Ace of Spaces still hidden – who will be the big winner?
St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s (SFVH) Catch The Ace Lottery is now in Week #45 and if that elusive Ace of Spades is drawn next Thursday, the lucky winner could take home an estimated $194,474.00!! Last Thursday Deborah Denobrega of Barry’s Bay won $6,567 and her chosen number (45) revealed a Spade – but it was the Ten of Spades, not the Ace! Tickets are on sale throughout the Valley now and cost just $5 each (cash only). The Catch The Ace Lottery has raised more than $277,000 to date for Valley Manor Redevelopment.
Tree of Lights goes virtual this year
In past years, SFVH Foundation held a public tree lighting ceremony but due to public healthcare directives, the Foundation will not have its traditional event for the Tree of Lights in Barry’s Bay. Palmer Rapids and Area Lions Club Tree of Love in Palmer, and Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards’ Tree of Peace have also been cancelled. To keep the spirit of the season alive, a virtual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. The video will air on the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s Facebook page.
Community Clinics this week
COVID-19 testing: Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) offers appointments for several COVID-19 testing clinics this week, including on Saturday. Please pre-book your test location and time by calling 1-844-727-6404. See below for this week’s schedule.
Community Flu Shot Clinic: Madawaska Valley Family Health Team will hold a flu shot clinic at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 406, 250 John Street, Barry’s Bay on Thursday Dec.3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This clinic is open to patients of all ages and offers only regular dose flu vaccine. Please call your doctor or nurse practitioner for an appointment. Unattached patients should call MV Family Health Team at 613.756.9888 ext.5 to book.
PSO Strings & Friends Christmas Concert
PSO Strings & Friends, with Mehdi Javanfar, Music Director/Conductor, celebrate the season with an invitation to share the gift of live music on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. at Pine Ridge Family Church, 27 Brumm Road, Pembroke. Hosted by Pembroke Symphony Orchestra, the program features Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Fantasia on Greensleeves, music from Handel’s Messiah and much more.
Concert is under an hour with no intermission. All COVID-19 protocols in place, including the wearing of masks, physical distancing, and pandemic capacity. Tickets $4 to $12. Available in advance online at www.eventbrite.ca/e/pembroke-symphony-orchestra-celebrates-christmas-tickets-130347359461
More FREE public skating at arena in Barry’s Bay
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, you and your family can enjoy free skating this coming week at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre, 55 Arena Road, Barry’s Bay at the following times:
- Monday Nov.30 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. courtesy new sponsors Joe Public & Ann Onymous
- Saturday Dec.5 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. thanks to Ann Maika-Chartrand of EXIT Ottawa Valley Realty
PAW It Forward, says Renfrew County SPCA
Renfrew County SPCA has launched a new initiative, Paws to Support Local, so you can support local businesses while also helping local animals in need. Please purchase a gift certificate, item, or service from a local Renfrew County business, vendor, or artisan and then donate it back to the SPCA. To make it easy, SPCA says you can leave the donated item at the business and they will arrange contact free pick-up. If it’s an e-card it can be emailed directly to Heather Jobe, Community Development Coordinator, hjobe@ontariospca.ca to be included in an online auction between Dec.1 and Dec.15 to raise funds for the animals in SPCA care. This online auction takes the place of the in-person Kibble & Bids Auction that, in a non-COVID year, helps raise from $15,000 to $20,000. Click HERE to view the Paws To Support Local online auction on Facebook or visit the SPCA website at https://ontariospca.ca/renfrew/