This month’s column is about Christmas memories. I have many, but iI think my favourite is when my grandfather played the fiddle. He was very good at it, and he used to play at country dances in and around Fort Saskatchewan where we grew up.

My Grandfather was the youngest of 12 children of Irish parents, and 9 of his siblings married local residents in the Fort and some in the country areas southeast of the Fort. So, I have many Irish cousins in and around Edmonton. One of his brothers could play the harmonica, and he would stand facing my grandfather and move the foot-long harmonica so that Grandpa and Uncle Bill could play the harmonica at the same time, while Grandpa would play the fiddle in tune. They were amazing musicians and made our Christmas times priceless.

The Board and staff of the BSCL invite you to reflect on past memories of Christmas as we approach the holiday season. We all wish our community members a safe and Merry Christmas!

Alf White is the President of the Boyle Street Community League.