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The Citizen, 2003-12-24, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 24, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Jamie Peters and Alicia deBoer The Citizen is published 50 times a year m Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate ot $30 00/year ($28 04 +■ SI 96 G S T.) in Canada, $80 00//ear in USA and $100/year in other toieign countries Advertising is ac cepted on the condition that in the event of a typographic al error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government oT Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40050141 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 RO. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca yyocna (gNA Member of the Ontario Press Council Switched signals at Christmas There are few things sweeter at Christmas than giving a gift that really pleases the receiver. There’s a magic there when a child’s eyes light up or a mother or wife gets that soft, happy look that shows they really like the gift they have just opened. That feeling is really the goal when people go shopping for Christmas gifts. While it can seem like a job, it’s only hard work because we want to find that illusive gift that will make Christmas a special occasion both for the receiver and the giver. As people have more and more possessions, it’s harder for us to give someone something they have really yearned for. Il’s pretty hard to bowl over most Canadian children today because they already have most of the great gadgets they want, yet a beat-up second­ hand ball glove to a poor child in South America might bring pure joy. That feeling of bringing joy to another person at Christmas, proves the statement that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. With the pleasure giving can bring us, it’s strange that so often giving is reserved only for Christmas. Yes, at this holiday season people generally tend to put others before themselves, but why not the rest of the year too? But the signals sent by our society at other times of the year are all about self-fulfillment, about making ourselves happy, and not worrying about the consequences for others. That message comes across on television shows, movies and songs and it’s certainly promoted in advertising from every direction that hints that if only you’ll buy this or that product, you’ll be happy and fulfilled. But what if that message is wrong and the message of Christmas is right? What if we could find real happiness in making others happy all year round through helping the poor in our own community or on the other side of the world? In giving we make two people happy: the receiver and the giver. Isn’t it too bad to only experience that joy one day a year?— KR Working for peace A new security alert across the United Slates warns about the possibility terrorists will use the Christmas holiday season as an excuse for a new attack. In Iraq, civilian police and U.S. troops continue to be the target of violence, often leading to death. It’s another Christmas where peace on earth seems terribly illusive. And yet (here are also signs of hope. Recently a group of retired hockey stars visited Canadian troops in Afghanistan and came away impressed with the difference the security provided by the troops is making to the lives of the people of the capital city of Kabul. Former Toronto Maple Leaf Tiger Williams said he asked an interpreter if he wanted Canadian soldiers to stay in his country. “They have to stay, they have to stay,’’ was the reply. “Every day they're saving thousands of lives.” Lt.-Col. Don Denne, commanding officer of Camp Julien, the largest Canadian base, says Canadians can see changes in Kabul in the time they’ve been there with new buildings and homes and shops. He believes the soldiers are having a calming effect through simple gestures like smiling and waving as they patrol the city. Unfortunately the new sense of peace and normalcy doesn't extend to all residents of Afghanistan yet. International troops have tended to remain in Kabul because rebel forces can still strike in rural areas. The United Nations has called on nations to provide more troops so peace can be brought to the entire country. So far not enough nations have been willing to pay a price to help bring peace. There’s no doubt the people of Afghanistan deserve peace after many many years of war and dictatorship. Giving them this gift is a small victory for the dream that everyone deserves to live in peace. — KR A Christmas story Looking Back Through the Years The true story of a birth in Huron County in 1879, as told by Dorothy Scott, granddaughter of Susannah Walden. My grandparents, John and S_usannah Walden, came from England in 1876, with three children and one child born on the boat. They settled near Seaforth. Three years later, my grandfather rented a house and farm in Grey Twp. near Brussels., It was a long jouiftey in wagons over the rough, corduroy roads which wound through Huron County. They carried all their belongings with them. When they arrived, they found no place in the house where they could stay, it was still occupied, so the family made do in the barn's milking parlour. My grandfather was a carpenter