Volume 8 No. 50 YOUR UNIVERSE Thursday, December 20th 2012

SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR... Our staff and contributors are taking a short break for the Christmas holidays, so there will be no Cosmos next week or on Jan. 3. Our offices will be closed from Dec. 22 to Jan. 6 inclusive. We’ll be back in your mailbox on January 10. Have a happy and safe holiday season, and best wishes for 2012!

LIGHTS AND MUSIC - A group of strolling players from the Uxbridge Community Concert Band greet visitors to the fifth annual Fantasy of Lights at Elgin Park, a community project hosted by the Optimist Club. This year those walking or driving through the park can see a record number of 50 displays. Photo by Stuart Blower.

Sumac, Countryside Preserve by Renee Leahy Inside This Week’s Cosmos

Eighteen of our contributing writers celebrate that most delectable of holiday traditions... THE CHRISTMAS FEAST The Uxbridge Cosmos 2 Thursday, December 20th 2012

51 Toronto Street South The Corporation of P.O. Box 190, Uxbridge L9P 1T1 Tel: 905-852-9181 The Township of Uxbridge Fax: 905-852-9674 www.town.uxbridge.on.ca

Council and Committee NOTICE CHRISTMAS TREE UXBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM THE UXBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT Meeting Schedule for January PICK-UP Program Director, Pamela Noble, Commencing December 1st, 2012, residents may purchase 905-852-9747, ext. 24 Monday, January 7th their 2013 Burning Permits. The Region of Durham COMMITTEE 9:30 a.m. Fees are: $25.00 for a Regular Permit Waste Management will be OPENS at 10:00 am (previously 9:30) Monday, January 14th $75.00 for an Oversize Permit collecting Christmas Trees COUNCIL 9:30 a.m. N/C for a Recreational Permit CELEBRATION COOKBOOK: 125 RECIPES for Wednesday, January 16th on Monday January 7th, ALL NEW OVERSIZE SITES MUST BE INSPECTED BY 125 YEARS Thanks to all for submissions to com- Committee of Adjustment 7:00 p.m. 2013 and Monday January THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF AN plete this project, which will finish off our anniver- Monday, January 21st 14th, 2013 ONLY. Please OVERSIZE PERMIT. sary year! Cookbooks are available NOW at the COMMITTEE 9:30 a.m. ensure that you have your Permits may be obtained at the Municipal Office at 51 Uxbridge and Zephyr Libraries for $10.00 (incl. Monday, January 28th tree at the curbside for pick- Toronto Street, South or the Fire Station at 17 Bascom H.S.T.). Chocked full of 125 favourites, this book COUNCIL 7:00 p.m. Street during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, up by 7:00a.m. will make a great stocking stuffer-but be sure to 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Should you have any ques- BUDGET MEETINGS NOTE: All existing permits expire Dec. 31, 2012. buy one for yourself! Wednesday, December 19th, tions or concerns regarding MUSICAL MOMENTS: Winter Session, Thur. Jan Any questions please contact the Christmas Tree pick-up or Budget Meeting has been cancelled. Fire Department at 905-852-3393. 17-Feb. 21. Lots of toe tapping and knee slapping Budget meetings resume in January any other garbage related fun, along with various musical instruments 2013 as follows: questions or concerns played by leader, Kathy Reid-Naiman. Finger Monday, January 7th – HOLIDAY HOURS please contact the Region of plays, and songs old and new, to engage children immediately after Committee meeting Durham Waste Management accompanied by an adult. Ages 6-18 mos., 10:15- Tuesday, January 8th – 1:00p.m. Town Hall will be closed for the Christmas Holidays start- at 1-800-667-5671. 10:45 am; ages 19-36+ mos., 11:00- 11:30 am. Six Wednesday, January 9th – 1:00p.m. ing on Friday December 21st, 2012 at 4:30 pm and will not classes/$37.50, payable by cash or cheque. Sign BUDGET OPEN HOUSE – re-open until Monday December 31st, 2012 from 8:30a.m. CHRISTMAS PUBLIC up now! Monday, January 14th – 6:00p.m. - Noon. Council Chambers CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE: Fri. Dec. 14 & 21, Town Hall will be closed on Tuesday January 1st, 2013 SKATE TIMES 11:00 am.- 4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to drop and will re-open on Wednesday January 2nd, 2013 for December 24th 2:15-4:15pm in for a warm drink and a holiday treat. Select regular business hours 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. Free Skate with Santa. books, magazines and tapes from our seasonal UXPOOL For any emergencies while Town Hall is closed for the December 30th 1pm to 2pm collection. Also, the perfect time to purchase a holidays please contact 1-877-426-4459. For any garbage UXPOOL is on Holiday hours from December 30th 3-4pm CELEBRATION COOKBOOK. related questions or concerns, please contact 1-800-667- December 24th - January 6th. Uxpool Free Tim Hortons Skate will be closed on December 25, 26 and 5671. January 2nd 12:45-2:15pm NEW: COMING IN 2013 - 5 for 5 BOOK CHAT… a January 1st. Have a Safe and 7pm to 8pm reading group offered afternoons and evenings, Featured Swims include: and Happy Holiday! January 3rd 12:45-2:15pm this club is being designed to fit with everyone's Public swim offered Wednesday - schedule. Choose the time you can, or most pre- Sunday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 3:15-4:45pm fer, to attend. The meetings are set up for once a And a few additional evening swims January 4th 12:45 - 2:15pm month, in FIVE month blocks, to work with our from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. January 6th 1pm to 2pm Canadian climate too! Session 1: Jan-May, first Please visit the Township of Uxbridge Tue. (after Jan. meeting) 1:30-3:00 pm. website at www.town.uxbridge.on.ca Session 2: May-Nov, first Wed., 7:30-9:00 pm. for the full schedule. AUNIQUE *No meetings in July, August or December. CHRISTMAS GIFT READING BUDDIES If you have considered joining a book club, this is the opportunity to do so - share opinions, talk This fun weekly reading support program FROM SANTA gives children one-on-one reading practice about your favourites, but also be open to reading with a caring volunteer who enjoys reading A "Doors of Uxbridge" poster books you may not have otherwise! Start up is and working with children (they can earn board 18" X 24" depicting 12 dif- planned for TUE. JAN.8 at 1:30 pm. We will talk community service hours too)! Buddies will ferent "coloured" doors through- about recent reads and choose the five genres, read together for pleasure and enjoy fun lit- out Uxbridge area, placed on a most appear interested in tackling, for this initial eracy-based activities that promote confi- black background, ready to hang, daytime gathering. A time of year to re-energize, as is.If you are interested, they dence, interest and the joy of reading. share the love of reading, and perhaps make some are available for purchase at The program is offered to children in new friends over a cup of coffee! $55.00 hst incl. They are avail- Grades 1 and up, including French Drop by to sign up or call Pam at 905-852-9747, Immersion students. The program runs for able at the town hall offices, ext. 24 8 weeks - January 15/16 to March 5/6 - on between Monday - Friday 8:30 Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm OR am - 4:30 pm. Proceeds go to the Wednesdays, 3:45 - 4:45pm. $20 per child Uxbridge Heritage Committee. HOLIDAY HOURS… UXBRIDGE: CLOSED at noon includes a drink and snack each week Dec. 24 & 31. CLOSED Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1. plus, each child/volunteer will receive a ZEPHYR: CLOSED Dec. 25 & Jan. 1 FREE library card and any overdue fines will be forgiven too! Application forms for both children and PUBLIC NOTICE volunteers are available in the Children's Department or download at www.uxlib.com HOLIDAY GARBAGE & RECYCLING SCHEDULE ~ deadline to register is Saturday, January The Region of Durham has issued its detailed response to public input regard- 5th. But don't wait until then ~ children/vol- Regular Pickup Day Holiday Pickup Days unteers will be matched on a first come, ing the proposed communications tower TuesdayWed. Dec. 26, 2012 & first serve basis! at 7245 Concession 6, near the Uxbridge Wed. Jan 2, 2013 Questions? Contact Robyn at Historical Centre. To read the full WednesdayThurs, Dec. 27, 2012 & [email protected] or 905.852.9747. response, please visit the Township web- Thurs. Jan 3, 2013 Sponsored by LIFE'S JOURNEY FINAN- site at the address above, or pick up a CIAL SERVICES ~ Tracy Evans (B.A. ThursdayFri. Dec. 28, 2012 & copy at the Clerk’s Department, Town CFP) & Tonia Ferguson (CB); Fri. Jan. 4, 2013 Hall, 51 Toronto Street South. www.LifesJourneyFinancial.ca; (905) 852- FridaySat. Dec. 29, 2012 & 0017. Sat. Jan. 5, 2013

Uxpool ...... 905-852-7831 Uxbridge Public Library 905-852-9747 Zephyr Library Arena ...... 905-852-3081 Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. 10 am - 5 pm, Tues., Thurs. 10 am - 9 pm 905-473-2375 Sundays after Thanksgiving to May 24 weekend 1 pm - 5 pm Historical Centre ...... 905-852-5854 www.uxlib.com HOURS Tues., Thurs., 3 pm - 8 pm Sat 10 am - 3 pm Animal Shelter ...... 905-985-9547 Township of Uxbridge documents are available in alternate formats upon request. Please fill out the Chamber of Commerce . .905-852-7683 Request for Alternate Formats Form at www.town.uxbridge.on.ca or contact the Accessibility Ux. BIA ... 905-852-9181 ext. 406 Coordinator at 905-852-9181 ext. 209 or at [email protected]. The Uxbridge Cosmos 3 Thursday, December 20th 2012

Now if a family just sat around Christmas feasting brings. It's The Christmas Feast the table and just pounded back relaxing, fun and very entertain- the copious amounts of food like ing at our house anyways. So, I a bunch of Vikings, then it guess it's not entirely all about word Christmas, I automatically pride in four or five hearty meals All about the Food wouldn't be that special. But I the food… darn it! think “ooohhh turkey!” It's not per day. My mother can be heard can tell you that a lot of good All in all, my teenaged male my fault… I'm just a growing saying, “Feeding teenage boys is by Connor Lamoureux quality bonding happens around brain loves the idea of Christmas boy, I'm just wired that way. not for the faint of heart!” And the dinner table… especially feasts, and everything they bring. The food that's on the table is she's just talking about regular There are some foods we only eat when good food is involved. I've So no matter what it is that's on much more exciting and impor- day to day feedings. All holidays on holidays or special celebra- spent my own countless your menu, where and when you tant than any present, fancy have their own special meaning tions like Christmas. I mean, Christmas nights never wanting enjoy it, make time to sit down Christmas tree, or well decorated and importance to them, but who eats plum pudding for din- to get up from the table…not with your family and friends in house could be. one thing they all share in com- ner on the regular Meatloaf due to the endless flow of suste- front of a grand Christmas Now, on a regular day, meal- mon is the amount of feasting Monday night? Or roasted wal- nance, but because of the togeth- spread. Merry Christmas every- time is a special occasion. that goes on. So when we take nuts as a movie snack for Family erness, stories and laughter one and… feast on! Fun Friday nights? This being Myself, as well as the rest of the an exceptional celebration like said, it makes feasts, like the one teenage male population take Christmas, naturally the word COME we have at Christmas, a very “food” is transformed into a wondrous, special occasion. whole new meaning. HOME Now Christmas is a big Oodles of turkey, moun- deal. Don't get me wrong, tains of potatoes topped FOR it's a marvelous celebration, with bucket loads of gravy CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS but to many of my kind it's and endless amounts of all about the food! It might treats and goodies are a true Dec. 24th Services Trinity United Church be that I'm a 17 year old way to top any holiday cele- 4:30 pm - male, but when I hear the bration. Informal Family Service 20 First Ave., Uxbridge followed by a Pot Luck Supper 7:00 pm - Formal Family Service, Singing & Candle Lighting 10:00 pm - Communion, Singing & Candle Lighting

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STORE: (905) 852-3315 HOLIDAY HOURS SAT DEC 22TH 8AM-9PM AUTO SERVICE: (905) 852-9857 SUN DEC 23RD 8AM-6PM MON DEC 24TH 7AM-5PM TUES DEC 25TH CLOSED www.canadiantire.ca WED DEC 26TH 8AM-6PM The Uxbridge Cosmos 4 Thursday, December 20th 2012

there was a wee bar fridge, and a hum- help but admire her compassion to The Christmas Feast ble convection microwave in a small make Christmas Day dinner more corner cove with a sink and a few cup- cheerful and pleasurable for the sen- boards, but no oven or stovetop with iors that she serves in the retirement Just Gravy 'rustic' studio barn. Each year, our and climbed handrails in humble which one could 'cook'. As such, home, focussed on sharing her bright forest would gift us a 12' balsam fir grandeur. The woodstove charmed guests brought sumptuous offerings light with those dining without fami- that, once erected, rose to the rafters. snakes of smoke upward from the to add to my pioneered innovations - ly. by Linda Lee Purvis The space enticed the senses. Fresh mesmerizing firebox - proving to be as and the table was set. Lovely food Since losing my Mom, our family clove-studded oranges, cinnamon much a source of entertainment as it made the dinner, but those who sat to seems so small. It's amazing how one For the last 16 years, I've enjoyed sticks, and apple and orange slices was warmth. eat it made the feast. person can hold such a large place in a hosting the family Christmas at our infused a natural sweetness to the tree, The studio boasted a large 12' by 5' Since building our house, many family, and without her, we still feel digs in the country. In the years before while wild grapevines and fresh forest barn-board table, lushly laden with years ago now, hosting Christmas is the void. No matter how fine the our house was built, our Christmas greens filled corners, arched windows, fresh evergreen boughs and sweet much more convenient than in the feast, the cravings we battle for those gatherings took place in the somewhat cedar, into which illuminated trails of past. Our tree is yet taller, the table that are gone continue to surge. As white mini lights darted past neatly somewhat smaller, but fresh greens are such, the feast, regardless of how rich, nestled pinecones and tall pillar can- a must, and the sights and scents of is bland in comparison to the people dleholders. A tablecloth of crisp, nat- nature still top the menu of fare for we share it with; so I cast my glance ural burlap anchored the woodsy table the soul. With a fully functional with gratitude, at those still able to in earthy elegance, the charger for kitchen, all of the traditional grace our table once again each year. white china and tall stemmed glasses. favourites - from turkey to cranber- There are no finer recipes, sweeter Placed at each setting was a keepsake ries, find their place on the table. One flavours, or savoury delights that com- ornament home-made for the occa- of the traditions we began when my pare to spending time in each other's sion, and often accompanied by a daughter was young, was to make company around the dinner table at small scroll scribed with a personal- braided egg bread on Christmas Christmas. When one improvises ized limerick for each guest to read morning, left to rise for afternoon with ingredients from life's pantry, aloud. Add to that, on Christmases baking. We often make enough plait- blends the flavours of our unique dif- willing, a backdrop of falling snow ed loaves to send home with guests - ferences to procure new tastes, and outside the small-paned windows, or sometimes deliver in person to satisfies their hunger with heaping and there was no place on earth I'd someone in our thoughts - a symbol helpings of gratefulness for all that rather be; no sight prettier, no house of our warm wishes the very day of. one has in that moment, then truly, Quality Antique Country Pine Furniture and Accessories at warmer, no bliss loftier, than the vibe This will be the third year that my everything that remains is just gravy. of a country studio Christmas. Significantly Reduced Prices from a Very Large Inventory daughter will have to work on Ironically, despite hosting Christmas Christmas day. While there's a part of dinners back then, the studio was not me that wishes she didn't have to SALE ENDS JANUARY 5 equipped with a 'kitchen' per se. Yes, (after all, she is still a teen), I can't Located on Hwy.12 • 2 kms north of 7A • Manchester Missing Luke Directly west of Port Perry 905.985.7179 by Amy Hurlburt

