Christmas raffle features golf packages, surprises for kids

The COVID -19 virus isn’t going to grinch the Otonabee-South Monaghan libraries’ annual Christmas raffle.

You can buy tickets and see the prizes online at otosoumon.library.on.ca/ events---fundraising.html, or get them at any OSM library.

Prizes include a Muskoka chair, $50 Rolling Grape gift certificate, golf at two different courses, pedicure at Elmhirst’s Resort, bird feeders, Space/Magic Package for kids, a handmade Afghan and more. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. The draw date is Dec. 16.

Online art show

Open to all ages, artists are asked to create pieces of work in any medium they choose with a Christmas or winter theme. There are three age groups; children, youth and adult.

To enter, artists must send their original work digitally via email to otsom_library@nexicom.net. Submissions will be accepted from Nov. 23 to Dec. 17.

Blind dates and books

Have a blind date — with a book!

The Keene, Stewart Hall and Bailieboro libraries have displays where you can browse through “personal ads” and check out one that catches your eye. You won’t know who the author is or the title of the book until you get home and unwrap your “date.”

No donations

Because of COVID -19 the Otonabee South Monaghan Food Cupboard cannot accept donations of food, but there are other ways to support the food bank.

Monetary donations are welcome by e-transfer (treasurerkuc@nexicom.net with “OSM Food Cupboard” in comment section) or by cheque (payable to Keene United Church, memo line “OSM Food Cupboard”). Mail to Keene United Church, P.O. Box 17, Keene, ON, K0L 2G0.

Charitable receipts will be issued for donations over $20.

Collection jars are available at Keene General Store, Three Roads Farm, Coffee Time and Country Style Doughnuts.

This year, the OSM Food Cupboard is serving more families and individuals than ever.

If you need food, register at 705-2956952 or osmfoodcupbaord@nexicom.net.email The food cupboard is open the second Thursday of the month, from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the Keene United Church.

Diary of an Otonabee farmer

John Graham Weir was born in Otonabee and kept daily journals from 1880 until his death in 1925. The journals were donated to Trent Valley Archives by the Mitchell family of Stoney Creek, Ont.

1880 Nov. 23, Mon.

We began to move the old lime kiln in the morning. Lovina and I went to town on the sleigh in the afternoon and got the horses shod. Weather clear and cold with enough snow to make sleighing on the road.

1880 Nov. 24

We were all working at the old limekiln and making roadways with the rubbish from the other house to the side road and making a water table on the low place. Weather cold with some showers of snow.

1880 Nov. 25

We were all working at the old limekiln today, moving away the accumulated rubbish. Weather clear and cold, about 24 above zero.

1880 Nov. 26

Jim Campbell, Jack Fulton and I were moving away the rubbish from the old lime kiln. Weather clear and cold. Jim Campbell's time is out for which he engaged.

1880 Nov. 27

We all went to town on the sleigh there being just sufficient snow to make good sleighing. Got the horses shod and brought home the horsepower from being repaired at. W. Hamilton’s.

1880 Nov. 29

I took a load of wood to Callahan, one of the H. LeBrun’s tailors.

1880 Nov. 30

I took a load of wood to Foot and McWhinnie’s store in the forenoon and a load to Cullen, one of their shoemakers, in the afternoon.