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stux weekenpeb january 11 1997 p 11 blizzard of presents will be slowed down in 1997 now that weve filed 1996 for future reference pm proclaiming a new years resolution by way of a plea to family friends santa claus and all others given to the overindulgence of young children please please please target someone elses offspring this year for our son drew the past year has been one endless act of ripping the wrap ping paper off gifts ranging from tiny trinkets through giant plastic art cen tres its bad enough most years when this four year old product of two diver- gent religious and cultural backgrounds is on the receiving end of the spoils that fall to kids on christmas chanukkah easter passover and any other designat ed excuse for a gift giving frenzy ttirow in the copious extravagance show each year by my wifes parents at drews birthday hes one of only three grand children and for boobies and zaidies kids are more important than hockey is for most canadians and you get the idea but this year with the coming of a little brother drew reaped an extra har vest of big brother presents from people looking to reduce the feelings of dimin- ishment that can take over when the arrival of a new born sibbling suddenly knocks a kid off his perch the gifts con tinued to pour in for weeks after griffins birth it got to the point where drew would hold out both hands instinctively whenever there was a knock at the door one day during the recently past week of chanukkah drew informed me that it was now the second day of chanukkah and that he had already added another candle flame to the cloth menorah and candles that hung on the walls as i had watched my wifes mother read him a kids book outlining the origins of the annual jewish tradition a few days ear lier i thought td take the opportunity to 9 from where 1 live w bruce stapley see how much had sunk in what does it mean that its the second day of chanukkah i asked him it means i get another present tonight he respond ed with an eager smile as the number of presents swelled under our christmas tree in the days leading to the big day drew became a lit tle put off when he was told that most of the brightly wrapped gifts were for other family members santa would surely come down the chimney on christmas eve with a few presents for him as well we assured him but it was clear a year of runaway indulgences had taken its toll now were in 1997 it will be a good three months before the easter bunny comes by to begin the process anew in the meantime susan and i will impose an outright ban on any gifts that might come his way easter and passover booty will be closely monitored and come grif fins birthday in june drew will receive modest loot just like his cousin the sum mer months will bring with them anoth er strictly enforced drought leading to a controlled showering of birthday bounty in october next years chanukkah will see gift giving restrict ed to just one night and with any luck the new approach will see drews prechristmas drooling over anticipated gifts reduced to a mere trickle this column will be mailed to family friends and other guilty parties with a blown up copy also to be hung in our house oh and a belated happy new year join in the fun mid winter dance reservations recommended saturday january 18 muic provided by ne nappy aurjans music dining dancing 198 main street unionville 9054772715 markhams newest neighbourhood pub 16 fine beers ales on tap excellent homemade foods 905 ww2m9 6061 hwy 7 east markham sheltie pub s arena 1997 is already starting to heat up all consumes gas the appliance centre 311 consumers gas the appliance centre come into the appliance centre today and discover why theres never been a better time to purchase a natural gas range ask for our catalogue and receive valuable coupons for selfclean and easyclean ranges valid until january 31 1997 and if youre in the market for a natural gas pool heater theres a 100 savings coupon valid for the month of march 1997 great savings on natural gas appliances expert advise and easy payments youll find it all at the appliance centre ill consumers gas mon the appliance centre the gas company store with over 20 stores across ontario markham 4997 highway 7 905 4758071 wed 900 am 530 pm thurs fri 900 am 900 pm sat 900 am 500 pm sun noon 500 pm on approved credit registered trademark of consumers gas co ltd