2023 News Stories
A big thank you to all who donated to our
Cha-ching-a-ling Christmas Bills are Ringing
campaign! Thanks to your generosity and our matching program we were able to donate $2,760 to the
Lanark County Food Bank's Hunger Stop.
Cha-ching-a-ling Christmas Bills are Ringing
campaign! Thanks to your generosity and our matching program we were able to donate $2,760 to the
Lanark County Food Bank's Hunger Stop.
Lots of kids having lots of fun!
Bridging Generations is a group of Pakenham residents with a shared passion for ensuring that Pakenham thrives as a multi-generational, age-friendly community.
Sherryl Smith delivered a fascinating talk on the data collected at the very successful Health and Wellness Fair held in Pakenham on June 1, 2023. She shared data about who we are and what we said we need to age in place.
Sherryl is a retired health care professional with over 35 years of experience in health promotion and community development. She is a community builder who has been on the board of the Champlain Community Care Access Centre and currently sits on the board of the Leeds, Grenville, Lanark District Health Unit.
Mrs. Smith is a community builder who has been an active volunteer and driving force behind Bridging Generations, Home Hospice in North Lanark, the Pakenham Library, the gardening club at the Pakenham Public School and the Mississippi Mills Field Naturalists to name a only few. She is Chair of the Festival of the Wild Child and past president and active member of the Pakenham Horticultural Society. When Sherryl is not on a School Box build in Nicaragua or building Monarch butterfly habitats she enjoys adventures with her family, golfing, hiking and staying active.
Sherryl Smith delivered a fascinating talk on the data collected at the very successful Health and Wellness Fair held in Pakenham on June 1, 2023. She shared data about who we are and what we said we need to age in place.
Sherryl is a retired health care professional with over 35 years of experience in health promotion and community development. She is a community builder who has been on the board of the Champlain Community Care Access Centre and currently sits on the board of the Leeds, Grenville, Lanark District Health Unit.
Mrs. Smith is a community builder who has been an active volunteer and driving force behind Bridging Generations, Home Hospice in North Lanark, the Pakenham Library, the gardening club at the Pakenham Public School and the Mississippi Mills Field Naturalists to name a only few. She is Chair of the Festival of the Wild Child and past president and active member of the Pakenham Horticultural Society. When Sherryl is not on a School Box build in Nicaragua or building Monarch butterfly habitats she enjoys adventures with her family, golfing, hiking and staying active.
Decoration Day Service
August 13, 2023
The annual Decoration Day Service was held at Pakenham Union Cemetery on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Cemetery Trustees were pleased to welcome Michael Runtz as guest speaker. Mississippi Mills Bi-Centennial was also celebrated as part of the event. Refreshments and fellowship were enjoyed after the service.
August 13, 2023
The annual Decoration Day Service was held at Pakenham Union Cemetery on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Cemetery Trustees were pleased to welcome Michael Runtz as guest speaker. Mississippi Mills Bi-Centennial was also celebrated as part of the event. Refreshments and fellowship were enjoyed after the service.
About Michael Runtz
The Pakenham Union Cemetery Trustees welcomed preeminent naturalist, photographer and author Michael Runtz as the guest speaker for Decoration Day Service on Sunday, August 13 at 11 AM.
Michael is one of Canada’s most highly respected naturalists, nature photographers and natural history authors with 14 best selling books. A dynamic communicator he is equally at home on television and radio as in a lecture hall or classroom.
His “Natural History” course is the most popular of its kind in Canada due to his enthusiastic, infectious teaching style. Michael has hosted the international television series “Wild by Nature” and attracts hundreds of enraptured participants to his wolf howls in Algonquin Park every summer.
Michael has received numerous awards including an Outstanding Service Award from the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and The Distinguished Public Education Award from the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs. He was the only Canadian profiled - alongside such luminaries as Jane Goodall and Nelson Mandela - on the TVO/NHK Japan ”Superteacher“ series. He was also a finalist for the Canadian Museum of Nature’s “Nature Inspiration Award.”
Michael grew up in Arnprior and was a young friend of Verna (Ross) McGiffan and her sister Edna Ross, both avid Pakenham naturalists who now rest in the Pakenham Union Cemetery.
The Pakenham Union Cemetery Trustees welcomed preeminent naturalist, photographer and author Michael Runtz as the guest speaker for Decoration Day Service on Sunday, August 13 at 11 AM.
Michael is one of Canada’s most highly respected naturalists, nature photographers and natural history authors with 14 best selling books. A dynamic communicator he is equally at home on television and radio as in a lecture hall or classroom.
His “Natural History” course is the most popular of its kind in Canada due to his enthusiastic, infectious teaching style. Michael has hosted the international television series “Wild by Nature” and attracts hundreds of enraptured participants to his wolf howls in Algonquin Park every summer.
Michael has received numerous awards including an Outstanding Service Award from the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and The Distinguished Public Education Award from the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs. He was the only Canadian profiled - alongside such luminaries as Jane Goodall and Nelson Mandela - on the TVO/NHK Japan ”Superteacher“ series. He was also a finalist for the Canadian Museum of Nature’s “Nature Inspiration Award.”
