First came the new lighting on the main street to create a festive atmosphere for Moonlight Madness. Next came the Angels to light the memorial Tree of Lights at the Railway Station. Finally, last Saturday came the annual Santa Claus Parade. The combination was a terrific trio that heralded the arrival of the Christmas season in Barry’s Bay. (Above: OPP cruiser leads the parade floats along the Opeongo Line. Photo Sharon Gardiner)
Moonlight Madness
This year kids could have a free photo with Santa while parents got their Moonlight Madness purchases gift-wrapped at the Madawaska Valley Public Library. The Opeongo Line looked amazing with new lights installed by MV Township at the request of the Barry’s Bay Business Improvement Area, and funded by the Main Street Revitalization grant.
New lighting (left) Photo Sharon Gardiner; CEO Karen Filipkowski offers cookies to Santa surrounded by the Library Elves (from left) Vicki Glofcheskie, Julia Beggs, Eileen Fay,
Tree of Lights
St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (SFVH Foundation) held its annual Tree of Lights ceremony on Friday evening. Executive Director Toni Lavigne-Conway welcomed a big crowd and encouraged them to enjoy the free hot drinks outside and the carol singing by the Station Keepers Singers. She explained the impact of this year’s campaign Gift of the Picture that’s Priceless — campaign proceeds will help to purchase a critical piece for the St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) X-Ray machine that will cost around $70,000. Donations can be made up to the end of December through the SFVH Foundation office or online. Click HERE for the donations website.
Lavigne-Conway acknowledged the many volunteers who help with Tree of Lights: the envelope stuffing team for helping with the postal campaign, the Barry’s Bay Knights of Columbus, Quadeville and District Service Club and the Killaloe and Area Lions club for mailing help, Madawaska Coffee for free hot drinks, SFMH Dietary Department for baking the cookies, MV Township staff for operational help including putting up the lights, SFMH Auxiliary elves Rosanne, Maxine, Hadley and Madi helping the Angels, Donna Smith taking donations inside the Station, Sally Trebinskie, Theresa Chapeskie and Theresa Prince handing out cookies, and Balloon Artists Mary Lou Wills and Sarah Wright providing free balloons for the children.
She introduced each of the Angels chosen to light the tree. These children are selected by their peers at area schools because they are compassionate and caring young people who help others in their classrooms. The countdown ended in a blaze of lights on the memorial tree and much applause from the onlookers. Lavigne-Conway then invited Dot Weatherbed to light the memorial candle in memory of her late husband Bill Weatherbed who was a stalwart SFMH volunteer for many years.
Angels (from left) Izzy Popkie – Palmer Rapids Public School, Rosa Phanenhour – St. John Bosco School/Barry’s Bay, Norah Pinkerton – St. Andrew’s School /Killaloe, Khalil Hershoff – Killaloe Public School /Killaloe, Liam Shulist – George Vanier School /Combermere, Michaela Roche – Sherwood Public School /Barry’s Bay. (Absent: Roman Sovie – Whitney Public School). At right SFMH Chief Operating Officer Greg McLeod accompanies Dot Weatherbed as they light memorial candles.
Santa Claus Parade
This year’s parade goers on Saturday enjoyed both the sunshine and the creativity evident in the floats. Madawaska Valley Lions Club volunteers were enthusiastic about the quality of the 2019 floats in the parade, despite numbers being somewhat down from last year with just 22 entries. The Ash Grove Inn succeeded in achieving a hat trick this year (three in a row) with their First Prize entry, winning them $200 for their Gingerbread House and Gingerbread People shown below. (photo Sharon Gardiner)
Runner-up prizes of $100 went to the Barry’s Bay Metro for their Metro Express shopping cart train (below left), and to Ottawa Valley Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine for their Hogwarts -themed float featuring Hagrid and Harry Potter. Both St. Francis Herb Farm and Madawaska Valley Township Recycling received Honourable Mentions for their floats.
After the parade, children could visit with Santa Claus at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre, have their faces painted by Paige Mask and enjoy more free balloons from the balloon artists. Residents could have their pick of gently-used toys and clothing from tables set up by the Lions Club, while outside the arena Chris Daly of Daly Contracting and his volunteers handed out one hundred free turkeys to anyone who needed one. Daly has done this for many years to help ensure every family enjoys a good Christmas dinner.