and boarded off one corner of the stable. My grandmother scrubbed, whitewashed the walls and ceiling, and tidied the place for her growing family. This was their living quarters until the other family moved out. Grandmother was expecting, and it was here she gave birth to her fifth child, on May 10, 1879, and named her Thirza, after an aunt in England. My grandfather took the newborn infant and wrapped her in a home- sewn blanket. He put clean straw in the cattle manger and laid her in it. Just like the baby Jesus. Thirza was my mother, and 1 often heard this story from her brothers and sisters. Reprinted from the December 2002 Blyth United Church Candlelight Service program. Dorothy Scott died on Oct. 5, 2003 at the age of 86. Dec. 31, 1958 Marni Bronson of Brussels placed second in the Little Peoples Christmas colouring contest. Lawson Ward filled the vacancy on Grey Twp. council. Dec. 31, 1973 William Riehl, postmaster, and his assistant Marcella McNall, sorted piles of incoming mail ter go to Blyth’s residents. Clinton 4-H held its annual Achievement Day in Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton. The girls entertained friends and family with skits and demonstrations of their project. A World of Food. The six girls who received the provincial honours were Karen Tyndall. Louise Lovett, Nancy Gibbings, Judy Howatt, Vaughn Hunking and Mary Lou Sproul. Irvine Bowes, former Blyth fire chief listed precautions to take over the holidays to ensure fire safety. Santa Claus went to Blyth Memorial Hall to hand out candy to the children. Dec. 21, 1988 Dave Johnston, former reeve of Bayfield, was named warden of Huron County after defeating Marie Hicknell. Branch 218 of the Royal Canadian Legion was back in business after a special re-opening ceremony. Beverley Lee received her Doctor of Education degree. Marg Anderson graduated from Conestoga College with a diploma in Executive Secretarial Arts. Ann Miners won first prize for the True Life Christmas Story contest, while Dorothy Thornton won second prize. On stage for the East Wawanosh Public School’s Christmas concert were Jason Howatt, Jay Sanders, Adam Garniss, Dean Walker, Kendra Folkard, Jody Walker and Brian LaRose. Melina Hussey, Gavin Van Camp and .Julie Snow made a dramatic entrance aS they trooped to the staged dressed as little drummers for the East Wawanosh Public School’s concert. Theresa and Arnold Egli of Morris decorated their home with a little Swiss styling. Michelle McNichol, Ashley Howson, Sandra Wilson and Elisha Courtney sang with all their might taking part in the Blyth Public School's concert. The Brussels Jr. D Bulls defeated the hometown Exeter Hawks 8-5 in a game that saw defenseman Kevin Talsma make his goaltending debut. Dec. 23, 1981 The new United Church minister in Brussels was Rev. Charles Carpentier and Robin Lyons became the new Anglican minister for Brussels and Blyth. The Walton Public School’s kindergarten class prepared to make their on-stage debut for the Christmas concert. Twenty-one members of the Melville Presbyterian Guild enjoyed a wonderful Christmas party. The students of Brussels Public School successfully collected $163.10 during ’.he UNICEF drive. Dec. 22, 1993 Elgin Knott and Warren Whitmore of Marie Flynn and the Huron Strings entertained the residents of Huronlea in Brussels with some Christmas favourite tunes. Members of the Blyth Optimists, Legion, Lions and other local businesses and individuals donated to the Christmas Bureau food drive. The winners of the Grade 7 court dance at Blyth Public School were Mary Beth Brigham and Jamie Black. Philip Leger as Santa tells two interested fellows, Tim Harrison and Chris Coulter about his plan during the Brussels Public School’s Christmas concert. Ellen Procter, Leanne Elston, Katie Mullin, Amanda Dorsch and Michael Schott represented Australia during the East Wawanosh Public School Christmas concert. Ryan McClinchey of Hullett Public School performed his part as an exercising reindeer in the Christmas concert production. For a change from the annual Christmas concert at Grey Central Public School, parents enjoyed the the beautiful voices of the choir in the gym then departed to the awaiting buses for a carolling caravan trip. Dec. 23, 1998 A little more than a dozen people gathered at Bainton Gallery in Blyth to listen to a presentation by OPP Const. Del Mercey about the community policing program. Always a part of holiday celebrations, Frosty the Snowman, played by Joel Dalton was on hand at the Walton Public School’s concert. Disguised as Rudolph, David Bolton and sleighmate Derick Bachert, students at Walton Public School, participated in the annual Christmas pageant. Andrea Vanderveen meekly kissed Santa played by Josh Baker on the cheek as classmates sang / saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus during the Walton Public School’s concert. The family of Don McDonald attended the Walton Public School Christmas concert when the school honoured his memory with a picture which hung in the school’s hallway. It wasn’t eggnog or hot cider which got John Stewart, Eilleen Jefferson, Brenda Brown and Bev Blair in the Christmas spirit, as they joined in the fun dressed as hillbillies at the Blyth pageant.