Holiday shopping picks!

I have been writing this blog about upcoming community events but have ignored this for a few weeks now.
I think there are two things that have always surprised me about our region:
1: People don't seem to know about events, special concerts and festivals that take place right in our back yard.

2. People don't seem to know about the best places to shop, the specialty products offered in our small towns across the region and don't know where to find what they're looking for. The result: a lot of spend hours and lots of gas driving to the city, looking for things there and ultimately being unhappy with what we buy for the amount of time and money we have spend finding it and buying it.

So while I will continue to let you know about upcoming events, I'm also going to tip you off about my favourite things in this region. I think that because of the job that I do, I get to find out about so many great businesses and foods right here in our region.
Coming up this weekend, of course, is the Vankleek Hill Parade of Lights tonight, starting at 7 p.m. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., parents can bring their children to The Review offices at 76 Main Street to meet Santa.
Also tonight, at the Dunvegan Recreation Hall, you can listen in on a dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol and enjoy singing by the Morris Family singers. This is an old-fashioned event with a great holiday spirit and well-organized, too.
On Saturday, December 5, Hawkesbury's parade of lights will make its way through Hawkesbury, beginning at 7 p.m.

And on Sunday, December 6, Amaryllis Women's Choir will be performing at the St-Eugene Catholic Church, starting at 3 p.m.

From now until the week before Christmas, take a drive to Alexandria during the evening to take in the Festival of Lights in Island Park . . . it's worth the drive and is the only community in our region to organize a display of this kind. The lights are on every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Seniors and kids alike will love it!
And now: a few of my favourite things:
If you haven't made time to visit Marie Olive in Hawkesbury (on Main Street, beside Le Petit Pain), do so. This fair trade shop is run by owner Bernadette Blais and you can buy imported coffee beans and have them ground for your coffee machine or espresso machine. Check out the great assortment of winter mittens, hats, lovely soaps, great jewellery, textiles, bowls, and all kinds of things you will want to take home for yourself or give as a gift.
I just bought a great rug there from Peru, full of oranges and blues and vibrant colours. And the interesting soaps there are great gifts to give at Christmas.
This is not a paid ad for her . . . she is an ethical businessperson offering great service and there is inventory in this store that you won't find anywhere else in our region.  Give it a try!
Marie Olive is located at 259 Main Street East in Hawkesbury. For store hours and to find out more about the owner, visit:
http://www.marieolivefairtradegifts.com
If you know of a treasured spot you like to visit, or have a favourite dining spot or shopping destination, let me know! I might post your comments or if I don't know about your recommendation, I'll make a trip to see for myself!
Email me at lsproule@thereview.ca