DAVE WHITE
The Western Star

Spiritual, secular and political bouquets and devotions are wrought of the gratitude and giving which comes at the changing seasons of the calendar’s fourth quarter.

Joys found in the autumn harvest and the pending celebrations offered of winter, now just over a month away, lend to appreciable recognition for the good tidings and good work that churches, volunteer community groups, yeah government and non-governmental organizations alike, bestow upon citizens where they live in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Bay of Islands, as anywhere else we might suppose, an appreciative populace and understanding members of the business fraternity readily and eagerly demonstrate support for increased social opportunity and the mutually beneficial aims and causes found common among their beliefs.

From helping children and the needy to promoting social awareness, educational advancement and recreational opportunity, people in rural towns adopt year-round commitments which make those places that other people love to visit an even better place to live. Much goes on behind the scenes to see the plans through and worthy public goals achieved.

All are here duly commended.

For the good of all
In hometown McIvers, it is good to see community values recognized in what has become an annual tradition for the well-meaning folk who find and deliver social opportunity and common cause among the happenings and events they continue to bring to the town each new year. Good news.

For four decades the lead organization for community recreation in McIvers, the locally known McIvers Community Improvement Club is one such giver of volunteer service which chooses to avail of the goodwill of the season to share in some town council-sponsored goodwill with other such local member organizations as church groups, the volunteer fire department and its fundraising firettes.

The Improvement Club has again prepared a calendar of special public announcements for the holiday season which again this year offers to bring dozens of community volunteers, family, friends and special guests together in common celebrations of appreciation for what all add to the quality of life provisions in the town.

A community Christmas potluck among volunteers and invited guests slated for Dec. 5 kicks off a month-long series of special dates and celebratory events culminating in the start of the New Year’s community services calendar for 2010.

Residents of McIvers and prospective celebrants from elsewhere stand reminded that tickets for McIvers annual New Year’s Ball on Dec. 31 will go on sale from the town office beginning on Dec. 7. No tickets can be made available after Dec. 28. The Improvement Club’s prize Christmas turkey bingo is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Club members gather themselves on the evening of Dec. 10 to decorate the community hall, trim its Christmas tree and to prepare loot bags for gifting upon the many children expected to attend the apres-party following McIvers’ annual Santa Claus Parade, which this year has the jolly, old elf arriving slated for an appearance on Dec. 12.

Improvement Club members gather for a private celebration on Dec. 13, prior to their annual community hall Christmas makeover the next day.

In spirit with the season, the weekly bingo at the hall on Wednesday, Dec. 16, will offer liquored refreshments for prize winners that night.

The first regular bingo of the new year is set for Jan. 6, 2010.

More good news
The laurels keep coming.
Terry Loder, legislature member for Bay of Islands, recently announced some $4,000 in provincial funding support for upgrading to playground facilities at Templeton Academy in Meadows.

Loder, who last Friday presented the government’s first payment toward the project to Templeton’s social council chair, Cindy Wells, says the provincial money will help enhance opportunities for physical activity from within the school curriculum.

 Dave White welcomes your Bay of Islands news and events information at 688-2003, or by email at: daver.9@netzero.com