Pancakes, Knitting, And An Animal Sanctuary – Weekend Rambles

Kelli McRobert | Oct 19, 2022

This weekend started out with a quick trip to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #425 in Sharbot Lake where you could enjoy a lovely ham and scalloped potato supper for $15. The Legion is located at 1015D Legion Road in Sharbot Lake.

The next day was a quick trip to the 2nd annual Fall Harvest Vendor show located at Fogarty Hall on Westport Road. The venue was packed with vendors with all types of fares. The bake sale was a popular table where goodies could be purchased and savoured as you roamed amongst the other crafters displays both indoors and out. The fall theme was very appropriate as the leaves have just hit their maximum colours. There was a canteen on site that offered up tasty beef stew or chili with a bun and beverage for $6, enough to sustain you for your shopping experience.

There was quite a selection amongst the vendors as you wandered through the colourful and creative wares ranging from soaps (including a live mini goat) to knitted goods to jewellery. Various businesses offered up prizes for the raffle where you could select an item and purchase tickets to win that prize through a random draw. One name per gift was selected, at 1 pm, to announce the lucky winners. This event was sponsored by the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of the Sacred Heart of Jesus church. This not-for-profit organization is celebrating it’s 90th year and looks forward to hosting other events in the future in support of their surrounding communities.

Off then to Battersea in support of the United Church Food Drive where families could enjoy a festive outing with a donation of a non-perishable food item or monetary donation. Kids could try their hand at painting a bus or if they were more inquisitive, they could try to escape the Monster Maze. Robert Hogan Bus Lines and Sands Produce (4322 Battersea Road) partnered up to host the family-friendly event. Some families could be seen leaving with a pick-your-own pumpkin fresh from the patch and children in tow, heading home after the day’s adventures.

Sunday was a quick jaunt to Harrowsmith to Happy Tales Animal Sanctuary where a fundraising open house and pancake (1000 flipped) breakfast was sold out to capacity. The Sanctuary is a registered local not-for-profit organization founded by Harold and Carla Moore. From 10am until 3pm, visitors could enjoy a pancake breakfast with a coffee (300 served) while finding out more about the sanctuary and the rehabilitation program it offers.

Families strolled about the grounds, while children played in the bouncy castle, petted a pot belly, or took in nature on a wagon ride. Adults could enjoy the live music while watching the children play in the thick autumn leaves or try their luck at a gift bag raffle.

At the Sanctuary, animals are taken in and cared for with the support of donations, fundraising, and volunteers. Some of the residents of the farm, include pot belly pigs, a lamb (Peter) with a prosthetic leg, alpaca, dogs, and cats who all enjoy a safe environment without judgement, fear, or abuse. Through awareness and education, this facility helps bridge the gap between humans and animals to lead a more compassionate and humane lifestyle.

“Animals, Education, Rehabilitation. Educate, Motivate, Advocate.”

On October 22nd there will be an online auction to continue raising awareness and fundraising for their residents. For more information: www.happytalesanimalsanctuary.ca, Facebook or call 613-217-2570