The Salvation Army will have a very busy December, with many Christmas programs and fundraisers in the middle of the month. It all starts with their "Speed-ghetti" (speed spaghetti eating) contest on Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salvation Army will have a very busy December, with many Christmas programs and fundraisers in the middle of the month.
It all starts with their "Speed-ghetti" (speed spaghetti eating) contest on Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. "We have 24 contenders in the contest this year," said Capt. Mike Mailman, from the Weyburn Salvation Army.
With a full house for participants, the Salvation Army still encourages residents to come down to the Boston Pizza on Dec. 16 to watch the contest. There will be a Salvation Army kettle on site.
Last year's fastest eater, Johnson Wideman, will be contending to beat his own record. There are also a few head-to-head rematches from last year.
Contestants will compete to eat the weighed plate of spaghetti in the fastest time, with prizes for the three fastest eaters and the person who raises the most money.
Then on Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Salvation Army will have their annual Christmas dinner at the Captain's Hall, starting at 6 p.m. There is no charge to attend, and reservations are not required.
Then on Thursday, Dec. 19, is the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Rail Holiday Train, as the U.S. train finishes its 2013 season by arriving in Weyburn that evening, roughly at 7:45 p.m.
Entertainers on the U.S. train included The Claytones, Roxanne Potvin, Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Tracey Brown, and Willy Porter.
The Salvation Army hampers are also given to families in need on Dec. 19, including all families in the Adopt-A-Family program.
Mailman noted that they were down for Christmas hamper applications this year. "The need hasn't gone down, and normally when there are less numbers it means people have missed it."
He noted that to inquire about Christmas hamper applications, residents need to contact either himself or Capt. Melissa Mailman as soon as possible.
There was a good response of support for the Adopt-a-Family program, with more adopters than adoptees. Mailman said that the Salvation Army is keeping pace with new inquiries.
The Adopt-a-Kettle campaign for the Salvation Army started last week and will be held throughout December. Interested organizations or individuals who want to adopt a kettle can contact Helen Orsted.
Carollers from the Salvation Army will be at the Weyburn General Hospital on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. They welcome any other interested singers to join them in bringing the Christmas spirit to those residents who are in the hospital.
The Salvation Army will have both a Christmas Eve service and special Christmas morning service this year. The Christmas Eve service is Tuesday, Dec. 24 with doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program starting at 6 p.m.
For the Christmas Day service, on Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 9 a.m., residents can attend in their pajamas.
