Santa Daze was a huge success thanks to the co-operative effort of the museum, Legion, Ag Society, arena committee and volunteers. The Ag Society sponsors the Turkey Toss, the museum looks after the parade and the wiener roast, the Legion donated the fireworks, which were awesome this year, the arena committee did the lunch in the hall. Tammy Linquist looked after the market.
The Parade of Lights had 10 vehicles, I hear Edmonton had 20. Winners of the best floats were the Village of Alliance little train engine driven by Tyler Cameron, built by his dad Wayne. Second place also went to Village of Alliance with the big Santa sleigh. Blake Nychyporuk with the truck with Santa hanging on a hook at the back took third place.
The library basket raffle was won by Susan Lockhart of Alliance and the big kids toy bag was won by Percy Crewe of Forestburg (Rev. Dianne’s husband). Percy also won the customer draw at Main Street Medley. I won a turkey in the Curl a Turkey so did Velma Schofield and at least a dozen others.
There was quite a crowd at the Santa Daze market. I noticed Natasha , nee Rust, with three children in tow across the hall. Josephine MacKenzie had her daughter Taya and grandchildren, Nahanni and Kianna Burke of Tofield at the market. I heard that Angela Cameron was there too but I wasn’t sure I recognized her.
Santa was pretty busy up on the stage with so many children who came on the train. Each child got a bag of treats courtesy of the Ag Society.
I had a phone call from Violet Potvin of Medicine Hat. Violet lived in Alliance about 20 years ago when she was married to Peter McArthur.
There were several others with connections to Alliance that I had occasion to meet up with this week. In Camrose, Wendy Archbold was shopping as was Heather Wunch and Margaret Odell. Wendy and Ted Archbold lived eight miles east of town but now live near the junction of highways 13 and 21. Their nearest neighbour is Maryanne, daughter of Margaret Odell. Margaret and her husband Edwin were both raised at Alliance but now live in Killam. Heather Wunch is the wife of Kelly, our prior mail man.
I went to Lakewood United Church in south west Calgary last week, the church where Rev. Jope is now so I had a little visit with Jope and Karen who send their greetings to the congregations here. There were 80 to 100 at the morning communion service.
At the Walter Jahns Singers on Sunday afternoon at Forestburg, I had a chance to talk to Maureen Bexson, an old Watkins customer north of Forestburg and to meet Sybil Williams who went to school in Alliance. Sybil is of a Heffel family. She became a widow in March.
The WI meet on Wednesday for the annual meeting and then the Christmas party. Guests are very welcome. There is an opportunity to bring something for the women’s shelter or the Flagstaff Food Bank.
There will be a Blue Christmas Service at the United Church in Alliance on Monday Dec 11. and Dec 17th the Castor/Alliance Choir will do an afternoon performance at the United Church. Lunch served afterward.
The Legion had their Christmas party on Dec 7 in hall. They hired Anne Nelson as photographer for November 11. There are some awesome pictures. The Legion spent over $1000 on those fabulous fireworks for Santa Daze. Thanks so much.
The firemen and AWOF have a dinner on Friday at the Valley Inn .
The next big event for the village is our Homecoming 100 on July 1. There were registration forms passed out at the Santa Daze Market.