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, anotit? way, only fifty 'weeks. since - Christmas. Think of that! - The arrival of Pituaaas i is being viewed on the Castor this year without the usual mixture of bitterness, animosity and jealous rivalry. Some have even been heard to say it may be a good thing. We have never been against Christmas. Our only cmplaint is that it comes at the wrong time of the year, like winter. If winter came in the summertime, it wouldn't be half as bad. There are people who would give up all this to spend Christmas in places like Florida or the Caribbean. Think of it! The beautiful, sparkling snow. The giant drifts on 417, where you need a conning tower and periscope. The warm fireplace, the roasting chestnut. Hands up, anyone who's had a roasted chestnut in the last ten years. Peanuts don't count. Give up all this? Not likely. The soft tinkle of the bells. What bells? There hasn't been a horse and cutter around here since 1921. They give up all this -- the furnace that suddenly stops, always at 2 a.m. and only when its twenty below. They give it up for some kind of.a condominium apartment on a beach somewhere, within sight of the Gulf Stream or the Caribbean, the rustling of the palms, the sun on a golden beach, the soft tinkling of ice cubes in a glass. Give up all this for.that? The lucky stiffs! Ward system? The result of the municipal election has been to leave the Village of Russell without resident representation on the Township Council. Len Marion is a good councillor and can be expected to take an interest in the affairs of Russell but his first con- cern will naturally be the community he comes from. The situation which leaves a village of 1,700 without adequate representation -illustrates the inefficiency of the present municipal system of representation. Anybody, from anywhere in the township can vote for any or all of the candidates for councillor. This is an exercise in negative democracy. A ward system should be istteducest in order to give adequate and continuing representation to 'every area and prevent. the kind of result we have just witnessed. Patriotism not odious There has been a growing tendency toward fragmenta- tion in Canada. First the Quebec referendum, then the Newfoundland off-shore oil controversy, and now Western alienation. Nepean-Carleton P..C. Member Walter Baker sym- pathizes with Ontario citizens who want a steady supply of oil at a reasonable price. But he feels that Ontario and Quebec are prepared to adjust to higher prices, as most in- dustrial countries have had to do. Mr. Baker regrets that Prime Minister Trudeau's failure to reach an acceptable compromise on oil-pricing policy will damage the Canadian manufacturing industry. But he believes the rage of Westerners should be directed at the Trudeau government rather than at the people of eastern Canada. And he is right. Surely the main thing all Canadians should remember is our common heritage of freedom and equality. The word "patriotism" may be odious to some, but it remains an essential part of being Canadian. CASTOR REVIEW "One Canada" Box 359, Russell, Ontario Tom Van Duse .. Submissions preferably typed, Editor: Associate : Sports: Jack McLaren, Editor, 445-2131; Gary Ris, Columnist 445-2069. News: 445-5709. Photographs: Suzanne Veh. 'publishable at the discretion of the editor. Published by Castor Publishing, Russell, Ontario. President: Thomas W. Van Dusen. Subscription rate: $3.50 a year; $4.50, out-of-country. Suzanne Schroeter, Advertising: -- Jude McGann Mark Van Dus F double-spaced are welcomed, . 445-3108. Printed by Performance Print- ing, Smiths Falls. : Subscriptions: Freddi Rodier, 445-2805. NEXT DEADLINE Bookkeeper: Joan Van Dusen, JAN. 12 445-2080. ° NEXT ISSUE Coming events: Jude McGann JAN. 24 Second Class. Mail Registration STAFF-MEETING No. 4218 ISSN 0707 -- 4956 'DEC: 18° | Christmas is Christmas anywhere, but Christmas in the country has a peculiar quality of its own. When you step outside on Christmas eve, the stillness grabs you. The stars are pin-pricks 'of 'golden light in the blue-black sky. The sharp-edged. cutouts of the trees worship Heaven in their own way. There is a singing in the night in which the heavens and stars seem to join. Sometimes a moving light in- dicates a man-made star, a satellite, tracing its puny course across the universe, even less significant than the balsa rafts which marked the first migrants by sea. If you are.fortunate enough to be near. a village, the church [steeples in the falling snow send, up their own special appeal under the stars. Memories stir, the jingle of bells, the clip-clop of forgotten ooves, the swish of runners in the ~ Christmas is Christmas snow. Up in the' morning by lamplight, putting on winter woolies and heavy boots, out to the barn for the chores still had to be done; and wasn't there something -symbolic about hay and straw and the smell of the animals on a Christmas morning? Of course, Christmas was the climax. Before