It's traditionally one of the first Christmas tree lightings of the season, and the annual Plum Coulee event happened last night. The evening included singing by students from Plum Coulee Elementary school, caroling, hot chocolate, candy canes and an appearance by the one and only Santa Claus.

"I have started, and I have finished for some of my kids, but not everybody," shared Plum Coulee  resident Donalee Wiebe when asked how her Christmas shopping has been going.  "I love all the time we get to spend together with family and friends. I love baking and preparing for gatherings. I like getting gifts and I like giving gifts."

Wiebe pointed to the community's outdoor skating rink as one of their favourite things to do as a family during the Holidays. And as for favourite Christmas songs, she was quick to point out the worship music of Paul Baloche as well as Evie's "Come On, Ring Those Bells". The first song of the season on CFAM Radio 950 is Monday, November 20th at 8:05 a.m.

Jordan Janzen, lead singer of The Color, was also there and shared how his family is coming along with holiday plans.

"We don't have our tree set up yet, that's happening this weekend, which we are very excited about," Janzen said. "My kids are very ready for it. We've been a little slow, because I've been traveling, but now's the time. Years ago we would always have like seven or eight gatherings. Things have changed a little bit, now that we have kids, but I just love getting to spend time with the people that I love."

The Color will be at the P.W. Enns Centennial Concert Hall December 9th for "A Colorful Christmas" concert. Tickets are available at winklerconcerthall.ca .

Moira Porte, one of the tree lighting organizers, reflect on how the evening went.

"I think it just went so super," she said. "There was lots of people here, and the weather was a lot warmer than we're used to, and I think the crowd enjoyed themselves."

She also had a special thank you to Plum Coulee School's Grade 6 class, led by Mrs. Goertzen, who provided some singing Wednesday night.

"'I'm just so appreciative of the Plum Coulee School," Porte said with a smile. "Every year we've had tree lighting, we've had representation from the school come here, and I'm just so pumped Mrs. Goertzen was willing to bring her Grade 6 class here, and they did a great job."

Porte noted Christmas is one of her favourite times of the year. "My favorite part is, well, Santa and the meaning of Christmas. I like the lights. I love putting up the tree, having stuff on the tree that brings special memories from years gone by."

And what's her favourite thing to do outside once the snow arrives? Something that surprised us, that's for sure!

"Well, it used to be shoveling, but we moved into a condo, and so we don't have to do that anymore," she noted. "But I do like walking outside in the in the fresh snow."

- With files from Nicole Klassen - 

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