Woodhaven Lodge offers kids, mothers a Christmas
Families living in shelters experience a holiday surprise
It is called Moms and Tots weekend. Mothers and children living in a shelter to escape abuse are brought out to Woodhaven Lodge and David McKinstry provides a Christmas weekend.
McKinstry was prepared. He had expected 13 kids and nine moms so he had presents ready. The numbers changed to six moms and nine kids. Off he went to Walmart early in the morning to exchange bags of presents and get some different presents for the new kids. The first child poked his head around the door at 6:30 a.m. just as “Santa” had placed the last package around the tree. David welcomed them and said that Santa had just left.
Everyone had a present - each child had five presents. There were Mattel games, transformers, LEGO sets, clothing. The moms got gift certificates, Galaxy Cinemas certificates and time off while McKinstry did the entertaining. They came Friday night for supper. One of the neighbours brought 10 pizzas. The kids were in the pool for hours. Upon waking up Saturday morning they had presents, a bonfire and breakfast, then went to the horse farm down the road to ride.
That farm is run by Megan Ekblad. Megan has had her barn and arena since 2010 with six of her own horses. The visiting children rode a Welsh Shetland cross and a quarter horse. Four students from Lakefield College School were there to help the children get on and hold the controls of the horse making sure no one got to excited. There was hot chocolate and sweets in the tack room when a break was needed.
After they had many trips around the arena they went back to the lodge. Supper was served and another bonfire closed out the evening.
On Sunday morning there was a treasure hunt. There were certain items which they had to find. They would exchange the found items for loonies. The treasure hunt was followed by brunch and then transportation back to the shelter.
McKinstry made sure they had a Christmas.
Anglican Christmas Tea
There were fancy sandwiches, sweets, tea and coffee and there was Vicki from Griffin’s. It was the Christmas tea at St. Matthew’s/St. Aidan’s Anglican Church in Buckhorn. The red carpet was rolled out as was the tasty lunch. After eating it was workshop time with Vikki from Griffin’s.
If there was a theme to Vikki’s demonstration it was to have fun with things that you have at home. Vicki used a small sleigh that she had at home, sat a gnome on it with a cyclamen for a fun table decoration. She added battery operated candles and lights to bring the arrangement to life. She suggested three rules for making arrangements with living plants. When working with greens you should cut boughs at an angle. These boughs should be pushed firmly into the wet floral foam. And she recommended filling the container with what you may have on your property but not overfilling to produce a lively arrangement.
Christmas Eve services at St. Matthew's/St. Aidan's are at 7 p.m. The time of Christmas Day