Our family’s Christmas meal has always seemed pretty traditional to me – and I’ve preferred it that way. The menu consists of turkey, stuff- ing, and an assortment of veggies. Everyone has the choice of either apple cider or a cranberry juice and ginger blend to drink. Amy Grant’s 1992 album Home for many as can come. Christmas plays on the sound sys- This Christmas will be a bit of a minor adjust- tem, and cranberry-scented can- ment for me, for a somewhat silly reason I suppose. dles sit surrounded by various This will be the first Christmas dinner where I’ll be dishes and condiments on the looking around the table and my brother, Luke, table. won’t be present—instead, he’ll be celebrating Over the years, the Christmas Christmas day with his fiancée’s family in Montana. meal has been subject to change. While all my siblings are key to the Christmas expe- The unnoticed, subtle changes rience to me, Luke’s only a year younger, so we’ve suddenly show up and the big shared the most Christmas seasons: back when I changes are glaring. Looking used to bully him into dressing in “Christmas around the table and taking stock coloured” pajamas on Christmas Eve so we could of all the faces; the passing of time open our stockings in style in the morning, and is unavoidable. New people are kicked each other under the table when we got added, some missing, and even the bored, and joked around each year if we were going meal staples change as everyone’s to be moved up from the kiddy table on the various dietary needs change. Christmas Dinner, round two version with my Traditionally, within my family, Dad’s side of the family. Personally, I like to keep the Christmas Day meal is usually things homeostasis: the less change, the better. I like attended by my immediate family: tradition, and I like it when things remain the both parents, us four kids, and same, so – truthfully – it was a bit of an adjustment often my Aunt Shelia, Uncle Paul, to this year’s alterations. That said, I have nothing and their son, Alexander. They’re but gratitude for the many things I still have this the representatives for my moth- year: my family’s love and care for each other, a new er’s side, since everyone else is in sister-in-law-to-be, and the benefit of most changes Nova Scotia. The Christmas meal in life going well. I’m blessed. And as I look around with my Dad’s side of the family the table this year, that’s the happiness I will be consists of my Grandparents, his holding onto. four siblings and their families, as The Uxbridge Cosmos 5 Thursday, December 20th 2012 Bruins enjoy a perfect weekend On pools and public works Councillor Pat Molloy, chair of the discussions now because it won't be by Roger Varley the Bruins, pulled off a sensational It was the same in the second as Port finance committee, sought to reassure known whether that value increases or stop to rob Clarington of an almost Perry reversed the first period, outscor- residents Tuesday regarding several big decreases in the years leading to the ticket items appearing for discussion construction of the new pool. sure goal. With just over five minutes ing the Bruins 2-1. The first came It was a six-point weekend for the in the 10-year capital budget. "When we're prepared to build the remaining, the Bruins found them- when little Logan Evans split the Uxbridge Bruins as they won three Mr. Molloy said council is concerned new pool, that's when the asset of the selves with a two-man edge for 109 Uxbridge defence to score an unassist- games in three nights. about the tax levy that residents will existing pool comes into play," she seconds and took full advantage. ed goal on Brandon Francey. Then The local squad began with a 7-3 vic- face and said some of the items - said. Bierema scored one power-play goal, Port scored again while the Bruins had tory over the Clarington Eagles at the including a new $3.4-million fire hall, In discussing the public works depart- assisted by Justin Bean and Ramsey, two men in the sin bin, including Bean arena on Friday, followed by a 3-2 win a new $12-million pool and a new ment, the largest spender of municipal and Lynch scored another, with assists who was serving a four-minute penalty against the Merchants in Little Britain $1.3-million animal shelter - will be funds, Councillor Bev Northeast sug- on Saturday, and then outlasting the going to Patrick Morgan and Dylan for high sticking. As the period wound financed heavily from sources other gested any cuts in the department's Port Perry MoJacks 5-4 on Sunday. Locke. down, it was Uxbridge's turn to have than the tax levy. He said a large por- budget should not come from road The wins put the Bruins back on top In Little Britain, the Bruins came out the two-man advantage, leading to tion of the cost of the fire hall is maintenance, but should come from of the OHA Jr. C Central Division strong again, playing fast and smart. Allen's goal, assisted by Vocino and already allocated, some of it in long- such things as street lights, sidewalks with 43 points from 20 wins, three Morgan scored the only goal of the Ramsey. term planning. and equipment. losses and three overtime losses, three first period. As soon as he saw Marco In the third, the Bruins seemed to be Amanda Ferraro, recreation manager, "Roads are a safety issue for every- points ahead of the Lakefield Chiefs. Mastrangelo pick up the puck near back on their heels for most of the first noted that $4 million of the new one," she said. Over the three games, Keegan Cairns centre ice, Morgan streaked into posi- half of the period, with Francey keep- pool's cost will come from develop- But Mayor O'Connor and Councillor scored a hat-trick, Mike Ramsey tion for the pass. The other assist went ing them in the game with a number of ment charges, not from the taxpayer, Gordon Highet suggested council picked up seven points and Joey to Dylan Ross. In the second, Locke great saves, Nevertheless, Vocino put and said she expected the remainder to does not know enough about the pub- Vocino had five points. made it 2-0, assisted by Wyatt Trainer, the Bruins ahead on the power play come from grants. lic works operations to tell Public Friday's tilt began with the Bruins and Ramsey made it 3-0 on a power with just over four minutes remaining, "If we can't get the grants, we won't Works director Ben Kester what to spotting Clarington two goals, includ- play, assisted by Cairns and Bean. In assisted by Ramsey, and Mastrangelo build the pool," she said. cut. ing a power-play marker, in the first the third, the Bruins appeared to have scored what proved to be the winning Mr. Molloy reminded council that "We should ask Ben to tell us where half of the first period. Then Cairns lost some of their zip, allowing the goal less than two minutes later, assist- municipal capital projects must be he can cut," the mayor said. "Come scored near the midway mark after Merchants to come back with two ed by Ramsey on a classic two-on-one included in the new provincially man- back with what you think we can live deftly stick-handling around an Eagles goals, but the Merchants ran into rush that started when Ramsey picked dated10-year capital asset manage- with in terms of reductions." defender. Assists went to Matt Allen penalty trouble, ruining any attempt to up a loose puck near his own blue line. ment program in order to be able to Ms. Svelnis suggested some projects - and Vocino. The Bruins tied the game tie the game. Bear pause: New goalie Zupan, who apply for grants when the time comes. street lighting on a small street, for with Shane Smith's unassisted power- In Port Perry the following night, the played in net against Clarington and Chief Administrative Officer Ingrid example - might be done under a play goal with just six minutes remain- Bruins managed to outlast the Port Perry, was acquired recently from Svelnis pointed out that development Local Improvement program, where ing in the second period. Clarington MoJacks in a hard. grinding game the Lindsay Muskies. He replaces charges can only be used to build a only the affected residents would pay went ahead again 17 seconds later, but which saw six of the nine goals come backup goalie Wayne Fryer, who was new pool if it offers new services and for the work through a surcharge on Steve Douitsis countered with a Bruins on the power play. The MoJacks traded to Port Hope. The Bruins also facilities, such as the planned thera- their tax bills. She said under LI, the power-play goal, beautifully set up by opened the scoring with a power-play picked up defenceman Carter Vahey peutic pool. The charges cannot be municipality usually borrows from Smith. goal in the first, but Ramsey answered from the Eagles. Vahey played in all used to simply replace Uxpool with a itself to pay for the work and charges In the third, it was all Bruins. Cairns with his own power-play marker, three weekend games, replacing Matt similar sized and equipped pool. the affected residents, with interest, scored just a couple of minutes into the assisted by Vocino. Korey Brand made Devlin, who has been released. The Regional Councillor Jack Ballinger over a number of years. Council said a new pool would be more palat- agreed to hear a presentation early in period, assisted by Vocino, and added a it 2-1 for the Bruins, assisted by Bruins return to action tomorrow able if it was known what the town- January on Local Improvement to see power-play goal six minutes later, Raymond Auld, on a delayed penalty night, playing host to Lakefield at 7:45 ship would realize from the sale of if and how the program could be used assisted by Ramsey and Callum Lynch. call. Despite the score, however, the p.m., followed by a trip to Georgina Uxpool. Mayor O'Connor said the in the township. Seconds later, new Uxbridge goalie MoJacks dominated the Bruins for Saturday to face the Ice. value of Uxpool couldn't be used in Greg Zupan, making his first start for most of the period. The Uxbridge Cosmos 6 Thursday, December 20th 2012 our two cents Anguish at Christmas Scattered throughout this issue of the Cosmos, you will find a number of stories about one of the most cherished of Christmas traditions - the family feast. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, thousands of Canadians will make the annual pilgrimage to be with their loved ones, even for just a few hours, to reconnect with their roots, to laugh and sing and talk. As most of our contributors report, it’s not the food (however sumptuous it may be) that matters, it’s the people around the table. Part of the Christmas dinner tradition for many of our writers’ families is a toast, or even a moment of silence, for those who were at the table last year or the year before, but are no longer here. In one case, the family even sets an empty chair at one end of the table, as a continual reminder throughout the feast that comfort and joy can be fleet- ing, and should be desperately held on to. It will be difficult this Christmas, particularly for those who have young children in their midst, not to give a thought to, or perhaps say a prayer for, 26 heart-broken families in a small town in Connecticut who will have just such an empty chair around their Christmas table. Indeed, it’s difficult to fathom the courage that would be required for those families to even go ahead with the rituals of Christmas; every moment will remind them of who they have lost. Who, after all, enjoys the brightness of this season more than a six-year-old child? In the moments after we first learned of the tragedy last week, we in Uxbridge may Letters to the Editor have felt somewhat of a connection to the victims, simply because we have a small com- munity called Sandy Hook in our own town. And all of us felt an ache as we moved The front-page photo (one of Tony’s able, so I'm certain that Karnamaya Ephemeral, Modernism’s contempt for through our own lives, watched our own children walk home from school as those 20 chil- favourites), Conrad’s column and the Mongar or Lisa Bardsley or Angel those it opposes is groundless: “It is an dren never will again. It really is incomprehensible. article by Roger Varley (Dec. 6) were Dardie will be names Ms. Carroll attempt to crush a rational opponent all a fitting tribute to a wonderful man. wants to familiarize herself with. not by reason but by some mystery of In the ensuing days, U.S. President Barack Obama said all the right things, and there’s Anthony Holt’s death so sudden and They are just a few of the literally hun- superiority, by hinting that one is spe- no doubting his sincerity. But we want to believe him as well when he said it’s time to so unexpected, leaves a big hole in our dreds of women who have died after a cially up to date or particularly ‘in the take “meaningful action” so that such tragedies become far less likely to occur, rather lives. I must, however, correct Roger’s legal abortion. They died under equal- know’. To flaunt the fact that we have reference to the originators of the ly horrific conditions as Ms. all the last [words] from [the CBC] is than becoming commonplace. Music Scholarship Trust. Paul Kett, Halappanavar but interestingly, the simply vulgar; like flaunting the fact Certainly gun control is a central cog in any action plan, but the American culture of former pastor at St. Paul’s Anglican media holds no banners up for these we have had all the last bonnets from violence goes far, far deeper than that. And we in Canada shouldn’t be feeling all smug Church, was one of the three who got women. Their lives and the families Paris. To introduce into philosophical that what happened in Newton could never happen here. It has happened here, often. the UMST going in the autumn of they left behind suffer in silence. No discussions a sneer at a creed’s antiqui- 1998, not I. My involvement began a marches in bitter winds for them, no ty is like introducing a sneer at a lady’s Most horrifically in Montreal in 1989, but most recently on Danzig Avenue last summer, couple of years after the launch. "Never Agains", no columns in news- age. It is caddish because it is irrele- where it’s only a matter of blind luck that only two died at a block party gone horribly papers around the world. A simple vant.” wrong because of the availability of guns. Tom Rance Google search will bring you to long The invisible line that divides the USA from Canada is no barrier at all to the infection Uxbridge lists of women who died in secret. Dana Pavlick Maybe it's time to honour these Uxbridge of our young people by whatever has infected the youth of America. So if, as we all must Recently I went looking in town for a women too, and to let it be common hope, the policymakers south of the border get together in a bi-partisan way to wrestle box of Christmas cards to send. Sadly, knowledge that this tragedy does occur. Ted Barris (Dec. 13) may not realize with the issues that created Adam Lanza, we in Canada should be paying very close after visiting the half-dozen stores who Ms. Carroll's article was also rich in that Benedict XVI has the oldest attention, and probably holding parallel discussions of our own. might stock this sort of thing, I irony when she described the statue the Twitter account in the world. Every returned empty-handed - unable to protest met at. The children of Lir, day millions of people confess to thou- Because we are only fooling ourselves if we think our own children are invulnerable to find a card that reflected the true ori- children who were robbed of their sands of priests serving hundreds of the kind of insanity that was unleashed in Connecticut last Friday. gins of the holiday. There was one card childhood by an evil step-mother bishops who report directly to the (one only) that bore an old Masters because she was angered by their deep Pope. As well, the Pope is the most image of the Madonna and Child, but family love. Ms. Carroll's protest group accessible head of state on earth. it was so heavily garnished with gaudy may want to try another event planner Anyone can take a shot at him anytime sparkles that I couldn't bring myself to in the future. they want. If Barris were to publish his purchase it. daily schedule, there is something I’d I realize that in a way this is a reflec- Kelly Anderson like to confess to him. tion of our multi-cultural society, and I Uxbridge Jennifer Carroll may not realize that applaud that. Only last year I was every year dozens of American women lamenting the fact that I had to leave Ted Barris (Dec. 13) is an excellent lis- die from legal abortions, so it is hard to town to purchase a card for a Bar tener: We have his own word for it. see how an illegal one would have Mitzvah. But I still think it's a sad Pope Benedict XVI likes to talk and saved Savita Halappanavar’s life. There 9,000 copies of the Cosmos are published each Thursday in the Township of reflection of our little enclave that I not listen. We know this too because, is no medical condition for which Uxbridge: 8,300 delivered by mail, 700 available in stores and boxes. couldn't find one card that truly as Mr. Barris explains, Benedict is a killing the child is the cure. Indeed, reflected the traditional and spiritual “pontiff” and these like to “pontifi- the reason Ireland has one of the low- Publisher/Editor Conrad Boyce 905.852.1900 meaning of the season. cate”. (Get it?) est maternal mortality rates in the It is Christmas, after all. There are It would appear our great listener is world is because their “aged laws” pro- 38 Toronto Street North, Unit One, Uxbridge Ontario L9P 1E6 those of us who still celebrate it for deaf to simple rules of valid argumen- tect the life of the unborn as well as the what it is. tation like, “A sneer is not a refuta- mother, native or foreign. By contrast, e-mail: [email protected] tion.” and “A conclusion needs to be a no-choice paradise like China goes web site: www.thecosmos.ca S. King supported by proof.” unreported by the Cosmos, perhaps Uxbridge Mr. Barris listens alright, but his ear is because it’s an old Quaker tradition to Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. attuned not to age-old truth (ever bash the Catholics at Christmas. I am so glad to read that Ms. Carroll ancient; ever new) as is the Pope’s, but EDITORIAL POLICY: Opinions expressed by columnists, contributors and in letters to the editor are not nec- essarily those of the The Cosmos. Letters must be signed and the telephone number provided (number (Far From Home, Dec. 13) is so com- to the organs of self-serving, ephemer- Blaise Thompson will not be published). Requests that a name be withheld will be honoured only if there is a compelling mitted to women's rights that she is al, fashionable opinion. Mr. Barris is a Concession 5 reason. Errors brought to our attention will be corrected. The Cosmos reserves the right to edit or refuse willing to march through chilling Modernist. And being an apt pupil of to publish unsolicited material. ADVERTISING POLICY: The Cosmos reserves the right to refuse any adver- winds to demand no more deaths of that school of thought, he has success- tisement. The Cosmos is not liable for slight changes or typographical errors in advertisements or any expectant mothers because of the lack fully graduated a snob. As G.K. other errors or omissions in advertisements. All material herein, including advertising design is copyright- of abortion. Her concern for the loss Chesterton nailed it over one hundred ed, and may not be reproduced in any form without permission. of Savita Halappanavar is commend- years ago in his The Case for the The Uxbridge Cosmos 7 Thursday, December 20th 2012 a blonde moment the barris beat column by Lisha Van Nieuwenhove column by Ted Barris A table of memories Getting involved

