In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith offers a Christmas Greeting to readers and also reminisces a bit about Christmases past along with a few old photos associated with this festive time of year.

Greetings and all the best of the season to everyone on this beautiful day. At our house we celebrate Christmas as a season so by now our decorations have been up and enjoyed for quite a while. Christmas-themed dishes, wine glasses and coffee mugs have been in evidence for the entire month of December. I'm as old fashioned as can be and it wouldn't be Christmas without a supply of the normally dreaded fruitcake and a container of mincemeat delights. I also think you can't hang out the "Official" sign on Christmas dinner without a dish of cranberries. We use a special depression glass serving piece for them that has to be at least 80 or more years old, a family heirloom needless to say. Sitting by the fireplace and sipping your favourite sherry might also be listed as a pleasurable way to spend some time on a cold winter's night.
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This time of year is a lot about observing traditions and reviving old memories. It is a time to be in contact with those who we might not often see but still feel close with even though we may be miles apart. Nothing warms one's heart more than a card, a call or even an email even though you can't hang the latter on your mantel. I am amazed that people just naturally seem to be more friendly, helpful and just downright 'nice' toward each other around this time of year. I wish it would last. It is also a time when we naturally think about those special people who once shared our Christmases but are no longer here; their memory becomes a gift in itself.

Evening Shadows by famed artist Harold Burton shows how children used to entertain themselves long before the days of highly organized sports. Youngsters skated and played various games on makeshift ice surfaces wherever they could be found. Christmas holidays were a highlight of the year.

I have seen more than a few Christmases by now and enjoyed them as a child, a teen, an adult, a husband and parent and now several years as a grandparent. God willing the joy of being a great grandfather may one day come but I will not rush it. I can recall the days when Christmases were much 'leaner' than what we know today. As a young child I can remember being invited into some people's home just down the road from our place, they wanted to show my friend and I their Christmas tree. How proud were they, it was certainly fully loaded, not a bare spot was to be seen. One thing seemed a bit different and it took me a while to figure it out. There were NO lights; they did not have electricity but I'm sure they enjoyed their Christmas just as much as everyone else!

Not long ago I learned that buried deep within the lore of Christmas is something of interest to horse-loving people. Unknown to most people (myself included until very recently) is the fact that apparently St. Nicholas' sleigh was drawn by a white mare long before reindeer came into the picture. She must have been quite a mare if it took eight reindeer to replace her!

Santa still comes to our house

I recall a couple of years, probably while still in my teens, that I worked for a Florist as a 'delivery boy'. It wasn't like a real job, it was more like having fun and getting paid for it (at that time the hourly wage may have been approaching $ 1.00). Part of my qualifications included the fact that I knew where everybody lived for miles around which was an asset. I got to visit many homes to deliver poinsettias and other greenery and enjoyed seeing the many ways people celebrated the holidays. I also got to drive a 50's something Ford station wagon whose brakes were not the best. At the end of a long day the owner and I would usually sit and discuss the day's happenings.

I would like to thank the many people who read Rewind each week and for those who have helped by supplying personal stories, old photographs and precious memories; I am indebted to you one and all. I would also like to express my appreciation to the folks at Standardbred Canada for providing an avenue dedicated to remembering the past.

I am blessed in countless ways to have a strong circle of family and friends to share this time of year with. We all love Christmas and enjoy being together making new memories. We have already enjoyed a number of 'fun' things this season including a Christmas musical concert, a Confirmation, a couple of family birthdays and the two little gals pictured below came for a special pre-Christmas luncheon with Mom and Dad. They've both changed a wee bit since then.

Our society was built on strong family values and I think they are as important as ever, probably more so. Enjoy the season.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year To All.

Years ago, the arrival by mail of what we normally called "The Christmas Number" was a sure sign of Christmas and in general the Holiday Season. All racing journals put out these special editions usually in early to mid-December. In addition to the regular contents, they featured a lot of great photographs and write-ups about the prominent stables of the day. This applied particularly in the U.S. where all the major owners and drivers looked forward to this opportunity to 'strut their stuff'. The write-ups included winner's circle photos, special races won and sometimes "tables" showing the earnings and wins of a certain horse.

​​A simple yet meaningful Canadian Sportsman Christmas Edition front cover from almost 50 years ago. This great publication which dates back to the 1800's was found in the homes of most Standardbred fanciers across the land.

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From experience I can recall my father treasuring these annual 'gems'. He always subscribed to at least three or four journals and when they came in, he set them aside for a special time when he would go through each one cover to cover. This was normally the week between Christmas and New Year's Day​ when things were generally a little 'quieter'​. I learned that if you did want to read one it was OK, but you had better put it back where you found it!!

In later years "The Christmas Number" remained a special happening but became somewhat more business-like or commercialized in nature where people purchased a spot in the racing magazine and issued their Seasonal Greetings. Most often a picture or pictures accompanied the message and included family members and sometimes associates​.​ This of course continues to the present day​.

I have copied a few which may bring back memories. I am indebted to The Standardbred magazine for the original messages.

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