Due to expected severe weather, services and activities tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26, have been CANCELLED.
PLEASE NOTE
Due to expected severe weather, services and activities tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26, have been CANCELLED. Fred Arsenault loves getting letters the old-fashioned way — through the postal service. It was while serving in the Second World War that Arsenault learned to fully appreciate the significance of receiving that envelope. "He was in a slit trench and he would get a letter from his mom. So, he would read it at night in the darkness," his son, Ron Arsenault told CBC News.
"My dad was a private in the army … He was involved in the Italian campaign [and] he was also involved in the liberation of the Netherlands." Arsenault will be turning 100 on March 6 and his son says he has come up with a birthday gift that is "just out of this world" for his dad. Ron Arsenault has launched an online petition of sorts, asking his friends to help him get his dad 100 birthday cards for his birthday. "I know the story with my dad that he loves mail, and he said he'd love to get some birthday cards," he said. "I thought, well, let's get him some birthday cards." In 2009, when Fred Arsenault moved in with Ron's family, the mailman could not near the front door before Fred would announce that "the mailman is here." "So, we'd get him the mail and he would go through it. Any of the flyers that came, he would be the first one to go through it. So, now he's going to have some birthday cards to go through." '100, yes sir, it's hard to believe' Because of his age, Fred Arsenault does not remember much and he says very little. But he says when he receives letters he gets to know what's happening around him. "You get friends," he told CBC News. He is aware that his birthday is coming up and he knows it's the big one. "Darn right. I never had such a big birthday, never, never; 100, yes sir, it's hard to believe," he said. He also remembers how he met his wife, who's now deceased. "I wish to God she was here tonight," Fred said. A big family reunionRon Arsenault has told his dad about the plans for his 100th birthday, which include "a big party" on March 7. "The good thing [is that] he's involved with Branch 73 of the [Royal Canadian] Legion. They've provided the hall for him so we're going to have a big family reunion for him," Ron said. "He's looking forward to that. We have a live band, so it's going to be a busy month. My cousin's daughter, she's an out-of-this-world cake maker and she's making the cake for his 100th birthday." The response to Ron Arsenault's appeal has been picking up steam with retweets from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory, and even the Canadian Forces in the United States. Ford has asked people to join him "in honouring this incredible veteran and sending him a birthday card." "We thought 100, because I only posted it online to my friends, but it's gone viral … I've seen some of the posts that have been shared from across Canada," Ron said. Fred Arsenault is now a resident at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, but his son says anyone who wishes to send a card to his dad should send it to Ron's residence at: 9 Kenmore Avenue Toronto, Ontario M1K 1B3 "It's going to mean a lot to him because when we went to Ottawa [for a Remembrance Day celebration], a lot of time what he would really enjoy is when the children, when they come up and thank him for the service," Ron said. "To get these cards from strangers, it's going to be really, really special for dad and our whole family." All book lovers mark on your calendar March 27, & 28 House of Lazarus Book sale at Winchester United.
Lenten Lunches March 4 – Presbyterian Church
March 11 – Baptist Church March 18 – Winchester United Church March 25 – St. Claire Anglican Church April 1 – Hope Springs hosting at Winchester United March 26 – Ash Wednesday at Winchester United from 5:30 – 8:30 pm April 9 – Holy Thursday – St. Claire Anglican April 10 – Good Friday – Presbyterian Church Kanata United Church is holding an Arts Night for the season of Lent on Friday, February 28, 2020, at 5:30 PM. We will be using the creative arts to explore this season and express our spirituality. Our first night includes opportunities for mixed media painting, sculpture, and fabric arts, as well as learning from special guest, Lisa Weaver, Assistant Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary. This event is free and open to all ages. And dinner is included! For more information, or to let us know you're coming, contact Josh at josh@kuc.ca or call the church office at 613.592.5834
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