Ah. Christmas food is our given topic this year. Let me pour myself a glass of wine and The other night after my teammates and I finished our hockey game up at the take a mindful stroll through my memory as I reflect on what the food at Christmas time has meant to me. arena, several of us changed and gathered at the bar for a Christmas drink. It's that once-a-year moment when most Food has never not meant anything to my life. Both my parents were huge foodies, amateur gourmet cooks. My mom of us, who have little to do with each other except share Sunday night adult recreational hockey, sit down in the lead loved cookbooks better than novels. My father loved a good meal more than anything in the world. They had like-mind- up to Dec. 25. We hadn't been sitting more than a few minutes when the talk shifted to the topic that's been on every- ed friends, and social get-togethers were called exactly that - “Throw Togethers”, where they would throw together the body's mind all week. contents of their respective refrigerators and concoct weird and wonderful meals that would be talked about for months “Unbelievable eh, that shooting in Connecticut,” one of the guys said. afterwards. They were adventuresome in their culinary forays, to say the least. For years they were part of a “Gourmet The drinking at our end of the table stopped. So did stories about the lack of snow this fall, Christmas tree decorat- Club” here in Uxbridge, a group that several couples belonged to, and they were constantly trying to out-do, out-cook, ing or plans for the holidays. Suddenly, those frivolous things were eclipsed by shaking heads and a recounting of the out-shine everyone else. They were foodies before The Food Network was ever thought of, and I was brought up eating images of that elementary school in not so faraway Newtown, Conn., its broken doorway, scattering children and things most people have never heard of. adults, ambulances and swarming SWAT teams. For a second, I wasn't sure where the conversation would go next. Christmas time, though, was the one time of year when nothing was left to chance. No trying new recipes, no shopping Talk of the young victims? Speculation about school safety? Or the big one, gun control? Pro or anti? To my surprise for exotic ingredients, no elaborate menus. Our Christmas meal was tried and true, always the same. And always deli- it was none of those. cious. “What kind of guy would take his anger out on kids?” somebody said. It wasn't anything spectacular. Roasted turkey, roasted potatoes, stuffing - part done in the bird, part cooked out - Here was a bright 20-year-old single child, Adam Lanza, with good grades at college - A's in computers and American sausage meat (never touched the stuff, myself)… nothing out of the expected, really. My mom always made brussel history, B's in macro-economics - but a loner. Yes, a classmate at the state college called him “quiet… super smart… sprouts, and my maternal grandfather, my uncle and myself would always make a big show of putting exactly one on so much younger than the rest of us,” according to an Associated Press report in the U.S. The same story pointed out each of our plates. Still not a fan, I must say. That same grandfather would also make a show of putting one carrot on that his divorced mother, who'd taken him to shooting ranges, was “a survivalist… preparing for society's econom- his plate, as they were his least favourite vegetable. I always claimed his portion, as they were always my number one. ic and infrastructural collapse.” I'm not a psychologist, but wouldn't a picture of a withdrawn boy, endlessly playing We had cranberry sauce, gravy that my nana made (looking back, the gravy may have been a bit dubious in its con- Tour of Duty, prematurely familiarized with high-powered firearms by a paranoiac parent, raise a little suspicion? tents, as I now know that, when my mom and my nana hit the kitchen to make the gravy from the turkey drippings, A couple of nights after my conversation with hockey teammates about the how's and why's of Newtown, I bumped they had been happily imbibing since about one in the afternoon. Gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “getting into a neighbour and her college-age son. Again we did some head shaking at the murders of 20 Grade 1 children sauced!”) and six school staff. We acknowledged how many thousands of communities across North America - including ours - Every year we would sit at our big long dining room table, say the blessing, and everything would be passed clockwise are about the same size as Newtown, Conn. The conversation edged toward blame and causes. My neighbour said the around the table. It was generally a fairly quick affair - my mom would always observe that is was amazing that it could problem was parenting. Her son, aged 21, commented that things are different for his generation - different attitude, take all day to make, and 15 short minutes to devour. different pressures. He thought part of the solution is mentoring. Dessert was never as carved-in-stone as the dinner menu was. My mom would make a pumpkin pie, perhaps a cheese- Later that night, on radio, I listened to Craig Scott, who'd survived the shootings at Columbine High School, in cake. Couldn't make too much extra, as the one thing that could be counted on at dessert was the Yule Log that my Littleton, Col. In 1999, he'd found himself in a classroom where a dozen of his classmates (including his sister Rachel) grandparents brought from some flash bakery in the city. They were always so proud bringing it in, setting it on the were gunned down around him. In the years since, he'd ventured out across America to speak of kindness and com- table, and opening the box for my brother and I to gaze at longingly. They never did know that I despised those cakes. passion, trying to understand the values of his generation and its association with violence. He doesn't recommend The icing was crunchy, the cakes were too light and fluffy, and they just always tasted so… so store-bought. I thought institutional change, that is, laws that come down on his peers. my brother and I were like-minded on the subject of the yule log cake that Grandma and Grandpa always brought, and “I've met a lot of the Adam Lanzas of the world,” Scott told the CBC. “Laws don't change people's hearts. (This) is that he hated them as much as I did. It was only a few years ago, after my parents passed away, that I learned he looked a cultural and spiritual issue.” forward to that part of Christmas dinner every year. I wish I had known then, I would have happily slipped him my piece. On the one hand, I disagree with him about the intervention of law. In Canada, where we value “peace, order and I've briefly described here a menu, and a tiny bit of the scene, that was enacted for many years, on Christmas Day, in good government,” I believe we have found a comfortable balance between regulation and common sense. We have exactly the same way at my house just outside of Uxbridge. If that wasn't tradition, I don't know what was. So I was chosen to outlaw capital punishment, drunk driving and for the most part public access to automatic weapons of war. thrown for a bit of a spin when, as a newlywed, I was living in Switzerland and faced with the great unknown. Our first Where we have lost our way, I agree with Scott, is how to make better contact with the current generation of 20-some- Christmas dinner there was some lobster pate and fancy crackers with some sparkling wine. Another year we were invit- things. Is the answer better parenting? Mentoring? Or, as I pointed out last week, more effective listening? Probably ed to a friend's, and had, if I remember correctly, ham. Another year it was other friends and roast beef. One year it all of these. What's abundantly clear, I think, is the need not to blame from a distance and then ignore. The answer was with some English friends, and it was more a liquid dinner than anything else - I do believe hot dogs were involved at some point. We began to make a sort of tradition out of having cheese fondue on Christmas Eve, and we brought that is to get involved. tradition back to Canada with us. The cheese fondue pot left my house earlier this year, so I'm not sure what we'll nosh This week, as a very hectic semester at the college where I teach drew to a close, I had to face that challenge myself. on when we return from the candlelight service next Monday evening. Last Friday, the same day as the Newtown shootings, as I marked furiously to meet the grade submission deadline We'll all be together for a Christmas brunch this year, and I'll likely find some new recipes to try out on my unsuspect- and dealt with some students' angst about passing, I came across an email marked “very important.” In the note, one ing guests. We'll be together to watch the girls open Santa's booty, and we'll fill our bellies mid-day. The girls will head of my students wrote about health, family and worries about failing. Not unusual, until I read the line about “deal- off with their dad and I don't know what's happening for Christmas dinner at this point. It'll be a kind of fly-by-the- ing with feelings of suicide.” seat-of-the-reindeer kind of day, I think. It's not the first time I'd received this kind of note. From previous experience, I'd learned not to dismiss it. I imme- I sometimes worry that, in not having the same sort of schedule and routine and set menu that I had growing up, that diately called in the college counsellors. I answered the email saying so. At this moment, I don't know what effect our somehow my children are missing out on the wonderful experiences and solid memories that make up what we know of response is having. But in the wake of Friday's events, and with Christmas five days away, I can only hope offering Christmas. Something tells me, however, that no matter what's on their plate, as long as it's served with a heaping help- a helping hand might be better than dismissing it out-of-hand. ing of love, it won't really matter. Merry Christmas to you all, and en gute, mittenand. For other Barris Beat columns go to www.tedbarris.com

From the staff at your Canadian Tire Uxbridge.... Wishing you all the best this Holiday Season.

