Festive Fun & Ways to Give in the South Shuswap
By Jo Boxwell
Snow has arrived on Mount Ida and festive activities are beginning to fill up our calendars. Read on to discover some wonderful events and ways to give this season.
Blind Bay
Blind Bay Community Hall’s Artistry Christmas Market returns on November 15-16, 10 am – 3 pm. Support local artisans and pick up some baked goods. In the evening, put on your dancing shoes and head to Shuswap Lake Estates Community Centre for the Winter Is Coming Dance, a fundraiser for Copper Island Health and Wellness Society (contact the health centre for tickets). Return to Shuswap Lake Estates Community Centre on November 22, 10 am – 2 pm to explore handmade gifts at the Sorrento Lions Club Craft Sale.
Cedar Heights Community Centre has a busy few weeks planned. Highlights begin with the always-popular Kids Only Shopping event on November 29, followed by a Christmas Dinner and Dance, a Christmas Bake Sale and a Christmas Shed Party.
Haven’t planned the office Christmas party yet? Join the South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce for their Multi-Company Christmas Party, December 12, 6 pm – midnight at Shuswap Lake Estates Community Centre
Shuswap Fire Department will be hosting their annual Christmas Boot Drive at Blind Bay Village Grocer again this year supporting Sorrento Food Bank. Meet the firefighters at the store with your donations on December 13 & 14, 9 am - 4pm.
Eagle Bay
If you have a sweet tooth, you need to visit Eagle Bay on December 6, 10 am – 12 pm. The Eagle Bay Community Hall is hosting a Sugar & Spice Holiday Bake Shoppe. A variety of homemade treats will be available for purchase.
Notch Hill
Notch Hill’s popular Children’s Christmas Party will return on December 7.
Catch a free CKPC Holiday Train concert as the decorated train rolls through the region. On December 17, the train will stop at Notch Hill from 9:30 pm - 10 pm. Canadian band, Barenaked Ladies, who rose to fame in the 1990s, are performing. Bring food or cash donations in support of Sorrento Food Bank. As always, the Notch Hill Town Hall Association has some special plans for the evening.
A winter tradition for many local families, Walters Sleigh Rides returns in early December for the season. You don’t have to wait until the snow falls to make a reservation – rides are available initially by horse-drawn wagon until there is enough snow on the ground to accommodate a sleigh. Two Percheron horses and their guides take guests on a picturesque adventure on the 80-acre property, and guests can enjoy a hot chocolate in a cozy cabin afterwards. All rides are by reservation only; large groups are welcome. Call Irwin or Carol-Lynn at 250-835-8384 to book your horse-drawn adventure at Broderick Creek Ranch, 2068 Notch Hill Road.
Sorrento
Sorrento Community Hall will be welcoming more than 60 vendors and the public to their annual Christmas Market on November 22. The fun continues on December 5 with the annual Christmas Light-Up event.
Tappen - Sunnybrae
Operation Christmas Child will be receiving donations at New Life Outreach Church from November 17 to 23.
Continue the spirit of giving on December 2, 6 pm – 9 pm with the Tappen-Sunnybrae Fire Department Fundraising Drive. Firefighters will be collecting non-perishable and monetary donations for the SAFE Society and Second Harvest food bank in Salmon Arm. Leave your donations on the roadside before 6 pm or bring them to the fire department before 9 pm. Cheques can be made payable to Second Harvest, SAFE Society or Tappen Sunnybrae Firefighters Association.
Sunnybrae Winery is hosting a Holiday Market & Open House on December 6 and 7, 12pm – 5pm. Enjoy mulled wine and bonfires and explore the works of local vendors.
Visit Carlin Hall on December 7 for the Arts Council for the South Shuswap’s Annual Breakfast with Santa. Discover more about this family-friendly breakfast and photoshoot on page 36 of this month’s issue of the Scoop.
If you haven’t made it to a Sunnybrae Coffeehouse yet, put December 13 in the calendar, when the seniors’ hall next door will be serving up Christmas dinner before the event.
White Lake
The White Lake Fire Department’s Annual Christmas Food Drive returns on December 2, 6 pm – 9 pm. Firefighters will be collecting donations for the Sorrento Food Bank.
