The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Well it's starting to feel a lot like Christmas! Trees stand decorated in the windows of many local homes. Lights are strung and lit up on more houses than not.Ê University and college kids are beginning to come home, and the snow is chest deep on a large elf.Ê Add to this the spirit of Christmas.Ê The true sense of what it's all about Ð helping one another and those who are truly in need. The generosity and abundant Christmas spirit of one Snow Lake couple has once again touched the collective heart of this small, close-knit community.Ê Lorna and Chris Burwood operate the Black Cat Caf in the Snow Lake Motor Inn. As they did last year, on Sunday, December 18, they put on a traditional Christmas supper of turkey with all the trimmings, beverages, and dessert Ð free of charge!Ê All they asked in return was that those attending make a food or cash donation to the Snow Lake Family Resource Center's Christmas hamper drive. From 1-6 p.m., the couple served up Christmas supper to 75 citizens. Those same 75 donated close to $800 worth of cash, presents, and foodstuffs for the hamper drive. "I tallied up the cash and tried to put a figure on what the food and other items were worth and (around) $800 is what I came up with," said Lorna during her Monday morning coffee hour rush. "People really supported the idea," she added. At times during Sunday, the small hotel restaurant was either full or overflowing.Ê With Chris cooking and putting together the meals in the kitchen, Lorna set tables and served the hungry throng.Ê At times, it was more than she could handle, and people who were eating, as well as hotel owner Esther Simpson, helped out. When asked why she does this, Lorna replied, "I was a single mom at one time and I know what it's like at this time of the year. I once had to rely on Christmas hampers and I know how much I appreciated them.Ê It's nice to be able to do this." All who took part in the supper commented on what a great idea Ð and feast Ð it was.Ê There were also those who noted what big hearts the couple has. The Burwoods weren't the only ones helping out the hamper drive. Cornerview Enterprises had donation boxes set up and the Dorothy Salahub Library had a box asking that people make a donation rather than pay late fees on overdue books.