905-852-3315 www.canadiantire.ca The Uxbridge Cosmos 8 Thursday, December 20th 2012 The Christmas Feast Body Work

Giving the gift of weight gain In fact, said youth should be a contender for Miss with Brandi McCarthy this holiday season Norway Fitness. Yes, that’ll make our participant feel really good about his/her rotund self. low calorie gravy without all the 10. Christmas gifts for the participant should be Holiday Staples by Whitney Ross-Barris greasiness! somewhat lost in the mail and come only at the very get a Healthier Upgrade! 3. Load up the Vegetables! This isn't last minute when he/she has lost all hope, believing in really a "trick" to make over a part It seems that wherever I turn in the grocery store line- the twilight daytime that his/her family back home It's no secret that holiday food is of your meal, it's simply something up, every Cosmopolitan or US Weekly magazine is let- has completely forgotten about her… or him. (This delicious.... and generally ridicu- that I find is often overlooked. I like ting us in on the big secret of how not to gain weight facilitates faster and greater consumption of aforemen- lously high in calories! It's so easy to a holiday table filled with a mini- over the holidays. “Poor suckers,” I think, imagining tioned butter and starch.) put on an extra few pounds around mum of three veggie dishes (and I all the hungry stick insects in the world, passing up all 11. To make the participant feel at ease, please feel the holiday season because of all of don't count mashed potatoes). the seconds of turkey and cranberry sauce or nay-say- free to offer him/her your mom’s old fat pants, a pair those delicious calorie laden treats Simply having some healthier, veg- ers to another shot of Bailey’s in their Christmas of jeans that three or four toddlers could build a home calling our name around every cor- gie choices to fill your plate up with morning coffee. So, here’s my rebuttal. Based on my in quite comfortably. Tell him/her “you look just ner. There are always lots of great can save you a fair bit of calories! Try own tried and tested experience, a fool-proof formula fine,” even though your better judgment tells you that articles with tips and tricks for to think outside the on how to put on as much weight as possible over the he/she looks like an octogenarian trucker hobo. avoiding calorie traps at parties and frozen/microwaved carrots and peas holidays: 12. The participant must not be permitted to return at the office, but what about the too! My staples are roasted Beets 1. It must, of course, be Christmas. Not Easter, nor to the motherland until many months later when main event? The BIG Christmas (delicious and they look festive!), Thanksgiving, nor Simcoe Day. he/she has just started to enjoy and get the hang of the dinner? It doesn't need to be soaked roasted Brussels Sprouts with Asiago 2. The participant must be barely clinging to their host country. in calories to be delicious! Instead of cheese and pecans (my Mom makes teens, 19 or 20 will do, just old enough to yearn for the usual tricks to navigating the these and they are AMAZING), and independence and space but still young enough to Yes folks, just follow these simple steps, and you too holiday party scene (never go hun- some simple steamed Green Beans hope to be tucked in at night with that favourite could be packing on the pounds with the best of them. gry, snack on veggies.... yup, I've with a bit of butter. You can use any heard them all and written about stuffed monkey… Mortimer. As I mentioned, this was my own experience when I veggies you like, but make sure you them too), I've decided to attack the 3. The participant must be spending a year abroad on went abroad for nearly a year after graduating high use them! They add a healthy dose main event and give you some easy full and fantastic scholarship with their every need school. While it was an incredibly wonderful and life- of fibre and antioxidants to your tricks to lighten up your holiday attended to – from having a modest job provided to altering experience that I wouldn’t trade for all the meal and are generally WAY lower dinner and maybe even find a new allowing for a pint at the local pub with his/her marzipan in Scandinavia, it was a difficult experience in calories than anything else on the friends. favorite! table. at times that forced me to deal with my demons and 1. Mashed Potato Makeover. Most 4. The participant must be at least 3000 kilometers to learn how to cope with loneliness. Though I can 4. Picking on the Pie. I know, I people would think it's the plates of know, how can I dare mess with pie! away from home in a place that may as well be home laugh about it now – and I suppose I did a little then turkey and gravy that tend to be the Well, I can and I will! Don't get me – with all its snow and Canadian Shield-like rock for- too – I was quite honestly dealing with some mild "heavy" part of the holiday meal, wrong, I love pie, in fact I like it so mations – but that speaks a totally different, lilting, depression brought on by homesickness and lack of but those potatoes can be a calorie much I can never decide which fla- but confusing language. frickin’ daylight. The good news is I was lucky enough bomb! Mashed potatoes are a big vor I want, so I have a couple 5. Accessible to the participant must be a boundless to come out of it very soon after the holidays. The delicious helping of heavy carbohy- and wide (and I emphasize the use of the word “wide”) pieces..... oops. A couple other good news is (there is no bad news in this sce- drates just waiting to make your Thanksgiving dinner's ago I made a variety of chocolate, cookies, ice cream, boiled pota- nario) in the long run, that weight just didn’t matter. pants too tight(and those extra help- few "crustless" pies. I did the pie fill- toes, meatballs, booze and blissfully warm, just-baked Though I’m aware it’s not the same experience for ings you can't say no to don't help ing in individual ramekins and bread. many who deal with serious depression, I found a way either). Try this trick to cut the calo- topped them with either traditional 6. The sun may not be allowed to fully rise. In fact, to be happier (getting active and performing more ries almost in half without sacrific- crust, a crumble topping or nothing the participant should be well-embedded in a pictur- often) and when I did, the bread seemed to be less ing taste and flavour; Replace half of at all in the case of pumpkin or esque town amid a snowy mountain range where the fresh and warm, the ice cream less creamy and the the potatoes in your recipe with cel- lemon meringue. It was a huge hit! barely-rising sun merely brightens the sky to a twilight chocolate less melty and delicious. ery root and/or cauliflower. They People could have two (or three!) glow before setting three hours later. So go ahead, get happy this season. You may find that both mash up well with the pota- different ones and not feel like they 7. The participant’s clothing should be fitted for brandy butter less enticing this year while you’re toes, have a nice light flavour (so no- were stuffed to the gills! I admit, it starting weight, not allowing for any stretching or give laughing your patooty off with you friends and fami- one will really even know you did takes a fair bit more work, but if you whilst said participant’s waistline and posterior expand ly. Suck on that, Cosmopolitan and a Merry Christmas it!) and hold on to a bit more mois- do it ahead of time they can be rapidly. to all! ture so that you can use a bit less frozen until Christmas dinner. You 8. The participant must not be permitted to exercise. butter/cream/milk when mashing can buy cheap ramekins at the dol- For instance, should the partici- them. Another great trick I love is to lar store or even use the super small pant’s feet be grotesquely long and mash is three or four roasted cloves Mason jars (they look really cute). narrow, offer him/her ski boots of garlic; the buttery taste is out of When dessert is being served you that your dad wore in 1968 for this world and really adds some can serve a big tray of assorted "mini that rustic cross-country skiing Uxbridge great flavour without added calories! crustless pies" and let your guests adventure you’ve planned for your 2. Slimmed Down Gravy. Gravy decide on how much they are going fit self and outdoorsy attractive Farmers’ Market gets a bad rap as being extremely fat- to indulge! They taste great AND boyfriend. That way, the partici- tening, but made well, it's really not look fantastic! pant – with his/her flat feet – will Indoors at the at all! Let's face it, no one likes a collapse pathetically on every Uxbridge Arena Community Centre greasy gravy, but skimming the fat I hope you try at least one of these uphill trek after sliding backwards Sundays until Dec. 23, 10 am - 2 pm from the drippings can be a pain. idea's to lighten up your holiday for 20 feet and cry secretly to Enter the "Gravy Skimmer" feast just a little. Here's to a deli- him/herself while you bound ener- Check us out for late-season produce, (Google it, you'll want one!!). I have cious AND healthier holiday dinner getically upwards, unaware of the been using this tool for years and lit- this year. Enjoy and Happy baked goods, preserves, honey products, erally could not live without it. It's ugly cry happening behind you. Holiday's! frozen meats, just a large measuring cup with a 9. The participant is encouraged AND... long spout that originates from the to spend the holidays with a very Brandi is a Registered Nutritionist Dozens of unique gift ideas bottom. Pour in the turkey drip- generous and loving local family and certified Personal Trainer at pings, wait a few minutes for the fat whose matriarch cooks continu- for the coming Body Design in Mount Albert. to rise to the top and then pour out ously in order to provide a con- Holiday Body Design offers personal train- all of the delicious (de-fatted) turkey ing, nutrition and lifestyle coaching stant stream of butter and deli- Season! juices from the bottom via the to assist individuals achieve their fit- cious starch to her family. This ingenious spout! The fat is the last ness and weight loss goals. family must also include a youth to come out, so you can add as www.bodydesign.ca of similar age to the participant LAST CHANCE! much or as little as you wish. From but of vastly different fitness level. there you can make your delicious The Uxbridge Cosmos 9 Thursday, December 20th 2012

A Feast in a The day arrived, and it was unsea- sonably warm, but the feast went as The Christmas Feast Christmas Past planned. Roast chicken (from our own flock) dressing gravy, several Christmas Morning grateful contentedness. We don't lay spent with people you love. by Helen Harrison vegetables, salads, pickles, olives, and still for long, as the bright and clear sun Of course, as the day progresses the cranberry sauce. After that came pierces the morning and we stir, our table extends to seat dozens, the turkey You might say that my mother was a dessert, plum pudding with nickels by Jennifer Carroll stomachs calling us to action. and ham are dressed with care and sent Christmas connoisseur. She was so and dimes inserted to find and keep, We leave the warm circle of the crack- to the oven. Cousins, aunts, uncles, fond of all the festivities that she mince tarts, cookies, Christmas I admit: we are a family of eaters. We ling fire and the procession begins. grandparents and friends arrive with spent days preparing for the big day. Cake, and everyone's favourite, love good food, and lots of it. Nearly all Eggs, bacon, sausages, waffles, pancakes, dishes to complete the meal, and the Baking, making candy, treats, and cream puffs. Several pounds heavier, of my treasured memories are tied to toast, fruit, coffee, tea and fresh orange stunning red tablecloth that spans the gift buying to name a few. It was all afterward, we went for a walk to memorable meals. The warmth and juice are pulled from the fridge to be length of our dining room unfurls to part of the holiday magic. Of allieviate that stuffed feeling. If only constancy of a slow cooked meal, made mixed, cracked, whisked, sizzled, fried, accommodate all. As plates pile high we could keep some of this food with love and patience, sits at the heart baked, sliced and poured. The long with turkey, stuffing and all the course, back in the 40's food, treats, until next week. Returning, would of every fond recollection of my child- table is dressed and the sun sparkles Christmas fixings, we quietly remark and everything for Christmas was hood. This is no truer than during the through the pristine glasses and off pol- how fortunate we are to have our lives largely homemade. We all looked you believe there was an array of holidays. My family is near ritualistic ished silverware. Steam rises from fresh filled with good food and great love, forward to spending the day with our treats, homemade fudge, chocolates, with our holiday traditions, and each is cups emanating the aroma of roast cof- with warmth and protection, with relatives who lived close by. After all grapes, popcorn balls, and gum anchored in a meal. And no tradition, fee and the smell fills my heart with joy. opportunity and passion. this planning, absolutely the worst drops? So many choices, and so little no holiday ritual, no meal is more The eggs scramble while the bacon fries Dozens of glasses clink, forks lift and thing happened on at least two occa- appetite. revered in my home than Christmas and pancakes flip. Ice clinks as my knives slice into the hearty meal. sions. A big snowstorm and windy Needless to say everyone enjoyed a breakfast. brother pours another glass of orange However my mind falls back to the weather came just the day before. good visit, a few hands of euchre, Of course, there is a careful custom to juice before slicing together vibrant morning feast. In a busy house, there is Snow removal was not as promptly and board games. However, appar- precede the precious meal. Dawn breaks strawberries, blackberries and pineap- something precious in the privacy that is done back then. In fact the main ently the change was not a big hit. Christmas morning and we launch out ple. We each bring a dish to the table reserved for this breakfast. We are able roads were cleared first, and second- The hosts for the next year, who were of bed, eager even at the age of 25. and land in our seats, eager to tuck into to eat together, to receive nourishment, ary roads had to wait their turn. Can my aunt and uncle, reverted back to Stockings await our yawning eyes at the the most delicious meal of the year. before the madness of the day descends. the origional date. That year the foot of each bed. While my parents Plates fill and empty, and fill again. The air seems lighter, the sun clearer, you imagine the disappointment? sleep, we tear into the treasures tucked Fruit is plucked directly from serving the morning quieter, the world more Celebrations had to be put on hold. weather was favourable. away inside. By the time we reach into dishes into cheeky mouths that smile as peaceful when we sit down together on Back then it was customary to the foot of each stocking, we meet our hands pass around another pot of tea. this particular morning. In those brief hold the event on the actual first undying food tradition in the We often sit over breakfast together moments is a magic I cannot describe, day. That was before 'snow- Carroll household: in the toe of each throughout the year. We sit around and cannot simulate any other moment birds' left for warmer climes in stocking lies one perfect, ruby, red deli- tables of the same food, the same dishes. of the year. November, and marked the cious apple, at the heel one fragrant, And yet, there is something special So each Boxing Day I begin to count day with family before their vibrant orange. It is not Christmas with- about this particular breakfast. Perhaps down the days, eagerly awaiting my departure date. out the luscious fruit bouncing around it's the crackling fire from the other favourite meal once more. 364 long Well, my mother was not one the beds as we excitedly compare our room. Perhaps it's the icy cold sun that days lay between me and the next to be outdone by wind and other respective goodies. streams through the window behind my Christmas breakfast. But I don't mind weather. She had a plan for As the stockings lay strewn across bed- father at the head of the table. Perhaps waiting, because I know it will be there next time when it was my par- room floors, children gather Mum and it's the Christmas tree twinkling in the when I wake up next Christmas morn- Dad from their sleep and descend on background, dressed in homemade dec- ing, after I dig into my stocking and ents’ turn to host the party. the family room all together. Santa has orations collected through five child- find one perfect apple and one perfect Christmas 1949 would be held visited, and leaves our gifts out on dis- hoods. Perhaps it's a combination of all orange at the bottom. I know after the on October 29 with dinner at play, waiting eagerly for their owners to three, I'm not sure. But somehow, on fire is lit we will come together and 4:00 p.m. As well as the regu- recognize them and perch on the couch this particular morning, everything laugh, tease, play and share before sit- lar dozen of us, she invited in admiration. Before we proceed a fire accumulates into something serene, ting again at the table together, with the another brother who lived at a is lit and orange juice and coffee is something precious. Christmas sun glistening off the pristine distance. With that family, received with eager hands. We continue, After we've eaten far too much, we dis- snow outside, and that magic will once the number grew to twenty. carefully opening the remaining pres- perse through the house to enjoy the more enrobe my family as we sit and My folks were in their element ents and exclaiming with joy over the peaceful reverence of a lazy afternoon tuck in to the feast before us. when they were entertaining. thoughtfulness and care that come along with each parcel. Finally the skirt of the tree lays bare, and we lay back in GAME NIGHT WITH THE BRUINS Support Uxbridge’s Team! Hockey Night in Uxbridge VIEWPOINTS 7:45 p.m., Uxbridge Arena Sports Entertainment At Its Best! ow well do you know the highways and byways of Uxbridge Township? The first per- Fri., Dec. 21 Hson each week to call into our office number, BRUINS vs. 905-852-1900, and correctly identify the location LAKEFIELD of our photo, will receive a prize; this week, it’s two tickets for My Fair Lady at the Music Hall. Last Check out all week’s viewpoint was the window at Uxbridge things Bruin at: Travel; it was guessed by Donna McKenney of www.uxbridgebruins.com Uxbridge. We’ll have the answer to the upper photo next week. Photos by Roger Varley and Renee Leahy. ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TURKEY NOW - WE HAVE ALL THE TRIMMINGS TOO!

