Carlow Mayo gets into the holiday spirit

By Mike Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Carlow Mayo Township hosted their first Community Christmas tree lighting event at the Carlow Community Centre on Dec. 9. In addition to Santa being in attendance and greeting all the kids and their families personally, there were horse drawn wagon rides, crafts for the kids, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and punch for everyone, a cookie tasting contest judged by Santa himself, a cookie exchange and the tree lighting when it got dark outside the community centre. One of the organizers, Kim Stewart, comments on this festive event.The Carlow Mayo Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 9 at the Carlow Community Centre was well attended by the community. Mark and Erin Gabourie were there with their kids Evelyn and Owen, and thought it was nice to have something in the community and not have to go out of town.
“It's nice that all of us locals can get together like this,” they say.
In addition to horse drawn wagon rides courtesy of Charlie Mackey, Santa was there to hang out with the kids and their families, there were crafts for the kids, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and punch for everyone, a cookie tasting contest judged by Santa himself, a cookie exchange and the tree lighting when it got dark outside the community centre.
Stewart told Bancroft This Week that they were very happy with their first tree lighting event at the Carlow Community Centre.
“Christmas is a wonderful time to come together with family, friends and neighbours to celebrate. It really makes us realize what a wonderful community we have,” she says.
On behalf of the Carlow Recreation Committee, Stewart wanted to thank Charlie [Mackey] for bringing his team of horses and taking everyone for wagon rides, Gerald and Sheila the use of their property for the sleigh rides, Anka for coming to help decorate, Meryl [Hall] for coming again to give glitter tattoos for the children and adults, the Carlow Mayo Public Library for coming and doing crafts with the children, Santa and his helpers for taste testing the cookie contest, and everyone that brought cookies.
“There were so many cookies that after the cookie exchange, we were able to make up boxes for some of our community members that couldn't make it out. Congratulations to our winner for the tastiest cookie, Carissa! A very special thank you to all our community members who came out to join us. You make what we do so worthwhile.”