The East York-Riverdale Mirror

That snow that we had certainly made it clear we are not going to be let off easy this year.

Again the recent weather raises the question of how one faces this time of year - by either hibernating and waiting for spring or getting out and enjoying the season to its fullest.

This weekend is a good beginning to what appears to be shaping up as a busy Christmas season, with lots of things to see and do.

First off, the Pape Village BIA will be celebrating the holiday season with its first annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, Dec. 1.

This will be taking place at the Bethany Baptist Church at 1041 Pape Avenue at Cosburn Avenue, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and going to 4 p.m.

There are a range of activities such as photos with Santa, Christmas cookie decorations, horse and wagon rides as well as a Christmas concert.

Tickets will be required for all activities, but the proceeds will be going to support local charities. Non-perishable food can be used as payment.

On Sunday, Dec. 2, a craft and gift sale will be held at the East York Community Centre at 1081 1�2 Pape Ave. and will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The event is being run for the benefit of Hearing Youth through Youth (HEYY), a non-profit volunteer organization that runs an anonymous community phone line.

There will be 50 vendors who will be providing a range of goods that will include baby clothing, baked goods, arts and crafts of all kinds and things for pets of all types.

There is free admission to the event, as well as free parking beside the community centre, plus a canteen will be providing food, drink and baked goods.

To really set the spirit soaring for the winter season, the East York Choir will be presenting Song for a Winter's Day.

The concert will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave, Tickets are $20 for adults.

The concert will feature excerpts from Handel's Messiah with special guests, the renowned choral orchestra, the Talisker Players.

The soloists featured are all students in either the vocal performance or opera programs at the University of Toronto faculty of music.

The second half of the concert will feature an eclectic mix of selections, including several by Canadian composers/arrangers, with guest artists Charlie Roby and Paul Bartlett, both renowned for their work.

This is only a small selection of the events this weekend, with other groups such Don Valley Art Club, Leaside Presbyterian Church, Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Trace Manes Community Centre hosting their own events.

Check out the It's Happening section of The East York-Riverdale Mirror for more information.