With cold temperatures and snow seemingly here to stay – these are reminders that the festive season is quickly approaching. This weekend promises to be a busy one with craft shows, bazaars and Christmas hampers to be filled. With Christmas being a holiday when over indulging in sweet treats is imminent, it gives you more reason to visit the Diabetes Open House being hosted by the Stittsville Lions Club to learn about this serious disease. Let’s get to events this weekend and through the week in and around Stittsville.
Saturday, November 16th
A Diabetes Open House is being hosted by the Stittsville Lions Club. From 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, you can drop by the Lions Hall at 1339 Main Street — visit with exhibitors to learn more about Diabetes, speak to those living with Diabetes, while also discovering what resources are available in our community.
While you are at the Lions Club Hall, bring along some donations for the Toys & Toothpaste project, initiated by Ben and Ellie Medaglia. They will be there from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm taking donations to fill Christmas hampers for families at the ‘Y’ family shelter. The kids are hoping that their friends from the Stittsville RAMS and the Goulbourn Rockets will wear their jerseys when they drop off donations. Needed items are non-perishable food, toiletries, toys for the Angel Tree, socks and mitts for Stittsville’s Stocking Project. After filling the hampers, any additional food collected will be donated to the Stittsville Food Bank.
Starting Saturday and through to January 10th, the Ottawa West Arts Association (www.owaa.ca) presents Dream. Visit the OWAA gallery for the latest exhibition, featuring beautiful artwork created with a variety of mediums. While there, fill out a People’s Choice Ballot for your favourite art pieces. The exhibition happens at the CARDELREC Recreation Complex (Goulbourn), 1500 Shea Road and is open 7 days a week from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm and is FREE.
From 10:30 am – 11:30 am you can stop by ‘Councillor’s Chat’ with Councillor Gower. Glen always wants to hear from you – ideas, opinions on issues, any comments and concerns you wish to share. You can visit with Glen at the CardelRec Recreation Complex – Goulbourn at 1500 Shea Road.
Sew Eco – Holiday Gift Bag Making is being held at the Stittsville United Church from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Leading in the sewing adventures is Tanya Schauer Hein who will be sharing tips and techniques to make a small drawstring bag – perfect for Christmas stocking stuffing and other occasions. Bring along your sewing machine and your brown bag lunch! Snacks will be provided.
From 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, the Holy Spirit Church, Catholic Women’s League, Annual Bazaar takes place. There will be door prizes, homemade baking, crafts, various vendors, white elephant tables, a gift basket raffle, and their famous Christmas puddings (get there early to be successful in getting a pudding). Their coffee break from 9:00 am – 11:00 am is offering coffee, tea, juice, or water and a baked good for $5.00. You can enjoy a homemade lunch of soup or chilli and baked goods in their tea room from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm for $8.00. The bazaar takes place at 1489 Shea Road across from the CARDELREC complex.
St. Thomas Anglican Church on Stittsville Main Street, is holding their annual Snowflake Bazaar and Luncheon from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Find those Christmas treasures. There will be crafts, a silent auction, baking, Christmas puddings, new and gently used Christmas decorations, jewelry, toys, books, home decor, tiny treasures to fill the stockings and more. Have a seat and enjoy a light lunch of homemade soup, rolls, cookies or squares, and a fine cup of tea or coffee. Lunch is $6/adult and $3/child.
Shopapalooza 2019 takes place at Sacred Heart High School from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Shopapalooza is an annual event held by the Pointe of Grace Competitive Dance team of Stittsville. With over 60 vendors with everything from fashion, beauty, crafts, food and more you are sure to find that perfect gift! Get a head start on your holiday shopping! FREE entrance & swag bags to first 25 attendees!!
A different type of exercise, other than carrying shopping bags, all for a great cause. The Stittsville GoodLife Fitness Centre at 1100 Carp Road are hosting a day-long Spin4Kids event from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. These events are happening across Canada to raise money that will support physical activity programs for kids with intellectual disabilities and autism. There will be spinning, group fitness classes and even powerlifting competitions. People can register to participate at this convenient link: https://goodlifekids.akaraisin.com/ui/spin4kids/g/21727. If you wish to register for the Lift for Kids taking place on the same day at GoodLife Fitness on Carp Road, here is the link: https://goodlifekids.akaraisin.com/ui/spin4kids/g/22015.
