Macklin
The Macklin Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual “Christmas in Our Town” on Dec. 1 and 2.
A lot of business’ in town participated with refreshments, special sales and treats during the day with many on Main Street having extended hours for the Friday activities. There was the “Chamber Cup” a street hockey tournament, sleigh rides, Santa’s Hutt and many other activities for the kids such as decorating and special shopping. The weather was really good this year and shoppers were able to utilize the newly revitalized town square for Santa’s Hut.
On Saturday the Chamber hosted a community Christmas party. It was a successful event with a delicious supper, a games area that included a photo booth and the band, Bud’s Busted Nine Irons, keeping the dance floor full all night.
Cut Knife
The first annual Christmas in the Country was a huge success. With over 15 specials, visitors enjoyed some beautiful piano pieces, singing from a couple groups and solos, hilarious Christmas jokes, graceful dancing, and some community group singing.
Grant and Darla Wasmuth organized the event and over 120 people came out to enjoy. The event was held at the Cut Knife Elks Theatre with the Town of Cut Knife sponsoring popcorn. The Cut Knife Fire / Rescue & Ambulance for worked the canteen and a special greeting from Mayor Gwenn Kaye & council member Lisa Corrine.
There was also a giant door prize that was given away full of donations from many businesses in the area where Lillian Rewerts was the lucky winner.
Wilkie
Resident and visitors of Wilkie had plenty of chances this past week to celebrate the holidays with friends and family.
On Dec. 6, the festivities started with the CP Holiday Train stopping in town to help collect donations for the Wilkie Food Bank. The Delta Co-op and the town donated cookies and hot chocolate for the spectators to enjoy during the show. Lots of people were able to enjoy the entertainment of band Anyway Gang with the weather cooperating. Many of the kids had a blast and the train brings lots of people to the community to support the food bank.
Later that evening, Wilkie held its Late Night Shopping. Many local businesses stay open passed normal operating hours, allowing shoppers to support locally while picking up some last-minute gifts. A town council member decorated a truck and trailer and gave rides to the public to tour the lights around town.
“Last year was the first time the town decided to do the light tours but the weather was not so great. Lots of people were excited for it this year,” said Wilkie Recreation Director, Lori Fenrich.
Hot chocolate and cookies were made and served by the McLurg Home Economics classes for everyone to enjoy, along with a few Christmas games for kids to play.
“There was a steady stream of people the whole evening at the town office. It was just an amazing day all around,” added Fenrich.
The fun was not over yet though for the youth of Wilkie. On Dec. 7, the Recreation Board put together a Santa Night for the little ones. Over 100 kids were able to enjoy some games, a bouncy house and special snacks, including Grinch Jello, before Santa arrived. Children got to share their wish lists before being treated with a treat bag to take home. All the leftover treat bags got donated between the Play School, Norman Carter and McLurg High School.
“There was so much laughter and excitement over the course of the two days. It was great to see the families come out and enjoy the festivities,” said Fenrich.
Unity
With the hub-bub of the holiday season bustling around, Unity came to life for the annual Winter Wonderland. With the weather beyond exceptional for the evening, people of all ages were able to take in the fun and awe of the annual celebration.
Organizer Hollie Robertson said that the response from the public so far has been good.
“From what I have heard, the evening was fabulous, a hit all around,” she said.
A few of the new additions went over well with many of the participants.
“The Legion was busy most of the evening. The wishing tree was really well received as well as the Chamber of Commerce tree. Many people enjoyed taking pictures with Santa and going through the glow displays,” added Robertson.
Another success from the evening was Santa’s Hut, which was put on by Unity Kin Club. Jodi Mack had come up with the idea last year and got a start on craft making early on in 2023.
Kin member Morag Riddell was on hand during Winter Wonderland, saying there were many happy shopper’s walking out with packages. Kids were able to come and select gifts for their loved ones for only two dollars. With a steady stream of shoppers from open to close, the Kin Club wrapped and bagged close to 400 items.
The close of the evening always ends with the parade, which sees businesses, individuals and groups come together and light up the streets. This year, Kelly McLellan put up a prize of $100 to be awarded by a special guest judge’s favourite float. This year’s judge was Kamilla Martin, daughter of Kevin and Kaye Martin, and she chose the float entered by Heitt’s Welding.
The Winter Wonderland committee also gives out prizes for top three floats, asking those on social media to vote for their favourites. This year’s winners are J. Alexander Trucking, Heitt’s Welding and ***. The committee also chooses a winner for the best window display, which was awarded to Wiggles and Whiskers, along with the best Glow display going to the UCHS art class.
Senlac
The 37th Annual Senlac Christmas Fun Day was on Dec. 9, with a trade show lining one half of the Senlac Hall. With (number) of tables, shoppers were able to visit and shop while kids were kept entertained with horse drawn rides with Glen Lisch.
For the kids, the annual coloring contest is always a highlight to the day. Winners for the age two to four group were Hannah Bowey and Harper Manchester, age five to nine group were Pyper Glasier and Quinn Ellwood and age 10-13 group was Brittin Manchester and Kalley McWatters.
Entertainers Ernistine and Hat Pin came in the afternoon, entertaining the youngsters with a show and craft while parents shopped and visited. Santa made his grand entrance at 4 p.m. making sure he saw each one of the children and finding out what they wanted for Christmas.
A community potluck supper was held afterwards in the hall, followed by card party that went into the evening.
One organizer Donna Brown said the day went well and everyone always seems to enjoy themselves.
Kerrobert
The Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society members held two successful events last week to kick off the holiday season. The first was our Festival of Trees opening event, which was held on Dec. 7.
The courtyard lights were turned on in time for the festival’s 5:30 p.m. opening. The lights in the courtyard were put up by members of the Courthouse Restoration Society with help from the Kerrobert Chamber of Commerce.
We had well over 100 people attend this year, with Santa making an appearance, handing out treat bags that were donated by Bick’s Drugs as well as take home craft kits provided by the library.
There were 21 trees including a memory tree where a loved one’s name was put on along with a donation to the cemetery. A Secret Santa for Seniors tree allowed visitors to choose a senior’s tag and purchase a small gift for them to make their holiday season extra special. These gifts are then delivered to them by the organizers. There are still some tags on the senior’s tree so please consider taking one when you come to visit the courthouse.
Inside the courthouse, Jessica Mitchell had her extensive collection of Christmas villages throughout the art gallery. Kristyn Boyle was kind enough to play the piano for our carolling this year and Marilyn Henning who baked and served delicious cookies as well as hot chocolate. Unfortunately, the horse drawn wagon rides had to be cancelled due to icy conditions but all in all, the opening night went very well.
The Christmas Party Dine and Dance on Dec. 8 was attended by approximately 130 people. Our local Vintage Market provided a scrumptious catered meal of turkey, ham and all the fixings along with lovely desserts. Clean up was done by the Grades 5 and 6 from Kerrobert Composite School.
Entertainment by a band called Slow Walkin’ Walter kept the crowd dancing with their great music and vocals. The Kerrobert Chamber of Commerce provided a beautiful basket of goodies to go towards their fundraiser and there was a door prize made up of purchased items from local businesses, along with a couple items donated by the Vintage Market and Hallmade Creations. The attendance was down a bit from last year’s party but the ones that were there seemed have enjoyed themselves.
All the funds for both the Festival of Trees and the Christmas Party go towards ongoing restoration of the Kerrobert Courthouse building. The Courthouse Restoration Society sincerely thanks anyone who came out and supported our two events and we wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.