Michael grew up in Arnprior and was a young friend of Verna (Ross) McGiffan and her sister Edna Ross, both avid Pakenham naturalists who now rest in the Pakenham Union Cemetery.
All Were Welcome!
Free Community Speaker Series
Optimizing Kids’
Mental and Physical Health
through “Breath”
Why it Matters!
Optimizing Kids’
Mental and Physical Health
through “Breath”
Why it Matters!
Held Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 7 pm.
Presented by Brenda Deugo-Mills, 5 Span Strong Health Program for Kids
The most important investment we can make in our communities is in the health education of our children. Join the 5 Span Strong Health Program for Kids where kids from 5 – 15 learn how movement and breathing techniques support their physical and mental health in everyday modern living situations. Each session combines an element of education and age appropriate and fun exercises.
For more information on the program follow them on:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/5spanstrongkids/ and
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084924692537
The most important investment we can make in our communities is in the health education of our children. Join the 5 Span Strong Health Program for Kids where kids from 5 – 15 learn how movement and breathing techniques support their physical and mental health in everyday modern living situations. Each session combines an element of education and age appropriate and fun exercises.
For more information on the program follow them on:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/5spanstrongkids/ and
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084924692537
Pysanky Egg Worskshops
We held six pysanky egg workshops during Lent. The workshops were well attended and enjoyed by ladies and children from the community. The workshops were organized and led by Rev. Sheryl McLeod.
The practice of making Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter Eggs, dates back to ancient times long before the Christian era when Ukrainians worshipped the sun god Dazhboh, which they saw warmed the earth and nurtured new life. Eggs decorated with nature motifs became part of spring rituals. Later Christians embraced the egg as a symbol of the rebirth of all creation realized through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The tradition of making Pysanky was prohibited by the Soviet Union along with all religious practices but with Ukrainian independence in 1991 it was revived. This craft in the meantime had also been maintained by Ukrainian Canadians.
To give a pysanka is to give a symbolic gift of life, something we all deeply desire for the people of Ukraine.
The practice of making Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter Eggs, dates back to ancient times long before the Christian era when Ukrainians worshipped the sun god Dazhboh, which they saw warmed the earth and nurtured new life. Eggs decorated with nature motifs became part of spring rituals. Later Christians embraced the egg as a symbol of the rebirth of all creation realized through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The tradition of making Pysanky was prohibited by the Soviet Union along with all religious practices but with Ukrainian independence in 1991 it was revived. This craft in the meantime had also been maintained by Ukrainian Canadians.
To give a pysanka is to give a symbolic gift of life, something we all deeply desire for the people of Ukraine.
It was a good turn out for Emma Moxley's informative talk about travelling in the world when COVID is still and issue.
St. Andrew’s was again one of the stops on the
Maple Run Tour
Maple Run Tour
Visitors experienced the art of these five talented artisans.
Nadine Sculland – Exquisite miniature quilts and sewn items
Colin Hamer – Pewterware: one of Canada’s few remaining pewtersmiths
Clare Gallant – natural soaps and skin care
Janet Stanley and Wendy Chaytor of Starbright Curios – whimsical felted items
Joanne Desarmia of Jo Bling – wired wrapped jewellery featuring dichroic glass
Richard Hutton – fine art painting
Nadine Sculland – Exquisite miniature quilts and sewn items
Colin Hamer – Pewterware: one of Canada’s few remaining pewtersmiths
Clare Gallant – natural soaps and skin care
Janet Stanley and Wendy Chaytor of Starbright Curios – whimsical felted items
Joanne Desarmia of Jo Bling – wired wrapped jewellery featuring dichroic glass
Richard Hutton – fine art painting
Our thanks to all who baked for a dnd supported our bake sale.
Covenanting Service
January 8, 2023
All were invited to the Pastoral Charge
Covenanting Service with Rev. Sheryl McLeod.
We gathered as a Pastoral Charge family on Sunday January 8, 2023, at 2 pm
for the Covenanting service between Rev. Sheryl McLeod and members
of the Pakenham Pastoral Charge.
It was a joyful service including guest speaker, Rev. Zacharia Mandara,
special music from the Children's Choir of Zion and St. Andrew’s Sanctuary Choir.
Undesignated offerings went to the Mission and Service Fund.
We enjoyed light refreshments in the Dining Hall after the service.
January 8, 2023
All were invited to the Pastoral Charge
Covenanting Service with Rev. Sheryl McLeod.
We gathered as a Pastoral Charge family on Sunday January 8, 2023, at 2 pm
for the Covenanting service between Rev. Sheryl McLeod and members
of the Pakenham Pastoral Charge.
It was a joyful service including guest speaker, Rev. Zacharia Mandara,
special music from the Children's Choir of Zion and St. Andrew’s Sanctuary Choir.
Undesignated offerings went to the Mission and Service Fund.
We enjoyed light refreshments in the Dining Hall after the service.