Port Williams - as of Nov. 24

The multipurpose room of the Community Centre was filled with over 60 friends and family Oct. 25 to celebrate the 90th birthday of Spurgeon Conrad. The event was hosted by his family - wife Kay, daughters Sonya and Sandra and son Randy. He and Kay have five grandchildren, two of whom came from Florida and Toronto to attend, and two great grandchildren. Spurgeon has always been a volunteer and was in at the start of some of our community organizations: a charter member of the Lions Club, he still attends special events. He was presented with a life membership in the Nova Scotia Lions Foundation at the open house, after 40 years in the club. He also served in the fire department for 19 years, working his way up to chief. He was the president of the senior club twice, and it was during his term as the chairman of the Kings County Council of Seniors he was presented with a volunteer award by Lieutenant-Governor Lloyd Crouse. Spurgeon moved to the village when he was 14 and has lived here ever since. He was one of the owners of the Johnson and Conrad John Deere dealership in Coldbrook (the current Toyota car dealership). Additional photos of the event are on the village website, www.portwilliams.com.

Come and join in the 11th annual Community Family Christmas tree lighting Nov. 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the community centre. Dress for outside and inside, as the evening will begin with the tree lighting and carol singing, then move inside for Santa, refreshments and entertainment for the kids. Again this year, the NSPC exchange of Christmas Lights takes place. Something new: a cake auction and bake sale in support of the park.

Tickets for the Lions Club’s Christmas draw are available from any Lion, three for $5 or $2 each. The draw will be Dec. 16. First prize is 450 litres of furnace oil, donated by West Nova Fuels; 2nd prize is a $100 gift certificate, donated by the Port Bistro Pub; 3rd prize is a $50 gift certificate, donated by Jungle Jim’s; and 4th prize is a Sunday brunch for two, donated by the Old Orchard Inn & Spa. Funds provide Christmas food baskets to needy residents in the Port Williams area.

The annual PWES Santa breakfast will be held Nov. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Delicious pancakes and sausage will be served. Freewill offering. Tickets will be sold on a family Christmas sock. The funds raised are given to the Kentville Kinsmen/ Kinette Christmas Miracle to help children in Kings County at Christmastime.

Wondering what to get those hard-to-buy-for people on your Christmas list? Have any nature lovers, play enthusiasts or trail blazers on your Christmas list? Why not make a donation to the Port Williams Park in honour of someone else? You will receive a tax receipt; they will receive a Christmas card explaining your donation.

Cast your vote now and help the Port Williams Park win funds from the AVIVA Community Fund. Log onto www.avivacommunityfund.org Vote now, as we only have until November 29!

The Port Williams and District Lions Club will be providing Christmas baskets (a complete Christmas dinner) to families in need in the area (Mee Road to Starrs’ Point and Canard River to Cornwallis River). If you know of any families who may be eligible, please advise Lion Brian Tupper at 542-3432 before Dec. 15.

EMS: The Scholastic Book Fair hosted by the EMS library will be held from November 24 to 27. Books may be purchased all day Thursday and Friday, as well as Thursday evening during parent/ teacher interviews. All profits will be used to buy new library books. The 44-page EMS yearbook is going full colour this year and yearbook Christmas gift certificates are available in the office until Dec. 19 at a cost of $20.

Calling all former Kings County/ Annapolis Valley Honour Choir members: we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary reunion December 18, 19 and 20 at the Horton High School Performance Centre, Greenwich. Weekend highlights will include a meet and greet, rehearsals, a variety show and lots of reminiscing; and will culminate in a massed choir celebration December 20 at 3 p.m. For registration information, contact Erin Bustin at erin.bustin@gmail.com or Krista Griffin at 679-2341.

Baptist church: there will be an Advent Bible study based on the book by Rick Warren, The Purpose of Christmas, Wednesday mornings, Dec. 2 (Time of Celebration), Dec. 9 (Time of Forgiveness) and Dec. 16 (Time of Reconciliation); at the home of Liz Johnson. Everyone is welcome. The Loyal Workers are having their Christmas Party Nov. 26, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Vestry

St. John’s Anglican: on the first Sunday of Advent Nov. 29, there will be a service of lessons and carols at 11 a.m.