MANITOUWADGE — There were plenty of Christmas shopping options in Manitouwadge over the weekend.
The Catholic Women’s Society’s bazaar at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church was a busy event, with its chili and hot dog sit down lunch, and delicious cookies, pies, and bacon buns to take home. With over 65 items in the penny auction, there were a lot of choices for where tickets could be used. There was also a 50/50 draw, and a silent auction for a hand-crafted nativity scene, quilts, and other items.
Vendors sold a variety of goods, including honey, wood carvings, jewelry, candles, hair products and much more. All proceeds from today’s table rentals, chili lunch, draws, auctions, and bake sale goes to the Catholic Women's Society’s projects, which includes the local foodbank.
“Whenever we host an event like this, if there’s anything left over, it goes to the foodbank,” said Catholic Women's Society member Karen Robinson. “People will put their tickets into the penny auction and then donate the prizes they’ve won. We have a very charitable community.”
The Manitouwadge Community Services also held a Christmas Market at the rec centre. The annual sale, which ran from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., had over 30 vendors selling various art pieces, wooden creations, needle crafts and clothing, and artisan soaps and candles. Some of the retail or home-based stores brought their wares; spices, handbags, syrups, lotions, jewelry and more! Handmade goodies by local confectioner, Chocolatina, Samosas from Shruti’s Kitchen in Marathon, and other various yummy edibles were available for purchase.
There were also a few local sports and community groups, including the Manitouwadge Animal Shelter, skating, hockey, and athletic clubs taking orders for Persians, selling ‘mystery boxes,’ baking, and crafts to raise money for their organizations. Representatives from the local schools sold raffle tickets for their 2023 Tri-school trip to Toronto. The Fire Department was also on hand, giving out toys, magnets, pens, and fire prevention advice. They had a display of smoke and gas detectors, as well as some examples of hazardous electrical equipment. A quiz was offered, and participants were entered into a draw.
Proceeds from the table rentals are retained by the township for use in their community services programs.
