One week to Christmas! Just enough time to still send those all important letters to Santa. You can post them at Terry Bros Parkes, and while you are there, get a photo in Santa’s sleigh with the kids!

Other fun activities to do with the kids in the run-up to Christmas is to go look at all the lights around town. There is a huge Christmas tree in Cooke Park, and many families have put up beautiful decorations all around town. There is also a $1,000 prize for the best local business Christmas window display. Time to go window shopping too!

Global Gatherings is a new business in Forbes and was born from a love of travel and appreciation of unique handmade products made in communities striving for sustainable livelihoods.

The passion of the people and communities is the main reason the owners want to bring these products to a larger audience. “We feel that our business offers our customers a win-win situation. By purchasing one of our rare finds, you are not only getting a wonderful, handmade product for your home or business, you are also contributing to the preservation of many cultures by helping a craftsperson become financially independent. It is a true economic partnership in every sense of the word.”

Every product has a story. If you listen closely, every product will tell you of the hands that held it and crafted it with care. Every stitch, bead, carve, cut, sand and polish represent a moment an artisan has spent, practicing and perfecting their craft. Handcrafted products celebrate the traditions of cultures around the world.

Each product you purchase has the promise of taking you on an adventure. It is also a great spot to find Christmas presents that are unique and different.

www.globalgatherings.com.au

Phil Donato with Beth and Bill Thomas at Lake Endeavour where the Parkes Dragon Boat Club erected a shade structure with funding under the Local Sporting Grant Program. They are also holding new carbon fibre paddles purchased with the funding.

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) will be celebrating their Christmas paddle this Sunday under a brand new shade structure made possible with funding under the Local Sporting Grant Program.

Member for Orange, Phil Donato visited Lake Endeavour on Tuesday to see the fruits of the total of $20,680 the club had received under the program for three projects. The rest of the funding will go towards a sports development clinic for members, and new carbon fibre paddles were purchased.

“Dragon boating is growing in popularity, and its inclusiveness has played a big part in attracting newcomers to the sport,” said Phil. “Parkes is lucky to have the Endeavour Dam within close proximity providing an accessible body of water for members to gather and train on.”

The coach of PDBC, Beth Thomas said the club was extremely grateful for the support received. “The club is always welcoming new people to join and having great facilities and equipment make it so much more attractive to prospective members.”

The club trains on Thursday afternoons at 6pm and Sunday mornings at 9pm. Contact Beth on 0418 253 045 if you would like to do a try out session.

A year ago we were battling dust storms and smoke and could only hope the year 2020 (it had such a good ring to it) would roll in a positive change… little did we know how much of a transformation it would bring!

So much has been said and written about this turbulent year that will be etched into our memories forever. There have been countless challenges for all of us, but if we take a moment to reflect, we will all find some positives too.

During the lockdown I was forced out of my comfort zone and had to start digging deep to find positive stories for the paper every week. That was when I discovered once again what a wonderful community we live in, and how easy it was to find great stories once you started looking beyond the obvious.

I also realised, in asking people to write about their experiences, it brought the paper so much closer to the community and fulfilled a new role in sharing experiences and letting everyone know we are in this together.

The absence of events and therefore ‘news’ opened my eyes to the stories that really matter in our community and collecting and writing about these have brought me immense pleasure and satisfaction. Not only did the rain bring us relief and give us so much hope, but the community spirit we shared this year motivated us to keep on enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

I would like to send a big virtual hug to everyone who contributed to keeping our paper going this year. Thank you to our readers, advertisers and everyone who contributed a story, news tip, photo, thumbs up or letter. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and serene 2021.

Maggi