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shelves (Ours is a retailâ€"related business and at this time of year 1 wish nothing but success to those whose lives and liveliâ€" hood are ned to the commercial side of the season. But let us not also forget the spinitual side, the side that carnes us long after the Elmos of the world are faded fads. For this is the season when human interest stories reign supreme. and heartâ€"tugging tales of hardship are juxtaposed with those of caring and compassion. We hear Food Bank accounts ol single parents eating every other day so their ids wont 40 hungry; at the same time the parishioners at ur church and so many others flood the altars and bins with food . nd toys for the needy. We decline the extra lotâ€" tery ticket ind instead drop a toonie in the Salvation Army bucket We feel stretched and pulled financially, but increase ‘ur donation to the United Way. We know of those facing first Christmas without loved ones, and extend offers to them . and others to share our supper. We volunteer with no expectation of reward, aid complete strangers who are vicâ€" tims of misfortune, and support those close to us who value wur {nendship more than anything money can buy. It is there, within us at all times, this humanitarian side, and thankfully, we have this season every year to remind us [ its importance. And if you know Elmo like I know Elmo that‘s exactly how the little guy would want it. Bless you all and Merry Chnstmas. [Â¥ Tickle Me Elmo. Yup, as far o P \ as the eye could see, from one | * . end of the aisle to the other, P% a4 our little Sesame Street red A furball, 1996 variety. One of f '35 the boys picked one up and ‘&4’?‘ P squeezed it, causing this is delightful little Elmo giggle | followed by wild gyrations Rick Campbeil Immediately, the brothers joined in, and before 1 could say. "oh goodness gracious me", they had tickled the entire row. Now, if you think watching one Tickle Me Elmo is funny, you should have seen our gang in hysterics as this ntire row of toys danced around the shelf, causing any shoppers within 100 feet to wheel around wondering at the mmotion It was a funny sight, what isn‘t at all funny is the frenzy irrounding this furry little guy as it zooms past all other v to the top of the most wanted list. We went through it all with the Cabbage Patch Kids, and the Power Rangers and if widespread pandemonium and injured s orkers ars any indication, well, the times aren‘t aâ€"changin is {ast as mbanx would like. Bless the anonymous donor wt chewed financial gain to donate an Elmo to a sick ingster at Kâ€"W Health Centre. Of course, yes, I pity the t parents (and Santa‘) saddled with the request from heir youngsters and who want to avoid at all costs disapâ€" pointing on Christmas morning. To them, 1 urge healthy loses of creativity to bndge the gap between now and say, March when hundreds of Tickle Me Elmos will be on the While Beth was out of town, 1 was getting some film developed and to kill some time, took the kids to Kâ€"Mart‘s toy department. After a scan of the latest video products, we headed off for the more traditional toy stops, featuring the ubrquitous action figures, Barbie version whatever, and 1996s hottest item at that point, Buzz Lightyear. Then we turned a corner to rows of plush animals, the usual fare. As As we turn our thoughts to all the gloriousness of the coming (sooner than we think) holiday season, 1 can‘t help but think back to an October Saturday afternoon at Conâ€" estoga Mall Tug‘s Lire Acts of kindness tickle our fancy [P" t ” Published every Wednesday by The Fairway Group 240 Holiday Inn Dr. Unit F Cambridge ON December 18, 1996 Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product ____ Agreement #136379 . _ WATERLOO CHRONICLE any parent is, | was so accusâ€" tomed to the display that 1 hardly noticed an entire row, at least 40â€"50 side by side, of a fuzzy little guy. & Unigue cift Ideas \[§]] COMPARE WTTH THEM & WE KNOW YOUILL SHOP WTTH I Your Educational Development Centre 4M King Street N., Waterloo, (519) 884â€"3954 Mon. â€" Wed. 10 : $30 pm . Trus & in 10 & tm ' Seturday 10â€"5 pm Suncay 18â€"Â¥ om * % 42 en nc WATERL on gDC m PaTEnioo "sff OVER 300 FRIENDLY STORES & SERVICES. Convement PArignic Call /Qday for programme information or . to set up an assessment! \ We can help your child &S ®, achieve better grades! sdeiiiaadl your Educational Development Centre will design a programme 10 help your child overcome their difficulties in: 2 READING @ _ COMPREHENSION © _ MATHEMATICS WRITING L:z‘-,cml-m Exterdied Chesimas Hours Above the Duke o/ Welingion M _ L L sn .t Troy &A mith & family * & Mark & Renate & family: George McLaughlin % Harry Stecie Larry & Donna Weiler ie & Jenny Lehmann Michael, Lisa & Dane " & Fred Arthur Loretta, Howard & y _ § Simon Ditner The Berry F-'nily} Joseph Berry Rob and Nicole 4 Matti Main Doug Muelier .4 Dale Muelicr Chuck and Tricia Hal, Brad, Gord David Roewade Svend Roewade Muriel & Bob Naylor Matilda & Stewart Ormand Alaina MacDonald "Scribbles" MacDonald Hammic and Daniel and _ Anton Jgcewicz, Patty Crocker, Hermine Rose Jqcewicz Grandma and Grandpa Tran Mary and Ben Bill‘s Mom June Hartlicb Peter Frit; Vivian Martin Kathaleen Bamberger J. and N. De Souza C. Brand (Fergus) Rob, Denise and Kids _ Aunt Sharon (Owen Sound) Brian Brandon Larry Gingrich, Billy Kell Grant, Toby, CJ. _ Vernon Egerdeen Dave Petro and Anita Gatti our Grandmothers Chery! Hugill Susan Paton McLellan, Martin family Sue Martin Harry Kozak Marie Wilims Ruth Damyanovich Julia Damyanovich Christine Soucie Bessic Soucic Joan and Emelie Owens Jris and George Owens Louann and Trudy Flanagan John Habich L.T. Flanagan Austin Flanagan John and Lisa Visentin Reno Visentin ‘ Robin and Win Yardley Harry M. Precuc 3 J. and G. Shuto Lynda & Steve Grammenos John and Lisa Visentin Reno Visent:: Robin and Win Yardley Harry M. Prec Doug and Angela Campbell Marion Lew: Carole 13th Waterloo Girl Guides } Girl Guides around the world Frank and Nancy Mensink Harold Peck and Ann Mensink N. Socha Margaret Harv i) K. and C. Kieswetter F. and Wayne Kicswetier and family NAME OF PURCHASER . INMEMoORY or Sandy and Bill Weiler * Cladys Weiler Marge & Tom McCaulley Oladys Weiler Joan & Wayne McKinnon Gladys Weiler Kâ€"W Zonta Club Pat Skippâ€"Beer Kâ€"W Zonta Club Beity Thompson Janice Fieischmann 13th Waterloo Girl Guides Mr. and Mrs. Ted Cross he Willam C. Schmitt Susan McLaren $ Heather Ross . jam Bolger Wi % Hetty Lee t . istna Carson i Schweder * % Garvey & family . * Thomas Heague A00.imnnti t c mclnait 14 women lulled Sn Dec. 6/89 in Montreal i Altha Schmitt Jack Galaszia and Kostas Grammer / Nana Monk and Dim Beity Thompson Moly Action Centre at help match lpedfltjohyzi Action Centre of the lives of (SPEI LIMITED LANES VOLV