by Karina Hunter

Volunteers work the MCAG Canteen during lunch with Santa.

A full day of fun was enjoyed by the young and the young at heart Saturday during Manitouwadge Leisure Services’ Annual Community Christmas Party as many volunteers and several non-profit organizations added their support providing events to suit every interest. 

The day’s events began in the Recreation Centre auditorium where families enjoyed a hot dog lunch with Santa Clause hosted by the Manitouwadge Cancer Assistance Group (MCAG), photos with Santa were also available, both activities raising funds for the worthwhile cause which provides support for local individuals battling cancer. There were a variety of carnival style games to be played including Ring a Rack, a variation of ring toss where the rings are tossed on to moose antlers and Ice Breakers where ‘snowballs’ are tossed in  lieu of traditional bean bags. Meanwhile in the arena Copper Kings Peewees faced off, for details of the game, check out Kurt Costigan’s coverage on page 7 of last week’s Echo (Dec, 16^th).

Saturday evening, participants reconvened at the arena for an Old Fashioned Christmas Skating Party co-hosted with the Manitouwadge Minor Hockey Association. Skaters and non-skaters alike enjoyed hot chocolate, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones in the arenas skate friendly lobby while on the ice Christmas lights, Christmas music and a giant snow-globe set the mood.  Outside the Manitouwadge Volunteer Firefighters Association bonfire helped to chase away winter chills, the perfect ending to an incredible day.  

Every year the Community Christmas party is outdone as Leisure Services and non-profits team to bring the residents of Manitouwadge together for a day of fun, and 2009 was no different! If you enjoyed the Community Christmas Party, don’t miss this weekend’s Christmas Variety Showcase where you will be invited to sing-a-long to performances by Shirley Desjardins & the Catholic Ladies Choir, Rewound, Six Pak, Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Chorus, Natalie Labbée, Erica Magsen, Mike Bidgood & Bruce Herrick, a reading by Janelle Rusard The Line Dancers and much more! Visit www.karinahunter.com/?p=7346 for complete details.

Submitted to The Echo, 12.15.09