Norwood supports Operation Christmas Child
Nor wood Santa parade is Saturday night
Operation Christmas Child is an annual international campaign that gathers “shoeboxes” of small gifts that are then delivered to children in impoverished, war or weather stricken countries. The aim is to bring a little bit of happiness into the lives of children in need.
The shoeboxes are distributed to local churches, schools, organizations and individuals who then fill the boxes with things like small toys, school supplies and hygiene items.
Ilona Bennett, the campaign’s co-ordinator for the Norwood area since 1998, is pleased with the local response this year. Norwood’s Pentecostal Church was the local depot for the area’s collection and Ilona and her helper elves packed box after box for shipment to Peterborough and eventually overseas to brighten the Christmas season for children living in adverse conditions across the globe.
Canadians contributed 664,525 shoe boxes last year. On a global scale the program which started in 1990 has to date distributed over 135 million gift boxes to children worldwide; it is directed by Samaritans Purse an American non-denominational Christian based International Relief Organization.
Community Christmas Festival
Norwood will officially launch the Christmas season in Asphodel-Norwood on Saturday at the 20th annual Santa Claus Parade and Community Christmas festival. Organized by the Norwood Legion, the parade will start at the St. Paul School parking lot down Highway 7 to the lights and then down County Road 45. Floats are scheduled to roll through the village streets at 7:30 p.m. The parade will pause for a few minutes at the four corners to light the village Christmas tree and enjoy the Fire Departments annual fireworks display then Santa will be dropped off at the Norwood Legion to have a visit with all the children.
Get stuffed
The Norwood Lioness will host their annual Get Stuffed Turkey Luncheon on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Norwood Town Hall, featuring a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, plus a variety of raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $15, kids 6 to 11 are $5, under 6 eat free, they are available at the Nor wood Home Hardware.
Pleasant Meadow Manor
Pleasant Meadow Manor ,99 Alma St ., is hosting their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome there will be a to come and find a tasty treat or two from the bake table or a unique Christmas gift from the craft table and make sure to try your luck at their raffle table. All proceeds will be used to ensure that all the residents receive a present this Christmas.
Leahy Concert
To celebrate its 150 th anniversary next year and to give back to the community that has always supported them, the Nor wood Fair has organized and sponsored a special concert for Mother’ s Day on May 13 featuring The Next Generation Lea hy( the children of the famous Leahy Family ), with all of the ticket sales are being donated to the Norwood Hospice project. The concert would make a wonderful gift for your mother, or a friend or loved one this Christmas. Tickets are only available at Lynn’s Flower Shop Norwood (beside the town hall). Seating is assigned and tickets cost $35 each, payable by cash or cheque only. The show is expected to sell out, so you may want to get your tickets soon.
St. Andrew’s Bazaar
Norwood’s St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 19 Flora St. is hosting their annual Christmas Bazaar, bake sale and luncheon on Dec .2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pickup some of the church’s famous shortbread, butter tarts, fruit pies, frozen meat pie sand more. Find the perfect gift at the craft and Sunday School tables and enjoy lunch for $8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please take note that this is the final church bazaar in the area before Christmas.
Tree and Twilight Festival
The Asphodel-Nor wood Historical Society will present a Tree and Twilight Festival at the Norwood Town Hall from Dec .1 to 3.
The holiday themed fund raiser for the society will transform the town hall into a festive forest of decorated Christmas trees and décor and will kick off with a Gala Evening on Dec. 1 featuring tasty appetizers and musical entertainment. Tickets for the gala are $15 and are available in advance only.
The second day of the festival, Dec. 2 will feature a Christmas Market and a Children’s Tea Party in the Northwoods. The final day, Dec. 3, will feature a hearty lunch and tea; tickets are available for $8 in advance only. For more information call Paula Warr at 705-772-0136 or Brenda Bullock at 705-837-2064.