Santa and Mrs. Claus waved to the crowds lining the streets Saturday evening during the Business Improvement Association’s annual “Parade of Lights.” The UNFC Aboriginal Head Start program won first prize for its float, with the St. Mary’s Youth Group and Canadian Mental Health Association placing second and third, respectively. The Robert Moore Kiwanis Builders’ Club got an honourable mention.

Marilyn and Roy Brown held the draw box for Doug Medhurst on Friday afternoon as he drew the lucky winners of three cash prizes outside the gift shop at La Verendrye Hospital. Glenna Rea won the $1,000 first prize, with second place going to Richard Harper ($300) and third place to Gladys Martin ($200). More than 2,500 tickets were sold for the draw, which was held by the hospital auxiliary.

Ebenezer Scrooge’s adventures with the “Spirit of Christmas Present” were read by Brian Hagarty during yesterday evening’s dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Presented by CBC Radio and the Voyageur Lions Club, the reading also featured local residents Val Martindale, Mark Kowalchuk, and Ruth Caldwell as well as CBC Winnipeg morning show host Terry MacLeod. There also were musical performances by the Rainy Lake Ringers and the Knox United Church choir.

The Borderland Ensemble, consisting of Dr. George Elliott, foreground, Jess Brandrick, Kirsten Stinson, Sam Harcus, Fr. Wayne McIntosh, Bill McPherson, Pam Brandrick, Dean Lindstrom, and John Jankiewicz (not pictured) played for people who stopped by the Fort Frances Museum on Saturday afternoon to warm their toes and enjoy hot cider. There also was cookie decorating for kids. A reminder the museum also will be the site for “Cocoa and Cookies with Santa” this Saturday (Dec. 6) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tim Sharp of the Fort Frances ‘AA’ Canadians battled to win a draw against Wayzata in the final of the second-annual Gus Lindberg Memorial Midget ‘AA’ tournament at the Ice for Kids Arena yesterday. The Canadians fell 3-2 to the visitors to finish in second place.