If history is your fascination and you want to learn more about Bytown’s brawling days, then this is the event for you. The Goulbourn Township Historical Society is holding their November Speaker’s Series at the Stittsville Legion Hall from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. The November speaker is Grant Vogl (Collections and Exhibitions Manager of the Bytown Museum) he’ll be talking about The Shiners War in early Bytown days. This presentation will explore the conditions that created conflict in Bytown from the early days of the Rideau Canal through the period known as the “Shiner’s War” and to the town’s re-branding as Ottawa in 1855. This free event is open to everyone. Parking and refreshments are free. Please tell a neighbour and bring a friend.
Covered Bridge Brewery Inc is holding a popular Beer Release and Tasting Event. All things CHAI!! We’ve sweet-talked local Stittsville residents @reshmacdeshpanda and @cdchaitanya to teach us the secrets to brewing authentic chai. We’ll also taste our newest batch of Bridge Over the River “Chai” chai spiced brown ale, and finish off the afternoon with a sample of chai beer ice cream from Carp Custom Creamery. Join Covered Bridge at their brewery (119 Iber Road, Unit #6) from 3:00 – 4:30 pm for this delicious event. $5 per person.
The 2019 Gift of Art Show and Sale is taking place at the Mlacak Community Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive in Kanata on Saturday and Sunday. This very popular show is back again—featuring works of art from some of Ottawa’s finest artists. The show features – sculptors, painters, photographers, fabric artists and more. With free parking, admission, and an endless supply of baked goods, this is a great show to shop, relax, and find that perfect gift for the holidays. All donations raised from the refreshment table and gift basket draw go to support Hospice Care Ottawa.
Like to dance? You can dance the night away at the Stittsville United Church as they hold a community family dance featuring the live music of the RockPhiles. There will be free childcare and attendance is by donation. It all starts with a pot-luck dinner at 6:00 pm, with the music set to start at 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. If you want further information call the Church at 613-836-4962. Guaranteed to be a good time!
The Grey Street Duo will be at Brew Revolution playing their country and rock ‘n roll covers from 8:00 – 11:00 pm. Check them out at 6081 Hazeldean Road in the Jackson Trails Centre. Get there early, get a seat!
Sunday, November 17th
The Goulbourn Museum is holding their annual ‘Old-Fashioned Christmas & Outdoor Artisan Market’ from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. It is a holiday celebration that features local artisans, baked goodies, old world entertainment, blacksmith demonstrations, festive crafts, hot chocolate and cider, and new this year: Christmas goats! Robin, Arlo, and Blue, one-year-old Nigerian/Pygmy goats will be pleased to meet you! In the Museum, The Calligraphy Society of Ottawa will be on-hand to help children pen letters to Santa and families can also pose for a photo with the jolly old soul.
The West Ottawa Ladies Chorus can be found on the balcony and stairs of the Brown’s Your Independent Grocer for a fun audience sing-along. The sing-a-longs will be from 2:00 – 2:30 pm and again from 3:00 – 3:30 pm, led by Robert Dueck, with Peter Brown accompanying the Chorus on piano. Numerous familiar songs will be performed for all to enjoy and be able to sing along. Mark your calendars now for December 6th and 7th when the West Ottawa Ladies Chorus will be performing their St. Paul’s Anglican Church annual Christmas concert. For more information on the December concerts visit: www.westottawaladieschorus.ca.
Monday, November 18th
Ottawa Public Health will be holding a Flu Clinic at Sacred Heart High School from 3:30 – 7:30 pm at 5870 Abbott Street. The free high-dose flu vaccine for seniors will available at the clinic. For more information visit the website at: ottawapublichealth.ca/flu.
Wednesday, November 20th
The Stittsville branch of the Ottawa Public Library will be holding a workshop entitled, Researching Your Military Family History, hosted by the Osgoode Township Museum. At the workshop, learn how to make a military service request and unearth the digitized military records of First and Second World War soldiers. From 1:30 – 3:30 pm you can discover your military ancestry. For more information and to register –https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/event/researching-military-family-history.
Join John Curry at his presentation on ‘Famous and Infamous Characters from Stittsville’s Past’ at Hazeldean Gardens from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Learn more on the likes of Paddy Mitchell leader of the Stop-Watch Gang and many more controversial characters of Stittsville. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. RSVP to 613-903-6949. Learn more about the people’s history of your community!
I think that about covers it for this week! Enjoy the local events and remember to stay engaged with your community!