The Huron Expositor, 1979-12-06, Page 12THE HUI
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If Cheries.'Dickens cquld: create ,a ghost of Christmas,
)Flirt to haunt the miserly Ebenezer Serooge, then it seen1.s
only fair- that we create our own ghost tore? tinct us of some
of the highlights of past Christmases here in Seaforth;
Imagine if you wilt the winter of 1877, when rural
slroPP rs rode inter:AMA with horse and buggy, when the
longof the ladies. made sweeping sounds on the
Blurts _. sweeping
wood floors of the town shops and when skating depended
on temperatures chilly enough to freeze local creeks and
ponds. But the Christmas of 1877 was noteworthy for the
fact it marked the opening of one of the town's most
prontiment landmarks and the centre of ethertaittinent for
many years-Cardno's Hall.
On Dec, 14 the Expositor editor wrote, "'We would again
remind our readers of the entertainments to be given on
Thursday end Friday evenings next on the occasion ef'the
opening, of Mr.. (Alex) Cardnes new hall. Parties desiring
to attend should secure their tickets in time."'
Cardno's Music and Concert Hall had joined the string
of opera houses which were springing up around
Southwestern Ontario to bring entertainment to towns and.
villa$es which were just a little off the beaten track
between London and Toronto:
On Dec. 21, Alex Cardno advertised that "at great
expense" he had engaged .Hamilton's English Opera
Company for one Saturday night performance only The
editor remarked,, "The old adage, "It Item rains but it.
pours" is being, well exemplified just now in Seeforth. For
several months there was a dearthof public
entertainments but for the past few weeks there has, been, a
perfect torrentof shows, concerts, lectures, tea meetings,
debates; etc, so much so in fact that nearly every night has
been taken up,"
Now the features of Cardno's wonderful hall included a
good.stage, dressing rooms for whatever entertainers were
performing that night and banquet room :facilities, But
perhaps the most attractive part of the hall was the clock.
tower. The clock, imported from Boston, cost Mr, Cardno
the impressive sum of $2000 and it was that much again tp.
have it installed:
CLOCK AND BELL
The Expositor noted, "The clock and bell for the
tower on Mr. Cardno's new building arrived on Tuesday
.last, and is now safely housed and the workmen are busily
engaged putting it in going order. The bell weighs about
800 pounds and will have a deep, loud sound. The clodc..
has four r dials ;and, the "'time of day" will be distinctly
vifibie from almost any part of town." Alex Cardno had
given Seaforth a Christmas gift that would last over a
century, and for years Christmas entertainments and
concerts were held annually on the hall's stage, Then in
the more recent years, the clock grew silent. and today: the
beautiful curtain, .depicting; :a woodlands scene with a
tttiniature lake' in the foreground and a patient fisherman"
guards an empty stage.
In addition to the opening of Cardno's Hall', the 1877
Christmas was unusual for another reason -the
temp rature were mild. and! the landscape Was still a
.pe si pe
Springlike green- Apparently the towns oldest inhabitant
couldn't recall milderaatlier at this time of year and.
"farmers who have plowing to do are busily engage';;, in
the field, and they say the plow mitts splendidly,'" But all
the news wasn't goad, - In ,a solemn note, that sounds,
strangely familiar, the editor noted money was scaree and:
merchants had been Finding business just wasn't AS good,
this Christmas as last..
In 1882, the weather at Christmas, was still mild, but
"the snowwasso deep and soft on the roads outside the
4 town,that few were sufficiently courageous to venture far
out on them." Amusements were apparently scarce, so.
most people either spent Christmas at home with friends
and family or wandered around town to see if they could
discover excitement of any kind.
The editor wasn't amused that"toe many were induced
to indulge in that kind of Christmas cheer . which
inebriates, and although, there were noserious.
disturbances, it was a common remark that seldom before
had there been seen so many intoxicated men on our
streets."
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Two of the intoxicated men were two McKillop
farmers, who: had walked into town to partake of a little
Christmas cheer. When it was time to return .home, they
were a little worse for the "cheer" and so came up with
the idea g of borrowing a ride without leave." The farmers
simply stole a team and sleigh, parked in front of one of the
back to M Killo ; send ing their son into
hotels and headed c . P.. d . g
town to return their borrowed method of transit the next
day. Neither the team's owner or Seaforth's mayor was.
atnused•both farmers were fined 525 for their stolen ride.
On Dec, 23, 1892, the Expositor presented readers with.
something different, Up until this time, it was .traditional.
for the paper to include a pretty engraved calendar with
each .Christmas issue of the paper. But this year,: they
substituted ` an illustrated supplement, _printed onn a
particularly brilliant shade of pink newsprint . (it's still
brilli ant today) which included poems; stories like a Ten
Dollar Christmas and A Graveyard Apparition a storytold
by a Toronto detective, the kind of stories you could curl; up
with in' front of 'a roaring fire.