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Walker/Glen Major tracts. There are Well mannered dogs welcome. Meet 3707. Coming Up hills. Meet at the parking area on W at the parking lot 2 km south of Durham Christmas Day Service Goodwood side of Uxbridge Conc. 7, 2.1 km S of Rd. 21 on Conc. 3 and east on Secord Invitation to Meditation is open to Durham 21. Bob Comfort 905-473- Rd. Brian and Wilma Millage 905- anyone interested in practicing medita- THIS WEEKEND United Church, 11:15 a.m. 2669. 853-2407. tion. Sessions are every 1st and 3rd Fri., Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Wed., Dec. 26, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Thursday starting at 7:00 pm at Siloam Ridges Trail Association is hosting Ridges Trail Association is hosting Fri., Jan. 4, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Fri., Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Community Centre. By donation. (905) a 2 hr., 10+ km fast pace loop hike on a 4+ hr., 14+ km moderate to fast pace Ridges Trail Association is hosting Ridges Trail Association is hosting 852-9974 for information. the Brock Tract. There are some hills. loop hike in Walker Woods. There are an 8+ km; 2+ hr. fast pace hike or a 2 hr., fast pace and hilly snowshoe or Meet at the parking area on the east hills. Bring icers or snowshoes if neces- snowshoe in Walker Woods. No dogs hike in the Walker Woods. No dogs Loaves & Fishes Food Bank is side of Uxbridge Conc. 6, 5.5 km south sary. Meet at parking area on the east please. There are hills. Meet at parking please. Meet at the parking area on open Wednesdays 1-4 p.m. for those of Durham 21. Russ Burton 905-830- side of Conc. 6, 2 km south of Durham area on the east side of Conc. 6, 2 km the east side of the 6th Conc., 2 km requiring assistance. All donations are 2862. 21 at Albright Rd. Bob Comfort 905- south of Durham Rd. 21 at Albright Rd. south of Durham Rd. 21, at Albright Rd. always appreciated. Current needs 473-2669 No dogs please. Joan Taylor 905-455- Joan Taylor 905-477-2161. include: Instant Coffee, Tea, Ketchup, Fri., Dec. 21 Blood Donor Clinic 2161. Peanut Butter, Tuna/Hamburger Helper, Uxbridge Seniors Centre, 1-8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. The Oak Sat., Jan. 19, 7:00 a.m. The Oak Canned Fruit, Toothpaste, Soap, Ridges Trail Association is hosting Sat., Jan. 5, 7:00 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting Shampoo. Tax receipts are issued for Sat., Dec. 22, 7:00 a.m. The Oak an 8 km., 2.5 hr Full Moon Hike in Ridges Trail Association is hosting a 1+ hr., 4+ km moderate pace loop Financial Donations. Donations may Ridges Trail Association is hosting Durham Forest. Bring water and a a 1+ hr., 4 km moderate pace hike or hike or snowshoe on the Al Shaw side be dropped in the Food Bank Box at a 1+ hr., 4+ km moderate pace hike on snack. Meet at main parking lot 3789 snowshoe on the Al Shaw side Trail. Trail. Join us for breakfast afterwards. Zehrs or at St. Andrew's Presbyterian the Al Shaw side Trail. There are some Conc. 7. If stormy call to confirm. Join us for breakfast after the hike. Meet at the trail entrance on the west Church Monday to Friday 9 a.m.-noon. hills. No dogs please. Meet at the trail Chris Johnston 905-852-7524 Meet at the trail entrance on the west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south of entrance on the west side of Conc. 6, side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Joan Taylor 905-477- Hospital Auxiliary “Chances 1.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Russ Sat., Dec. 29, 7:00 a.m. The Oak Durham Rd. 21. Joan Taylor 905-477- 2161. Are” Store on Bascom Street accept- Burton 905-830-2862. Ridges Trail Association is hosting 2161. ing good winter clothing. Proceeds to ONGOING a 1+ hr., 4+ km moderate pace hike on Cottage Hospital. NEXT WEEK the Al Shaw side Trail. Join us for Sat., Jan. 12, 7:00 a.m. The Oak breakfast afterwards. Meet at the trail Ridges Trail Association is hosting Needed. Donations of used or new If you have a community event you’d Mon., Dec. 24 Christmas Eve entrance on the west side of Conc. 6, a 1+ hr., 4 km moderate pace hike or baseballs, baseball mitts, baseball like us to mention, please contact us at Services Trinity United Church wel- 1.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Joan snowshoe on the Al Shaw side Trail. bats. Group leaving at the end of [email protected] or 905- comes all to attend our Christmas Eve Taylor 905-477-2161. Join us for breakfast after the hike. December for a missionary trip to 852-1900. The deadline for our next Services at 4.30 pm Informal Family Meet at the trail entrance on the west Dominican Republic. Organized by St. issue is 6 p.m. Sunday. Paul's, Leaskdale. Will pick-up or you Service ( with Potluck Supper to follow UPCOMING side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south of ) 7.00 pm Formal Family Service and Durham Rd. 21. Russ Burton 905-830- can drop off. Please call Don on his cell 10.00 pm Candlelight Service. Mon., Dec. 31 New Year’s at the 2862. 416 991-2277. All donations greatly Legion See page 17 for details. appreciated by the children. Tues., Dec. 25 Christmas Day Mon., Jan. 14, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Dinner All welcome, see page 13 for Wed., Jan. 2, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting The Uxbridge Cottage Hospital details. Ridges Trail Association is hosting a 2+ hr. slow to moderate pace hike or Auxiliary is looking for anyone inter- a 12-16 km; 4+ hr; moderate to fast snowshoe on the Secord/Goodwood ested in knitting. For further information Tues., Dec. 25 Lutheran Church loop hike or snowshoe on the Tract. Join us for lunch afterwards. please contact: Jackie Teskey 905 852

our time together so much more. our glasses to those no longer with Our families remain solid, kin that us, those that could not be here, The Christmas Feast we are not related to by blood. and those welcomed to the table Regardless of who is around the that night. Jogi's Table extended family on the other side the front hall to the kitchen for table, heedless of the space that is of the street. Maybe it's our eating. At the end of the table sat set between our families and by Michelle McNally European background, or our free- one empty chair, available for all of friends, every Christmas, we raise spoken sense of humor, but there those who could not be with us on is something between our two Christmas. Over the years, my family has sep- families that just makes us click. Before the meal, a basket of arated its roots from the soil of Over several dinner conversations plotkeles was passed amongst the Northern Ireland to scatter else- that took place a few years back, diners. The unleavened bread where across the globe. I have a the McNally's and the Jogi's slices were pulled into tiny pieces great uncle in New Zealand, one agreed to experiment with tradi- and nibbled on as we took a cousin in Scotland, the other con- tion, and invite the McNally's over moment to member those we had sidering a life in Australia. My to theirs for Christmas. We had no lost. For us, this was a time to maternal grandparent made the idea what to expect, other than a reflect, to think of our family on leap to Spain six months before we good time. So, on the afternoon of the other side of the ocean who McNally's immigrated to Canada. Christmas Eve, bearing presents were sleeping away the first hours The decision to swap continents and dishes wrapped in kitchen of Christmas morning. As we cele- has been the one of the greatest towels to keep hot, we waddled brated the night away, sharing sto- decisions our family has ever through the snow to the house at ries in the blare of laughter and made, but it has come with its the bottom of the road. songs, my family and I embraced minor drawbacks. For one, my By Estonian tradition, Christmas the traditions of the Estonian Christmas is a day is spent with is focussed on Christmas Eve, and Christmas, and grew closer to our my parents and two younger feasting and festivities start on the surrounding friends we called our brothers, plus the rest of the Irish sight of the first star. By this time, family. clan over Skype and conversations we were seated with drinks in In the following years, we have by phone. With only five of us liv- hand, and had begun to mingle returned to the home of the Jogi's ing in Canada, Christmas for the with various relatives and Jogi to join them and their own family McNally's was very lonesome the friends. The kitchen counter was on Christmas Eve. Now living sev- first few years. Thankfully, we have cluttered with dishes of roast pork, eral hours north of our new home been 'adopted' by an Estonian sauerkraut, and blood sausage, in Uxbridge, the Jogi's do visit us family for the holidays. which quickly heaped up on from time to time, and vice versa. The Jogi's are our kind of people: plates. Tempted fingers reached for Although they cannot join us on folks whose door is always open, the strawberry-rhubarb kissell, a Christmas day this year, the Jogi's and get-togethers are not by fruit dessert, but were swatted will have their share of our compa- appointment. Only a spitting dis- away. Together, our families gath- ny this season after Boxing Day. tance from our previous home in ered around the line of mis- The distance does not set us apart Udora, the Jogi's quickly turned matched tables that branched from at heart, rather it makes us cherish from our neighbors, into our The Uxbridge Cosmos 13 Thursday, December 20th 2012

often results in a slightly over- season and throw an organic The Christmas Feast cooked, rather dry animal. After lemon onto the cavity; put the three decades of this approach, bird, upside down, in a roasting sitting down to the Christmas dish with some depth, pour arrive into a family as the Brand with Our Traditions, Lady. Talking turkey feast in France was a revelation: water into the roasting dish to New Stepmother to three kids I love my stepchildren, they are succulent, delicious hunks of one cm of depth; cook at 395F who already know what they three lovely people, and this is by Fly Freeman meat landed on my plate – the for 45 minutes; then turn the like, you learn pretty quickly the reason that I am not going to best cooked turkey I had ever bird right side up; during the that you can't mess with their whine nostalgical about my own The Christmas meal is so replete tasted, I begged for the recipe next hour gradually raise the traditions. Well, alright, I admit lost traditions of the Christmas with traditions national, regional from mine hostess, Micky. temperature bit by bit to 500F, I was a slow learner; it took me feast, or grumble about my new and particular to your own fam- If you are at all dissatisfied with basting frequently; make sure about three years to work out the family's bizarre requirements. ily, that there will probably be the way your turkey turns out the liquid level stays at one cm Fourth Iron Rule of Instead I am going to give y'all a enough to have leftover tradition each year, all I can do is urge by adding more water if neces- Stepmothering: Do NOT Mess gift: THE Best Way Ever To for tomorrow. And when you you, at some lesser meal – say sary; leave the temperature at Cook a Turkey. Thanksgiving or Easter, to just 500F for 15 minutes (if your The Christmas meal is not real- give it a try – it may change your oven is at all dirty there will be ly the time to experiment: it's a Good News! tradition. smoke: keep your nerve) then high stakes meal, Failure is It takes three hours, no matter during the next hour, gradually "The Committee for a Community Christmas” Unacceptable; but there are real the size or weight of the turkey – lower the temperature right to invites Uxbridge and area residents to the problems with the tried and true if it fits in your oven, you can zero, still basting frequently. The method of cooking The Bird in cook it in three hours. Preheat bird is now ready to eat. You also “Christmas Day Dinner” the Anglo-Saxon tradition (long the oven to 390F; do not stuff now have lots of delicious liquid and slow for hours and hours). It The dinner will be held at the bird, clean out the cavity, to make loads of gravy. The following year, the French Uxbridge Seniors Centre, Several of the Roxy family came North to us to share Marietta Street, Uxbridge Kids got together Christmas dinner in Scotland, beginning at 12 noon. last week to present (and there's nothing like having There is NO charge. Bev Northeast (cen- an expert French cook at your tre) of the local table to raise those stakes... All Salvation Army with went well, and all ate well; how- Whether you are new to the community, away from your a number of ever, the following morning we family, home alone or would just like to have a healthy, Christmas gift bas- ran into a real cultural barrier. I festive Christmas dinner with friends, please join us. kets they’d raised started to prep the turkey carcass If you would like to be our guest this Christmas, please money for, and put to make stock – stripping the call and reserve your place (905) 852-7016. together. Photo by leftover meat from the bones, Transportation is available for those who require it. Conrad Boyce. adding vegetables and herbs to my stock pot. All the while Micky watched me carefully, say- ing nothing. Finally she gets up and walks over to the stove, “Ma Fly, qu'est-ce que tu fais exactement?” ['what on earth are you doing Fly?] “Je prepare le bouillon, Micky...” [ 'I'm making the stock, Micky' ] I was panicked; what important step was I miss- ing out that a real cook would do to make a proper stock? Micky was silent for a while, clearly not wanting to offend me in my own kitchen, then she said, “Tu sais, en France, on a des petits cubes pour ça..” ['You know in France you can buy stock in little cubes....'] And thus one great myth about French cuisine came crashing down.

