St. Mark's United Church

Winterfest

The first Winterfest in city ward 43 arrived at the Curran Hall Community Centre on Saturday January 23rd. Despite dire predictions of a warmer day that might have thawed the ice rink beside the community centre, prayers were answered and the rink remained solid and was enjoyed by children and adults who brought their skates with them. Mary Ethel Morton's prayers were answered too, I believe,

when she was able to get her photograph taken beside several handsome firefighters who visited with their truck to the event. The Toronto Zoo provided a touch table to stir the interest in children examining items there. Muddy Paws in the Guild provided a talented dog show,and children's games were played in order to complete passports to enter in a draw for chances to win prizes. The community centre was set up as a warm zone and also featured free refreshments and snacks arranged for through donations through Natrel and Kraft. There was face painting, a craft organized by Evergreen, and community information tables where people visiting could find out more about the community groups within Scarborough East that make this area an amazing place. The local branches of the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank assisted in providing popcorn, hot chocolate, juice boxes, toques and reusable bags. The East Scarborough Storefront participated in providing volunteers and also in arranging for two busloads of people attending the event, coming in from priority neighbourhoods and from temporary housing in the motels along Kingston Rd. The services of a professional clown were donated for the entire event and his artistry in face painting can be seen in several pictures found on my community association's website www.curranhall.ca . I was very pleased with the participation of the Thiruvadi Nilayam Development Society, a local group from the Tamil community that meets within the Curran Hall community, involving their youth group in their participation in the event.

St. Marks United was a great presence at the event, with members attending the planning meetings, running the food drive table, having someone assist less experienced skaters on the ice rink, helping with logistics, and helping to purchase supplies through a donation to the event from St Marks outreach. Most important to me as organizer and chair of the event was the encouragement and prayers received from St. Marks that gave me strength at times when I questioned myself in taking on such a large project, I thank you for this. 

Warm regards, Brian MacFarlane,Chair, Winterfest Ward 43
President, Curran Hall Community Association