Lots of fun for Sandy Hill at Winter Carnival 2019

Christine Aubry

Mother Nature came through for the annual Sandy Hill Winter Carnival on Sunday, January 27. At least 200 people came out to Sandy Hill Park between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to enjoy skating and hockey, outdoor games, snow painting, maple taffy, and of course the always popular horse-led wagon rides from John Cundell Stables.

In the warmth of the community centre, children enjoyed making various crafts, henna hand painting, balloon animals by Bader Abu-Zahra, and a music show by YAKI. Mathieu Fleury and his team served up the hot chocolate and people of all ages enjoyed the baked goods made by Sandy Hill families and SAFI Fine Foods. Lynda and Jim Cox also brought sweets and invited children to participate in a colouring contest for a $25 Chapters gift card.

The fun and games were capped off with a delicious hot meal prepared on-site by a dedicated group of Somali women who call themselves Daryeel (which means “Love and Care”). About 125 neighbours from all parts of Sandy Hill lined up patiently to fill their plate with savoury meat and vegetable dishes served with rice, pasta, and traditional bread.

Action Sandy Hill (ASH) is the main sponsor of the carnival and is again this year very grateful for the financial contributions by the following community partners: the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, our municipal councillor Mathieu Fleury, and local real-estate agents Lynda Cox and Jim Cox. This year we were also fortunate to receive gift cards from Loblaws and Whole Foods.

ASH would also like to extend a very big thank you to the large team of volunteers without whom this event could not happen: Yann Audet-Young; Diane Beckett; François Bregha; Kyle Buker; Maeve Callan; Jeremy Desjardins; Sean Despins; Felicia Dionne; Michelle Hart; Leila Heikkila; Mia Hunt; Palesa Jackson-Miller; Elise Loranger; Glen Kitchen; Simon Kitchen; Jane MacNamara; Sabrina Matthews; Cathy Major; the Moser family; Dawson Mihichuk; Jack Piper; Krista Ranacher; Betsy Schuurman; Jessa Scott; Paula Tchen (and Julien); Mitchell Webster; Kate Wigston; Susan Young.

Speaking of volunteers, if you would like to be part of the 2020 Carnaval team, we would love to hear from you! You can also send your comments on this year’s event to Christine at caubryhome@gmail.com.

Un grand merci non seulement à nos commanditaires et bénévoles, mais surtout à tous ceux et celles qui se sont habillés chaudement pour venir profiter des activités et de l’occasion de partager un bon moment entre voisins. C’est grâce à vous que la Côte-de-Sable demeure un quartier familial animé et attrayant.