CHRISTMAS AT FOXBRIDGE MEMBERSHIP AND GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE. PLUS GREAT DEALS ON ALL STOCKING STUFFERS. CALL 905 852 7962. The Uxbridge Cosmos 14 Thursday, December 20th 2012

However, with my family flung far child, added new ones like Skype, and wide, we can't all gather to and, we're travelling again. The Christmas Feast enjoy Christmas Day together. Dad We'll never know how Bamps' is gone so we take all the trimmings eggnog got spiked that year. Dad to Mum, and one bachelor cousin tucked all us kids into bed, after that we had to chop off the top to Chorus. Afterwards we enjoyed fel- On the road joins us for dinner. It's always reading us The Night Before make it fit. Sometimes we bought lowship with other parishioners, turkey and gravy, stuffing, mashed Christmas (sort of - he didn't real- one pre-cut, but we also drove out sharing news while being regaled by Nancy Melcher potatoes, but with delicious green ize he was holding it upside down), to cut-your-own farms. Mum with stories of the day. beans and squash instead. Apple and rejoined the raucous party insisted on balsam fir, and they Then there were long-distance I was too young to remember all of crumble has replaced the pudding downstairs. It was a quieter than grew “way down in the swamp”. phone calls to Dad's family over- the Eggnog Disaster, the time the and cake. usual Boxing Day, I remember, but One memorable year we ended up seas, to Nan and the Canadian turkey skidded across the kitchen We try to fit in a walk around the full of the love of my extended fam- slightly off course, and inadvertent- cousins, and the Queen's annual floor, or when the grease from the neighbourhood, or a longer drive ily. ly chopped down a gorgeous speci- message on TV. As the aroma of pan spilled all over the floor and with Mum, to see the Christmas I wish you and yours a Merry men from the neighbouring con- roasting turkey filled the house, caught on fire, but they are some of lights and decorations. The Niagara Christmas, everyone. servation area! excitement increased as our num- the favourite family Christmas sto- Parks Commission puts on a dis- Dad put the lights on first, next bers swelled with arriving guests. ries. As a child, my Christmas play that rivals the Uxbridge came boxes (and boxes) of orna- The Yule log crackled as we sipped required travel; staying at home Fantasy of Lights! We've kept many ments, and Mum finished off with on tea, or something stronger. was not an option. I remember the of the traditions I experienced as a the garlands. We sang along to the Finally all was ready. Places year my brother, sister and I, all enchanting “Lessons and Carols around the table filled, crackers dreadfully sick, made the journey from King's College, Cambridge” were pulled, and silly paper hats along the 401 to Montreal on the record player and ate chest- worn at rakish angles. Supper was cocooned in sleeping bags. nuts that Dad roasted in the fire- turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, Nan and Bamps had a big, ram- place. I suppose it was inevitable stuffing, brussel sprouts (yuck) and bling house on an incredibly steep that the tree would one day fall a healthy dollop of Mum's hill in Westmount, and they would over, and many cherished treasures favourite, mashed turnip (bleahhh- put us up, along with my uncle's perished that year. hhh!). Gravy was our salvation: rich family of five, plus dogs. It was Christmas morning was a relaxing and thick, it masked the flavours organized chaos, with a full sit- time with everyone in pj's, opening we kids found so distasteful. down turkey dinner for twenty-five stockings brimming with wonder- Dessert was plum pudding, flam- with all the cousins, in-laws and ful gifts as we devoured croissants ing with brandy, and Christmas strays! After my grandfather died, with honey. After quickly dressing cake. and Nan moved into a small apart- we were off to church, to connect Christmas nowadays is still much ment, her four children took turns with the true meaning of the day the same. Our fresh tree, fir or hosting her at their own places. I and sing more lovely carols, this spruce, is secured in a substantial was twelve when we had our first time accompanied by a full choir, stand to keep it upright no matter Christmas at home. the wonderful pipe-organ and even how many decorations hang from We always had a big tree - so big a trumpeter for the Hallelujah its branches (we also have lots)!

Saving the stove top for the beast's preparation from me to was the domain of my grandmother. the male cooks in the house. There is a When the casseroles neared completion size limit to a bird cooked on a bar- and the men confirmed a leg movement by Shelagh Damus beque and it can't be stuffed, but the consistent with a fully cooked bird, we benefits far outweigh the negatives. would call the matriarch to the kitchen. The menu has been set for years and at When a smallish turkey no longer satis- Even in her final years with her green the core is a no stress meal for everyone. fies the appetites of our assembled walker for support she would come to It may not sound like the typical guests, I will add a ham to the menu supervise the making of the gravy. She Christmas dinner but it is what works before welcoming a giant turkey back would stand over us and direct the gravy for us, or perhaps more accurately, what into the oven. making ballet. As we followed direc- works for me. I don't mean to suggest We have no issue about how to make tions she would ultimately tsk tsk us, that we don't eat well. We do. But the perfect mashed potatoes - we don't then take the wooden spoon in hand Christmas is a time for family together- have them. A long time ago my mother and stir, sprinkle and add just the right ness, a concept hardly realized if I have replaced mashed potatoes with a hashed amount of water. Why direct when you to spend all my time in the kitchen. brown casserole that can be prepared still can do? My mother had always In the days leading up to 25th, there is ahead of time and simply popped in the deferred to my grandmother on issues an assembly line of sorts with each oven. Ditto for the turnips (I did men- of gravy making. Now that my grand- member of the household taking part in tion my British roots, right?) We also mother is no longer with us, we are the ritual preparation of Christmas have a make-ahead casserole of Brussels abundantly aware of our failure to ade- meals. In a nod to my husband's sprouts and carrots that has been met quately acquire her stores of gravy mak- German roots, Christmas Eve dinner with rave reviews from even the ing information. takes a decidedly European slant: youngest members of the family. I have But Christmas is about tradition. And Kassler roast (smoked pork) or got strange looks in the produce section some traditions are born of necessity. Rouladen (beef rolls), Rotkohl (red cab- when my children bleated their desire So, as the same casseroles near comple- bage), Spätzle (egg noodles) and for the tiny cabbage-like veggie. The tion and the wiggly legs are confirmed Bavarian Torte. In the British household fresh cranberry and orange sauce gets from the lads at the barbeque, I stare at of my youth, we ate steak pie before we liquored up well in advance and stays the pot of golden liquid on the stove- settled in for our long winter's nap. The refrigerated until its big moment. Over top. Flour is at the ready, along with comfort food sustained us as we the years, the appetizer has had a bit of seasonings and a measuring cup of strained our ears for the big man in red an identity crisis; soup one year, salad water. History repeats itself. I find and his flight-footed antlered friends. another, shrimp once made an appear- myself making the same request from The main event is Christmas Day. The ance, as did smoked salmon. Dessert the kitchen to my mother. After all, she table is set early with Christmas crack- tends to operate more like a serial had more years at my grandmother's Merry Christmas and a ers, Christmas balls festooned with each monogamist; the same dessert is with us elbow, witnessing the magic transforma- of our names and special plates for the for several years until a quiet announce- tion. And each year, as we muddle children. The 'good' china gets a little ment is made that the relationship has through the process and a lump-free Happy New Year air time for the adults before it gets been severed and there will be a new concoction is ladled into a solitary gravy laden down with the traditional sweet-ending mistress welcomed into boat and placed on the dining room from Christmas offering. Of late the bird has the family. table, I feel my long departed but still been prepared on the barbeque. I The only pot dirtied at the stove is for gravely missed grandmother has taken Regional Councillor wouldn't have it any other way for two the gravy. I never gave much thought to her rightful place at the table. reasons. It is moister than any turkey the wonder of perfectly crafted gravy. Merry Christmas! that ever took its final journey in the The brown elixir of Christmas dinner Jack Ballinger oven, and it transfers the responsibility The Uxbridge Cosmos 15 Thursday, December 20th 2012

TOWN HALL awareness night for skaters to The Christmas Feast inform them of the dangers of by Roger Varley head injuries and the need to Notes from the Dec. 18 wear helmets and other safety A Tale of Two Mothers les but that’s not right, according to with cookie cutters that are older equipment. my wife’s family). The beef rolls are than I am and they were all trimmed Council meeting Too much success for car show?: then browned on all sides, then out with just the right decora- Facilities manager Bob Ferguson by Mark Humphrey In giving council an update on the water or broth is added and the rolls tions—the holly leaf trimmed with also had good news for council, but status of the new skate park at it was of the good news/bad news are slowly simmered until they are candied cherry for berries, the bell Kennedy Fields, recreation manager For most of our married life my wife variety. so tender they melt in your mouth. with a hard silver candy ball for the Amanda Ferraro delighted council- and I have enjoyed two feasts at He said the classic car shows which They are served with mashed pota- clapper, candied fruit ornaments for lors with the news that the park is Christmas, one Christmas Eve and have been held at the arena parking toes to soak up the gravy, and a the Christmas tree. My favourites bigger than planned, but cost less one Christmas Day. These feasts lot all summer have been so success- casserole that has red cabbage, were the mince meat tarts, bite sized than expected. were all about our mothers. It was ful they have caused a problem. He apples, onion, bacon fat and some but with all the flavour of the whole Ms. Ferraro said the park is 8,500 their hospitality that made the cele- said the show had an excellent year spices. Another simple vegetable, pie. square feet, 500 square feet more bration—the atmosphere, the abun- with big turnouts and sometimes as carrots maybe, or beans was a You might have noticed I’ve been than originally planned, and yet cost dance, the tasty treats. many as 250 cars on display. But the choice. speaking a lot about our mothers in $38 per square foot, well under the My wife’s parents came from turnouts have caused parking prob- After dinner a plate of goodies was the past tense but it’s not because $51 per square foot that was budget- Germany just after World War II. lems for the lacrosse program at the given to everyone. Inge was not a they have passed on. About three ed. She said the park is not yet com- They had experienced the arena, limiting parking and causing baker, but the German Deli had all years ago my mother was diagnosed plete - a few items remain to be put Depression, the war years, Hanover congestion at the arena entrance kinds of German cookies, marzipan, with Alzheimer’s and soon after in place, including a shade shelter - during the Allied bombing and the because a DJ stand was placed too chocolates and candies. We’d sit went into long term care. About two "but we're still under budget." She awful aftermath when there was lit- close to it. He said the problem with the plates on our lap, eating years ago my mother-in-law broke a said fund-raising continues and tle food, water or fuel. Inge, my could be exacerbated next summer whatever we wanted while we hip, then had a minor stroke and a donations are still coming in. with the opening of the new splash mother-in-law, cooked very plainly. She said a sponsorship sign will be opened presents, a tradition I’d rec- seizure. She lived with us for over a pad. Her mother had died when she was erected in the spring. Any person or ommend to everyone. year before a space was found in the Mayor O'Connor said she was quite young and through the organization donating $2,000 will My side of the family is mostly home she wanted to go into. I know happy the car show was so successful Depression and the war ingredients have their name on the board: Canadian for many, many genera- a lot of people who have family but suggested it had outgrown the were hard to come by. So she $10,000 will see a name and a logo tions. We’ve always done the tradi- members missing at Christmas, arena location. Councillor Bev cooked meat and potatoes, well and $75,000 was the set price for tional “Canadian” dinner. My through death, illness, even military Northeast suggested the operators done veg. but her meals were always naming rights, something the mother, Edna, did a nice turkey and service overseas. A lot of people feel might want to look at moving the car very tasty and there was plenty to Uxbridge Rotary Club has already a family favourite was mashed pota- great sadness at this time of year and show to the museum grounds. eat. secured. toes with cream cheese, sour cream I hope they are finding ways to Councillor Pat Mikuse opined that Germans feast and open presents She said although the official open- and onion folded in. Her table was cope, maybe find a little joy in the Elgin Park might be a better site. on Christmas Eve. My wife would ing is to be held on the first Saturday always beautiful—tablecloth, cen- season. Mr. Ferguson said he would work go to church with her mother and in May - with professional skaters on trepiece, candles, and place cards. A I now can make the famous with the car show operators to deter- sisters and they would come back to hand to give demonstrations - skaters medley of gold and silver, red and mashed potatoes with cream cheese mine what would be the best loca- a fully decorated tree and presents. are already using the facility. She said green, crystal, silver and china. and sour cream and I have learned tion for the show. No one ever wondered why dad did- the users are doing a good job of After dinner my mother would to make a passable rouladen. These n’t go to church. As the three sisters keeping the park clean, noting "we bring out a plate of goodies to die traditions are comforting to me, grew older, gained husbands and have great youth leaders." When for. She definitely was a baker. Her helping to keep that connection to added children, it was the feast Councillor Gordon Highet expressed shortbreads were soft and flaky, not our mothers. everyone wanted to come back to. concerns about how the skate park ILL too buttery. There were rum balls B R.: Rouladen is thin slices of beef will be monitored, Ms. Ferraro said the size of a walnut dipped in icing pounded paper thin then rolled the skaters take good care of the facil- sugar—chocolaty with a rum bite. with slices of bacon and slivers of ities themselves. She also noted the Sugar cookies were stamped out Please come for onion inside (some roll in dill pick- older skaters often teach the younger skaters new skills. She said she lunch at my house. expected the skate park to become a FORM 6 SOFA SMILES destination park for GTA skaters. Municipal Act, 2001 Mayor Gerri Lynn O'Connor sug- gested the municipality stage an SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER with Fred Bendell S. THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF UXBRIDGE One week to go before the Christmas Take Notice that tenders are invited for the purchase of the land described below and will break; well there really is no break this be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on February 7, 2013, at the Township of Uxbridge year because Christmas is a week day Municipal Office, Town Hall, 51 Toronto Street South, P.O. Box 190, Uxbridge ON L9P Permanent 1T1. The tenders will then be opened in public on the same day as soon as possible after so it will be hockey as usual, which is 3:00 p.m. at the Township of Uxbridge Municipal Office, Town Hall, 51 Toronto Street great, because we just cannot get South, Uxbridge. enough! (I wonder if the NHL Hair Removal knows that?). Not sure what Terry DESCRIPTION OF LANDS: Terrion is doing different this year but Electrolysis by Karen Roll No. 18 29 010 007 30500 0000; 2440 Regional Rd. 23, Uxbridge; PIN 26822- boy is he on a tear, he is giving Scott 0029(LT); Part Lot 8 Concession 8 Uxbridge as in D119616; Uxbridge; File No.10-04 Complimentary Minimum Tender Amount: $46,105.08 Frisby a skate for his money! Looks like the "Baker" (Greg Bredin) will be consultation Tenders must be submitted in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by a deposit out until after the New Year and we in the form of a money order or of a bank draft or cheque certified by a bank or trust cor- wish him a speedy recovery. Ernie For an appointment poration payable to the municipality and representing at least 20 per cent of the tender Pase is enjoying himself this year and amount. doesn't seem to be missing the Black call 905-985-9085 Except as follows, the municipality makes no representation regarding the title to or any Hawks (sorry Jack). Good to see Stu other matters relating to the land to be sold. Responsibility for ascertaining these matters rests with the potential purchasers. Evans back last week, I heard Steve The land was previously advertised for a sale to be held on the 22nd day of November, Yake say..... Stu hasn't missed a stride. 2012 but the sale was postponed. Has anyone seen Nick Sampo, he This sale is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Tax Sales Rules made seems to be missing and we know he under that Act. The successful purchaser will be required to pay the amount tendered plus is not ploughing snow? Eddie Clark UXBRIDGE MEMORIAL COMPANY accumulated taxes and the relevant land transfer tax. can't seem to decide whether to stay The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchas- er. in Uxbridge or Florida (tough deci- 108 Brock Street West, Uxbridge L9P 1P4 sion Eddie). If Doug Rogers tells you For further information regarding this sale and a copy of the prescribed form of tender, he only handles small engines I would visit: www.OntarioTaxSales.ca or if no internet access available, contact: beg to differ, we met at the blue line Dave & Lori Tomkinson Donna Condon, Deputy Treasurer / Tax Collector last sunday and it felt like I was hit by The Corporation of the Township of Uxbridge a V8! On behalf of the SOFA Town Hall, 51 Toronto Street South, P.O. Box 190 Uxbridge ON L9P 1T1 League we wish you all a very Tel: 905-852.3472 • 1-888-672-4364 • Fax: 905-852-0085 905) 852-9181 Ext. 210 [email protected] "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy [email protected] New Year". The Uxbridge Cosmos 16 Thursday, December 20th 2012 Cosmos Business Bulletin Board Tree Service STAN - Your Local L. MARTINS ONE OF A KIND Handyman 905-852-5313 GIFT GIVING IDEAS PAINTING 100% CANADIAN HANDMADE Interior & Exterior

