Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68FOCUS - DECEMBER 2016 27 293 Perry Street, Port Perry • 905-985-8660 1-800-248-0848 • www.westshorevillage.com ELEGANT LIVING BY THE LAKE MEMORIES PAST of Lasting memories and traditions from our childhood holidays get passed down for generations. Residents of West Shore Village have shared some of their special memories that take us back to simpler times, which reminds us it’s more about people than it is about things. The positive roll of tradition: Traditions and rituals held by a family will inevitably tell a story about them and their past. Understanding where you come from and knowing you are a part of a bigger picture instills confidence. Families who engage in traditions report stronger connection and unity. Family traditions offer the comfort of being a constant in a world that seems to be increasingly fast paced and busy. Traditions allow us to look forward to a milestone in the future and reflect fondly on milestones in the past. Involvement with grandparents through tradition has a powerful outcome for children for creating lasting memories. These can be particularly important in adulthood when we reflect and move forward with creating their own traditions with friends, partners or family. EMILY BAYUS - Baking was a big thing during Christmas. We always baked a Christmas cake for the church which would be raffled. We used to make all our decorations. The weeks before were filled with hours of preparation for Christmas Day. We would place straw on the floor in one room of the house to remind us that Jesus was born in a manger. DZIDRA BERG - We went to Christmas mass in a sleigh with my parents and five siblings. We would make syrup out of sugar beets. We made yeast buns with chopped ham and onion inside. We would donate baked goods to the old age home and a home where people had leprosy. JOYCE BURGESS - We always baked a carrot pudding with hard sauce on top. Mom always took us to the Santa Claus parade. CATHERINE GREY - We lived in Oakville and would take our kids to the Santa Claus parade by Go train. It was a big adventure for the kids. As a child, my siblings and I would slide down the banister on Christmas Day when our parents weren’t looking. We would cushion any falls with pillows that we placed on the floor. JOYCE HEAYN - My grandmother made a White Christmas pudding that we ate as a first course. HELEN RYE - The night before Christmas, we would make sandwiches for Santa and leave them by the Christmas stockings. If there were crumbs on the plate the next morning, we knew that Santa had eaten his sandwich while he was at our home. RUTH GRANT - We would awlays leave cookies by the stockings for Santa. LESLIE SWARTELE - I grew up in Britain and Dad was a coal miner and we didn’t have much money. Our stockings would be filled with nuts, an apple or an orange and some chocolates if we were lucky. My siblings and I would sing carols to neighbours for a penny. MARIE GEER - Way back in the 1920 and 30’s, my Dad would give us a chunk of coal and wrap it in a one dollar bill! KAYE SMITH - We always made mincemeat pies all together as a family. Mom made Christmas pudding with caramel sauce. When we got older she would add brandy as well! HARRY MACKENZIE - My brother and I would get up in the middle of the night on Christmas eve and peek at our gifts. In the morning we never let on that we knew what our gifts were. West Shore Village continues the tradition of baking Christmas Fruit Cake. A very special thank you to Anne Goreski (far left). Anne has been baking more than 65 pounds of Christmas cake for residents, staff and family members for West Shore throughout the past 10 years. Helping her out with this is Beverly Krotowski, activities director (middle) and resident Kaye Smith.