On track for the Christmas season
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled into Finch on Mon., Nov. 27, for the 3rd year of its 19-year history. Performing for the spectators were Blues artist Colin James and pop singer Emma-Lee. The artists performed for 30 minutes before the train departed for their next stop. During the visit, donations were collected from the community for the Community Food Share and the CP Holiday Train matched their 2016 donation of $4,000. Sawyer Helmer photo
Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
The spirit of giving
The CP Holiday Train donated $4,000 to the Community Food Share while stopped in Finch on Mon., Nov. 27. From left, MPP McDonell’s Executive Assistant Marilyn McMahon, North Stormont Mayor Dennis Fife, Deputy Mayor Bill McGimpsey, Community Food Share Administrator Ian McKelvie and CP Holiday Train Manager Steve Doyle.
Sawyer Helmer photo
FINCH – The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train made its 3rd annual stop in Finch on Mon., Nov. 27. The 19-year tradition of the Holiday Train has raised over $13-million for local food banks and four million pounds of food. Despite the Monday schedule, crowds of people gathered to give and celebrate, making 2017 another successful Holiday Train year. This year’s event raised $1,431 in cash donations and 1,072 pounds of food, plus $102.50 extra donated by the North Stormont Arena canteen from funds raised during the Holiday Train event. The arena opened specifically for the duration of the show. “The cash will help buy fresh produce, milk and meat,” said Ian McKelvie, Community Food Share Administrator. “The crowd was good and I was quite happy with the whole event.”
Every year the Holiday Train’s donations and those raised in the community, stay in that community to help local people throughout the winter. The train made four stops in the local area on Monday alone including Merrickville, Smiths Falls and Perth. The train will finish off its route across Canada in Brooks, B.C. on Dec. 17. Meanwhile a second United States-routed train travels through the northeast and midwest States before returning back to Canada. The train has 14 rail cars, including the Spirit of Tomorrow car featured as part of the Canada 150 Train from the summer.
A bluesy Christmas
Canadian singer-songwriter and Blues icon Colin James performed some of his best hits for the bustling Finch crowd on Mon., Nov. 27, during the 30-minute stop of the CP Holiday Train.
Sawyer Helmer photo
Performing in Finch was Canadian singer-songwriter and Blues icon Colin James, with singer-songwriter and pop artist Emma-Lee kicking things off with a few rocking Christmas tunes. The pair performed from 2:45 until 3:15 before departing for the next stop on the Holiday Train itinerary. Spectators kept the cold at bay by bopping and dancing along to each song.
North Stormont Mayor Dennis Fife accompanied by Deputy Mayor Bill McGimpsey and MPP Jim McDonell’s Executive Assistant Marilyn McMahon gave their warm welcomes to the Holiday Train and spectators before McKelvie joined the others on stage to accept a $4,000 donation from CP Holiday Train Manager Steve Doyle.
Visitors of the Finch stop can also enter to win a ride on the 2018 Holiday Train by entering a photo contest on the CP Holiday Train website. The six winners will also receive an extra $1,000 donation for their local food bank. To enter, or for more information visit www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/photo-contest. Also use the hashtag #CPHolidayTrain on social media to share photos from the train’s visit.
