Christmas Is A Busy Time For Manotick Kiwanis
By Ralph Tweedie, Manotick Kiwanis Club
Fall is an extremely busy time of year for the Kiwanis Club of Manotick. We currently have three major projects on the go. Two are fundraisers, Christmas Cake Sales and Christmas Tree sales. The third is the annual “Parade of Lights” parade with a visit from Santa Claus.
Selling Christmas fruit cakes, Shortbread cookies imported from Scotland and Chocolate Truffles officially started on Monday November 13th. The cakes come in two different packages, a dark round fruit cake in a Christmas themed tin for $22, and a two-cake combo (one light and one dark) in a box for $17. Shortbread cookies are the most popular and sell out quickly. The cakes are available in Manotick at Home Hardware, Paul’s Pharmacy, and Manotick Office Pro. Office Pro also carries the shortbread cookies and chocolate truffles. At $10 a piece they make a great gift.
Every year we sell them in many Retirement Residences in the south and west ends of Ottawa. This year nine teams of two Kiwanis members each are scheduled to visit 24 residences over a four-week period. The seniors look forward to our visits and we in turn really enjoy spending time with them.
Christmas trees went on sale on Saturday, November 25th beside Manotick Home Hardware. We carry three types of evergreens. Our most asked for tree is Fraser Fir,. It’s noted for superior needle retention and deep green foliage with silvery blue coloration on the underside of the needles. Balsom Fir, another very popular tree is favoured for its outstanding scent and deep green foliage. Both of these trees have pliable needles rounded at the tip, making decorating these trees an easier task. We also carry a limited supply of Scotch Pine. These trees have good needle retention (1 month plus). They are a more traditional favorite and are typically less expensive than short needle trees like firs.
Picking a Kiwanis tree has been a great Manotick tradition for generations. Bring the kids and make it part of your families Christmas. The friendly Kiwanis volunteers are eager to answer your questions and help you pick a tree. The sales of Christmas trees and cakes enable us to continue our work in the community.
