by Wes Bloom
On the cover of their free matchbook, greater words have likely never been spoken - “Fife Lake Hotel - Where friends Meet”. For Lawson and Gail Harkness, owners of the Fife Lake Hotel, these are not just idle words. Extending the hand of friendship and hospitality is what they do best. More than 150 friends and neighbours from the south country gathered at the Fife Lake Hotel for their annual Telemiracle Fund Raising Event on February 25. Dozens of cars and pickup trucks lined up outside the busy hotel on Main Street. Inside it was standing room only. You didn’t have to come early to get a good seat; you had to come early to simply get a seat!
According to Lawson Harkness, attendance this year was down by about 40 per cent from last year. Their normal attendance is usually around 300 - far in excess of the hotel’s seating capacity of 100 people.
“School break was on, so some families may have been gone on winter holidays with their kids”, he said. “This year’s grand total of money raised for the event was also down slightly from last year, but not by much. This year’s total was still well over $16,000”, said Harkness, with a proud grin on his face. “In 25 years, we’ve raised nearly $250,000. That a whopping quarter of a million dollars! Not bad, eh, for a small town of 35 progressive souls, and the fine folks of the south country”, affirmed Harkness!
“We’re so proud of our friends and neighbours for stepping up to the plate and generously giving to help make this fundraiser a huge success! It just doesn’t get any better than this”, he boasted.
Money raised for ‘Telemiracle 42’ at this annual small town event is by auctioning off items donated by caring individuals and local businesses. Donations included a gigantic and gorgeous ’doll house’ built by the Rockglen Coop Association, and sold for $850.
An incredible hand-carved and highly detailed toy truck and trailer, created by Ken Martin of Coronach, sold for $2,800. This was Ken’s fifth year of donating his masterful carvings, which have raised more than $15,000 for this event.
Everyone’s generosity was evident from a peanut butter pie sold for $140 to a dozen cinnamon buns fetching $60. Folks even donated the Norwegian treat lefse to be auctioned off! Yum. Four capable auctioneers from the area also donated their time and services: Roy Rutledge, Mason Richard, Kelly Clark, and Randy Gaudry.
“Huge thanks to these guys for their help” said Lawson, “as well as big thanks to the Kinsmen and Kinnettes from Coronach, who do the ‘books’ for this event. Without everyone’s help, this fundraiser would be impossible”!
Regarding the event, and the evening’s entertainment, one exuberant individual in the crowd blurted out, “Gail and Lawson Harkness sure know how to throw one hell of a party”!
Yes a great party indeed and another successful fundraiser for Telemiracle 42 going this Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4.
