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Subject: [Ont] 1940s Christmas Memory
Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2001 14:28:47 EST

This item [or similar one] was on a Stratford Ontario website in 1999. Hope
some of you will appreciate the posting.
Gracie
Circa 1940 -- Gorrie Town Hall - Christmas concert.
If anyone on the list shares similar memories of this area, please feel free
to contact me. [perhaps we knew some of the same people]
Living three miles from town, my parents & I traveled there by horse drawn
cutter. I either sat on the footrest, facing my parents on the seat; or
cuddled in a warm blanket between them, dressed in heavy coat, a scarf across
my face, & wearing a fur bonnet. Once we arrived in the little town of
Gorrie the horse was sheltered in a public shed next to the town hall.
Each year we saw film strips of early movies-Three Stooges, etc. & always
"The Littlest Angel". [The latter became a family tradition in book & later
video form] Local talent performed a play or two, & offered musical
entertainment. The Carson brothers, [Dick & ?] played saxophone & clarinet
Their father & grandfather, Richard Carson owned local Hardware store.
[Richard was married to my aunt Alecia TOWNSEND.]
A very nice man & farm neighbour, August Kiel, usually played Santa Claus &
even looked the part in real life. Everyone loved him! Each child came away
with a little bag of candy & perhaps a small toy. Even during the war
rationing years, they managed to give each on a treat.
This along with butter tarts & fruitcake make for tender Christmas memories,
that hopefully many of us can share.
Best Wishes for the Holiday Season!
Gracie
a Cal-Can/Am Cuz Researching:
BEIRNES, BUCK, COOK, GUNN, HAMILTON, TOWNSEND, WOLFE
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