By Jenn Watt
Published Nov. 27 2018
An evening of hilarity festivity and song brought people together at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion on a cold and drizzly Saturday night to raise money for Fuel for Warmth.
The fifth annual Highlands Christmas Shindig once again wrapped the community in a warm embrace while bringing in an impressive $27220 for the local charity.
Performances included music by Nick Russell and Rob Muir; Sylvan Shore; Tomorrow Never Knows; The Rockin’ Bobs; Jerelyn Craden; and Slinky and the Boys.
The Highlands Little Theatre performed a scene about re-gifting presents and Steve Galea entertained with humorous anecdotes.
The evening’s MC was Dame Beatrice (Mike Jaycock) with colour commentary by Sir Cedric Bridlington (Peter Jaycock) and Penelope (Victoria Bingham).
Lorraine McNeil who for years played the character of Elf passed away in February and her presence was missed. “Lorraine would want us to go forth with great humour and full of happy thoughts” the program read. “And so we will. But never forgotten.”
The evening wrapped with all performers on stage leading a sing-along of “White Christmas” which included the audience.
Fuel for Warmth provides assistance to those in the Highlands struggling to heat their homes. Fuel oil accounts for about 56 per cent of the requests they receive with 34 per cent needing firewood.
Demand was up 18 per cent last winter over the year before the charity reports.