The Citizen, 2004-12-23, Page 47Get Carried Away! ....._
Wishing you tidings of comfort and Joy, plus wall-to-wall
happiness this holiday season.
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
Brian, Brenda and all the staff at
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CARPET 122 Main St. E., Listowel, Ontario N4W 2B6
ONE
519-291-4440
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Down Home
Greetings
There's nothing like celebrating
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very happy holiday season!
Bob, Donna, Mike, Trever and family
Bob Wattam's
Backhoe Service Inc.
Belgrave 357-3069
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41LIPMMIL&
PAGE B18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2004.
Woman puts creativity to good use in decoratin
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
You might say it was economics
that truly brought out the creativity
in Clara van Merkestein.
"About 30 years ago we needed
money badly so I started doing
crafts." van Merkestein said she
worked during the day and as soon
as she came home plugged in the
glue gun. "Firstly, I made a lot of
things from nature. I had a talent
and just sort of flew with it. If there's
a need you become creative."
She and her late husband also cre-
ated Santas and bells from old
Reader's Digests.
Her creations then were given as
gifts. Now. "it's just for fun. I thor-
oughly enjoy creating and decorat-
ing."
That statement is reflected in her
cottage-style home, a Christmas
wonderland made festive with van
Merkestein's handiwork and her cre-
ative eye. Decorating, something she
does five times a year, is very per-
sonal she says. "It has to reflect your
personality. That makes a big differ-
ence in how it looks compared to
decorating just because it's there."
For van Merkestein things should
look like they "grew there. It has to
be pleasant to the eye and has to
flow through the house,"
The week before November, van
Merkestein begins her home's
xr
day transformation. Every drawer
and cupboard are emptied of dishes,
linens, etc. The items are placed in
labelled boxes and replaced with the
boxes full of Christmas items. "It
takes a week to get everything ready
to re-decorate. The placing of her
bountiful festive collection fills the
next month as virtually every corner
of her home is dressed for the sea-
son.
"It's a lovely way of using all your
stuff, like plates and cups. People
don't put enough of their regular
stuff away when they decorate for
the holidays. Here, there is not a
things that is everyday."
van Merkestein believes in details,
the special touches that make a dif-
ference to a display. "My sisters say
that I give it the Clara touch."
While many of the items have
been created by van Merkestein's
own hand, she is always watchful for
bargains that will help to enhance
her own creativity. "I like trees so
when I see them on sale I buy them.
Also, I like to have five extra strings
of lights on hands. I'm used to hav-
ing extra things so that if I see I need
something in a display I can go
downstairs and there it is."
van Merkestein admits that not
everyone could decorate as she does.
"I don't have anyone but myself here
so I can do what I want. I decorate
strictly for me. I am grateful to God
for giving me the ability and when
you have a talent it's a sin to waste
it."
Have a
Happy 11111C1 Healthy
Holiday!
We're dispensing our best wishes, and they include
a large measure of-thanks to our loyal customers.
We truly appreciate your trust in us.
430 Queen St., Blyth 523-4210
SPIRITISM
BUILDING
Creativity
For Clara van Merkestein creating Christmas decorations is
a favourite pastime, as is putting her handiwork to good
work as gifts or in her own home. Left: an angel tree made
from an old lamp. Above: van Merkestein said she can often
take an entire day getting the village scene placed just the
right way. Right: a vignette of Santas, reindeer and can-
dles. (Bonnie Gropp photos)
Sid White
Carpentry
Installation of:
windows, doors,
bathroom vanities,
kitchen cabinets, interior trim.
Also: drywalling,
finishing and renovations.
R.R. #4 Brussels
(519) 887-6432