Local Community Brings on Christmas Cheer – By Kari Belcourt
Dec. 2, 2024 – As we watch the snowflakes begin to settle on the frozen ground and the tinkling lights begin to appear, we are left to reflect on what the holiday season brings. The lamp posts and local businesses line the streets with beautiful holiday decorations. The houses begin to shine brightly, lighting up our communities. A town Christmas tree becomes a beautiful public display bringing people together. All of which brings the holiday spirit to our communities. The most beautiful sight in our streets this Christmas season is the community spirit. The true meaning of Christmas is the opportunity to give pause and give thanks for the love, joy and hope in our lives. Over the past 2 weeks we have seen a wonderful example of Holiday spirit in the Waubaushene, Wyevale, Midland and Elmvale Santa Claus Parades. The joy seen throughout the crowds as children collected candy canes and giving thanks brought smiles to many. The tradition to give pause in our lives and pass down the joy of sitting on Santa’s knee and the simplicity a single candy cane can bring is beautiful to see passed on in so many of our communities. We have also seen holiday spirit in our communities with the lighting of the town Christmas Tree in Tiny, Elmvale and Midland. These events are wonderful to bring our community together. Many tree lightings focused on supporting local businesses during our Christmas shopping season. This helps our local businesses, the local economy and creates an opportunity to create relationships between residents and local businesses. Another focus of many tree lightings and Santa Claus parades was the call and opportunity to donate to our local food banks during the holiday season. The giving nature of the holiday spirit is beautiful to witness. Neighbours lining the streets with joy, empathy and compassion for one another and to give to those less fortunate in our communities. We will continue to see wonderful examples of the true holiday spirit in our communities in the upcoming weeks. The Elmvale Lioness will be providing holiday spirit December 6th from 6pm-9pm at the Elmvale Sleigh Ride in the Village. The community of Penetanguishene will be providing holiday spirit through the Festival of Lights, with a tree lighting beginning at 5pm at the town docks followed by Christmas activities at the Centennial Museum & Archives from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The town of Hillsdale will be providing Christmas spirit at their Christmas tree lighting December 7th at 5pm. The community of Anten Mills will be providing Christmas spirit through the Anten Mills Christmas in the Village December 7th at 5pm and the Anten Mills Santa Claus parade December 8th at 1pm. The residents of Minesing will be providing Christmas spirit to the community through the Minesing Tree Lighting and Tractor Parade of lights December 13th at 5pm. Our streets will continue to glow, not only from the tinkling holiday lights but from the joy and love within our community. Let joy, kindness and connection be our guide this holiday season. Presence will always outshine any present.
