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Published November 25, 2008

Start your weekend with Verona's annual Christmas Tree Lighting, begun about 15 years ago when the Verona Community Association was looking for something to boost the town's energy in a time when empty store fronts on Main Street were dragging down everyone's spirits. With no money to draw from and no big tree to decorate, they launched a small donation campaign to buy enough lights for a large spruce donated by Ken Harper. As plans progressed, several church and community groups got involved, and before they knew it, the VCA had a program. Turnout to that first evening surprised everyone, and thus was born a treasured tradition. Within a couple of years, a huge spruce had been planted in McMullen Park, donated by Gord and Louise Day, professionally moved from their yard, paid for by a donation from the Verona Legion, which was just then disbanding, and lovingly tended through drought and ice storm by Legion members, who trucked barrels of water to the site every week.

The overwhelming response to that first tree lighting gave the VCA the courage to dream about a summer festival. This year's tree lighting committee has gone all out to make it a special event. Don't forget to bring donations for the Rural Visions food bank. And don't forget to bring your ballot for the gift certificate draw (one per family) found in the lime green flyer you got in the mail a week or so ago. Fri. Nov. 28 7:00 McMullen Park.

Earlier that afternoon, grab a kid and head up to the arena for the VCA free skate. Every year Revell Ford Lincoln sponsors this annual Christmas event, tied to the schools' December PD day. Games, Prizes, and skate, skate, skate. Bring non-perishables for the food bank. Fri. Nov. 28 12:30 - 2:00 at the arena.

On Thursday or Friday head up to Sharbot Lake for the North Frontenac Little Theatre production of the Norm Foster comedy "Opening Night" . Our own Doug McIntyre directs and veteran actor Dick Miller joins the cast along with Desert Lake's John Stephen and Hartington's Linda Jack. Thurs. & Fri Nov. 25 & 26 7:30 (Saturday dinner theatre is sold out). Tickets available in advance at Verona Hardware or at the door.

You can also head down to the Grand Theatre to see Deborah Spaar in the Meistersingers comedy "Singbad the Sailor". Deborah is a veteran of NFLT and played Bunny in Jennifer Bennett's musical "Delia's Hereafter Society." You'll love her as a sassy mermaid in this show. Weds - Sat Nov. 24 - 27 7:30. Sat & Sun matinees 2:00.

That takes care of this week (!) Heads up for next week: On Monday, join Sisters By Heart for "Candy Cane Christmas" as they make 50 baskets for Rural Visions to give to single moms. Sisters by Heart will provide the baskets, laundry soap, dish soap, Christmas decoration, Christmas serviettes, wrapping cello paper and ribbon. You are asked to bring 1 or 2 personal items for a single mom. Think useful and special at the same time - lotions, pretty dishcloths, soaps - you get the drift. Make sure it is non-perishable. Special Speaker: Sharon Nault. Guest Musicians: Rhonda & Merlene Spurrell. Mon. Dec 1, 2008. 7 - 9 pm Gregory Hall, Verona Free Methodist Church. Tickets $5.00 available in advance or at the door. For info call Darlene @ 613-374-1232

Trinity United Church presents its annual Christmas choral concert - "Spirit of Advent". This is another cherished village tradition, when the church offers to the village an evening of gorgeous and harmonious seasonal pieces - free of charge. "It's our way to thank the community who support us in all our fundraising events all year", says a choir member. Fri Dec. 5 7:30 at Trinity. No charge.

Also on Friday you can catch the Country Church "Christmas Celebration" at Hartington Community Church. The Old Hims (with our own never-aging old him Ross Clow). Also appearing are Verona Festival favourites Crooked Wood (Chris Murphy, Steve Kennedy & on McLurg) and The Rennies & Miss Ellie (Miss Ellie is Rev. Oscar Simpson's wife and The Rennies have a long singing history in our area. Friday Dec. 5, 7:00 pm at Hartington Community Church

On Sunday the 7th you can catch even more Verona musical talent at the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Volunteer Band. Local musicians Doug Boulter (tuba), Carl Sole (percussion) and Gordon Taylor (sax) are band members. Worth the trip just the see them. Sydenham St. United Church in Kingston Sun. Dec. 7 at 7:30.

For more information about Verona, Ontario please contact:
Inez Platenius

inie@sympatico.ca
613-374-2248

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