And then there was light

Wellington sparkles with light and song

Acrisp clear night with a bright moon shining down provided the perfect setting for a sing-along and lighting ceremony in Wellington Park on Saturday. A roaring fire, under the watchful eye of fire department staff, served to banish any external chills as people gathered in the park to welcome the start of the holiday season. At the stroke of six o’clock, the bells of the United Church began to ring, and the lights in the park and on the buildings in the downtown core came on, accompanied by gasps of delight. A piano keyboard under the gazebo provided music, and folks gathered around the fire to sing festive songs. Santa’s sleigh was also parked under the gazebo, and the jolly gentleman dropped by for a visit after meeting local children at The General. In a welcome change from the typical cookies and hot chocolate, Wellington raised the bar by offering delicious carrot and ginger soup, honey-lemon-ginger tea and oatmeal cookies, all generously provided by The Good Place. Over in the Town Hall, a film screening provided respite for families seeking shelter from the cold.

The day’s events started early in the morning with the much-anticipated cookie walk at the United Church. Volunteers from the congregation baked over 615 dozen cookies, and offered them for sale at $10 per box of 24. There were about 30 people lined up to get in at nine o’clock when the doors opened. The cookies were spread out on a long table in the basement kitchen, and buyers were faced with the difficult task of choosing from the tempting array on offer, a difficulty that some allayed by purchasing several boxes. “All the proceeds go back into the community,” said Maria Nykanen. “We do things like helping the Storehouse Foodbank and our Save the Shoreline project. We also help with the school breakfast program, and anywhere wherever the need is.” She acknowledged the generous support of the Wellington Bakery, which allowed the bakers to use its commercial oven for the bulk of the cookie-making.

Last year, volunteers made 500 dozen cookies, which were sold out within two hours, so they increased the amount available in this third year of the fundraiser.

The United Church also hosted a crafter sale with items ranging from reusable beeswax food wrap to jewellery to ceramics to items made from recycled fabrics. An arts and crafts show and sale at the Town Hall featured the works of Pamela Carter, Michelle Kosoy and Pierre Bouchard, as well as clothing, chocolates and aromatherapy products. St. Andrew’s Church had a luncheon and bake sale, and there were craft making activities for kids at the library. Santa helped to round out the day’s events by posing for pet photos at the gazebo, as well as photographs with children at The General.