AUNDECK OMNI KANING—Following a spate of sunny days, it was inevitable the weather would turn, unfortunately this happened right around the time of Aundeck Omni Kaning’s Fall Fair. Mandy McGraw has been organizing the event for the last few years, and she didn’t seem phased by the weather at all. “We’re fortunate to have the space at 4Directions, we can adjust for the weather,” she said.

There was something for everyone to do, and for those who just wanted to sit and enjoy the company of others, there was plenty of that, with food to boot.

For the kids, there was pumpkin decorating and a scavenger hunt (in search of pumpkins, of course). “They have to find the pumpkins with names on them. I threw in 40 extra decoy pumpkins, with no names, but they don’t count,” Ms. McGraw said with a devilish grin. In the afternoon, ‘It’s Not a Party Without Us,’ a company from Sudbury, moved in with their bouncy castles and laser tag paraphernalia to liven up the place. This activity, planned for some outdoor fun, had to be moved indoors due to the rain that came and went all day long.

The craft programs had to readjust their spaces, but all programs seemed to move smoothly and efficiently. There were families throughout the Complex creating signs and making centre pieces, visiting friends, and thoroughly enjoying the day. 

Chili was on the menu for dinner, but first the chili competition, with five judges deciding on the winners of the chili cook-off. Jenny McGraw won first place, Matt Esquimaux was second place winner, with Jodie Corbiere coming in third. The scones and bannock competition saw Beverly Wilson as first place winner, with Matt Esquimaux again coming in second and Jodie Corbiere the third-place winner.

Photographs tell the story, and this story is one of family, community, all ages gathering and enjoying their time together. A perfect day, despite the weather.

by Margery Frisch