Churches preparing for Advent season

Oh, the weather outside is frightful –no snow but cold rain and cold winds. One day we attempted to put up our outdoors lights but even with heavy gloves no way could we do it. We waited a couple of days later and we were able to do the job.

There are lots of beautiful lights appearing all over the place. I love this time of year! We actually have some outdoor lights up year round.

Christmas fairs have been happening in all areas. The annual Malagash Community Hall fair was held recently and was quite successful. It was not as busy as other years as the large Wentworth one was being held on the same day.

We used to take part in the Wentworth sale when we were making our jewellery and stained glass items. Sometimes I wish we were still in the business! I always a lot of fun being with other vendors and celebrating the season. We have so many wonderful talented crafters in our surrounding area.

The local churches are starting to plan for the Advent Season which is the lead into Christmas. Choirs are practicing special music for this wonderful time of the year.

Our elementary schools are starting to plan their Christmas Shopping Sprees for the children. What a great idea! Donations are being received for this, ties and tools for dad; jewellery for mom and lots of other things.

The school in Wallace will be holding their sale mid-December so if you can contribute to this event, please contact the school. Check and see if the elementary school in your own area is holding such an event and make a donation. The children love to shop for their parents this way. Chance to give some of those ties that you fathers have received over the years. Make them new to someone else. I know about six left our house for both Wallace and Tatamagouche.

One very special event is going to take place in Pugwash on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Farmers Market from 6 to 8 p.m.

One Awesome Night-Bethlehem Live is returning for one night only! Seven churches from Pugwash and the surrounding area are recreating the birth in Bethlehem. The participants will be dressed in costume, serving hot chocolate and apple cider and some other items.

There will be a short play and the back of the market will feature live animals which is always a draw for the children. Once again miniature horses will be there for the kids to ride. Russ and I attended last year and thoroughly enjoyed the event. A must see for everyone!

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year– happy, exciting, so much fun with children and family but it is also a very sad time of the year for some people. It can be a first time without a loved one because of death, families separated due to military duties, some living too far away to come home, religious differences and a list of many other reasons.

If you know someone who fits one of these please take the time to remember them.

years ago you could buy a Christmas sympathy card and the first Christmas without my dad, my mom received several of those special cards and she was so grateful and thankful to the people who thought of her and sent them.

These cards are not available now but a phone call or a special visit to these people will ease their pain. Let's keep these people in our thoughts and prayers.

A friendly "hello" when we meet someone on the street or in a store is always appreciated. Remember, it is the Maritime way!

Have a good week everyone and stay safe. Hunters are still roaming the woods looking for that elusive deer. So, if you are walking in or around the woods hunter orange is the way to go! Remember to keep smiling. It makes everyone wonder what you've been up to!

Marian During writes for the Malagash area for the Amherst News