Spreading holiday cheer in Upper Pontiac

July 31, 2018

Caleb Nickerson

caleb@theequity.ca

Locals, fry enthusiasts and R.A. members gathered at Trimmer’s Fries on Allumettes Island on July 25 to celebrate Christmas a few months early. The day served as a fundraiser for the Chapeau R.A., complete with raffles and plenty of potato-themed crafts.

A Christmas party wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Santa, and he showed up with his bucket truck to help put the finishing touches on the tree. Pictured, St. Nick poses with Kyrick Sullivan, whose ornament was selected for the peak of the evergreen.

One of the specials served up at Trimmer’s Fries Christmas in July party was the decadent Christmas poutine, complete with curds, gravy, homemade stuffing and topped with cranberry sauce.

CALEB NICKERSON
ALLUMETTES ISLAND
July 25, 2018
For the third year running, families in the upper Pontiac flocked to Trimmer’s Fries on Allumettes Island to celebrate the holidays a little early.
The Christmas in July party, as it is known, brought out plenty of people from the surrounding area to sample some festive treats and give back to a local community organization.
Trimmers’ owner Cheryl Smith explained that the idea for the party was pretty spontaneous, but that it was born out of a desire to give back to local social programs.

“Because Christmas is a time of giving, we wanted to work with a local organization and Trimmer’s is giving the Chapeau R.A. $200 from the proceeds of the day,” she said. “They have some raffles and draws of their own set up, to try and make a little bit of money.”
Specials for the day reflected the Yuletide cheer, featuring creations such as the Christmas poutine and hot Christmas sandwich, both loaded with gravy and homemade stuffing. There was even the option of cranberry jelly for those feeling extra decadent.
“The only thing we forgot was the eggnog,” Smith joked.
Folks from the R.A. were posted up (with bells on), raffling off a wide selection of Ottawa Senators jerseys. President Mariette Sallafranque was busy cutting up potato stamps for the children to make Christmas cards with.
“[Cheryl] likes to do things like this for the kids,” she said. “She’s committed to helping.”
Sallafranque added that the R.A. recently purchased new play structures for their park in Chapeau, and are looking to raise money for new bathrooms.
Children from the R.A’s day camp were hard at work creating ornaments for the massive tree that had been erected in front of the chip stand. Smith explained that one youngster’s ornament would be selected to go to the top of the tree, with the help of Santa and his bucket truck.
“The tree is donated by Paul Martin, he’s a good friend of mine,” Smith said. “He’ll come tonight with his bucket truck … One ornament is chosen and that little one will get to put their ornament at the top of the tree with Santa. We’re very fortunate to have his support as well.”

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