G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton may be small but it always comes up with big ideas.
G. C. Huston is located on the little lake locally known as Fairy Lake and, when school students came before Saugeen Shores Town Council with the idea of creating a winter wonderland at Fairy Lake, it was the beginning of a plan to see the ‘little’ lake become a a centre for celebrating winter.
Town Council supported the idea but was not quite certain what the outcome would be. The request was to have Fairy Lake become an after-Santa Parade gathering place for music and hot chocolate for the first year.
As soon as the Town gave its support, the students and organizers, teacher Enid Johnston and parent/volunteer, Brenda Elliott, got to work. They had already canvassed the residents living near Fairy Lake and received their support. From there, the idea moved quickly. They asked for lights and decorations and received several donations, including from the Chantry Island Cham-bettes annual Christmas sale.
A name was chosen by G. C. Huston Public School students and the event will now be known as ‘Fairy Lake Sparkles’. The first-time event following the annual Santa parade attracted hundreds of people as Christmas music played and hot dogs and hot chocolate were served.
‘Fairy Lake Sparkles’ first event was also a dedication to those who had lived near Fairy lake and others who have played an important part in the fabric of Southampton. A special dedication sign was donated by the Wardrop family in memory of recently deceased Steve Wardrop and included other names, such as Ab Eagles, who at 103 had reminisced about skating on ‘Little’ (Fairy) Lake as a young boy.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau reaffirmed that the Town was completely behind the project. “We definitely look forward to this becoming an annual event for Southampton.”
Volunteer organizer Brenda Elliott, who came up with the idea, said that the concept is to have the entire pathway around Fairy Lake made into a year-round trail with ‘twinkling’ lights all round. “This is a real gem in our community and it can become a year-round attraction.”
For larger views, Click on Images
