Christmas with Kawartha Lakes City Councillors

While city business is important for our community, sometimes it’s just nice at this time of year to remember the important things in life that unite us – like holiday baked goods. Here then, is the Advocate’s not-so-serious poll of Kawartha Lakes councillors.

Emmett Yeo – Ward 1

Favourite holiday tradition?

Christmas Eve starts with last minute shopping, cooking a big turkey, wrapping gifts with the never-ending roll of paper I bought many years ago, then candlelight service at Pioneer Baptist Church.

Strangest gift ever received?

A miniature marble statue of David from my sister-in-law Dana.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

Hash brown casserole is a fan favourite at our house and is always better when made the day before. Not really a baking treat, but yummy.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

I am a Hot Wheels racetrack assembler extraordinaire. I’m looking forward to reviving this life skill for my new grandson Bennett.

Pat Warren – Ward 2

Favourite holiday tradition?

Every Christmas Eve must include the viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life and the original A Christmas Carol, in black and white.

Strangest gift ever received?

A small plastic chicken that laid an egg when you pushed down on it.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

My favourite Christmas sweet is plum pudding with hard sauce. Yum.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

My superpower is preventing my kitties from destroying the Christmas Tree.

Mike Perry – Ward 3

Favourite holiday tradition?

My long-lost sister coming to visit from Spain, then jumping in the car to get a tree from our family’s land in Kinmount.

Strangest gift ever received?

Cologne from my aunt one year called “Buckeroo.” I was 13. In my aunt’s defence: it was the 80s.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

My late mother’s Christmas cake pudding for dessert on Christmas Day.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

Not needing sleep.a

Dan Joyce – Ward 4

Favourite holiday tradition?

One year we watched Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase when my daughter was old enough. She is 28 now and we still get together to watch this silly movie each year and laugh at all the same parts.

Strangest gift ever received? 

A toss-up between the lump of coal, or the homemade stocking of grey duct tape and a coat hanger, both from the same brother.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

My mother’s Christmas cookies — hands down, the best anywhere.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

Sleep – it’s the only time of year I get any.

Eric Smeaton – Ward 5

Favourite holiday tradition?

Each year we participate in the Living Christmas Pageant at Cambridge Street United Church. I play percussion/timpani, and Sue and Harrison are shepherds (with real life sheep).

Strangest gift ever received?

ABBA Gold. “Why did you do that, Mommy? Why!?”

Favourite holiday baking treat?

When I was a little boy I couldn’t wait for my best friend Jody’s mom – Mrs. Lundy – to make her Christmas almond bark.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

The amazing power of football endurance. I am somehow able to watch three, sometimes four college games in a day!

Ron Ashmore – Ward 6

Favourite holiday tradition?

My favourite Christmas tradition is food related. We enjoy a New Zealand Christmas dessert called Pavlova. My wife, Catherine, is from New Zealand and this is a custom there that she passed on to me and our family.

Strangest gift ever received?

Years ago one of our Holstein cows delivered healthy triplet calves.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

Mince meat tarts.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

Looking after family and constituents at the same time. Last year during the Christmas snowstorm I was out with my son getting people out of the snow and making sure they were safe.

Charlie McDonald – Ward 7

Favourite holiday tradition?

All my brothers in the basement cutting the turkey, and then we all had to sample it to make sure it was okay.

Strangest gift ever received?

Hand-me-down clothes from my brothers.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

Our neighbour, Grammy Smith, always bringing over a warm homemade bread for supper that she put in between our front doors.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

Watching my family open gifts that made them very emotional, even sometimes happy crying.

Tracy Richardson – Ward 8

Favourite holiday tradition?

Singing Christmas Carols at Pontypool Church on Christmas Eve.

Strangest gift ever received?

Bart Simpson Flannel onesie pyjamas

Favourite holiday baking treat?

Christmas Shortbread. Yum!

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

Power present wrapping.

Mayor Doug Elmslie

Favourite holiday tradition?

Santa Day in Fenelon Falls with the grandkids.

Strangest gift ever received?

One mitten. My sister was learning to knit and didn’t get the second one finished. I don’t remember if I ever got it.

Favourite holiday baking treat?

Plum pudding with a white sauce.

What’s your superpower during the holidays?

Making family wishes come true.