Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Carleton Exam Pause Table - December 2024

 Greetings once again.  

December brings about Christmas parties (see previous post : ) ), Christmas Concerts, and exams for University Students. 

Once again, Calvin participated in blessing students at Carleton University with food and snacks as they undertook exams this week. 

Called the "Carleton Exam Pause Table."  


Thanks to generous donors we were once again able to purchase $1250 worth of drinks, bagels, and snack food of all kinds for the giveaway.  Here's what was purchased this time around. 


  • 4 boxes of Kirkland snacking Nuts   30 / pkg
  • 4 boxes of Made Good - soft baked mini cookies - 32 / pkg
  • 4 boxes of Kashi - Chocolate Chip Chia - 40 / pkg
  • 4 boxes of Merci Finest European Chocolates - 54 / box
  • 4 boxes of Celebration - Mini Chocolate chip - 30 / pkg
  • 4 boxes of Fibre one - chewy bars oats and chocolate - 30 / box
  • 3 boxes of Ritz - Bits mini sandwiches - 30 / box
  • 5 boxes of Kirkland Trail mix - 28 / box
  • 4 boxes of Dare - Bear Paws - 36 / box
  • 3 boxes of Lindor chocolates - lots per box
  • 6 boxes of Dole Fruit Salad - in fruit juice - 20 / box
  • 4 boxes of Kirkland Microwave Popcorn - 44 / box
  • 3 boxes of kelloggs rice crispie squares - 54 / box
  • 4 boxes of Rougemont Assorted Juice boxes - 40 / box
  • 4 boxes of Tim Horton's assorted hot chocolate packets - 30 / box
  • 72 Bagels - assorted 
  • 5 boxes of Celebration chocolate - milk Ch/Truffles/dark ch - 30 / box
  • 4 boxes of Kirkland soft and chewy granola bars - 64 / box
  • 4 boxes of Nonni's Thin Addictive Cranberry Almond thin Cookies - 30 / box
  • 500 Lunch bags
  • Jam
  • Cream Cheese
  • Peanut butter and jam 
  • 6 boxes of assorted tea's 

 


Here is the cart full of stuff 

This event lasts three days now (Monday - Wednesday) and we did Monday, December 9th with two other churches.  Jack and Mary and Megan came out once again to help out.  


Setting things up.  In addition to our stuff, the other churches brought sandwiches and veggies.  A nice addition.  


We were supposed to start at 10:30 a.m. but once the food was out at 10:10 ish, well, things began in earnest : ) 


Nick once again organized things. He's in the blue shirt. 


A simple sign welcoming people 


The flow this year was more steady- not busy. No long lineups.  It was different but nicer in a way.


I bought 75 bagels this year.  
Up from the 60 of last year. 
Jack and Mary once again were stationed at the bagel table.  They had more great spiritual and casual conversations with students.  It's a natural place to chat as the bagel toasts. : )
We went through all 75 bagels.   


Students just kept coming :) 




Megan and I would get people to come to the tables as they walked by.  Some were interested and very thankful, while others just kept on walking : ) 


Jack and Mary are hard at work talking :  ) 

We pretty much ran out of goods by 12:15 p.m. 
We served just over 600 students this time. 

Next time our group may actually try this at the University of Ottawa.  Pastor Ryan has been wanting to do this there, but no takers, so we may give it a trial run. 
Stay tuned!!! 

A HUGE thank you to the faithful donors who gave again this time around so that we could bless to be a blessing.  





 


Thursday, December 5, 2024

2024 Calvin CRC Christmas Party

 

The fall has been busy here at Calvin.  

And before we knew it, it was the end of November. 

Time for yet another Calvin Christmas Party. 

If you've read past blog entries you know the drill. 

Wear Red or Green 

Potluck style 

Bring a gift of $15 ish for the gift exchange. 

Below are the pics. 

Enjoy : ) 


This year the party was held on Saturday, November 30th.  Set up started at 1 p.m. 

Name tags again. 

Gift Table. 

We put up this decoration again.  
I like it.  



Set up takes a bit of time.  


We had 60 people show up and you have to repeat these settings 60 times.  But the end result is nice. 
It's all about presentation !! 


Food tables are set up.  


Megan and Hannah, her friend, did a great job helping set things up. They are wrapping gifts here.   


As darkness comes, the candles are lit.  

Jack doesn't look too happy here?  

Socializing from 6 to 6:30 p.m.  
There was cold punch, hot apple cider, and coffee.
  

The gift table.  

Everyone seated and ready to eat : ) 
We did a get-to-know-you activity first. 
Some like them, and some don't : ). 


A clip of our signing. 
They didn't sound bad :) 



And then it was time to eat. 
We had LOTS of food once again.
So many interesting dishes to sample.  


After dinner, we played that age-old game of 
CHRISTMAS PICTIONARY!!!


Loads of fun : ) 





A picture of those who brought lights along and really wore Red or Green : ) 

After dessert, we gathered for the grand finale. 
GIFT EXCHANGE. 
60 people is a large group : ) 
It went ok.  
Lots of fun at the end with people swapping gifts. 

Thanks to all who came out.  
Until Next Year. 
D.V. 
Whoot!!! : ) 


Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Cadet and GEMS Cub car races. 2024

 This past year we once again held our annual Cub Car building and racing time.   The GEMS joined the Cadets again and all had a great time preparing their cars and racing them.  

Below are some pictures and then a whole bunch of short video clips showing some of the many races that were done.  Cadets and GEMS, maybe you can pick out your car : ) 

Between the pictures and the video clips is a list of who won what.   

Congratulations to all who made a car, raced a car, and enjoyed themselves through the process.  



The very old, but very faithful track that is used for races. 
There is talk of upgrading it, but as of yet, this relic does the job : ) 



There was judging for the best looking car and some of them were very well done.  
Way to go (dad's : ) )


A test run of the track.  












Most of the cars in the competition.  



Trophies that will be given out at the end of the night. 

And the races have begun.   
Lots and lots of them : ) 





Once the scheduled races were done, Miranda and Doug figured out the top ones to be raced again to determine the winner.  It's quite a complicated formula they use.  I won't even begin to explain it : ) 





I grabbed a picture of two of the cars that I think had a lot of work put into them but both dad and son(s)  : )  


And then the finals were done and a winner was determined....after using another complicated formula : )  


Everyone wants to know who won!! 



Time for the trophies to be handed out.  



He's VERY happy : ) 



The GEMS who participated.  
Congratulations to all of you.  

And the Cadets who participated. 
Congratulations to you toooo : ) 


Here's who won what.  order of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd I believe? 

Best Looking Car - GEMS
Jasmine
Ruth
Nahla 

Best Looking Car - Cadets
Ryan
Nico
Matthew

Fastest Car - GEMS
Skotty
Amelia
Kaitlyn 

Fastest Car - Cadets
Austin
Micah
West-Side Adam

And below are just lots of videos of the races. 
Look for your car and hopefully I was able to capture it.  

Enjoy!!!