell, Mike Ladd.
THE MUNICIPALITY
OF CENTRAL HURON
PLEASE NOTE:
THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 AT NOON
AND REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014 at 8:30 am
www.centralhuron.com
Dear Residents,
During this Christmas season, take
the time to reflect on the past year
and be thankful for all the
opportunities that have been made
and the ones to look forward to in
the new year. Remember those who
are less fortunate and be grateful for
the friends and family that
surround you.
As the new year makes its entrance,
Central Huron Council will continue
to serve the best interests of our
entire community. In our efforts to
connect and exchange ideas and
perspectives, Council is committed
to providing open communication
lines. Contact any one of us at any
time.
Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year to you and your family.
Jim Ginn
SPCA
Huron County
Branch
48 East Street
Goderich, ON
519-440-0250
huroncounty@ospca.on.ca
Wanted:
Forever Homes
Sponsored by:
Seaforth Animal
Hospital
80205 North Line, Seaforth
519-527-1760
Don’t “litter”. Spay or neuter your critter
Aryia
Chac
h
i
Joe
Dona
l
d
With best wishes and
gratitude to our valued
customers and friends.
~ Don & Julie ~
1 mile west of Blyth
on Blyth Rd.
519-523-9771
Landscaping & Supplies
By Denny ScottThe Citizen