It’s Dec. 23 and Christmas is just around the corner. The children are on vacation after Christmas concerts and weeks of special events and are now awaiting the big night when Santa Claus arrives, the Christmas cantatas at the churches are giving way to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. The shopping is done, the baking is finished and the house is as tidy as it’s going to get for the guests dropping in over the next few days. It’s time to light the tree and maybe some candles, pour yourself a glass of eggnog or your favorite seasonal beverage and sit with your feet up for just a few moments.
We here at the Confederate wish every one of our readers the very best of the festive season. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas celebrating the way you want to celebrate. And we want to thank everyone -- readers (those who subscribe and those who pick up copies at the store), advertisers, those of you who submit stories and those of you who tell us from time to time that you enjoy your community newspaper – for supporting us over the past year.
We hope, as you look back over 2009, that you have had more laughter than tears, more good times than bad, more good memories than things you would like to forget.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Olympic Torch Relay – be part of Olympic history
The Olympic Torch Relay will be making its way through Wellington North and West Grey on Monday, Dec. 28 and we hope everyone is making plans to attend the festivities surrounding the historic event in either Mount Forest or Durham.
In both communities people are being urged to wear red as they take the advantage of becoming a part of Olympic history and cheer the Torch Relay. The flame is expected in downtown Mount Forest at 12:30 p.m., and in Durham’s downtown at 1:22 p.m. It has not yet been announced who will be carrying the flame.
After the trip through Mount Forest’s downtown, celebrations will be held at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex with events for young and old. We hope you have seen the ads in previous issues of The Confederate; Donna Jack and the Economic Development Committee that is planning the event opted not to place the ad this week. To recap, though, events include a free skate on the arena ice, games, draws and prizes, sports displays and demonstrations, an obstacle course and more. There will be a bouncy castle, balloon animals, face painting and a visit with Klazz Klown and families are encouraged to give the snow-building contest a try. Refreshments will also be available. If you need more information about what’s happening, you can call the township office at 848-3629 – but do it soon. The municipal office is clo9sing at 12 noon on Thursday, Dec. 24 and won’t re-open until Monday, Jan. 4.
In Durham the estimated time for the torch to go through town is at 1:22 p.m. Mayor Kevin Eccles will welcome the flame at the stoplights and then everyone is invited to join a walking parade to the Durham Community Centre and Arena where the West Grey Family Winter Games will be held. There will even be gold, silver and bronze medals handed out in numerous events. In addition to sporting events such as a family snowmaking competition and fastest snowball pitch, activities will include entertainment by the Black Family, a Durham Skating Club demo and horse drawn wagon rides. There will even be a fireworks display following the closing ceremonies at approximately five o’clock. More information about the West Grey events can be found in an advertisement on page 11 this week.
End 2009 on a high note by being part of Olympic history on Dec. 28.