Christmas there was the journey to town on the train with Dad and Mun, to pick up presents. The fairy land of crowded department stores, the jostling shoppers on the street with sparkling eyes and smiling faces, not worrying about the money they were spending, just _ thinking about the pleasure it would bring. These strange folk who got on big, red streetcars and rattled off to their homes on the outskirts, where Christmas carols came pouring in from: the table radios and the tree stood sparkling in the corner. "Sometimes trees looked better in In the country, you got a tobog- gan and an axe and went out to the woodlot and cut down a nice spruce. or fir for Christmas. the. woods than the living room and you had to go back more than once to get one that sat just right. However, it was' worth it when Christmas Day came and everyone gathered, warm and snug round the table with its glistening, golden turkey and cranberries and red wine and pull-crackers with fortunes inside them. Church services were an impor- tant part of the observation of Christmas and it was then, wading through the snow, with the sound of the old carols ringing in one's memories, that present, past and future seemed to come together for one blinding moment in the world's story. A moment that came back each year. Christmas was. Christmas. And still is. Go - Bless us, everyone! With Bruno Santilli I think that some knowledge of me by the reader, as well as issues which will be tackled to be able to reach a certain plateau are im- perative. I have been a Canadian citizen for 15 years. I love the beauty of this land as well as its people. I am proud to be counted among them. At present my wife and I operate the Feed Store Pizzeria and Maria and Bianca's Gift and Variety Store and- enjoy serving the community we live in. Although I did not remain long in school, I have a need to follow political issues the same as sports fans require to follow their par- ticular sport. runo "Beefs I do not long for a. political career but do want my rights as a citizen and taxpayer respected. The only way to guarantee this is not to be shy about voicing my opinion. Issues which we will cover are, our trade policies, government measures against inflation and unemployment, government spen- ding, foreign aid and immigration policies. Harmony within the governing bodies i.e., Federal vs. provincial; provincial and municipal. In other words, we will cover everything from soup to nuts. For the people who desire to become involved and hopefully Old Home preparations Russell is still planning Old Home Week, June 27 and 28, 1981. We need all the former. Russell residents and friends here that weekend to make it a success. Come and enjoy a tour of the Russell district, a swim in the pool, dancing to the music of the former Russ Hay orchestra, an ecumenical church service, and reminisce with old friends. Anyone having suggestions for this weekend plese send them along. If you plan to attend please advise us at your earliest con- venience so that plans can be finalized. Pass the word along to former residents and direct your cor- respondence to: Mr. Sandy Moffat, R.R. 2, Russell, Ont. or Mr. Paul Wylie, Dr. Frank Kinnaird Community Centre, Russell, - Ont. and handling included) to: The Castor Review Box 359 Russell, Ont. KOA 3B0 Name For Christmas Giving Don't forget "Poets of the Castor" -- an ideal gift. Poems by your friends and neighbours, local scenes sketched by Shirley Van Dusen, published by Castor Publishing. For your copy of "Poets of the Caster" send $2.50 (postage Address City & Prov. Postal Code_ No. of copies Amount enclosed ing sky. help get the country back to the people as equity rather than a mortgaged asset, write to me. Box 520, Russell, KOA 3BO. ~ "POETS OF THE... CASTOR 5 COMPARISON Many a night Have I lain by your side, Recalling fond memories - Of our encounter. I know that sometimes Our devotion for each other Is diminished, by our burdens But just a moment longer And eternity will be Within our grasp. Ponder but for only an instant The expanse of the universe, And know the depth of my desire. Listen to the stillness Feel its intensity, And know my love. Sleep my love Do not let my hand Waken you As it slowly travels over your breast, To feel your heart beat So that it may rejoice Just like an infant From its mother's Touch and laughter. --Bruno Santilli Christmas Eve Slowly, slowly falls the snow On Christmas Eve, Past the old church tower, -Rising like a ship where The snow falls softly in the night Gently whispering of days that us- ed to be; Laughter rises easily On Christmas-Eve, Echoing under winking stars And trees burdened with a canopy of snow; Laughter rises and floats in the air _Playing a tune on the icicles ow: ing from the eaves Of the old, red brick church Where light glows softly through coloured panes And the snow falls softly down And laughter rises And echoes under the stars And the moon is early abed Like a Roman coin in the glitter- --Thomas Van Dusen