"The Spirit of James Bay"

By Kim Dixon

It is getting close to the end of the year and things are starting to wind down as we get ready for Christmas and a new year of programs and activities. December is a special time as we celebrate the holiday season with friends and families.

Our members are decorating the Centre in festive colours. Special events are already planned. The Handicraft ladies have had two successful craft sales and will be hosting a Mini Bazaar on December 4 from 10:00 - 1:00. This will be your last chance to pick up those last minute Christmas gifts. At this time we will also be having a Bake sale (homemade pies, fruit cake, tarts and shortbread as well as other sweets) Spectrum School PAC and students will be here selling appetizers, nibblers and breads as a fundraiser. We hope you will take the time to drop by.

Every year Christmas Cracker is a big event! This year will be no different. We are delighted that our Saints and Singers will be performing. We greatly appreciate the support we get from James Bay Thrifty Foods for this event. Once again they will be providing snacks and sandwiches for this for this special occasion. All proceeds from this event will go to our Christmas family.

We are very pleased that students from Pearson College will be visiting on December 22 to talk about the festive season and how it is celebrated in countries around the world. Fruit Cake, cookies and mulled hot apple cider will be served.

Christmas dinner will be served on Christmas Day for people that may not have the opportunity to spend time with family. Beckley Farm Lodge will be doing the cooking and we look forward to a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings including plum pudding. Tickets are $15.00 per person and are available at the reception desk.

As we prepare for the New Year, we are delighted to welcome two new staff: Heldor Schafer will be our new Program Coordinator and Paula Miller will be assisting with the planning of special events and fundraising.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 19 as we will be hosting our Open House. New programs, activities and services will be offered in the new year. Now is the time to buy your annual membership. Membership helps us to offset operational costs. This is important if we want our Society to remain a viable community centre in James Bay. Unfortunately, in order to sustain out programs, activities and community support, we need members who believe that this Society is an important community resource. Without that support, our future may be in jeopardy.

We are a non-profit society. We receive a City of Victoria grant to help offset staff wages. In 2011, we will receive $36,666 and that is all the funding that we are assured of. All other fundraising is done by membership, rentals and grants. As our services are perceived by the City as recreational, by the government as wellness and by the community as social, it is very difficult to find grants that are applicable. We appreciate cash donations, gifts in kind and services; we will gladly provide a charitable tax receipt.

We are looking forward to the rejuvenation of a new year with fresh ideas. We invite you to drop by and see what we have to offer.

Can you keep up to our Zumba Gold class? Do you enjoy a good game of Texas Hold 'Em? How about getting involved with our Current Events group, who talk about world events and politics? We look forward to your participation and hope you will let us roll out the red carpet for you.

The members, board of directors and staff would like to pass along our sincere appreciation and thanks to all the community businesses that have been supportive this past year. We look forward to becoming more involved with you in the new year.

Wishing you all a Very Happy Holiday Season and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.