The Rural Voice, 1998-12, Page 29classes. Although some looked
forward to the short break, those of
Tess materialistic minds felt the
situation had clearly gotten out of
hand.
"This Draw has been nothing but
a plague, Nancy" several erstwhile
supporters complained. "Why did
you ever think up such a nutty idea in
the first place?" I fervently wondered
that myself.
As the last few days toward the
Christmas Break ground on, and we
moved toward the bottom of the prize
list, all remnants our Christmas Spirit
had evaporated. Pockets of staff were
not speaking to each other while
others nursed bruised egos as their
gifts remained unchosen. Staff
counted the hours to freedom from
each other, and from the plagued
Christmas Draw.
As
Chief Architect,
Implementer and Battering
Ram for The Christmas
Draw, I became a quivering wreck.
With one day to go before Christmas
Break and with my sanity in peril, I
called in sick. Pulling the covers over
my head and protected from the
ravages of the Christmas Draw, I
curled up in the fetal position.
Shortly after 9:00 a.m., the phone
rang. I wisely decided to let the
answering machine take the message.
From my cocoon, I heard the
disgruntled voice of a colleague:
"Nancy. You sure picked a lousy
time to be sick. You're next on the
list and I'm right after you! Can you
get in here, pronto?"
It was at this precise moment that
I decided to NEVER, EVER do
anything charitable again. I warned
my husband to lock me away if 1
should ever make Christmas Draw
noises again.
But as the years pass by the lure
of the chase sometimes beckons.
Maybe we need another Christmas
Draw to divert our beleaguered
minds from strikes, Bill 160 and the
tension our lives as teachers bring.
As the Christmas season draws
nigh, and with it thoughts of Peace
on Earth, Goodwill to Men, I am
sorely tempted to "stir the pot"
again.0
Nancy Silcox is a teacher and
freelance writer living near New
Hamburg, ON.
'Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.
.. , Mutual Insurance Company
HEAD OFFICE
Iry" P.O. Box 10, Sebringville, Ont. NOK 1X0
(519) 393-6402 1-800-263-1961
ALL LINES OF FARM, RESIDENTIAL,
COMMERCIAL AND AUTO
For quotations contact.
AGENTS:
Lloyd Walkom 348-8050
Keith Patterson 348-8391
Steve Riehl 393-6708
Lynda Vincent 527-2204
1-888-269-0377
Robert Ready 393-6965
R. Allan Fuller 271-6176
Serving the community for over 100 years
HILL & HILL FARMS LTD.
For Your 1999 Planting Needs
• ROUND UP READY SOYBEANS
2601R - 2650 H.U.
2701R - 2700 H.U.
2801R - 2850 H.U.
AG1901 - 2950 H.U.
AG2101 - 3025 H.U.
3101R - 3075 H.U.
• WHITE HILUM I.P. VARIETIES
- OAC Exeter - 2800 H.U.
- Secord - 2825 H.U.
• COMMERCIAL VARIETIES
- AC BRAVOR - 2700 H.U.
NEW - ZEPHYR - 2750 H.U.
NEW - SQUIRE - 2925 H.U.
• OTHER SPECIALTY SOYBEANS
- MICRON - 2650 H.U. - NATTO
- PROSPECT - 2800 H.U. - HIGH PROTEIN
- MOONSTONE - 3000 H.U. - TOFU
• HISTICK SOYBEAN INOCULANT
V:*
SOYBEANS
CaII Peter or Mike at
519-233-3218
Remember: Quality Is Not Expensive, It's Priceless!
DECEMBER 1998 25