The Christmas season is quickly approaching and why not kick it off with A Touch of Saltspring Christmas Show at Panorama Recreation Centre December 2nd through 4th.  This is an incredible craft and art show that originated on Saltspring Island in 1991 and has gained such popularity that it was moved to the Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich.

Start your Christmas shopping with 230 craft and artisan vendors at this year’s A Touch of Saltspring.

Schedule:

• Friday December 2nd, 10 am – 8 pm
• Saturday December 3rd, 10 am – 5 pm
• Sunday December 4th, 10 am – 5 pm

The Town of Sidney is holding a Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony on November 11, 2011.  The parade begins at the Mary Winspear Centre at 10:15 am and marches to the War Memorial on the front lawn of Town Hall.  At 10:45 am a service and wreath laying will be held at Town Hall.

Join us in giving a silent moment of remembrance to the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Other Remembrance Day Parades and Ceremonies:

• Saanich Remembrance Day Ceremony
• Musical Salute to Our Veterans – Remembrance Concert at the Mary Winspear Centre November 6th at 2:00 pm

For information on Veterans’ Week, please visit Veterans Affairs Canada.

The winner of the Halloween Candy Guess jar is Laura!

The actual number was 471 and Laura guessed 472.  There was a three way tie, and from those three names a draw was done to find out the winner.  The three way tie was between Laura, Kim and Brenda M.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Halloween Candy Guess.

Happy Halloween and safe Trick or Treating!

This coming Saturday, October 29th, is the last weekly market of the season for the North Saanich Farm Market.  Don’t miss out on this wonderful, local market.  It is open from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.  Visit Tom and Jerry’s BBQ  for a hot crepe or breakfast bun.  Browse through the many vendors selling produce, plants, baked goods, crafts and food.

Please visit North Saanich Farm Market for further details.

Enjoy!

Enchanted Halloween at Heritage Acres

Visit Heritage Acres for their 3 day Enchanted Halloween where they bathe the Acres in dramatic lights, glowing lanterns, carved pumpkins and other Halloween decor.  The highlighted activities include train rides, a pumpkin trail and costumed characters.

Event Dates and Times:

• Friday October 28th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Saturday October 29th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Sunday October 30th from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm

Octoberfest at Oldfield Orchard and Bakery

Visit Oldfield Orchard and Bakery for their 21st Annual Octoberfest!  The Festival runs through the two weekends in October, 15th-16th and 22nd-23rd.  The event includes hayrides, haunted house, labyrinth-cedar tree maze, graveyard alley, hey maze and much more!

Don’t miss out on this fun event for the whole family.

Join Van Isle Marina’s President Mark Dickinson and Yacht Broker Greg Andrew at Fort Lauderdale’s International Boat Show October 27th to 31st, 2011.  Visit the “Yachting Capital of the World” to see this amazing International Boat Show that is held at 6 different locations and covers more than 3 million square feet.  There will be a wide variety of boats and sea vessels on display during this five day event.  Exhibits will range from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts.

Boat Show Schedule:

Prime Time Preview

• Thursday October 27th, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

General Admission

• Friday October 28th, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Saturday October 29th, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Sunday October 30th, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Monday October 31st, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

For further information, please visit Fort Lauderdale’s International Boat Show.

Join Salt Spring Vineyards on Saturday October 15th, 2011 for their Annual Grape Stomp from 12:00 – 5:00 pm.  Admission is FREE for the entire family.

This fun event features:

• Special Tastings
• The Oysterman will be shucking his Cortes Island shellfish
• Local Restaurant Nibbles
• A lineup of live entertainers
• Grape Stomping! & competitions

Please visit Salt Spring Vineyards for further details.

Please help us welcome Emma Jespersen as our new Marina Services Representative who is taking over for Myrie Eaton who has gone traveling.  Emma joined the marina earlier this year as a member of the fuel dock team and will now be filling in at the Marina Services desk.

Welcome Emma!

Van Isle Marina is pleased to announce that Mike Leyda has joined its team as the manager of the Yacht Park.  Mike brings a wealth of knowledge to the position with a career that spans over twenty-five years in commercial fishing, shipyards and pleasure yacht servicing.

We wish Mike the best of success in his new role!