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Free some openings for offices and homes. References CEDAR LOGS FOR FENCING: 18' long, 3"- 4" available. 705-357-2482. [email protected] in diameter. $10 each. Doug at 905-640-6006. FREE PICKUP OF ANY TYPE OF METAL OR 1/10 1/24 ELECTRONICS, GOOD OR NOT: Appliances, WINTER TIRES: Sailum Ice Blazer WST-1, stan- AC, microwaves, batteries, propane tanks, any Wanted dard rims 61/2J, 225/65R17, tubeless studdable, type of wire, BBQs, computers, plumbing fixture, steel-belted radials, 102-S, only used for 1500 pianos, cars, trucks, boats, trailers, farm machin- NETWORKERS WANTED: Partner with doctors km., $450. Call after 6 p.m. 905-852-5403. ery, skidoos, lawnmowers, motorcycles, etc, etc. and nutritionists. Earn a second income without 12/20 NOTHING TOO BIG OR SMALL, WE TAKE IT ALL. We having to get a second job... Health professional also clean out sheds, barns, garages, stores, facto- network company seeks self starters immediately. For Rent ries. 905-952-9844 or 905-473-1907. 2/14 Call 647-882-1920. 12/20 WANTED TO BUY: Red Pine and Jack Pine. 2 BDRM APARTMENT in 4 plex located in Services Minimum 250 trees. Call Springwater Forestry downtown area of Uxbridge. Beautiful apartment Enterprise for a price, (705) 790-6506. 2/14 with newer kitchen and appliances, hardwood and Low & Low Limited HOME CARE FOR YOUR PETS: Day and HELP WANTED: Experienced Travel Agent ceramic. Front Foyer of Old Church Entrance very Required, Galileo preferred. Email resume to: unique. Two parking spots in private section. Main FUNERAL DIRECTORS overnight care, your house or ours, no crates or kennels, reasonable rates, Uxbridge only. 905- [email protected] 12/20 Level. First and Last Months, NO Pets, Suitable for 130 Years in Business – 5 Generations Single or Two Adults, Heat and Hydro not Included Honesty • Integrity • Fair Prices 852-4454. 12/20 ADULT LEARNERS: I work with adults to For Sale $975.00. Credit Check and References a Must. Call Since 1875 Uxbridge Chapel - 23 Main St. S. 905-852-3073 improve basic English reading, writing and math Kelly at 416-557-4919. 12/20 Port Perry Chapel - 1763 Reach St. 905-985-7331 skills. Fraser Education. 905-852-1145. 12/20 WATER SOFTENER – used, in good condition SHARED ACCOMMODATION: Gorgeous set- QUALITY CARPENTRY AND HANDYMAN 200.00/obo. AQUARIUM - Tank 25 “ tall x 36 ting, charming, country Uxbridge home to share ARE YOU CELEBRATING: THE SERVICES: Home repairs and renovations, base- “wide x 12”deep, floor stand with 2 doors for sup- with 2 single professionals, walk to town, 1 bright WORD OF THE WEEK ments, baths, fences, decks, other yard structures. plies, overall 56” tall 200.00 /obo. SOFA – Sklar- large bedroom at $575.00. NS. Laundry, util., incl. • the birth of a child? 647-224-3938. 12/20 • a wedding? Order your custom-designed outdoor furniture, peppler, 78 in long, contemporary, smoke free • a landmark anniversary? sheds or play-sets today, for winter (indoor) build 175.00/obo. LARGE ARM CHAIR & • coming to a new home in Uxbridge? “For unto us a child is and spring delivery and installation. Call Steve at OTTOMAN, like new, sage green 275.00 Both Events 905-852-1750. Northwood Home Services. 12/20 400.00/obo. DANIER BLACK LEATHER JACK- Your local businesses/professionals born, unto us a son is are offering a beautiful personalized given.” - Isaiah 9:6 RENOVATIONS-RESTORATIONS-REPAIRS: ET, Ladies small, quilted lining 75.00/obo. CHRISTMAS EVE: Are you doing anything keepsake gift free of charge. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, built-ins, trim, SUEDE LEATHER JACKET, Mens size 42, tan, Christmas Eve December 24th ? If not come and painting, iling, flooring and so much more. From like new 75.00/obo. SKI PANTS- Mens large, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with us at Trinity For more details, UXBRIDGE the complete Reno to the smallest repair. We are red 10.00. LUGGAGE – 3 soft side suitcases United Church. Time of services: 4.30 pm Informal please call BRANCH there. Quality workmanship, at reasonable 30x22, 24x17, 24x14, 1 hard Family Service (with potluck supper to follow), Agnes Lobbezoo 905-852-3162 rates,fully insured,call today 905-862-2899. shell 24x17. 10.00 for all. 905-852-7543. 12/13 at 905-852-5067. 7.00 pm Formal Family Service. 10.00 pm www.biblesociety.ca [email protected] 12/20 CUSTOM STEEL TRUCK RIMS, four, 16x8, 6 Candlelight Service. Everyone welcome. Bring the MIKE'S HOME SERVICES: Small projects, home bolt, fit Chev Silverado pickup, with tires 245x75- family. Come Home for Christmas. 12/20 maintenance, repairs, assembly & installations, 16GT. $140. REMOTE CAR OR TRUCK painting, clean ups, junk removal. Call Mike 647- STARTER, 3-in-1 keyless entry, new in box, paid COSMOS CLASSIFIEDS 524-2609. 2/14 $220. Sell for $160. 905-862-3022. 12/13 Classifieds are $5 plus HST per week PROFESSIONAL LIVE-IN CAREGIVER avail- FIREWOOD: 16” seasoned hardwood, $125 per for up to 20 words, able, can look after kids, cook and clean. face cord, delivered. 905-640-5977 or 416-460- Interested, please call Analiza 647-627-1094. 4637. 2/14 $10 plus HST for up to 40 words. 12/20 POOL TABLE: Very clean 4x8 wood Gendron Payable in advance by cash, cheque or credit card. PART-TIME, LIGHT CAREGIVING in town of pool table complete with ping pong cover board. Contact: [email protected] or 905-852-1900 Uxbridge. Reasonable rates. 905-852-7035. $200 obo. Also 100-year-old ex-player Deadline: Monday 5:30 p.m. 12/20 UPRIGHT PIANO. Make offer. 905-640-0436. HONEST CLEANING LADY, hard-working, has 12/20 The Uxbridge Cosmos 17 Thursday, December 20th 2012

swearing in with my son Jack in his stroller. I had a tourist take a photo of View from the Hill by Erin O’Toole, MP the two of us. I believe that everyone that runs for office does so out of a desire to build a I would like to begin by thanking rant additional counts, I became the House. On December 12th, I was cause dear to my heart from my charita- strong community for our families and Conrad and the Cosmos for the opportu- Member of Parliament (MP) for escorted into the House of Commons ble work with the True Patriot Love for our future. I will end on that note nity to contribute a monthly column to Durham, but had very limited privileges by the Prime Minister and by Minister Foundation. and wish your family many blessings at the newspaper. Over the last year I have because I was not yet sworn into the Flaherty. Some people have asked me The House is now in recess for the Christmas and a safe and joyful holiday become an ardent reader of the paper House of Commons. The Writ of whether it is custom for a new member Christmas break. While the history buff season. because of its terrific local coverage and Election that is “dropped” at the outset to be “dragged” into the chamber in a in me would have loved a few more days unique articles on the history and cul- of the campaign is a legal document that seemingly reluctant manner. The “drag- of taking in the majesty of the House of ture of the Uxbridge area. I hope my must be returned by the Returning ging” into the House is the tradition Commons, I am actually quite happy to contributions will match the calibre of Officer in Durham to the Chief associated with a new Speaker of the be back in the riding. I am in the the other contributors. Electoral Officer in Ottawa. Once the House of Commons, who is supposed process of setting up an office and staff View from the Hill is intended to con- Return of the Writ is accepted, the by- to feign reluctance about leaving their that will allow me to serve our commu- vey my thoughts on issues of impor- election result is published in the own seat and taking on the role of nity. I am close to finding a new, more tance to the community and to share Canada Gazette and the Clerk of the arbiter of debate. A new member of the focused and efficient office in some of my personal experiences as your House of Commons is free to swear in House is simply escorted by their party Clarington, but I am also excited about federal representative. Since many peo- the new member in. My swearing in did leader and another senior member for my plan to have office hours in ple have been asking me about what not happen until December 11th. It was an introduction to the Speaker before Uxbridge, so that as your MP, I can be happens following the election, I a simple oath, which was similar to my taking their seat. For those who are more accessible for meetings in the thought I would share some personal call to the bar as a lawyer years ago. I interested, I am in seat 247, which actu- northern part of the riding. I will pro- reflections in my debut column. I was fortunate to be surrounded by fam- ally places me on the opposition side of vide updates on these initiatives in a found the last few weeks both humbling ily and friends for this special occasion.. the chamber. future column. and very interesting because the proce- Once sworn in, a member can take On my first day in the House of The last few months have been busy dures that accompany a by-election are their place in the House of Commons Commons, I was also afforded the for our family, but also truly special. I unique parts of our parliamentary and can be assigned to committees of chance to ask my first question in the am very thankful for the trust placed in democracy. the House. Since the 41st Parliament House, which was also poignant for me. me by the community. The memory Following the election and providing was already in session, a new MP must I asked a question regarding the that will stand out most for me was there is no close result that might war- first be presented to the Speaker of the employment of veterans, which is a walking up to Parliament Hill for my

The Christmas Feast ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 170 Christmas with the Smiths under the beautifully decorated tree After that we open gifts. We always we wait for Eggs Benedict. designate a Santa, one kid who hands PRESENTS by Jenna Smith Lightly toasted English muffins lay- out the gifts to everyone. It's supposed ered with butter, thinly sliced ham, to go by age every year, alternating dozens of perfectly poached eggs and between Smith's, Turners and Every year December 24th seems to topped off with a helping of creamy Belisle's. It never works that way creep up on my family. And every Hollandaise sauce. Each person per- though. The same kid ends up doing NEW YEAR’S Christmas morning we wake up at fectly places layer after layer onto their for at least three years in a row before 6:00 a.m, look at each other and think plate, creating what seems to be a pic- we move on. And the next year every EVE DANCE 'when did it get to be Christmas ture perfect egg sandwich. Not me. I person there argues for a good ten again?'. But we open gifts all the same, just toss everything onto my plate, minutes over whose turn it is. MONDAY, DEC. 31 thank one another and then gratefully usually leaving out that Hollandaise In the end it's a good time though. fall back asleep for another two hours stuff because the yellowy colour freaks After that most of us are tired again so $75.00 PER COUPLE before the real day’s festivities begin. me out. we pack it up again and head on DOORS OPEN AT 8:00PM Fortunately my Grandma just lives It's always nice looking around the home. At my house we spend the in town. It's about a two minute drive table in that moment right before time, in the words of my brother, TICKETS ON SALE AT THE LEGION from our house to hers. We go there everyone begins to eat. We're all “playing with our junk”. A.k.a using for brunch, usually decked out in the together, surrounding a table full of all the things we got that day in one pyjamas we wore to bed the night Christmas food and everyone oozing way or another. The day is wrapped PRESIDENT’S LEVEE before or from time to time in some- Christmas spirit. I always take a men- up with Christmas dinner back at my thing new that we'd gotten that tal cringe, because I feel as if someone Grandma's house again. This part of TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST- 11:00AM morning. We always bring our gifts were to take an aerial picture of our the day is more relaxed, where all the for the rest of the family too, as we're table my plate should most definitely hype has calmed down and we can not the only ones arriving in our pyja- be removed. I try to eat it fast, partly really appreciate the generosity and 109 Franklin Street (across from Uxpool) mas. My Aunt and two Uncles, my because I'm starving and partly giving this time of year. four cousins and then of course, my because I'm hoping no one sees it. Bingo every Thursday night in the New Year Grandma. After we stick our presents The Uxbridge Cosmos 18 Thursday, December 20th 2012

