Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Ordinarily cats and Christmas trees aren’t a great mix, but it made for a winning combination at the fifth annual Lennox and Addington’s Christmas Tree Winter Wonderland event last Tuesday.
The votes were tallied and Napanee Community Kitten Rescue was the people’s choice at the event, which drew over 400 visitors to the museum.
Decorated by volunteers from Community Kitten Rescue-Nancy Clark, Missy Hull, Yvonne Fleming, Vicki Ruthven and Misty Farooq, the tree was complete with paper snowflakes that were cut into the shape of kitten’s faces.
Along with winning a gift basket, the Community Kitten Rescue took the opportunity to help spread the word about their cause, which aims to assist the community with awareness, education and resources for the care and rehabilitation of homeless kittens. This year was a challenge year for the volunteer organization as they took in 278 cats this year, a 44 per cent increase from the one previous.
Members of the Newbugh Girl Guides in front of the tree they decorated. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
The kitten tree was one of 12 trees decorated by a local organization at the event, which were spread out throughout the museum and guests were encouraged to cast a vote for their favourite. Other entrees included L&A Association for Community Living, 100 Women Who Care L&A, Peer 17, Community Foundations for L&A, Bill Bickle Canadian Wildlife, Special Olympics, Newburgh Girl Guides, Morningstar Mission decorated by Wild Orchid Health and Wellness Centre, and the Salvation Army.
Hannah Barstow dazzles the crowd with jazz themed Christmas songs. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Along with a chance to peruse the trees, guests to Tuesday’s event were also treated to a Christmas themed jazz performance by Napanee’s own Hannah Barstow as well as an appearance by live reindeer from Sherwood’s Reindeer Farm and Father Christmas. Members of the public are reminded they can contribute to the Salvation Army’s Giving Tree by bringing in a new winter-clothing item-gloves, hats, jackets, boots-to hang on the tree which will then be donated to those in need this winter season.
The Salvation Army Giving Tree is accepting new winter clothing, which will be donated to those in need this winter. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
The trees will remain on display at the museum until Jan. 2.