16 — Sunday, December 29, 1996 — North Shore News Celebrating Hogmanay in the North sO erwmenerccccscressererenseoncenvcoseese: oonee HOGMANAY was the big time in our winter celebrations in the North. Christmas was important of course, with its attention to children’s wishes and fam- ily togetherness, that sort of sentimentality. But the New Year’s cele- bration was the real YAHOO time, the rootin’ tootin’ highlight of the long, long winters, There was always 2 New Year’s dance in the Princess Ballroom — man, that was a very elegant description of the reality of what was only a large floor with a bunch of kitchen chairs around the walls. b ns it ponetheless rought the populace out in their best finery, In fact, one immigrant from Boston wouldn’t dream of coming in anything but his tuxedo, the only one we ever saw. Genio, who ran the local _ dance band in his spare time, ~ did his darnedest on his pre- cious saxophone. There were a lot of tough AYLORMOTIV wa SenvICE LTO. Scots people in the North in those days — probably still are, they're that kind of peo- ple,ready to grapple with life, so that’s why the “Hogmanay” tag. It was also the reason for the “First Footing” that took place on those New Year’s Eves. No dance in the North ever started before eleven o’clock (I guess it was so the trappers and tie-hackers who came to town for this once a year frolic could get properly oiled befurehand). So there was jots of time after dinner to get dolled up and map your evening tour before the dance started and the dancing would go on until the dawn’s carly light. You carried your dancing shoes, if you had any sense — the weather was always frightful at that time of year anyway — and there was often no alternative to get- ting there except on foot. Tt was surely true in my case. Our house was around the far side of Connaught Hill, but when I had achieved its eastern extremity I would see the little town ittering quietly below. The Fouses I most enjoyed visiting were beyond the public school of my youth, up on the Crescent, and it was probably well below zero by the time I set out, but one layered the body with one thing and another and triumphed most BRAKE SPECIALISTS PU: B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. - APPROVED | BRAKES - LIFETIME WARRANTY | (on shoes or pads) & CONSULTATION OUR 36TH YEAR L176, PEMBERTON AVE. PLVAN. 985-7465 TALKING [| V7z0.2000 LZL#isis.- ‘Pack inThe Saving Our New Year's Sale! Save 15% to 50% on selected Items! Fer the entire month of January, T&T will have you ing up the savings with everything you'll need to packing up it, cook it, bake it and serve it up. Vancouver's mest complete store for cooks helps make cooking and entertaining fun and exciting. Tools and Techniques also offers gourmet cooking dasses and demonstrations. Tools and Techniques Lia. ——— The Store For Cooks ——— 250- 16th Street - West Vancouver Tel: (604) 925-1835 Store Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-6 « Fri 9-9 « Sot 9-6 «Sun 12-5 times. Ifyou did end up freezing your nose or your toes there was an instant remedy handy — you rubbed the affected part with snow. My favorite for the First Foot was the Pieman’s house, the home of the man who was of great consequence in the town — he owned and ran the music store. All manner of ways to 66 The First Footing ritual was supposed to bring good for- tune to the house, especially if the actual first visitor to set foot on the threshold was a male with dark hair.9§ make and hear and share music fay in his store, and he seemed to get as much plea- sure from it as his customers. This First Footing ritual was supposed to bring good fortune to the house, espe- Cially if the actual first visitor to sct foot on the threshold was a male with dark hair. Ir seems to me he also ought to have in his hand a piece of bread. Certainly it was a lovely neighborly start to the rough I Peak-flow meters are an essential | part of good asthma control. they ive an instant snapshot of your a thmatic condition. Check aah wr doctor about guidelines f then come see us for # ruse instructions on using one. Another year has gone by t and i § | would like to wish you afl a ve | happy and healthy 1997. Thank you for all your kind commenis § f about this column. We look forward } to serving you throughout 1997 § | with fest service by our great § apt py New Year! Free Parking Free Delivery for Pharmacy Prescriptions DAVIES PHARMACY 1401 St. Georges 985-8771 staff. Soe Phe District ol What's Happening in Our District ; style of living, even in the north, has been transformed as the town became a very big city, the kind of place where the stranger is a stranger, not an opportunity for sharing hospitality. We've lost some good things. But Happy Hogmanay anyway, winter that would last for several months yet. It will have become just a legend now, in the North, the idea of greeting and refreshing anyone who knocks on your door. The By Steven Berkott “A screaming roller-coaster vide." Globe and Mail ttlarious. Never a dull morsent.” Vancouver Sun ‘Suck a Jewel, £ menecparfect production.” : * . PRESENTATION HOUSE - | 990-3474 Jan 3 - Feb 8 New Year brings new schedule for garbage collection arbage routes and schedules are being 4| adjusted in the New Year. These changes will ensure that the District continues to deliver the most efficient service to all households in our community. © Check the revised map to identify the zone and collection day for your household, starting January 2. These days will change at Easter, when, as usual, you should “add-a-day” after each statutory holiday. Sua ssen secs mcesensaacasans, CiTyY OF NORTH VANCOUVER Garbage Calendars for the full year are being delivered door-to-door. Watch your mail box. On your collection day, remember: * have all material at the curb by 8:00 a.m., * continue to practice the 3Rs -- reduce, reuse and recycle. For more information on collection route adjustmenis and schedules, please call 990-3830. *