In this week's Rewind Robert Smith delivers his annual Christmas message to readers as he has done for a number of years.  With the Christmas season upon us he reflects on how this wonderful time of the year has changed over the years but also much has remained the same.  The theme of caring and sharing seems to remain despite the ever changing times we all experience.  A few old Christmas themed pictures are also included. 

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Each year when I set about writing the annual Christmas message I find that it is one that I always enjoy doing  but also sometimes find it hard to compose.  It is always my hope and aim to come up with something interesting.  There is so much to enjoy about the festive season and while not everyone beyond childhood gets excited about the celebrations there is still a lot to like about this time of year.  

In past Christmas Rewinds I have most often strayed away from the usual "horse-based" stories and include a few personal memories I have collected over a lifetime.  In the weeks leading up to today I decided to go back and read some of the many Christmas columns I have written in years gone by.  One of the things I enjoyed most about reading many of them was not so much what I had written but every bit as interesting has been the reader's comments.  

I did decide to repeat something I included in a Christmas message several years ago as it will always apply at this time of year. 

"The practice of gift giving is as old as Christmas itself and always an important part of each and every holiday celebration. While we may think of gifts as only being purchased at a store or now online and neatly-wrapped, we can all give a special gift without any expense or having to get out of our favourite chair. Call, text or email someone and tell them they are special; not only on this day but always. I often think of an old yet always meaningful saying. Most people don't care how much you know, but they do like to know how much you care."

It seems that the whole idea of Christmas tends to conjure up a feeling of goodwill and kindness toward others. I always have the feeling that we could all probably extend that a bit beyond just one season of the year. 

REMEMBER WHEN? 

One of my favourite times at our family Christmas gatherings happens each year and in the most informal way.   Whenever possible we try to all eat at the same table (as long as we have enough chairs).  Once the meal is over and some necessary cleanup has been completed, people gather around the table for some good old family time.  Stories of Christmases past and other treasured family tales are exchanged.  The art of passing down family stories and traditions seemingly never grows old.  I have read recently how important it is to talk to each other and share  memories of happy times spent together. 

Christmas List 

I recently read a story from about 30 or more years ago involving racing at Pompano Park in Florida.  It seems around 1991 that a horse with a real "Christmassy" name had a hot streak right around holiday time.  I think a sort of club was formed "The Fan Racing Stable" to follow this particular horse named Christmas List  as part of the holiday season.  

A quote from the article read, "A son of High Ideal, Christmas List is 'a classy horse,' trainer Bud Foster said. The pacer is a full-brother to the world-record holder Trim The Tree, who had a mark of 1:53 3/5 as a two-year-old in 1980. 'We’ve had him since he was baby and he’s just a good, old horse,'” said his owner Richard Laviana, 78, a Pompano resident. “It’s been a lot of fun.” In seven races for the stable, Christmas List had won two and been on the board six times for earnings of $8,631 at this time.  

Through a bit of research I found the following about this horse with a memorable name.

 

"Though there are many Standardbreds with Christmas-themed names, Christmas List — whose dam was named Tinsel — is the highest money earner. He won more than $270,000 at the track."

A Few Of My Favourite Christmas Scenes 

Until fairly recently we had quite a few reindeer that frequently visited our backyard.  I didn't ever see Santa Claus actually picking them up or dropping them off but I'm pretty sure they were part of his entourage.  It made a good story to go along with Christmas especially for little children.   

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Years ago one of the highlights of each Christmas season was the day we attended my company's children's party.  The kids all got to sit on Santa's knee and also got a nice present from Jolly Old St. Nick.   These little gals have grown up quite a bit since this was taken. 

These are a couple of my favourite Christmas pictures (above and below)  taken many years ago when our then young grandchildren visited  "The John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area" a local heritage attraction.  Here they experienced the customs of a typical Christmas time in pioneer days from the 19th century.   

Stringing popcorn can be fun as shown above 

Back in the day we children found some simple ways to entertain ourselves long before every toy needed a battery or now even a WiFi connection.  With my older brother supplying the "horsepower" and a couple of pieces of binder twine for lines we were able to put in quite a bit of outdoor time.  I still can't believe I got to be the driver. 

I can still remember when Rewind started back in 2009.  After approaching Standardbred Canada about the possibility of having some old stories and photos of historical and nostalgic interest published on their website I eventually had a phone call from Jeff Porchak.  When he asked what I planned to write about a slightly scary thought crept into my head. What if I run out of ideas and within a month or two I have to back out?  Now almost 15 years and many moons have passed.  I have no idea of the exact number but I suspect I've written at least 500 Rewinds! It seems that every time a topic gets used at least one more appears on the list to take its place. 

In closing I would like to wish everyone in the Rewind audience the merriest of Christmases and the best of the coming New Year. My thanks to those of you who enjoy reading my tales of bygone days and for the many who send in comments or contact me personally. You folks make this all worthwhile. As I have done in previous years, I would also like to thank Standardbred Canada for making Rewind a regular feature of their website. Remembering our past is so important.

Quote For The Week: "Above all, I hope that happiness and love surround you this Christmastime."

Who Is It?  

Christmas time and young children seem to go together.  Can you name these two young lads from a photo taken quite a long while ago?  

Who Else Is It?  

Can you name the two people in this Christmas picture from many years ago?