
Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
CALUMET ISLAND
Nov. 19, 2017
The enticing scent of bacon wafted through Calumet Island’s municipal hall on Sunday, as a local church held a Christmas Brunch and Craft Show for most of the day.
Organized by the Ste-Anne’s Catholic Women’s League, the 12th annual brunch welcomed in many hungry shoppers as they supported the church and in turn, their community.
“The proceeds go back to the community, through the church,” said Joan Derouin, president of Ste-Anne’s CWL. “We have seniors and children’s projects and other missions, including sponsoring a child’s education in Peru.”
Serving up bacon, sausage, eggs, home fries, homemade baked beans, fresh bread and a fruit cocktail, there was tons for everyone at the brunch, all thanks to the many volunteers who helped the CWL prepare and run the day.
“We had 18 adults and two children yesterday to prepare for today,” said Derouin, during the brunch. “Today, I have probably that many or more, it’s all volunteer help.”
It takes so many volunteers to prepare because of the quality of food, as this wasn’t all gathered on a quick grocery run.
“Our chef Leopold Ryan and his wife, they prepare fresh dough and she makes sticky buns,” said Derouin.
Beyond the brunch, a raffle for three prizes was also being held. First prize was a $200 gift certificate to the Spruceholme Inn, donated by Jane Toller; second was a handmade quilt from Martina Evans and third was a painting produced by Kathleen Ranger.
Upstairs from the dining hall sat 15 vendors, showing off their wares at the craft show portion of the event. Evans organizes the crafters, rounding up and ensuring the tables were full, even as one table was donated to local kids’ handiwork.
“One of the tables was donated to the recreation association, so the children can sell their Christmas cards, ornaments and crafts,” said Derouin.
Shoppers could even find the second run of the CWL’s recipe book, an exclusive to Calumet Island featuring tons of homemade baking and meal options, with some recipes in French and others in English.
Rounding out the brunch and craft show was a food drive, collected for Bouffe Pontiac.
“The community enjoys this, we don’t get a lot of opportunities like this here,” said Derouin. “It’s a great way to get the community together.”













