Dec 16, 2015


Thanks to the many members of Villages Beautiful, an army of volunteers, and not least, those who donated unique creations and/or their musical talents to this year's festival, the much-anticipated annual event once again made for a joyful start to the Christmas season. From December 10 – 12, the Oso Hall in Sharbot lake was again transformed into a warm, twinkling and colorful Christmas wonderland, where numerous local talents took to the stage to entertain, while guests had the happy task of choosing which of the beautiful trees, wreaths, gift baskets, wall hangings, anything goes or gingerbread creations they wanted to try to win. The entries were donated by individuals, organizations and businesses from in and around the local community. The theme of this year's festival, Christmas, Past, Present and Future, made for some very intriguing displays.

Hats off to the organizers and volunteers who worked so hard to bring the spirit of the holidays to downtown Sharbot Lake, and do not forget that the beauty of this event comes not just once a year. Proceeds from the festival support Villages Beautiful, who come spring will be busy helping our hamlets to come alive with flowers and shrubs in the upcoming spring and summer seasons.


2015 Festival of Trees Winners

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow was the theme for this year’s festival of trees, and those traditions were shown in many fine and creative entries. Winners were two-fold: those who entered an item, and those who took it home!

Large Trees: W. A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd. won 1st prize for their tree “Time Frame” and the lucky winner was Mackenzie Whan. The 2nd prize went to the Township of Central Frontenac for their decoration “Remember When”, taken home by Mike McGovern. The 3rd prize was Mike Dean’s Super Foods Store “Olde” which was won by Muriel Wager. “Brunfelsia” decorated by the Treasure Trunk went to Mary Raymond. St. Lawrence Employment Services “Out of this World Christmas” to Lorette Gray, and the Friday Night Ladies' “Santa Goes Back to the Future” to Shiobhan Weatherby.

Small Trees - First prize entry by North Frontenac Community Services “A Tree of Peace and Giving” was won by Steve Duggan; 2nd prize by North Frontenac Telephone Company, “Visions of Sugar Plums” went home with Cheryl Allan; and 3rd prize winner, “The Gift” by Subway went to Ainsley Thompson. “12 Days of Christmas” by RBC to Rob Harrison; “May the Light of Christmas Shine Through the Years” by the Sharbot Lake Pharmasave to Helen Hoogsteen; “Greetings Across Time” by Lake District Realty to Crystal Nedow; “Feeding Feathered Friends” by North Frontenac Little Theatre to H Ridell; and “Small Beginnings, Bountiful Future” by Flight Centre Associates to Alicia Cota.

Mini Trees: This new category was a great addition to the Festival. The CF Railway Heritage Society won 1st prize for their entry of “Getting Home for Christmas” which was won by John Lee. “Rewind, Play, Fast Forward” by Drapeau Automatic Sprinkler Corp. took 2nd prize and went to Deb Deline; and 3rd prize by Steve Duggan’s Law Office “Peace Tree” taken home by Ruth.Frontenac Plumbing’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to Anne Howes.

Gingerbread Creations: First prize went to “Santa’s First Christmas” by the Whan/Melkman Family and was won by Bryson Gibson. Second prize, “Santa Got Run Over by a UFO” by Northern Connections Adult Learning Centre went home with Ben J.; and third prize “Traditions Through Time” by Linda DeVries to John Lee.

Wall Hangings: Carol Raymo’s 1st prize “Another Moonlit Christmas Eve on the Farm” to Brian West; Arden Batik’s 2nd prize “Christmas in the Spiral Galaxy” to James Duthie; and Ann Howitt’s 3rd prize winner “Forever Snoopy” to Glenys Bender. The winner of “Christmas in the Woods” by Helene Riddell was J. Copes; “Christmas is by Glades Taber” by Clip It went to Shiobhan Weatherby; and Gordon Wright’s “Old Tyme Country Christmas” to Barb Neil.

Wreaths: “Christmas in the Country ca. 1900” by Arden Seniors received 1st place and was won by Joanne Delyea. The 2nd place wreath, “Indulgence”, created by the Community Living North Frontenac, went home with J.C.; and 3rd place, “Honour. Live. Dream.” by Black Kettle Catering to Rob Moore. “Christmas Bells” by Seeds, to Doug Steele. The wreath titled “Where the Future Meets the Past” by CREC Student Council went to Ryan Michie.

Anything Goes: “A Natural Merry Christmas” created by the Sharbot Lake 39ers received 1st prize in this category and was won by Dawn Ray. “Wishing you Happiness in the Future” by Linda DeVries took 2nd prize and was won by Ardith Arney. The 3rd prize, “Life” by George Allen went to Helene Riddell. “Inspiration for a Christmas Tomorrow” by Larocque Masonry & Donna Larocque’s Sign Shoppe was won by Sue Kerteston.

Baskets – Friday Night Ladies’ “Always Time for Tea” took 1st prize and was won by Pam Giroux; “Christmas Nostalgia” by Friends of Arden won 2nd prize and went home with Heather Eagen; 3rd prize, “T’was the Night Before Christmas” by the St. Lawrence Employment Services to Diane Morrow. “Reading Through Time” by Lakeside Readers – T. Cox; “A Hair Raising Holiday” by Dynamic Hair Design – Brenda Whan; “Christmas Gone By, Happening & Yet to Come” by Sharbot Lake and District Lions – John Sparks; “A Taste of Summer Past ” by Sharbot Lake Farmers Market – Paula Rupert; “A Taste of the Season” by Cottage Country Outdoor Supplies – Heather Card; “I Think I’ll Go Back to Using Reindeer” by Desrosiers Small Engine Repair – Diane Morrow; and “Relaxing was, is and will always be the best time” by Sharbot Lake Country Inn – Linda Cooke.

Table Decorations – “Timeless Beauty” by Ram’s Esso received 1st prize in this category. The three parts of it were won by Ruth Pearce (chocolate basket), F. Harvey (Nutcracker), and Glenys Bender (floral arrangement). “Luck in the Future” by Norma’s Barbershop & Hair Styling and was won by M. Gilchrist.

Gift Certificates – The Gibson’s Garage gift certificate for an Oil Change was won by Chris Johnson, and the Amazing Dollar Store certificate went to Tina McConnell. The food hamper, put together by Villages Beautiful, was won by Chris Bertrim and Villages Beautiful “Snowman Evolution” went to Penny McGonagel.

The People’s Choice Award went to “Inspiration for a Christmas Tomorrow” (Larocque Masonry & Donna Larocque’s Sign Shoppe). The Children’s Choice Award was “Visions of Sugar Plums” (North Frontenac Telephone Company).

Each year Villages Beautiful recognizes a person or persons who have contributed their time and effort to the festival over the years. This year that recognition went to the Township of Central Frontenac. .

Many others must be recognized too: there are those who, instead of making an entry, contribute “in kind”, either financially or through services needed by the festival. Villages Beautiful thanks the following: Woodwark Legal Services; Sharbot Lake Marina; Sharbot Lake Medical Centre; Sharbot Lake Dental Office; Sharbot Lake Lawn Service; Robinson’s Excavating & Trucking; Donna’s Sign Shoppe; Rebekahs Society; Home Hardware; Gray’s Grocery; RTR Tree Service; Angelo DiCintio; Mike Dean’s Super Foods; Tarasick Carpentry, Sydenham Veterinary Services; Leonard Fuels; Goodfellows Funeral Home; and Ken Young.

Thank you to all the volunteers who made this year another success.

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