麻豆视频

A strong part of Qu茅bec's heritage and identity can be found in the winter months. According to Monique Myers, Wawota Parkland School's French teacher, Winter Spirit Festivals have been held consistently since the days of the Voyageurs as a way to overcome boredom and depression during the cold winter months.

Myers, originally from Quebec, explained that this tradition continues and despite political tensions between English and French speakers it is an activity that transcended it all.

As a way to share part of Canada's identity and the ways in which French and English cultures have melded together, Myers and Canadian Parents for French (CPF) - Wawota with help from the entire community, held the first annual Wawota Winter Spirit Festival on Saturday, Feb. 15.

"The idea of a Winter Spirit Festival comes from when I was young and these festivals could be found everywhere," Myers explained. "It's a great Qu茅bec tradition traced back to the Voyageurs as a way to get rid of boredom and depression. There would be music, song, and dance as a way to keep their spirits up."

Beginning at 1 p.m. a variety of fun activities started. From snow sliding near the rink to skating on Peddle's Pond to crafts and BINGO at Wawota Town Hall, children were laughing and enjoying their time.

One of the fun cultural activities besides skating and tobogganing was held at the hall where Jenniene Greenbank looked after maple taffy on the snow. A platter of snow was set out and Greenbank would pour maple syrup in a line across the snow, the maple syrup cooled, and those interested in trying the taffy would let it stick to a popsicle stick as they twirled it around.

Myers said this was something fun to include as when she was young they would take the maple sap frozen in an ice cycle off of the tree to eat.

A number of youth and their families filtered in and out of the hall throughout the afternoon as they played shinny at the lake and came into the hall to warm up.

Barb Dennis and Marion Husband were present with squares for quilts cut by their mother nearly 35-years-ago. Youth were able to pick nine pieces, which Dennis and Husband would sew together with the finish product to become a quilt for CPF - Wawota.

The local library was also present where they read stories to the youth and in turn the children would create an illustration based on the story.

Shirley Corkish with the Wawota Museum stopped by with various items from days past including a camera, doll furniture made out of tin cans, and old-time schoolyard games which had once been prevalent. Youth were also given the opportunity to make a dancing button.

"It has been a huge community effort," Myers stated.

In addition to the Winter Spirit Festival being a great Qu茅bec tradition, Myers also brought forth bilingualism during the day through calling BINGO numbers in both French and English and using both languages when speaking to the crowd.

Supper began at 5 p.m. with the Mountney Ladies serving pulled pork on a bun with a variety of sides.

This was then followed by a live fiddle extravaganza featuring Michele Amy, Patrick Tinant, and a few of her fiddle students from the area. As soon as their bows drew across their strings the youngest in the crowd were instantly up on their feet dancing to the tunes, enjoying themselves immensely while others simply sat in their chairs tapping their toes along to the beat.

Overall the Winter Spirit Festival was a great success, which was achieved only through the donations and help of the entire community.