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- Letters
to Editor
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- The
Wayback Times wants to hear from our readers.
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- We
welcome all Letters to the Editor, be they bouquets or barbs,
or content suggestions.
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- Sandy
and Peter Neilly also invite readers to share their varied antiques
and collectibles memories.
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- You
can post your Letter to
the
Editor, or e-mail it to us. Please include your name and address.
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- You
can also share your thoughts in a visit to our new Guestbook.
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- By Sandy Neilly
- It’s time to dig out the woollies, don the ear muffs
and try to match up all those odd gloves again. The winter coat
will be pulled from the back of the closet and if you are really
lucky, you will find something great in the pocket (like money)
or, if your luck is like mine, you will find the remnants of
something that might have been edible about seven months ago.
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- Yes, winter is coming, heralded quietly by the month of November,
which brings with it solemn skies and a certain silence born
of leafless trees and the absence of our songbirds. It is a time
for reflection and remembering.
- It seems fitting that Remembrance Day is observed in this
somber month, a time between the carefree days of summer and
the preparations for the upcoming holiday season. Remembrance
Day stands alone, dignified and earnest, a day of honour and
sadness. The voices of those lost in battle, and those still
living with the fearsome memories, implore us to recall their
plight. A minute’s silence seems hardly adequate to convey
our gratitude and our respect.
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- MacGregor Roulston is a very dear friend of ours who not
only fought overseas in WWII, but was also taken prisoner after
being wounded. Mac doesn’t care much to talk about the atrocities
of the battlefields, and being aware of this we were hesitant
to ask if he would consider being our guest for “Out to
Lunch” in this issue. We were deeply honoured when he said
yes. You will be touched by the courage and devotion that defined
Mac as a young man and define him still as a person all these
years later. His love for our great country rings as true and
strong as it ever did. It has never wavered. And if you thought
those honourable traits are lacking in today’s younger generation,
please see the adjoining column.
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- Inevitably, as November gives way to December, we all have
to accept the fact that Indian summer is not coming back for
a long time, despite our fervent wishes. The cheery, bright lights
and decorations of the upcoming holiday season are a welcome
sight on chilly, dark nights. The bite of the cold wind is diminished
a little when seasonal festivities, shared by friends and family,
bring warmth and laughter to the gatherings. We become accutely
aware of how blessed we are.
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- This is the time of gift giving, which means that we, as
the givers, have to determine what our gift recipients would
really like to receive. In the Neilly family, we have chosen
to simplify gift giving by drawing one name each for Christmas.
This has turned out very well and, in addition, we can now actually
see the Christmas tree the gifts are in front of. Another advantage
to drawing one name is you can devote more time and thought to
the gift you are hoping to find. It is always a pleasure to draw
the name of a family member who collects something and who will
likely cherish an item that hasn’t been purchased in a department
store. The inevitable question of “Where did you find this?”
often leads to a great story since gifts of antiquities or collectibles
are seldom purchased at the first shop you enter.
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- It has been my experience that the “task” of buying
for a collector (even if they don’t know they are one yet)
is almost as rewarding as the pleasure you see on their face
when they open their gift. Indeed, you might have to go searching
for it, but with the outstanding assortment of antique and collectible
shops, shows and markets in Ontario, this becomes a labour of
love, part of the ritual. The search becomes an integral part
of the seasonal enjoyment … and you are quite likely to
find a thing or two for yourself along the way. (Of course, you
don’t set out with this in mind … it just sometimes
happens! We call it Vintage Retail Therapy).
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- To add to the pleasure of the search, the ambiance of an
antique shop or market far exceeds that of the typical department
store any day. Maybe this is derived from a comforting sense
of our past, of history gathered from all the wonderful treasures
that have survived to claim a new place in the lives of another
generation (or two or three) and the knowledge these items have
been cared for by other hands before your own.
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- It might serve you well to pay attention when you visit your
friends and family. Seek to learn what delights them. Even if
it is something you have little interest in, be enthused by their
passion or enjoyment. Just knowing the gift you are giving is
likely unique and isn’t being opened in every other home
in North America should give you a certain sense of satisfaction.
You have entrusted a tiny bit of history, whether it is glass,
vintage jewellery or some piece of primitive Canadiana, into
someone else’s caring hands. It is such a pleasure to see
genuine delight when this gift is opened.
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- Enjoy the season. Make the warmth in your heart bigger than
the chill in the air. Rummage gently through those battered old
boxes of decorations you have hauled down from the attic and
savour the memories of happy bygone holidays with every ornament
you unwrap. Whether you know it or not, you are in the process
of making new memories, just as bright and just as precious.
We hope whatever celebration you partake in will find a memorable
and cherished place in your heart this year.
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- A very special thanks to the families with members in the
Canadian Armed Forces. We will be praying for their safety and
honouring them in our hearts. We wish you, and our torn and troubled
world, peace.
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- Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best to you and
yours from the Wayback Times. And, as Tiny Tim said, “God
bless us, every one.”
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- Remembrance Day
A Time to Pay Tribute to our War Vets and Present Day Soldiers
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- Many of us read accounts in our local paper or see reports
on TV regarding the plight of our Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
For many of us, it is just more news. We are far enough removed
from it that the full impact or implications don't always hit
home. But for those who are family or friends to these young
soldiers, the whole perspective of the events occurring becomes
more intense. They are constantly reminded of all the horrible
possibilities are are continually whispering prayers for safety
and peace for their loved ones.
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- Frank and Mary Russell are antiques dealers in the Peterborough
area and they live with this reality every day. Their sons, Sgt.
Scott Russell and Corp. Matthew Russell, (both from Peterborough)
were deployed to Afghanistan with Canadian Forces RCK 1 Division,
out of Petawawa in early August of this year. They face increased
possibilities of injury on a daily basis from the Taliban forces.
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- Recently, during routine duties, Scott suffered shrapnel
injuries, but being one of the fortunate ones, he has completely
recovered and has returned to duty. Both Scott and Matthew face
front line battles every day, dealing with suicide bombers, fire
fights, road side attacks and land mines. They have seen many
of their comrades injured and have sent far too many home to
be laid to rest.
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- Family and friends of our soldiers need our support and prayers.
Their days are cloaked in worry and the dread of bad news. Each
battle reported strikes fear into their hearts and makes emotions
raw. A grave sadness is felt with the injury or death of any
of these brave young men and women.
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- At this time of "Remembrance," let's keep in mind
our war vets, our present day soldiers and all the families and
friends their lives touch. Help celebrate "Red Fridays"
by wearing something red each Friday to show your support for
our troops. This is an opportunity for each of us, as Canadians,
to support our military women and men as they quietly go about
their duties to make Canada a safer place to live.
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- Editorial Archives
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