Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth December 16, 2013
Christmas news, from the pages of the Grand River Sachem, focus on the historical spirit of the season. Yes, there is a miracle of Christmas, too.
In 1967, the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) announced winners for the best Christmas decorated homes in Caledonia. They were Leslie Hyslop at 100 Sutherland Street West and Leslie Doxtdator at 15 Renfrew West.
In 1972, the best ever Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade was held December 16. That same year on December 20, the Caledonia Choralairs released their new record, "Sing Gloria.”
Opened in 1975, the new senior citizens’ apartments at 68 Selkirk Street held a Christmas dinner prepared by the ladies of the complex for all the residents that first year. Soft music in the background, tastefully decorated tables, Christmas dinner and Santa dropped in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. The poems A Christmas Wish and Christmas and Joy Go Together were recited by Mrs. Scoffield and Mrs Kuiper. Carols were sung too. Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Hogeterp responded to kind remarks from J. O'Neil. The Caledonia fire department was thanked for the loan of tables and chairs.
On Christmas Eve in 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Edmondson of Caledonia celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. All three of their children, Mary, Edward and Vera (McMorran) served in WWII. They were married in Lancashire England and came to Canada in 1913.
Unusual at any time, but particularly so at Christmas time, Jean Guyatt celebrated her 100th birthday on December 21, 1983.
On December 17, 1985, the Caledonia Presbyterian Church held its Congregational Christmas Concert. Santa visited, but before he arrived, a long line-up of piano solos and duets, Sunday School class presentations such as A Christmas Tableau, a visit from Scrooge and there was a Salem Cottage presentation named "Little Tommy's Letters," when Tommy takes pen in hand to prove that letter writing is not a lost art.
Annie Stotts Elliott, 92 years old, sent greetings in 1985 along with a picture for publication to all her friends and relatives in Caledonia. She was living in Goderich at the time. Annie Stotts' and her husband Constable Wm. Stotts were a "popular couple in Caledonia who made a host of friends, both young and old," said the Sachem in an editor's note. "Constable Stotts was a most loveable and courageous policeman."
The heading "It was a Christmas Miracle," tells the story of how a mother of five cheated an icy death in the Grand River at Christmas time in 1985.
Pat Howley was on her way to Christmas services with her daughter Glenna when the car went out of control, going down a hill on Mines Road. Realizing the car was headed straight for the ice-clogged Grand River, Glenna screamed at her mother to leap from the car. Glenna jumped. Pat didn't.
The car careened down the hill, crossed Highway 54 and went straight onto the partially ice-covered river. Without thinking, Pat grabbed at the steering wheel and tried frantically to turn the car before reaching open water. Pat's thoughts at this point were "I’m going down. I'm going to die this way. This is it."
The miracle! The car wheeled around and returned on the same path it took going onto the ice, and came to rest on the shore beside her daughter. When the family sat down to Christmas dinner, Mrs. Howley reported she said a private prayer of thanks.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.