toast. berries just doesn't seem right. The Christmas Feast At the other end of the scale were the Whatever you have for your Christmas Dickens Christmas dinners that a group meal this year, I do hope you will have of us shared for about three years in a family close to hand. If, however, you The ghosts of feasts past us years to realize that our parents parents' home for dinner. Her parents row. Everyone dressed in Dickensian find yourself in the same circumstances always made sure we had that coin in had come to Canada from Poland and clothing and brought a dish that would that I once did - alone, broke and down- by Roger Varley our helping. much of the fare was not what I was have been served in Dickens' time. With hearted - I offer you this: take my word Since my father died, my sister has used to at Christmas, but nevertheless about 20 people on hand, one can imag- for it that things will eventually For me, probably the best thing about taken over the task of holding the fami- delicious. As a surprise, when the main ine the variety of dishes - and the quan- improve. It may take a long time - it did Christmas is the family feast. ly Christmas dinner, and while the plum course was done, I had a dish of plum tity - that was available. After dinner, we with me - but it will happen. And if you The meal is usually sumptuous, with pudding and custard have long since pudding and hot custard placed in front all went to a nearby retirement home live in Uxbridge, you don't have to be lots more food than the assemblage can gone the way of the dodo, we still have of me. I was overwhelmed and began to and sang Christmas carols for the resi- alone or go without dinner. A wonder- devour in one sitting, but it is not the most of the ingredients we had as chil- relate the tale of the sixpences to my in- dents. We weren't very good, but we ful group of people will be serving a free amount of food - or the type of food - dren. laws when I realized there was some- sang with gusto and the residents Christmas dinner to any and all who that matters to me. It is the family gath- But not all my memorable Christmas thing in my mouth which wasn't pud- seemed to enjoy it. come along to the community ered around the table that is important. dinners have been around the home ding. Unable to figure out what it was, I One final note. Coming to Canada Christmas feast at the seniors centre (see Of course, my earliest recollections table. One year, my wife and I, our two removed it from my mouth as delicately introduced us to one new ingredient for page 13), and they will make you feel about Christmas dinner come from my young boys and her brother and his wife as possible and found it was a small wad Christmas dinners, one which I enjoy welcome. childhood. My father was always a bet- decided to skip the hassle of preparing of wax paper. Inside the wad was a dime. thoroughly. Cranberries! Never had Merry Christmas. ter cook than my mother, and well into dinner and opted instead to go to a My mother-in-law had heard about the them - never even heard of them - in my adulthood it was my father who did hotel dining room for our Christmas coins from my wife but, unlike my par- England, but now turkey without cran- most of the Christmas dinner prepara- feast. It was decidedly more relaxing, ents, couldn't bring herself to place the tion. In my family, the dinner always knowing we would have our meals coin in the pudding without wrapping included turkey, of course, but also sage served to us and we didn't have to worry it. It seemed unsanitary to her. NAIL CARE • WAXING • MASSAGE • SKIN CARE and onion stuffing, roast pork, apple about washing the dishes and cleanup Vancouver was also the scene of anoth- sauce, brussels spouts, onion sauce, after the meal. Yet, as pleasant as the er memorable Christmas dinner, but for mounds of mashed potatoes and thick experience was, we didn't repeat it. a completely different reason. It was a brown gravy. Something just seemed to be missing. couple of years later: I was divorced, on Twin As children, the best past of the meal My first Christmas dinner in welfare and had no friends or family in came at dessert. We always had plum Vancouver - North Vancouver to be the city. I was completely alone and NAILS& SPA pudding with hot custard and hidden exact - was memorable for two reasons. almost broke. On Christmas Day, I inside the pudding were sixpenny coins. It was the first time I had spent wandered the streets looking for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We always considered ourselves lucky to Christmas away from my two eldest restaurant where I could find a meal I have a serving of plum pudding that sons. I was now with my third wife and could afford. But nothing was open. I % 905-852-9009 contained a sixpenny piece, and it took new son, and we had been invited to her eventually went home and had beans on 10 off Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (SINCE 1984) all services Sunday Closed PATTERSON’S A special Christmas feast With any purchase $50 or more 307 Toronto St. S. Unit 12 (Including gift certificates) Uxbridge by Vince Winder (across from Zehrs) FLOORING From Dec 6, 2012 to Jan 5, 2013 www.twinsnails.ca Hardwood, Laminate, Engineered Wood, Cork, Leather, Carpet,Vinyl, Ceramic, Porcelain, Slate Feast, as defined in the dictionary, is an “The Old Rectory,” a beautiful old Christmas Eve and we all praised God elaborate meal or a religious celebra- building built in 1820, but moved and for that special Christmas-eve miracle. tion. Christmas Feast is a combination reassembled on its present location. It Christmas morning we all gathered of both, a time of special food and cel- had sleeping accommodation for up to around the fireplace, read the ebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, 36 people, with a large great-room, Christmas story from the Bible, then SEASONS celebrated by billions of people around huge stone fireplace and large kitchen we had time together opening gifts. the world, generally on Dec. 25th. area. The food part of our Christmas Feast, The birth of the Christ child, in a In 2010 our family consisted of our the usual -- turkey, stuffing(mother's lowly manger in Bethlehem, is indeed four children, their spouses and 16 recipe), cranberries, potatoes, gravy something to celebrate. It was truly the grandchildren. By Christmas it had and turnip, was enjoyed by all, seated GREETINGS watershed of history. All of history further expanded to include 2 new around the big dining table. It was a before that remarkable event, (B.C.), grandsons-in-law, as our two oldest special time of sharing together. was a count down to that momentous granddaughters had been married that Afterward the kids went down to a birth. All of history since (A.D.), year. So that made 28 of us to spend large basement room where they had a points us back to that time when God Christmas together at Chalets Village mini-stick hockey tournament with came to visit planet earth in the form from Dec. 23rd to Dec. 27th. the dads. of a human being, who was born, lived, Our granddaughter Ashleigh and her Our seven-year old granddaughter, suffered and died but never succumbed husband of two months, Jake, were liv- Rebecca, had been feeling sick and list- to sin. ing in Cambridge and the plan was for less, lying around for most of the week- For our family Christmas is the most them to come to Uxbridge and drive to end. The evening of Sunday Dec. 26th special feast of the year. It is the one Quebec with Augusta and I. The the whole family gathered together for time that we all try to come together to morning we were to leave Ashleigh a worship time. It was suggested that celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus. This phoned saying that they had car prob- we pray for Rebecca. So we all gathered Christmas will be the 25th year that we lems but hoped to get it fixed if we around her, anointed her with oil, and have celebrated Christmas in our pres- could wait for them. It ended up they everybody laid hands on her and From the staff ent home. We have precious, fond couldn't get it fixed and had no way of prayed for God to heal her. It was a memories of that first Christmas in our meeting us. So we had to go on with- very moving experience for everyone. new home. On Christmas eve, it out them. They would try to find a way The next morning Rebecca got up, of snowed and we awoke Christmas to get there on their own. got dressed and was her old self again. morning to a winter-wonderland. All The rest of us arrived at the Chalet on She played with the other kids all day the large cedar trees around our house Dec 23rd and got settled in. Most of long. We all praised God for healing Patterson's Flooring. were laden with snow. What a beauti- the following day, (Dec. 24th) uncles her. ful and special morning that was. Glenn, Dale and Patrick were on the In the midst of all the distractions of Holiday hours The most memorable Christmas we phone trying to come up with a solu- Christmas it's easy to forget whose have ever had as a family was two years OPEN DEC. 21, 27, 28, JAN 2 tion for Ashleigh and Jake, while the birthday we're celebrating. He reminds ago, Christmas, 2010. Augusta and I rest of us prayed that God would make us “....I am the Bread of Life, whoever 185 Main Street North Unit B Uxbridge celebrated our 50th Wedding it possible for them to be with us for comes to me shall not hunger, and Phone 905-862-0001 Fax 905 862-0031 Anniversary that year and decided it our Christmas celebration. As the day whoever believes in me shall never would be nice to do something very 1-888-862-2001 wore on it looked increasingly doubt- thirst.” different for our Christmas celebra- [email protected] ful, however, that they would be able to However you and your family cele- tion. make it for Christmas. But finally they brate the Feast of Christmas this year, REGULAR HOURS We rented a large chalet for five days found a flight leaving from Pearson may you experience the love and peace over Christmas at Chalets Village, near MON - FRI 9-6PM SATURDAY 9-4PM Airport and flying into Quebec City of Christ in your heart. Mount-Sainte-Anne, just east of that night. We picked them up at the Very best wishes for a wonderful, Quebec City. The chalet was called Closed Every Long Weekend Quebec City Airport about 9:30 blessed Christmas. The Uxbridge Cosmos 19 Thursday, December 20th 2012

A Christmas Buffet asked me to bring it back so I did and what fun it was! Part of the The Christmas Feast by Susan Fedorka Cookie Ritual is telling us the story behind the cookie selection. Years ago, one of the participants started Ralph and the Giant Turkey All that’s missing are the balloons to per- They’ll drag you down to their level and You either love them, or are afraid of form the between-course angioplasty. beat you with experience.” to tell us that it was an old family them – the buffet or “all you can As for the liquid portion of the meal, I As much as this feast is the gold stan- recipe handed down from her by Roger Pires long ago appointed myself as resident dard of Christmas dinners, my favourite eat” dinners. There is a time and grandmother when her mom sommelier. I take everyone’s drink order aspect of it is the cast of characters. place for everything in this world popped in and said “What??” It was- I always like to be there when it hap- and fill his or her glass with either red or Along with the hosts there are the regu- and on certain occasions a buffet is pens. It’s like watching a sumo wrestler n’t an old family recipe but we white wine, with white being the peren- lars, like my family. We live close enough just the right thing. A well planned enjoyed reminding her of that story emerge from an Austin Mini. My father- nial favourite. So by happy consequence to get home before the tryptophan coma buffet allows me to sample all the in-law, Ralph, opens the door of the this year. The other infamous story I‘m the principal owner of the red, a sets in. My brother-in-law and former things I enjoy without having to super-sized oven he acquired specifically is about one of the bakers who did- privilege that I exploit for the duration close friend always makes it if for no choose one over the other. for this purpose. I peer over his shoulder of the feast. One of the kids is appoint- other reason than to remind me that I n’t want to buy the magazine that And my Christmas Feast this year at the golden-brown behemoth that lies ed juice boy or girl. They’re entrusted ruined our friendship by marrying his had the recipe she wanted in it so within. More ostrich than turkey, it with filling the tumbler at each place set- sister – an act of treason for which I will will be buffet-style. For appetizers I she stood in the store and copied it seems inconceivable that anyone can ting with either apple or tomato juice. forever be held accountable. There are enjoyed our annual book club pot down. Even though we are, in some extricate it without the aid of a forklift. We used to lay the platters out on the Bill and Shirley who are more family luck dinner. This year we were two But only such a colossus can successfully ways, strangers who only see each table. Shoehorning all these large con- than neighbours. Bill is the great instiga- members short, but that’s been part other once a year, we all enjoyed slay the appetites of twenty-odd friends tainers amidst the plates, glasses, and tor. He ensures that our little gatherings of the book club experience lately as and family members that have gathered recalling past cookie exchanges and cutlery turned into a giant, sweet- are never boring. One of the prerequi- people head off to travel or to visit together for Christmas dinner. Aroused some great cookies. smelling shell game. We spent more time sites for attending Christmas dinner at family. As always, we chatted about by the sudden whiff of roast bird, a few passing the food around than eating it. Ralph’s house is being able to withstand The main course will be Christmas what was going on in our lives, what of us flock to the kitchen to watch So several years ago, we abandoned for- a healthy dose of friendly, good-natured dinner here. Each year I look for Ralph, now in his seventies, perform a mality and spread out the feast on the ribbing. One Christmas, my sister-in- we were doing for the holidays and something new and different to modern miracle. With only a pair of kitchen counters, buffet-style. Once the law brought her new boyfriend over for just about anything else that popped cook. This year it will be lamb and oven mitts the patriarch liberates the assembly line has been prepared, every- dinner. He was given fair warning that up since we don’t read a book for behemoth from its Kenmore tanning a bottle of “the good stuff’ from the one is summoned to the table. the new guy is bound by family tradition December. Even if I struggle to read cellar. bed and in one motion, as if by levita- But before we line up, a couple of long- to absorb his fair share of japes. Sadly, the monthly book selection, or fail tion, hoists it onto the kitchen counter. Dessert will be made up of an array standing traditions must first be the beau was possessed of a delicate con- to understand the story, it is always We applaud. Then he dismisses the spec- of get togethers with friends over the observed. With everyone seated we bow stitution. He didn’t stick around for a so much fun to get together with tators and asks to be left alone to carve our heads and Jeannette, my father-in- return engagement. holidays whether it is for coffee, this wonderful and diverse group of the bird, presumably with a chainsaw. law’s partner, leads us in saying grace. My favourite Christmas at Casa breakfast or simply going for a walk. As grand marshal of the Christmas Then the patriarch rises to toast all those Ralphie was the year my parents attend- women to talk about the book, life Christmas is a time of enjoying all feast, the turkey is accompanied by a in attendance, those who couldn’t make ed. They took advantage of a semi-trop- and whatever else needs discussing. that we have all year long and appre- couple of honey maple hams, cauldrons it, and those we have lost. After the ical break in Elliot Lake’s vile weather The starter was my re-instated of whipped potatoes and stuffing, bowls ciating all the people in our lives toasts, everyone pulls apart their festive conditions and made the trip down. Annual Cookie Exchange. A couple that make our buffet so wonderful. of cranberry sauce, and enough corn to cracker and reads aloud the pithy little They loved it. They loved the food, they of years ago people complained supply Famous Players for a year-and-a- Merry Christmas and a happy and message found inside; Hallmark specials loved the banter, they loved the people. about the amount of sugar and but- half. And that’s just the entrée. Pre-feast, prosperous new year to one and all. like, “Whenever I find the key to suc- And they especially loved the warm feel- ter that cookies needed and they those in attendance get to graze on cess, someone changes the lock ”. Or, ing you get when you’re embraced in the A special and heartfelt thanks to all didn’t have time and didn’t want to chocolate covered almonds, M&Ms, “Never steal. The government hates arms of a large family brought together of you who are a part of my life’s beer nuts, pretzels, and salted peanuts competition.” And my personal over a large turkey. eat all the stuff they would bring buffet. laid out on a table next to the fireplace. favourite: “Never argue with an idiot. home, but this year several people AudioVision Plus up to BOXING DAY SALE 70% OFF Toshiba Blu-Ray - DVD PSB Home Theatre Yamaha 5 Disc Changer Sony FM/AM Receiver 200 Watt Speaker System + 2 Sony Speakers NOW NOW NOW NOW $67.00 $499.00 $218.00 $228.00 Reg $119.00 Reg $999.00 Reg $379.00 Reg $399.00

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