This year, Christmas.was really Christmassy..
"The snow that fell on Saturday and, Sunday made
051
splendid sleighing: aud Although the atmosphere was.
keen, there was no storm and sleighs and cutters with their
merry occupants were flying around; the .street most of the
day.
Jack Frost. aided by Colonel Anderson. had made
splendid_ ;ice the curlers. had their first match for the
dt. and
season and the skaters their first skate." Also, on a
cheerful note. there were immense crowds in town for
shopp ing sprees in the pre -Christmas period. a fact which
set "'the minds of oar businessmen at ease,"
In 191Q, one of the noteworthy events of the holiday
season, in addition to the Presbyterian Church's Sunday
School concert, which'featured .a real Santa Claus coming
out of the fireplace, was the presentation to teacher
Andrew Scott of the Mill road School in Tuckersmith
Scott had endured 22; years of .teaching the "three r'e' to
area students, so his pupils marked, the occasionhy.
presenting him with a handsome morocoo dressing case.
Not to be outdone. the parents and; trustees added, a sleigh_
robe and new bellss for the teacher's cutter to: the ceremony'
honouring hint for his dedication to the school.
Now while Christmas is traditionally thought of as a time
for family.get-togethers, sometimes events far outside
the normal scope hoe•prevented Christmas reunions, In,
1916, when the First Great War was still being fought in.
the muddy trenches of Europe, Harvey Dorrance of
McKillop Township wrote a Christmas letter home,
Oddly enough, it's strangely lighthearted, considering.
the young man's situation at the time.
He writes to his father, "Well, I suppose you will soon
be starting the rounds of fowl suppers. Wouldn't mind if 1
couldtake in a few. 1 think a nice duck would go pretty
good at present.
We have a nice fire in our dugout now and are pretty
comfortable.' but there's a lot of mud anywhere there is
Much traffic, but I don't think it's, as..muddy as it .was last
year."
• The Christmas gift Harvey Dorrance was sending home
to his family with his letter was a ribbon and medal he had
won for his part in an earlier battle.
These are only a few of Seaforth's Christmases past. I'M
sure we each have our own personal favourites which, for
whatever reasons,:give special meaning to'this season,
and which might even have,. like Ebenezer's fateful.
encounter, changed our lives,
• ***it**
N.B. Next week I'd like to recall' somu stories of the
popular school concerts in the daysof thvone-room school.
Anyone with some stories is invited. to call, and I may be
phoning some; fernier school teachers for their.
reminiscences.
dots cf ski trails near Seaforth
Bored? Listless? Wonder- Pineries. at 243-2220 and the
ing how you'll fill those long London dub at 472-1740.
winter weekends just ahead. Now for the less daring
Well, just because the seen- cross-country skiers, there
ery has changed from green are a variety of ski trails to
towhite doesn't mean an end • choose from, many in 'our
to outdoor recreation.
The. Southwestern Ontario
Travel Association has pre
pared a list of outdoor
activities available through-
out the winter 'months.
• Alpine skiers for example;
those daring soulswho love.
to race on the • downhill
slopes,can ski at the Pinery
Provincial Park in Grand
Bend or further south at the
London Ski Club OSRA, with
access off Hwy., #401.. For
further :information," call the
Christmas:
.BAKE SALE
sponsored by
Seaforth Junior
Centenalres Booster
Club
SATURDAY,
DEC. 8th
i0t00 a.m.
at R.S.' Box Ltd.
immediatearea,
The: Hullett Wildlife Area,
just offHwy, #4, offers 9 krn.
of trails for the enthusiast. A ..
little further north, the Falls,
Reserve Conservation Area
outside Goderieh; with ac-
cess off Hwy. #21, isa little
more of a challenge -cross-
country skiers are welcome,
but the trails aren't+ Marked
so you can break your own.
Pinery Provincial Prark.
south of Grand Bend offers
20.km, of trails for cross -coup-
i : •
Lions
Every Saturday
at 8t04 p.
R•lyth Memorial Hall
12 reg, gargles, 3 share
the wealth. Jackpot
$150.00 in ' 60 calls
Seaforth
Figure Skating
Club
1ickits avaivabl e,
at ty.lr
1
•
•
try skiers. Skiers are also
welcome at the. Morrison;
Dam Conservation Area, out-
side Exeter, but again the
trails are unmarked. '
Snowmobilers who are ti -
,red of. local scenery around
town, can spend the day at
three local recreational areas
Hully-Gully, just ; off the
Bayfield road, is open days
and nights. for snowmobile.
enthusiasts and provides
cookout shelters,' a snack
bar, fuel, . servicing and
groomed trails,
Family Paradise, north of
Seaforth, is open during the
day for snowmobilers and
•provides a cookout; shelter,
snack bar, fuel and servicing
for snowmobiles:
Finally, snowtttobilers are
also welcome at the Pine,
rid$e Chalet, just outside of
Hensall The recreation area.
is open on Wednesday 'and,
The Seaforth District High School and
Carnival Committee wishes to ex-
press their sincere appreciation to
everyone who helped make the
CARNIVAL CAPER a success,
Wednesday to Saturday and
Saturday Matinee
;Next week & Saturday Matinee
Avenue Road
C
• bining Room
Open bony troth 12 Noon
Good Old -Fashioned
Home.Cooked Meats,
Conti' .
�ri4dus ivntCrtiAltiment from 8#,M, to cloM+
11116tiVdi► *8' rit/Ot4fl+i 805.2810 10'41141t**1
from Friday to Sunday and
provides a cookout shelter,
servicing, groomed trails.
V F 9t lain
Score$ in the 'recent iOOF
Rebekahs joint euchre were;
Ladies high • Grace Pepper;
ladies' lone. hands - Beulah
McKay; ladies' low - Mrs. A. •
Stiffen; men's high - Wilmer
fuel and a snack bar.
Now, ` who says there's
nothing to do , this winter?
t euchre
Cuthill; men's lone hands-
Wilber Godkin; men's low
Arthur Wallace.
A draw on a basket of fruit'
was won by Arthur Wallace.`
LAST NIGHTTHURS., DEC. b.
.•Showtime'8 p.m.
Guess Who's
o's Back.Cefe
•`�" NATIONAL
~„°„ LAMPOON`s
Starts TOMORROW!
Dec. J-12fri.- Wed
Please Note Showtimes:: `
FRI. 8 SAT. bOUBLE RILL STARTS AT 1 00 P.M.
Sun. - Wed. starts at 8 p.m. .
4:6`;`*"'
00.
A time=of-your-life.
movie, . A film that is
refreshingly
tlili'erent.
-Rex Reed. Wade
Snar'l's Thurs., Dec. 13
SHOWTimE $ P.M.
,ouT
1, lf; MiSt"
A Amy ► the
affivil t ile to at yea am
RIIilflhll
PARK
GODE RICH
0 THE -Sgt' . 7-
PHONE 524.7811
AIR CONDITIONS
pRI�AIII�S.•�`�-%T..�w�i.. �11iiA°�.7ai�lial ll:."e 51.a:allil
a undled: • against they mid, a :number
THE L1T7LE CNiLUFiEt!�, 1f1f ►`Irtt� b
e h.uroh float in the Santa Claus,
of small, fry set, 3.n� the .E�ethel, .l�ibl,... O .
r (Expositor Photo)
ddfell a,
HELP WHERE IT'S NEEDED—Seaforth Q o andRebekahs who
have hospital type equipment available to Tend, promoted their service
work inafoa t inSaturday's Lions Club sponsored Santa Claus. parade.
Y p
(Expositor Photo)
LITTLE BOY BLUE -Complete with live sheep, the nursery ryhme
character was the Seaforth Agricultural Society's entry in the Santa Claus
parade. (Expositor photo)
iffnon
epsta'�
CLIFFORD EVENS conduce,
Nee",
RRAMMING
147+-$0 SEASON •
Thursday„ December �0
HANDEL'S ME351AH
RETURNS TO GOD�RI�H
Soloists
Featuring:
Constant; Newland.. , ..... ... Soprano'
Frances Brown ............ «....... ...Alto
Giyn E'.Vans. i..... •. ...r ..• .. 4 ..... . .. * Tenor
Alvin.Reiretor .... ......: . ....... BilirdtOne;
Conductor • sea
Gean ,rorge yoderck 4. Wended Messah
at
North Street United Church'
December 20
WINTER cONCERTS
AT G.D.C. ,. All)(11.TORIUM
FEBRUARY 15
* The Sinfonia Conte!, • Cti lducforL, Victor fetdnil
MAYS
* Orchestra Night Conductor, Victor Feldrili
few/Wing "ring: the full London Symphony Orchestra
5UBSCRIPTlON TICKETS: Aduits'9.00'Pomliy'20.00
AVa'tlebte of Compbell's on Thi Square, Goderlch
or front members of the tfoderlcli Rotory Club.
Slnce this is a subscripilnn.t ',li 01.110 ifldIviudal slcliitsilrtrR fiiii wide,
Sponsored by the Goderich Rotary Club under thO psalronAp of the salty Ilotiri.
dation.
a